Sheer Drama favored over Frivolous in Del 'Cap

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Stanton, DE (SportsNetwork.com) - The first two mares under the wire in last month's Fleur de Lis at Churchill Downs have been made the top choices for Saturday's 78th running of the $750,000 Delaware Handicap (Del 'Cap) at Delaware Park.

In the 1 1/8-mile Fleur de Lis it was 32-1 longshot Frivolous defeating 17-10 favorite Sheer Drama by 1 1/2 lengths. But for Saturday, Sheer Drama has been installed as the 2-1 morning line favorite over 3-1 second pick Frivolous.

Trained by David Fawkes for owner Harold Queen, Sheer Drama will start the 1 1/4-mile Del 'Cap from post 5 in the seven-horse field of fillies and mares. Jockey Joe Bravo will again be in the saddle as he has for all of the 5-year- old's 2015 starts.

"The Delaware Handicap has been a target race for us," said Fawkes. "We have been wanting to run this filly a little further and she has a high cruising speed, so Mr. Queen (Harold) and I have had this race in mind for some time now. But this has been a primary target as part of her 2015 campaign."

Sheer Drama has been competing against some of the best older females in the country, but finished second her last two starts. Prior to her runner-up result in the Fleur de Lis the chestnut mare finished second as the 2-1 favorite in Churchill's La Troienne Stakes to Molly Morgan.On March 21, she won the Royal Delta at Gulfstream Park.

Sheer Drama has a career record of four wins, eight seconds and a third from 17 starts with earnings of $468,840.

"She has not always been the easiest horse to work with in terms of shipping and working around the barn, but for some reason, she has gotten really comfortable doing those things this year," said Fawkes. "I really cannot explain it. Now, she will do whatever you ask her to do. She has matured and her training has improved. She has been one of the more consistent fillies I have trained. I wish she would have more wins than seconds, but it is what is. She is very consistent and she always gives you what she can."

Frivolous, trained by Victoria Oliver for G. Watts Humphrey Jr., will break from the inside post with Jon Court again in the saddle. The 5-year-old mare surprised in the Fleur de Lis after finishing last in the La Troienne Stakes on May 1. The mare has earnings of $456,818 with four wins, three seconds and three thirds from 20 lifetime starts.

Here is the field for the Del 'Cap from the rail out: Frivolous, Jon Court, 3-1; America, Junior Alvarado, 8-1; Fortune Pearl, Trevor McCarthy, 10-1; Flashy American, Edgar Prado, 4-1; Sheer Drama, Joe Bravo, 2-1; Rosalind, Joel Rosario, 6-1 and Joint Return, Kendrick Carmouche, 8-1.

Post time for the Del 'Cap will be approximately 5:45 p.m. ET.