Glorification stretches out

ALBANY, Calif. - Although she is the most accomplished runner in the field, Glorification may have the most to prove in Saturday's $100,000 California Oaks at Golden Gate Fields.

Glorification is the lone stakes winner in the field of seven fillies, which includes her stablemates Storming Starlet and Eastlake Avenue. She has led in all three of her starts while exhibiting an exciting turn of early foot.

On Saturday, she will be asked to try to extend her speed around two turns for the first time in the 1 1/16-mile race, and will also likely face her first wet track. Handicappers should approach with caution - yet her breeding suggests the distance and footing might not be obstacles.

Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer knows there are always questions the first time a horse tries two turns.

"There are a lot of people, if you run well short, they want to keep sprinting," he said. "We have a great foundation in her. She's done what we've asked. I believe she's ready."

One reason Hollendorfer is stretching her out is a simple matter of economics.

"For 3-year-olds, there's no real money sprinting," he said.

Jason Lumpkins, who rode Glorification to victory in the Tiburon Handicap on Jan. 13, and Hollendorfer will plot their strategy the morning of the race.

"I've ridden her one time, so I don't know that much about her," Lumpkins said. "I think she's going to be rateable. I think she's kind enough that if you ask her, she'll slow down. I'll keep her happy the first half-mile. With a big-money purse, you want to finish with something."

Hollendorfer also sends out Storming Starlet, second to Glorification in the Tiburon, and Eastlake Avenue, who comes off a 10-length victory in a one-mile allowance race in her first try around two turns.

"Storming Starlet is a filly I feel will do really well routing. That's what she's bred to do," Hollendorfer said. "Eastlake Avenue didn't do well early on, but she's a little bit of a late bloomer."

With the exception of Glorification and Storming Starlet, all the runners are making their stakes debuts.

Tough Tiz's Sis graduated at this distance at Hawthorne and in her most recent start was second in an $80,000 optional claimer while making her debut for trainer Bob Baffert.

Quickandquietqueen just won her maiden in her first try around two turns at Santa Anita, while Whims and Fancies graduated at this distance on the turf and comes off a starter-allowance victory in the mud.

Black Hills Goldie graduated at Sam Houston before joining trainer Doug O'Neill's barn.