DELAWARE HANDICAP

(Grade 1)

SHEER Drama turned the tables on her regular rival, Frivolous, to win the first Grade 1 of her career, the $750,250 Grade 1 Delaware Handicap at Delaware Park last Saturday.

Sheer Drama settled for second place behind Frivolous in her last start, the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis Handicap in June at Churchill Downs. Sheer Drama’s tactics proved much more effective this time round in the step up in distance, tracking the front-running Frivolous for about a mile before launching her run approaching the top of the stretch. The two duelled early in the stretch before Sheer Drama powered clear late under Joe Bravo.

The five-year-old mare Sheer Drama, trained by David Fawkes was second choice for the mile and a quarter test, Frivolous was second, clear of America while favourite Rosalind failed to mount a rally.

“Winning a Grade 1 with her is a big deal,” Fawkes said. “This race played out just like the Fleur de Lis, but I knew the added distance would help us. I love when she was sitting second. It was picture-perfect.”

Fawkes said the goal for the rest of this year is to get Sheer Drama to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff, to be held at Keeneland later this year.