Seven Set For $750,000 Del Cap

The Grade 1, $750,000 Delaware Handicap features seven of the best fillies and mares in training set to go the classic 1 1/4-mile distance July 18 at Delaware Park.

2/1 morning line favorite, Sheer Drama, has shown a propensity to settle for second-place finishes in her 17-race career, completing the bottom part of the exacta on eight different occasions – twice as many as her win total. In her last five starts, the David Fawkes-trainee has finished second in the Florida Sunshine Millions Distaff, Grade 2 Rampart Stakes, Grade 1 La Troienne, and Grade 2 Fleur de Lis, while managing a win in the Grade 2 Royal Delta. Sheer Drama will be ridden by Joe Bravo, and break from post 5.

Frivolous looks for consistency 

3/1 second choice, Frivolous, defeated Sheer Drama en route to winning the Fleur de Lis June 13 at Churchill Downs with an upset score after finishing ninth in the La Troienne and sixth in an allowance race at Keeneland in her previous two start. The four year-old daughter of Empire Maker has shown major ability as a repeat grade 2 winner, but has also thrown in her share of clunkers. In her last five starts, the Victoria Oliver-trained mare has run worse than fourth three times, and his finished off-the-board seven times in 20 career starts.

Flashy American should love distance 

Flashy American (4/1) may be the only mare in the field aided by the 1 1/4 distance. The Kenny McPeek-trainee has demonstrated a late running style while winning 8 of 35 career starts, and has a stamina-laden pedigree.