Network Effect clearly best in Big Drama Stakes
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Network Effect got a little class relief Saturday at Gulfstream Park, dropping in against statebred competition for the first time in his career, and he made the most of the opportunity, rallying up the rail under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. to a popular two-length victory in the $100,000 Big Drama Stakes.
Network Effect did have some anxious moments before finally asserting his superiority at the end. Breaking alertly from post position 2, the 4-year-old son of Mark Valeski prompted the early pace before dropping back to as far as fifth place in the field of seven approaching the stretch. But under confident handling by Ortiz, Network Effect found ample room inside the tiring Royal Squeeze to ultimately run down multiple Florida-bred stakes winner Noble Drama and win going away. He then readily widened his advantage on the gallop-out, indicating he should be even more effective the further he goes as the season unfolds.
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Noble Drama, winner of the nine-furlong Sunshine Millions Classic in his 2020 debut, circled the leaders with a bold move on the final turn, drew clear in early stretch but proved no match for the winner. Last Judgment, who fell back to last briefly on the turn, swung outside and rallied mildly to finish third while never menacing the top pair.
Network Effect, runner-up in the Grade 3 Nashua and Grade 2 Remsen at 2 but with only three subsequent starts over the past 17 months, completed seven furlongs over the fast track in 1:21.79 and paid $3.20. Network Effect is trained by Chad Brown for the Klaravich Stables Inc.
“Chad told me the horse was doing great,” said Ortiz. “He broke sharp today, I just put my hands down and he relaxed so well. I knew when something opened, he was going to get there. I just waited for the moment, the space opened on the rail and he just took over. I think he’s growing up from last year. To be honest, he felt like a monster. He’s a race horse.”