Ocala Stud's Montbrook has enjoyed a Big year – literally. The leading Florida sire again in 2008 has had many top performers this year, but perhaps none as exciting as his 2-year-old colt Big Drama, who vaulted onto the Kentucky Derby trail on Dec. 5th with a commanding win in the lucrative $750,000 Delta Jackpot S. (G3) at Delta Downs.

Under Eibar Coa, Big Drama tracked a fast pace while racing three-wide down the backstretch of the 1 1/16-mile event. He was able to dispose of a pair of other early pace-pushers to take a clear lead heading into the far turn. With the run for the Jackpot less than two furlongs away, Big Drama powered around the turn with a full head of steam turning for home. He was challenged in the stretch by a rallying West Side Bernie, but Big Drama had another gear and held that rival comfortably at bay through the final sixteenth of a mile, hitting the wire a length in front.

The final time was 1:44.72 over a fast track at the night-racing venue.

For Big Drama, it was the brilliant colt's fifth win from six juvenile starts. More importantly, it was his coming out party. He displayed the ability on a national stage to be a 3-year-old to watch in 2009, and his $450,000 in first-place earnings from the graded event all but assures Big Drama a spot in the field of 20 in the Kentucky Derby in May – not to put the proverbial cart in front of the horse. But one thing for sure about this horse, he carries a cart full of serious ability.

Prior to the Delta Jackpot, Big Drama became just the sixth Florida-bred ever to sweep the Florida Stallion Stakes at Calder. The test in the Jackpot was his first away from Florida and first against open stakes competition, and Big Drama passed it with flying colors.

Trained by Davis Fawkes, Big Drama improved his career earnings to $860,250 by picking up what is already his fourth stakes win for owner and breeder Harold Queen. The colt is out of the Notebook mare Riveting Drama.