Sheer Drama guts out Personal Ensign victory

Sheer Drama entered Saturday’s Personal Ensign S. (G1) off a nice two-length score in the Delaware H. (G1) and proceeded to make it two Grade 1 wins in a row with a gusty victory in the Saratoga contest.

Regular jockey Joe Bravo allowed Sheer Drama to settle into a stalking spot just behind dueling front runners Stopchargingmaria and Untapable. Those two battled it out through splits of :24.06, :47.72 and 1:11.51.

Sheer Drama was still biding her time in third, only beginning her move rounding the turn. The David Fawkes trainee ranged up to the outside of Untapable, briefly running in tandem with the other two, before slowly inching away in the stretch.

The margin wasn’t huge, but the Burning Roma mare once again displayed the tenacity that has seen her be first or second in now nine of her last 10 races. She finished 1 1/8 miles over the fast main track in 1:49.05 and returned $8.80 as the 3-1 third choice in the six-distaffer field.

Got Lucky ran near the back of the strung out group early but rallied to take second over 2-1 second favorite Untapable. Stopchargingmaria, the 3-2 choice, came in fourth.

Sheer Drama is now 3-4-0 from seven starts in 2015. In addition to the Delaware ‘Cap, she’s also captured the Royal Delta S. (G2) by 6 1/2 lengths in March and has placed in her other four efforts, including the La Troienne S. (G1) and Fleur de Lis H. (G2).

The Harold L. Queen Florida-homebred became racing’s newest millionaire with the winner’s share from the Personal Ensign.

Sheer Drama photo courtesy of NYRA/Adam Coglianese Photography