Tribal Drama stays undefeated after winning $300,000 Affirmed S.


First-Crop sire Big Drama got his first stakes winner in a big way Saturday when Tribal Drama triumphed in the $300,000 Affirmed S. at Gulfstream Park. The victory moved Big Drama up to second on the 2015 national Freshman Sire list.

Tribal Drama, like his sire, is trained by David Fawkes.

“We knew right away (that he was going to be a nice colt),” Fawkes said of Tribal Drama’s debut 5. “He showed talent right from the beginning.”

Tribal Drama stalked the early pace under Eddie Castro before moving up alongside the pacesetter Dream of Me on the turn. Dream of Me began to give away ground in mid-stretch, and Tribal Drama edged away and fended off a late charge by Abercorn to win by a neck in 1:25.61 for the seven furlongs over the sloppy track.

“It was a nice trip. I sat a little bit off of the speed and was clear all the time. When I had to ride, I had to ride, but he’s a nice horse. It was just his second race and he’s two-for-two,” Castro said. “I’m glad that he could win. I was a little worried about the track because it was his first time (in slop), but he handled it good. He won and that’s what matters.”

The Affirmed is the second leg of the Florida Sire Stakes for 2-year-old males, with the third leg, the 1 1/16-mile $500,000 In Reality, scheduled for Oct. 3 at Gulfstream.

“We’ll sit and wait and decide whether we want to go two turns,” Fawkes said. “Most likely.”

Tribal Drama, owned by Hallmarc Racing, has now earned $209,000 in his two wins. The winner was bred in Florida by Family Broodmares III.