By Ben Massam
The brand-new Santa Anita turf course will play host to a contentious renewal of the GI Rodeo Drive S. Saturday, featuring a 14-horse scramble to seize a “Win and You're In” qualifying bid to the Nov. 5 GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf. Trainer Michael Stidham sends out 7-2 morning line favorite Zipessa (City Zip) to tackle 10 furlongs for the first time in her career. The chestnut recently attacked a quick pace and held on determinedly to finish third in Arlington's GI Beverly D. S. Aug. 13. Zipessa figures to be on or near the lead again Saturday, and retains the services of Florent Geroux, who was aboard for her win in the GIII Dr. James Penney Memorial S. at Parx July 4.
Zipessa will likely have company from Avenge (War Front) near the front of the Rodeo Drive cavalry charge. Winner of the nine-furlong GII John C. Mabee S. at Del Mar Sept. 4, the dark bay–whose previous successes in Arcadia have come in turf sprints–will also confront the longest distance test of her career Saturday. Decked Out (Street Boss) represents the opposite end of the pace spectrum, doing her best work from the backfield. The sophomore recently made an eye-catching move on the turn and came up a head short when runner-up behind Harmonize (Scat Daddy) in the GI Del Mar Oaks Aug. 20.
Bjorn Neilsen's Real Smart (Smart Strike) looms as an intriguing longshot for trainer Graham Motion, who has enjoyed considerable success shipping turf runners to Southern California. Confidently spotted at the Grade I level, the 4-year-old British import captured the GIII Robert G. Dick Memorial S. at Delaware Park July 9.
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