D'Amato Aims for More Success in Rodeo Drive

Trainer Phil D'Amato has won the last two editions of the Grade II Rodeo Drive Stakes (Mission of Joy, 2025, Hang the Moon 2024), three of the last four (Going to Vegas, 2022) and four in total (Mirth, 2019). On Saturday, he'll look to add to his success in the 1 ¼-mile turf test for fillies and mares when he sends out a trio of starters led by Grade I winner and 4-5 morning line favorite Thought Process. A 4-year-old filly by Collected, Thought Process earned her lone top-level victory in May at Santa Anita when taking down the GI Gamely going 1 1/8 miles on turf. But then last month at Del Mar, Thought Process failed to deliver as the 3-5 favorite when finishing second by one length in the GII John C. Mabee at 1 1/8 miles. Thought Process pressed the pace in second, took the lead at the top of the stretch while being challenged on the outside by Medoro, then was outran by that rival to the wire. "I thought she ran well. Just the other horse got the jump on her and that was the winning move," D'Amato said. As part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge series, the Rodeo Drive is a "Win and You're In" for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf going 1 3/16 miles at Keeneland on Oct. 31. This will be Thought Process's first time going 10 furlongs. D'Amato feels the distance should fit her well. "She galloped out literally a dozen lengths in front of the winner (in the Mabee). I think the mile and a quarter should be right up her alley," D'Amato said. In a field devoid of early speed, Thought Process will break from the rail under regular rider Hector Berrios. "I think she'll pop out of there from the inside and be in a nice tactical spot," D'Amato said. Joining Thought Process in the lineup are stablemates Public Assembly (15-1) and Kentucky Gal (20-1). Public Assembly, a 5-year-old mare by More Than Ready, is seeking her first win since April of 2025 when scoring in the GIII Royal Heroine at Santa Anita. Most recently, Public Assembly shipped to Kentucky Downs for the GIII Ladies Marathon at 1 5/16 miles. She raced in mid-pack that day and flattened out in the late going to finish sixth in a nine-horse field. "I think it was just a little bit too far for her," D'Amato said. "Now we're going to go on a little faster turf course with a change in distance. The first quarter of a mile or so is downhill, so I think the mile and a quarter should be just fine for her. Minus Thought Process, she's also getting a little bit of class relief." Public Assembly will be ridden by Julien Leparoux for the first time. "Julien does well in these situations," D'Amato said. Kentucky Gal exits a third-place finish in the CTT and TOC Stakes going 1 3/8 miles in August at Del Mar. The winner (Vronti) and runner-up (The Mizzen Queen) also return in the Rodeo Drive. In the CTT and TOC, Kentucky Gal rallied from last when 11 lengths off the lead and came up just one length short on the wire. "She really had the overland trip in that race," D'Amato said. "If you look at the comments, it's three wide, four wide, five wide. She still rallied strongly. She's going to come from behind again. If we can save some ground the first half of the race, she'll improve with this trip. I think the farther the better with this filly and we've been waiting for this race for a while. She's primed and ready to go." Jockey Joel Rosario will ride Kentucky Gal for the first time. The Rodeo Drive goes as the 10th and final race Saturday. Post time is at 5:36 p.m. PT. The field in post position order: Thought Process, Hector Berrios (4-5); Resolve, Armando Ayuso (30-1); Dona Clota, Micah Husbands (15-1); Totally Justified, Joseph Bealmear (30-1); Public Assembly, Julien Leparoux (15-1); Kentucky Gal, Joel Rosario (20-1); Hey Jessie, Emisael Jaramillo (10-1); Victorious Dream, Ricky Gonzalez (20-1); May Day Ready, Kazushi Kimura (5-1); The Mizen Queen, Kyle Frey (30-1); Vronti, Juan Hernandez (6-1). Free Closer Looks to Knock Off Baffert Trio As is often the case, the Grade II Oak Leaf Stakes for 2-year-old fillies goes through trainer Bob Baffert. In this year's edition of the 1 1/16-mile "Win and You're In" for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, he has the top three choices on the morning line led by 8-5 favorite Deluge. Baffert is seeking his third straight Oak Leaf win and win and 15th overall. Among those looking to upend the Baffert trio is Free Closer, who goes for trainer Michael McCarthy and is 6-1 on the morning line. A homebred for Reddam Racing, Free Closer is by Pavel out of the unraced Twirling Candy mare No Closing Costs. She won her debut in May going 4 ½ furlongs at Santa Anita and was subsequently shipped to Churchill Downs for a try in the six-furlong Debutante Stakes. After hesitating and breaking out at the star under the twin spires, Free Closer checked in fifth. Returning to California, Free Closer then romped in the CTBA Stakes against statebreds by 8 ½ lengths sprinting at Del Mar and finished fourth in the GI Del Mar Debutante going seven furlongs. "I thought she's run well,' McCarthy said. "Obviously, like most in the race, the two turns is still an unknown, but she's continued to progress nicely. Any type of graded black type on her pedigree would be a big bonus. We'll see what happens." Free Closer will be ridden by Joel Rosario for the first time. In addition to program favorite Deluge, Baffert will also send out Holmby (9-5) and Quattro Passi (5-2). Deluge, by Maximus Mischief, was purchased this year by owner By Talla Racing for $280,000 at the OBS March sale of 2-year-olds in training. She exits a debut win going five furlongs on turf at Del Mar on Aug. 28. Holmby, also owned by By Talla Racing, is a daughter of 2021 champion 2-year-old colt Corniche who sold for $55,000 at auction as a yearling. After winning her debut, she then also took down the GIII Sorrento going six furlongs before finishing third in the Del Mar Debutante, finishing 2 ¼ lengths ahead of Free Closer. Rounding out Baffert's entrants is Quattro Passi. Owned by Debbie Lanni, Quattro Passi is a daughter of Girvin purchased for $190,000 at last year's Keeneland September yearling sale. After finishing second in her debut in July at Del Mar, she returned to beat maidens at the seaside oval going six furlongs on Sept. 6. She'll break from the rail under Mike Smith. The Oak Leaf will be aired live on NBC as part of its Breeders' Cup Challenge Show that will also include graded stakes races from Keeneland. The broadcast is from 12-3 p.m. PT. Post time for the Oak Leaf is at 2:04 p.m. The field in post position order: Quattro Passi, Mike Smith (5-2); Holmby, Ricky Gonzalez (9-5); Domain Expansion, Adrian Escobedo (20-1); Free Closer, Joel Rosario (6-1); Janie Not Jeanie, Kazushi Kimura (20-1); Deluge, Juan Hernandez (8-5).