Rachel Alexandra's sister, Gladys, earns diploma in second start

Dede McGehee’s Gladys, a 2-year-old full sister to 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra, graduated Sunday at Gulfstream Park West with an 11-1 upset victory in a mile maiden special weight event carded as Race 5.

The Medaglia d’Oro-Lotta Kim filly roared from off the pace to score a three-length victory in her second career start and first race around two turns. Gladys encountered trouble leaving the starting gate and was never a factor in her Sept. 18 debut at six furlongs.

Gladys, who is trained by Kelsey Danner, ran a mile over a sloppy track in 1:38.80 under jockey Angel Arroyo.

Gladys, who was bred by Mc Gehee’s Heaven Trees Farm, is Lotta Kim’s eighth foal of racing age. Of course, Rachel Alexandra, who captured the 2009 Preakness (G1), Haskell (G1) and Woodward (G1) on her way to being crowned Thoroughbred racing’s champion of 2009, is by far the most accomplished offspring of Lotta Kim.