RyZan Sun Racing LLC and Madaket Stables's Mission of Joy (m, 5, Kitten's Joy–Smart Mission, by Smart Strike), whose last graded win was two years ago, moved west this summer to Phil D'Amato's barn and must like the weather and the firm turf that's a hallmark of California grass racing. In her third California start, she captured Saturday's GII Rodeo Drive Stakes at Santa Anita, a 'Win and You're In' for the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf in four weeks.It was a clean start for the field, with Alpha Bella (Justify) setting a :23.63 and :48.44 pace and a 1:37.36 mile while Mission of Joy took her time covered up near the back of the field. Coming into the lane, Mission of Joy tipped to the extreme outside, passing all late while Speed Shopper (Quality Road) and Starry Heavens (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) finished second and third, respectively. Watchtower (Demarchelier {GB}) was pulled up on the backstretch.Saturday, Santa AnitaRODEO DRIVE S.-GII, $201,500, Santa Anita, 10-4, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 1/4mT, 2:00.03, fm.1–MISSION OF JOY, 122, m, 5, by Kitten's Joy 1st Dam: Smart Mission, by Smart Strike 2nd Dam: Misty Mission, by Miswaki 3rd Dam: Hangin On a Star, by Vice Regent($32,000 Ylg '21 FTKOCT). O-RyZan Sun Racing, LLC and Madaket Stables LLC; B-Sam-Son Farm (ON); T-Philip D'Amato; J-Umberto Rispoli. $120,000. Lifetime Record: 21-6-0-4, $680,667. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.2–Speed Shopper, 122, f, 4, Quality Road–Fast Retailing, by Malibu Moon. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($430,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $95,000 RNA 3yo '24 KEENOV). O-Bridlewood Farm, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Gary Barber; B-AR Enterprises, LLC. & Edward Easton (KY); T-William Walden. $40,000.3–Starry Heavens (Ire), 122, m, 5, Mastercraftsman (Ire)–Etoile Filante (GB), by So You Think (Nz). O-R Unicorn Stable; B-Healthy Wood Co Ltd (IRE); T-Philip D'Amato. $24,000.Margins: HD, HF, 1. Odds: 11.90, 14.50, 3.90.Also Ran: Alpha Bella, Amber Cascade, Long Ago (GB), Hang the Moon, Watchtower.Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.#5 MISSION OF JOY ($25.80) comes flying down the outside under @umbyrispoli to win the $200,000 Rodeo Drive Stakes (G2) and earn a spot in the @BreedersCup F&M Turf. The daughter of Kitten's Joy is trained by @PhilDamato11. pic.twitter.com/zDDbcE3D0L— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) October 4, 2025The post Mission of Joy Earns Breeders’ Cup Berth in Rodeo Drive appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.