Avenge, an ascending talent in the Filly & Mare Turf division, earned her third straight victory with a frontrunning score in the GI Rodeo Drive S. in a sharp clocking at Santa Anita and punched her ticket to the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf by capturing the “Win and You're In” event.
A winner of three of her four initial turf tries last term, including the Ultrafleet S. on the local downhill turf, the $650,000 Fasig-Tipton August grad chased a swift pace and faded to finish sixth in the GIII Senorita S. in her first route attempt here last June. Laid up for almost 11 months afterward, she returned with a pair of fifth-place finishes before capturing an optional claimer at Del Mar July 24. She backed that up by stretching out to nine furlongs for the first time and holding gamely for her maiden graded stakes victory in the GII John C. Mabee S. there Sept. 4.
Off as the distant second choice in this first Grade I foray, the dark bay went straight to the front and was well-handled by Flavien Prat through splits of :23.35 and :47.44. Zipessa, the race favorite, got closer to the pacesetter leaving three quarters behind in 1:11.40, and the two of them hooked up in the stretch with no one else making up considerable ground. Digging in late, Avenge held sway for a narrow but measured decision. Frenzified won a photo for third money.
“It's my parents' anniversary today, so they're in Italy, and I know they stayed up to watch,” said Perry Bass, son of owner Ramona S. Bass. “I wish they were here, but it's good to be here in their stead. We didn't know if she could get the mile and a quarter, and we didn't know if she could get the mile and an eighth in the Mabee. She surprised us there, and she got the lead here. She just cruised, and Flav rode great.”
Prat added: “She's getting better with each race. She really surprised me out there today. Once I let go she really got comfortable and took the lead. Honestly, that was a lot of fun and we'll see how she does for the Breeders' Cup; it's a big one.”
Saturday, Santa Anita
RODEO DRIVE S.-GI, $302,415, SA, 10-1, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 1/4mT, 1:58.52, fm.
1–&AVENGE, 121, f, 4, by War Front
1st Dam: Lerici, by Woodman
2nd Dam: Balinese, by Nijinsky II
3rd Dam: Homespun, by Round Table
($650,000 Ylg '13 FTSAUG). O-Ramona S Bass; B-Lerici Syndicate (KY); T-Richard E. Mandella; J-Flavien Prat. $180,000. Lifetime Record: 12-6-0-1, $471,996. *1/2 to Lira (Giant's Causeway), MSW & GSP, $163,365. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: C+.
2–Zipessa, 121, f, 4, City Zip–Precious Princess, by Horse Chestnut (SAf). ($30,000 Wlg '12 KEENOV; $67,000 Ylg '13 FTKOCT). O-Empyrean Stables; B-G. Watts Humphrey Jr & Sally S Humphrey (KY); T-Michael Stidham. $60,000.
[bullet ad=”marette-farrell-recommended”][bullet ad=”bradshaw-randy-shell”][bullet ad=”lanes-end-sales-grad”]3–Frenzified (GB), 121, f, 4, Yeats (Ire)–Librettista (Aus), by Elusive Quality. (110,000gns 3yo '15 TATMAR). O-D P Racing; B-Stuart Stuckey (GB); T-James M Cassidy. $36,000.
[bullet ad=”irt-shell”]Margins: 3/4, 1 1/4, NK. Odds: 5.20, 2.40, 10.20.
Also Ran: Keri Belle, Tiz a Kiss, Majestic Heat, Fresh Feline, Elektrum (Ire), Real Smart, Sobradora Inc (Arg), Generosidade (Uru), Decked Out. Scratched: Nancy From Nairobi (GB), Queen of The Sand (Ire).
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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