The final race of the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (FHBPA) Stakes series was captured last Saturday, September 7, 2019 by the William Stiritz-owned filly, Wildwood’s Beauty, returning a whopping $43.80 mutuel to win.
Trained by Scott Becker, the 4 year-old Kantharos filly was booted home to victory by Sammy Camacho.
FHBPA Chairman Stephen Screnci and Board Vice President Herb Oster (far left and second left in the top presentation photo) were on hand to present the FHBPA trophy to the winning connections.
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The Sheer Drama Stakes recognized the hard-knocking Burning Roma Florida homebred campaigned by Harold L. Queen. Sporting a record of 7 wins, 8 seconds and 2 thirds in 24 career starts, 2015 Florida Horse of the Year Sheer Drama banked $1,691,040 for her career.
Running under the tutelage of trainers Anthony Dutrow and later David Fawkes, Sheer Drama proved to be a worthy road warrior, capturing five stakes victories along the way. Among her tallies were the Madison Stakes (Keeneland), Personal Ensign (Saratoga), Delaware Handicap, Royal Delta (Gulfstream Park), and the Thirty Eight Go Go Stakes (Laurel).
Sheer Drama competed in the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Keeneland and finished fourth behind eventual winner Stopchargingmaria. Her final race was ironically run at Saratoga, the track where she broke her maiden in 2013. She finished unplaced in the Ballerina Stakes on August 27, 2016.
Trainer David Fawkes looks back at the filly as a “quirky sort, one you had to keep an eye on. She was always a little light and at times it was tough to keep weight on her, but when she was good, well, she was very good.”
Following her racing career, Sheer Drama was sold as a broodmare prospect and is currently enjoying her second career in Japan.