Over two years since her last GSW, Mission of Joy (Kitten's Joy) secured that elusive prize in Saturday's Gr2 Rodeo Drive S. From both the calendar's perspective and her trip over the Santa Anita turf beneath Umberto Rispoli, the timing couldn't have been better.

With a late rally to overtake Speed Shopper in the deciding strides, the Sam-Son Farm-bred out of Smart Mission (Smart Strike) secured a berth in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Del Mar.

Saddled by trainer Phil D'Amato for the first time, 5yo Mission of Joy was kept three-wide into the final turn of the 10f route. As Speed Shopper edged toward pacesetter Alpha Bella and Starry Heaven inside the 1/4 pole, Rispoli gathered Mission of Joy for a clear run to their outside.

Relishing the 10f route, Mission of Joy was up by a head from Speed Shopper, with Starry Heaven a 1/2 length back in 3rd.

Smart Mission is 1/2 sister to three black-type earners, including Canadian champion Irish Mission (Giant's Causeway). Now owned by JP Evans, she is dam to four winners, including the promising 2025 sophomore filly Smart Union (Union Rags).