2010 Eclipse champion male sprinter Big Drama made a successful return to the races this afternoon at Calder Race Course, defeating three rivals in the $75,000 Whippleton Stakes by two lengths.
Under David Centeno, the colt, unraced since taking the Mr. Prospector Stakes (gr. III) at Gulfstream Park in January, broke smoothly from post position one and quickly settled into second as Accredit set a quick pace. The opening quarter mile was run in :22 seconds flat. Centeno guided Big Drama to the two path and put pressure on Accredit as the field moved toward the turn. Black Diamond Cat was sitting in second, while longshot Peace at Dawn was last after breaking alertly.
Around the far turn Big Drama boldly moved past Accredit while Centeno peeked back to see if anyone was coming. Entering the homestretch Big Drama appeared to be ready to coast away as Accredit faded down along the rail.
But Black Diamond Cat had some run left in him, and loomed boldly on the far outside. For a brief moment it looked as though he might succeed in pulling a tremendous upset, but Big Drama, after being struck a few times by Centeno's whip, easily turned back the challenge and coasted home under a hand ride to win in sharp fashion. The final time was 1:17 3/5 after fractions of :45 2/5 and 1:10 4/5.
Peace at Dawn came on to be second, while Accredit faded badly to finish last.
-Keelerman
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