Delta Downs: Mypalcharliebrown meets Dunkin Bend in Big Drama Stakes

Mypalcharliebrown will be returning to the distance of his sparkling maiden win Saturday night, when he takes on Grade 3 winner Dunkin Bend in the $75,000 Big Drama Stakes at Delta Downs.

The seven-furlong race, to be run around two turns, is for 3-year-olds. Others set to start include Roman Unbridled, who was fourth in the Grade 3, $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot on Nov. 23.

Mypalcharliebrown ran on the Jackpot undercard in his last start and finished second by a neck in the $150,000 Louisiana Legacy at a mile. He was edged by Ide Be Cool, who has since won the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile at Fair Grounds by seven lengths with a Beyer Speed Figure of 92.

“Last time, we just ran into a tiger,” said Leo Gabriel Jr., who trains Mypalcharliebrown for Diamond Racing, Four Star Thunder Run, and Volunteer Racing.

Mypalcharliebrown, in his start preceding the Legacy, was a six-length maiden special weight winner at Delta on Oct. 25. He earned a Beyer of 78, which is tied with Dunkin Bend for the best career number in the Big Drama’s field. Gabriel looks for Mypalcharliebrown to be effective on the cutback from a mile to seven-eighths Saturday.

“He’s got enough tactical speed, and he’ll have plenty of stamina,” he said.

Gabriel has given the mount to Jansen Melancon. Mypalcharliebrown will break from post 4.

“It kind of looks like on paper that [Strike for Gold], coming off those sprints, might go to the lead,” Gabriel said. “Hopefully, we’re in the garden spot, laying second, and hopefully we get the jump on [Dunkin Bend] and [Roman Unbridled].”

Dunkin Bend, winner of the Grade 3 Sapling at Monmouth Park, will be seeking his first route win. He enters off a seventh-place finish in the $250,000 Springboard Mile at Remington Park on Dec. 15. Dunkin Bend dueled early in the race, his two-turn debut. Donnie Meche has the mount for Mike Langford and trainer Steve Asmussen.

Roman Unbridled will be shaking Rise Up after hooking that rival in both the Jackpot and the $200,000 Jean Lafitte at Delta on Oct. 26. Rise Up won both races in a romp, with Roman Unbridled fourth in both stakes.

In the Jackpot, Roman Unbridled had a less-than-ideal trip to finish a neck behind third-place finisher Rankhasprivileges. Kevin Smith has the mount for Michelle Y. Brown and trainer Chad Cook.