Sheer Drama Fires Warning Shot

Harold Queen’s dual Grade I winner Sheer Drama (Burning Roma) worked a bullet five furlongs in :58.88 at her Gulfstream base Wednesday in her final work prior to the GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Keeneland Oct. 30.

“She went excellent,” trainer David Fawkes said. “She did it well and galloped out good. She’s fit. She came back today, and she wasn’t even blowing. It was like she didn’t even do anything. She drank water, which is good, but she wasn’t huffing and puffing by any means. She’s doing pretty darn good right now. I hope she stays this good. Now we have to get to the next step and get her in the paddock.”

Sheer Drama is one of 16 females entered for the Distaff and enters off back-to-back wins in the GI Delaware H. July 18 and GI Personal Ensign S. Aug. 29. The chestnut will leave Gulfstream Thursday night for the 15-hour drive to Kentucky.

“Once she gets there, she’ll have her regular training routine,” Fawkes remarked. “She likes to go out early, so she’ll go out early. Whatever she needs. She doesn’t need to train hard, just get over the track and let her see the surroundings. We’ll school in the paddock a lot, just walk through it and let her stand a little bit; that we’ll do almost every day.”

This will be the fourth trip to the Breeders’ Cup for Fawkes, who won his debut at the championships with Sheer Drama’s half-brother Big Drama (Montbrook) in the 2010 GI Breeders’ Cup Sprint.

“You’ve got to bring 110%,” the conditioner said. “The guys that are there, they’re good horse trainers. Every single one of them, and they all know how to win. Whenever you bring big money, you better bring your big horse. It would be great [to win], absolutely; just wonderful.”