Big Drama Steals Charles Town Festival Show

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(from Charles Town release)

A month after a troubled fifth-place finish in the Preakness (gr. I), Harold Queen’s homebred Big Drama rebounded with a dominating performance in the $250,000 Red Legend Stakes at Charles Town Races & Slots the night of June 20. 

Despite racing wide on the backstretch under jockey Eibar Coa, the 1-2 favorite Big Drama put away pace setter Forty Thieves turning for home and drew off to a powerful seven-length victory. The David Fawkes’ trainee became racing’s newest millionaire with the victory while completing the seven-furlong test in 1:24.03.

Bunker Hill rallied for second, three-quarters of a length in front of local favorite Russell Road. Other than the Preakness, Big Drama’s only other start in 2009 came in the Swale (gr. II) at Gulfstream, a race in which he was disqualified from first after setting the seven-furlong track record. 

The 3-year-old Big Drama earned $144,000 for the victory. The Florida-bred son of Montbrook is out of Riveting Drama, by Notebook.

One possibility for Big Drama’s next start is the $1 million Haskell Invitational (gr. I) at Monmouth Park August 2.

Happy Hour Stable's Trust or Bust, ridden by Gerald Almodovar for trainer Paul McClelland, won the $250,000 Charles Town Invitational Dash a race earlier. Morning line favorite Joey P. and two others were scratched from the line-up, leaving a field of nine for the 4 1/2-furlong event.

After vying for the early lead, second choice Trust or Bust sprinted clear in the final sixteenth of a mile, stopping the clock in :51.11 while posting a 2 1/4-length win. Secretintelligence held on for second over long shot Sea Dubai. Favored Ikigai, hung six-wide, never threatened and finished fifth.

Charles Town Races & Slots reported a total handle of $1,429,771 for its "Sprint Festival" card.  That handle figure is believed to be the second largest in the 75-year history of the track, behind only the Charles Town Classic night held earlier this year.