San Gabriel features return of King’s Drama

The last time King’s Drama raced at Santa Anita, he powered to victory in the March 25 San Luis Rey (Alex Evers/Horsephotos.com)

Grade 1 hero KING’S DRAMA (Ire) (King’s Theatre [Ire]) has been installed as
the 121-pound highweight in the $150,000 San Gabriel H. (G2), a 1 1/8-mile turf
test on New Year’s Eve at Santa Anita, and the Bobby Frankel-trained gelding
highlights an eight-horse field that includes Citation H. (G1) runner-up HENDRIX
(Sultry Song) and stablemate PORFIDO (Chi) (Mash One [Chi]). David Flores will
ride.

Unraced since a runner-up finish to Lava Man (Slew City Slew) in the Charles
Whittingham Memorial H. (G1) in June, King’s Drama captured the San Luis Rey H.
(G2) over the Santa Anita turf earlier this year, and the six-year-old has
enjoyed the bulk of his success over the past two seasons, winning the Sword
Dancer Invitational S. (G1) and Red Smith S. (G2) and recording a second in the
Man o’ War S. (G1). Victorious in his last start at nine furlongs, King’s Drama
has run well fresh for Frankel in the past.

Hendrix enters on the upswing for trainer Craig Dollase, recording a
fast-finishing second to Ashkal Way (Ire) (Ashkalani) last out, and has hit the
board in five of his last six starts in Southern California. Chilean champion
Porfido is a threat to turn things around for his Hall of Fame conditioner, and
stakes winner RHYTHM MAD (Fr) (King’s Theatre [Ire]) owns the back class to be a
factor if ready to go off the lengthy layoff for Richard Mandella.

Multiple stakes victor RAILROAD (Double Honor) drew the rail with Aaron
Gryder and will carry a 114-pound impost. Next in post order comes CAPITANO
(Belong to Me), Jon Court, 114; Rhythm Mad, Victor Espinoza, 115; Hendrix, Corey
Nakatani, 116; King’s Drama; Porfido, Alex Solis, 115; SOUTHERN AFRICA (Cape
Town), Garrett Gomez, 113; and DON INCAUTO (Arg) (Roy), Martin Pedroza, 113.