Owner Mulls 2016 Season for Sheer Drama

Multiple grade I-winning mare Sheer Drama remains at owner-breeder Harold Queen’s Ocala, Fla., farm while trainer David Fawkes awaits word on whether she will race as a 6-year-old or be retired to the breeding shed.

Fawkes said Dec. 17 he has yet to hear on the future of Sheer Drama, who has been with Queen since her fourth-place finish from post 13 in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff (gr. I) Oct. 30 at Keeneland.

“I’m going to run up there pretty quick and see him. I don’t know what he’s thinking. He hasn’t told me yet,” Fawkes said. “She’s already had a month, so I’m guessing he’ll give her two months off anyway, at least.”

Sheer Drama won three of eight starts with four seconds and $1.2 million in purse earnings in 2015, taking the Delaware Handicap (gr. I) and Personal Ensign (gr. I) in succession prior to the Breeders’ Cup. She also captured the Royal Delta (gr. II) in March at Gulfstream Park.

Fawkes has visited the chestnut daughter of Burning Roma on Queen’s farm and came away impressed with Sheer Drama’s demeanor and condition.

“She’s doing great. I’ve seen her out in the paddock, and she looks fabulous,” he said. “Her weight’s good and her legs all look great. Everything’s great. She’s just relaxing out there, eating grass, getting some R & R, and she deserves it. Why crank her up right now when you’ve got the whole year in front of you? I think that’s what he’s thinking.”