Personal Ensign big test for Sheer Drama

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Sheer Drama boarded a van Friday at Gulfstream Park for the long ride to Saratoga, where she’ll be among the top contenders in next Saturday’s Grade 1 Personal Ensign.

Sheer Drama has been a model of consistency since joining trainer David Fawkes’s barn last summer, stepping up her game this season by finishing first or second in all six off her starts, including a victory in the Grade 1 Delaware Handicap on July 18.

“Her last race was her best by far,” said Fawkes, referring to the Delaware Handicap. “Somehow, she’s just managed to stay really good for a long time. We haven’t even had a little bump in the road along the way. She had a really nice work down here the other morning. She was well within herself, and she’s already proven she can handle the track at Saratoga with a win and a second in her two starts there. So, I see no reason why she shouldn’t run another big race, although this will be the acid test since this field is going to be the best she’s met by far.”

Among those expected for the Personal Ensign are last year’s 3-year-old filly champion, Untapable, and multiple Grade 1 winner Stopchargingmaria.

Fawkes said that if Sheer Drama runs well in the Personal Ensign, he’ll bring her back to Gulfstream and train her up to the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, to be run Oct. 30 at Keeneland.

Fawkes won the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Sprint with Big Drama, who like Sheer Drama was owned and bred by Harold Queen.

“I did the same thing with Big Drama,” Fawkes said. “He ran this same weekend at Saratoga and didn’t run again until he won the Breeders’ Cup.”