Reba Is Tops super sharp

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Reba Is Tops was already a multiple stakes winner when she joined trainer Mark Glatt's stable last winter. All Glatt has done has enhanced her reputation.

Racing in sprints in California and Washington, Reba Is Tops has compiled a career record of 9 wins in 16 starts and $224,945. She won the Lawndale Stakes at five furlongs on turf at Hollywood Park on May 15 and will be after her richest win of the year in Friday's $70,000 Great Lady M Stakes at six furlongs on turf.

With a little luck, Reba Is Tops would be in pursuit of her third consecutive win, but she finished second by a nose to Gotta Have Her in the Grade 3 Las Cienegas Handicap at Santa Anita in February.

"That was a tough beat," Glatt said.

In the Lawndale, Reba Is Tops won by a length as the 9-5 favorite after stalking the pace for the first quarter-mile.

"She's going into this as good as the last race," Glatt said.

This time, Reba Is Tops could be the filly to catch. She has drawn the rail and does not have a front-runner among her four rivals.

"I don't see any pace in the race," Glatt said. "She might find herself on the lead by default."

Reba Is Tops has raced as a stalker in her last several starts. She won a $32,000 claimer from the front at Emerald Downs in September 2007. Since then, the 5-year-old Reba Is Tops has run in allowance races or stakes, winning three stakes.

Reba Is Tops will face a late threat from Queen Ofthe Catsle, who was second in the Lawndale in her first start since October. Last summer and fall, Queen Ofthe Catsle was brilliant, winning four consecutive races, including the Grade 3 Sen. Ken Maddy Handicap at Santa Anita and the Dance in the Mood Stakes at six furlongs on turf here. Trained by Howard Zucker, Queen Ofthe Catsle has won 6 of 14 starts and $312,769.

"I'm sure Zucker's filly will be sharper off the layoff," Glatt said. "She may be one to reckon with."

The other starters are Elletelle, a stakes winner in Ireland last year; Porto Marmay, who was third in the Lawndale; and Royal Taat, the winner of an allowance race on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita in January.