Empyrean Stables’ Zipessa, the 2-1 favorite on the basis of an impressive debut maiden triumph in May at Arlington Park, came through with a handy victory in today’s feature at Del Mar, a one-mile grass course contest for three-year-old fillies.

With Rafael Bejarano combining with trainer Michael Stidham for their second successful collaboration of the afternoon, Zipessa, a daughter of City Zip, took command in the upper stretch and went on to score by 2 ¾ lengths in 1:35.61 for the distance.

Sweet was second under Flavien Prat, with Conquest Curlgirl third in the field of eleven fillies.

Zipessa returned $6.40, $4.40 and $2.80, Sweet paid $5.20 and $3.80, while Conquest Curlgirl returned $2.80 to show.

Bejarano, Del Mar’s leading rider for the past three summers, and Stidham, competing at the seaside track for the second straight year, also teamed up to win Friday’s first race with debuting two-year-old D. Shifflett for a $9.20 payoff.