An already good year for Goodyearforroses (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}) could get that much better Saturday afternoon at Santa Anita, as the 5-year-old looms the one to beat in the GI Rodeo Drive S. with a fees-paid berth in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf on the line.
A stakes winner and Grade III-placed while under the care of Roger Attfield during the first part of her career, the bay has thrived in the Richard Baltas barn with victories in half of her six starts. That streak includes a convincing success in this track's GII Santa Ana S., and despite defeats in her last two–first to Lady Eli (Divine Park) in the GI Gamely S. May 27; and to the in-form Cambodia (War Front) in the GII John C. Mabee S. Sept. 2–she has posted triple-digit Beyers that stand her in good stead here.
It's been an abbreviated season for Avenge (War Front), who wired this event last year before finishing an excellent third in the Filly & Mare Turf after making the majority of the running. The Ramona Bass colorbearer is in search of a first win this term, having finished third in the Gamely after setting a searching pace and sixth when last seen in Del Mar's GII Yellow Ribbon S. Aug. 5
Three-year-old Beau Recall (Ire) (Sir Prancealot {Ire}) rounded out the exacta behind Sircat Sally (Sir Cat) in the GIII Senorita S. and in the GII Honeymoon S. and wasn't embarrassed when sixth in the GI Belmont Oaks Invitational S. July 8. She nearly overcame a double-digit draw in the GI Del Mar Oaks Sept. 2, closing fast to miss by a nose. Rafael Bejarano takes over for Joe Talamo, who elects to stick with Responsibleforlove (Ire) (Duke of Marmalade {Ire}), last-out winner of the CTT & TOC H. Aug. 16.
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