Simply Wicked eyes first stakes win in Big Drama

Simply Wicked appears to be on top of his game heading into the $75,000 Big Drama on Saturday at Delta Downs.

The race is for 3-year-olds who have started at the current meet, excluding open stakes. It will be run at seven furlongs, which is a two-turn race at Delta.

A field of eight has signed on, including stakes winners Vodka Gimlet, Feel the Fear, and Fiesty Fist.

Simply Wicked was a local allowance winner over five furlongs in his most recent start Feb. 10. He was up for a head win and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 85, which is the co-highest career number in the Big Drama.

“The horse is doing great,” trainer Robertino Diodoro said. “When I was down there last week, I couldn’t believe how much he’s filled out and how good he looks.

“So, he’s definitely taking the next step being a 3-year-old and filling out. And sometimes at this time of year, some horses, their coats don’t look as good with the weather change, but he looks awesome.”

Diodoro also likes the distance move for Simply Wicked.

“I think the two turns is even better for him,” he said. “I think it should suit him just fine.”

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Simply Wicked is a son of Wicked Strong who races for Richard L. Davis. He will break from post 4 under C.J. McMahon. Earlier in his career, the horse ran second in the $50,000 Shakopee Juvenile at Canterbury Park.

Vodka Gimlet is coming off a 2 1/4-length win in the $100,000 Louisiana Premier Prince on Feb. 5 at Delta. He closed from seventh under Thomas Pompell, who again has the mount for Ellen Epstein and trainer Allen Landry. Vodka Gimlet is a son of Goldencents and the mare Shy Baby, who won seven races and earned $208,400.

Feel the Fear captured the $100,000 Prairie Gold Juvenile in his second career start in August at Prairie Meadows. He enters the Big Drama off a runner-up finish to Simply Wicked in the five-furlong allowance on Feb. 10. Ry Eikleberry has the mount for trainer Austin Gustafson.

Fiesty Fist won the $60,000 colts and geldings division of the D.S. “Shine” Young Memorial Futurity in September at Evangeline Downs. The race he exits has produced two next-out stakes winners. Timothy Thornton has the mount for trainer Steve Flint.

Lightning Strike is making his stakes debut after winning a maiden special weight and an entry-level allowance in back-to-back starts at Delta. He is a son of Practical Joke and a half-brother to multiple stakes winner Street Life and Group 2 winner Spirit of Valor.

Joel Dominguez has the mount for trainer Steve Asmussen.