Drama Chorus Defends Title in Grey Goose Turf Classic

Drama Chorus, who won last year’s $110,000 Grey Goose Turf Classic by a neck after leading gate to wire, used his speed again for another start-to-finish victory in this year’s version of the mile-and-an-eighth test for Florida-breds, 4-years-old and older, on the grass.

Ridden by Alonso Quinonez for trainer Tim Padilla, Drama Chorus jumped out of the starting gate and sprinted to the front as they raced out of the infield turf chute and past the grandstand for the first time. After finishing the first two furlongs in a leisurely :24.22, Drama Chorus took the field of nine into the clubhouse turn while a length in front of Cashier Check in second with Jais’s Solitude and Sir Saffer following from another length back in a joint third.

Drama Chorus continued to lead by a length down the backstretch through a half-mile in :48.81 and was still holding that advantage while completing six furlongs in :1:12.91 on the firm turf.

Drama Chorus turned for home a length in front and was never threatened in the stretch as he went on to win by a length-and-quarter in 1:48.65

Me and Mr. C came on late to take second in the stretch but could not catch Drama Chorus, who finished up in 1:48.65 while a length-and-a-quarter in front. Me and Mr. C was a head better than Cashier Check in third followed, in order, by Sociallongdistance, Jais’s Solitude, Sir Saffer, Lure Him In, King Ramos and Fierce Warrior.

He paid $7.80 to win.

“The pace was slow enough early that it was perfect for him,” Padilla said. “When he cut that corner and opened up about two lengths, I said ‘Game over, boys.’ He (Quinonez) rode him perfect.”

Drama Chorus is now a two-time stakes winner with both victories coming in the Turf Classic. His career ledger stands at eight wins, seven seconds and two thirds from 29 starts and he has credited owner and breeder Peter D. Mattson with $314,857 in earnings.

Drama Chorus is eligible for the Florida Sire Stakes and thus earned the $10,000 win bonus provided by the FTBOA.