Glorified hasn't had any missteps

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Two wins in two races and a few recent fast works have rightfully created a buzz about Glorified.

"We think she has a possibility to be a Grade 1 filly," said Ron Ellis, who trains the 3-year-old for Mace and Samantha Siegel.

How quickly that can happen may be determined after Monday's $75,000 Honest Lady Handicap at Hollywood Park, Glorified's stakes debut.

Despite a lack of stakes experience, Glorified shares high weight of 119 pounds with You Are the Answer in the Honest Lady, which is for 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs.

"For starters, we always thought she had a ton of talent," Ellis said. "What's really surprised me is her professionalism in the afternoon. She was always a little antsy in the morning and we worked on getting her to settle down. The talent hasn't surprised me."

Glorified was purchased for $170,000 at the Fasig-Tipton July yearling sale in 2005. She has won twice at this meeting going 6 1/2 furlongs. She took a maiden special weight race in her debut on April 28 and a first-condition allowance race on June 3. In the latter race, she stalked the pace, took the lead in early stretch, and pulled away to win by 2 1/4 lengths.

"Her last race was as visually impressive of a performance as I've seen in a while, especially by one of mine," Ellis said. "She'll do whatever she needs to do. She can go to the lead or be rated."

Glorified worked five furlongs in 1:00 on June 26, the fastest of 27 recorded works at the distance.

She is unlikely to lead in the Honest Lady, which has drawn a field of seven. She is more likely to stalk pacesetters Coco Belle and Into Reality.

Coco Belle was third in the Grade 3 Santa Paula Stakes at Santa Anita on April 1, but was seventh in the Grade 3 Railbird Stakes here on May 13.

"She stumbled the other day and it took her out of the race," Sadler said. "I hope she can set her own pace."

Into Reality has improved significantly since she had a seven-week break earlier this year. She returned to win a six-furlong maiden race by seven lengths at Santa Anita in April and her stakes debut in the Dipsea Trail Stakes at Golden Gate Fields in May.

The race also features the second- through fifth-place finishers of the Manhattan Beach Stakes on June 2 - You Are the Answer, Desire to Excel, Swiss Diva, and Princess Iris.