Black Mamba will take on the boys in the Hollywood Turf Cup (Benoit Photo)

WINCHESTER (Theatrical [Ire]) and CHAMPS ELYSEES (GB) (Danehill) are the top draws for Saturday's $250,000 Hollywood Turf Cup S. (G1), but a pair of five-year-old mares will generate plenty of discussion in the nine-horse field. BLACK MAMBA (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe) owns better credentials, winning the Beverly Hills H. (G2) over the Hollywood turf this summer, and the John Sadler trainee figures to appreciate the stretch out to 12 furlongs following an unplaced effort in the one-mile Las Palmas H. (G2). The other female, the Ben Cecil-trained HIGH HEEL SNEAKERS (GB) (Dansili [GB]), is also a Hollywood stakes winner, garnering the Hermosa Beach H. last time out.

"I know John has been dying to run Black Mamba at a mile and a half," said Larry Benavidez, assistant to Sadler.

The distaffers will have their work cut out for them. Winchester captured the Secretariat S. (G1) in dominant fashion when making his U.S. debut in mid-August, drawing clear by 7 1/4 lengths at Arlington Park, and the Dermot Weld-trained colt did not receive a prep for the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) last time, checking in a non-threatening seventh. Winchester should be much fitter off that race and will get class relief on Sunday. Patrick Smullen will be in to ride from Europe.

Champs Elysees finished second when making his U.S. bow in last year's Hollywood Turf Cup and went on to capture the San Marcos S. (G2) over the winter. Winner of the 1 1/2-mile Northern Dancer S. (Can-G1) three starts back, the Bobby Frankel charge will be running late under Julien Leparoux, who will be reunited with the regally bred five-year-old.