Sheer Drama works toward Ogden Phipps

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Sheer Drama worked five furlongs in 1:00.34 on Monday at Gulfstream Park in preparation for her next start, which is likely to come in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps on the Belmont Stakes undercard June 6.

Sheer Drama broke off at an easy pace, completing her opening furlong in 13.35 seconds, then began to accelerate steadily on her own, completing her final half-mile in 46.99 while never asked to run. She galloped out six furlongs in 1:14.

“I thought she looked great this morning,” trainer David Fawkes said. “She really seems to have come out of her last race very well.”

Sheer Drama finished second, beaten three-quarters of a length by Molly Morgan, making her Grade 1 debut in the La Troienne on May 1 at Churchill Downs. In her previous start, Sheer Drama easily defeated both House Rules and Molly Morgan when cruising to a 6 1/2-length victory in the Grade 2 Royal Delta at Gulfstream Park.

“The Phipps is the most logical spot,” said Fawkes, who trains the daughter of Burning Roma for her owner and breeder, Harold Queen. “It’s a Grade 1 with a purse of $1 million and it’s tough to pass that up, considering how well she’s doing at the moment.”

Fawkes said the other option would be to run Sheer Drama in the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis Handicap at Churchill Downs on June 13.

Fawkes said if he continues to point her to the Phipps, Sheer Drama would have one more work, at Gulfstream Park in about 10 days, prior to shipping to New York a week out from the race.