Sheer Drama Handicap 2025: Spotlight on Rumours Have It
Now four, Rumours Have It has quickly carved out a reputation at Gulfstream, breaking her maiden in April before powering to a dominant 10 ¼-length allowance win on July 4 over a sealed sloppy track. She enters the Sheer Drama off that eye-catching performance, partnered again by jockey Jose Morelos, who retains the ride at 118 pounds.
Her progression is being carefully managed by Sweezey, who believes lighter training has suited her style. “She’s a light, slender type of filly that doesn’t need a lot of training,” the conditioner noted. “We’re hoping she can reproduce that explosive performance this weekend.”
Field and Key Rivals
The Sheer Drama Handicap has drawn a competitive field of fillies and mares. Rumours Have It breaks from the outside gate and will line up against established stakes performers such as Claret Beret, a multiple graded performer, and Haulin Ice, a proven Grade 3 winner from the barn of Saffie Joseph Jr. With her recent form and lighter impost, her connections are optimistic she may find an advantage.
The Sheer Drama serves as one of the co-features on Gulfstream’s 11-race card, which also includes the $70,000 Frolic’s Revenge overnight handicap on turf. The program is expected to attract strong attention as anticipation builds toward the Princess Rooney in September.
Songbird’s Legacy
Songbird, the dam of Rumours Have It, was a superstar on the racetrack with 13 wins, nine of them at Grade 1 level, and nearly $4.7 million in earnings. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2023, she now seeks success as a broodmare. Rumours Have It is her second foal to race, following Magical Song, who went winless in seven starts. Her third foal, McCorvey, is a 3-year-old colt by Curlin who has raced twice this season for Bill Mott.
For Sweezey, the Gulfstream stage offers familiarity and a touch of strategy. “She’s obviously happy on this track,” he said. “We thought about Kentucky and Del Mar, but keeping her in Florida where she’s comfortable made sense. The distance won’t be an issue, and if the track comes up wet again, it could suit her just as well.”
Trainer’s Approach and Stakes Outlook
The rise of Rumours Have It has also highlighted Sweezey’s willingness to adapt his methods. By opting for lighter breezes and spacing her races, he has kept her fresh, a move that seems to have unlocked new consistency. That strategy will be tested in the Sheer Drama, a race known for producing high-quality fillies who often graduate to graded company.
The Handicap itself honors Sheer Drama, a Florida-bred mare who excelled at Gulfstream and beyond, underscoring the track’s tradition of celebrating standout state-bred talent. Over the years, the race has become a proving ground for horses aiming at the Princess Rooney, one of Gulfstream’s signature summer fixtures. Victory on Saturday would put Rumours Have It firmly on that path.
Observers also note that her pedigree suggests she could improve further with maturity. Songbird’s dominance at three and four, combined with Tapit’s influence on stamina and versatility, gives hope that Rumours Have It is only beginning to reveal her true ceiling. Should she continue progressing, her story could evolve into one of the summer’s most compelling narratives at Gulfstream.
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