Massive Drama wins it

Massive Drama showed why jockey Kent Desormeaux followed him from New Jersey to California on Thanksgiving Day at Hollywood Park.

A winner with Desormeaux against maidens over a muddy surface at Monmouth Park on Oct. 26, the 2-year-old Kafwain colt became a stakes winner Thursday, taking the $109,200 Hollywood Prevue.

Owned by Zayat Stables and trained by Bob Baffert, Massive Drama, the 2-1 second choice in the field of 11, ran the seven furlongs in 1:21.48. Into Mischief, the 2-1 favorite, finished second, 1 3/4 lengths behind the winner, and Meal Penalty, who entered undefeated in two starts in New Jersey and Kentucky for trainer Todd Pletcher, had to settle for third.

The victory in the Prevue was a record fourth for Baffert and the first for Desormeaux since he won with Afternoon Deelites in 1994. Trained by Richard Mandella for owner Burt Bacharach, Afternoon Deelites returned later that year to win the Hollywood Futurity, a race that is also on Massive Drama’s agenda. Now sponsored by CashCall, the Futurity will be run Dec. 22.

“When I called on him, he just spurted away,” Desormeaux said. “I think if the other horses had run faster, he would have. He’s got a lovely, lengthy stride. He goes fast easy.”

Trainer Barclay Tagg will try for his second consecutive win in the $500,000 Hollywood Derby when he sends out likely favorite Nobiz Like Shobiz against 10 other 3-year-olds in the Grade I at 1 1/4 miles on turf Sunday.

Entries were also taken Thursday for the $500,000 Matriarch, which will also be run Sunday. A Grade I at one mile on the grass for older fillies and mares, the Matriarch drew six entrants -- CashCall Mile winner Lady Of Venice, Wait A While, Precious Kitten, Dance Away Capote, Live Life and Naissance Royale.

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bob.mieszerski@latimes.com