An excellent indicator of how a successful freshman sire will fare as a sophomore is often how he does at the start of the new year. January and February are important, first to see if last year's runners continue to perform well, and second, to see if the ones who have been given more time now come out to play.

    Last year's Florida leader, Double Diamond Farm's First Dude, had 16 winners and progeny earnings of just under $1 million. So far, three weeks into 2016, he has four winners and $86,899. Not bad.

    The third-place finisher, Northwest Stud Farm's Gone Astray, had 10 winners and earners of nearly $700,000. He's off to a better start, with five winners and earnings of $102,000.

    Which leaves No. 2, Bridlewood Farm's Big Drama, who had 13 winners and five stakes horses. Thus far, he has but one winner, and earnings of $45,385. But his one winner's race has to be seen to be believed. The victory came from Instant Drama on Jan. 16 in the fifth at Santa Anita.

    The 3-year-old filly who had been a $40,000 purchase at OBS April drew the No. 4 post racing six furlongs under Drayden Van Dyke.  In her lone prior start, back in October, she was off slowly, sat seventh in a field of nine, then closed with a rush to get up for fourth, beaten 2 3/4 lengths with Joe Talamo aboard.

    This time, Instant Drama was off less than slowly, and lagged behind in last place in the 10-filly field until the turn. Midway on the turn, she finally caught the horse in front of her, swung wide into the six or seven path into the stretch, and began to close. After she passed a couple of horses, Instant Drama put it into rocket gear and picked up 10 lengths on the leader, getting up by one-half length at the wire. The six furlongs went in 1:11.12. It was an astonishing result and Instant Drama has to be a filly to watch carefully in her upcoming races.  

    

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