Network Effect Rides Rail to Big Drama Score
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Lauren King
Network Effect wins the Big Drama Stakes at Gulfstream Park
Klaravich Stables' Network Effect hugged the Gulfstream Park rail turning for home in the $100,000 Big Drama Stakes on May 2 and lunged forward to score his first stakes victory.
The 4-year-old Mark Valeski colt, who missed the pacesetter by half a length in his March 28 season debut in a Gulfstream allowance, returned as the 3-5 favorite Saturday. Irad Ortiz Jr. was in the irons as Network Effect broke sharp from post 2 and contested the frontrunners, grabbing the early lead in the seven-furlong test. He Hate Me and Royal Squeeze loomed on Network Effect's outside, and Royal Squeeze sped up to set fractions of :22.98 and :45.77 through the first half-mile.
Network Effect was shuffled back to fourth at the half-mile point as the field fanned out turning for home. Noble Drama rallied from seventh and burst to the front while Ortiz stuck to his rail route. When more running room became available, Network Effect showed another gear and pulled ahead again for a two-length victory.
The final time on a fast track was 1:21.79.
"He was perfect. He helped me today from the gate. It's the first time I rode him, and he broke so good for me," said Ortiz, who rode for trainer Chad Brown. "He broke on top, and I just put my hands down and let him relax and he relaxed so well for me. I just kept him there and waited for the moment to go. I had nowhere to go by the three-eighths pole, but I said to myself, 'Let me just ride him with patience, and if something opens, I know he's going to get there.' I had so much horse."
Noble Drama was second, 2 1/2 lengths in front of Last Judgment in third. Royal Squeeze, Red Crescent, He Hate Me, and Garter and Tie completed the order of finish.
Bred in Florida by Louis Jolin, Network Effect is the second of three foals out of the Put It Back mare Sandy Key Gal. He has an unnamed 2-year-old half brother by Biondetti , and Sandy Key Gal was last reported bred to Noble Bird in 2019.
Network Effect was purchased by Klaravich Stables for $95,000 from the Blue River Bloodstock consignment to the 2018 Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. He has a 3-3-0 record—which includes runner-up efforts in the Remsen (G2) and Nashua (G3) stakes at 2—in seven starts and has earned $252,910.