Wolfson Has South Beach Options

When there’s a stakes race run for fillies and mares at Gulfstream Park, it’s a safe bet that trainer Marty Wolfson will be represented. The veteran trainer entered two for Sunday’s $100,000 South Beach, a 7 ½-furlong turf stakes.

 

“I might run one or both,” said Wolfson, who entered Ann of the Dance and Sure Route.

 

Ann of the Dance has been winless in three starts since joining Wolfson’s stable, but her one start over the Gulfstream Park turf course two starts back was clearly her best. The 4-year-old daughter of English Channel closed from last in a nine-horse field to finish second behind multiple-stakes winner Angelica Zapata in the $100,000 Wasted Tears Stakes on Aug. 31.

 

“She’s a filly that needs to have a fast pace,” Wolfson said.

 

Ann of the Dance came back to finish ninth in a minor stakes last time out, but not without an excuse.

 

“She got in trouble on the first turn and got steadied badly. She almost went to her nose,” Wolfson said.

 

Sure Route, claimed for $100,000 at Saratoga in July, finished second for Wolfson in that race.

 

Sure Route hasn’t won in four starts for Wolfson, whose success with fillies has been phenomenal in recent years. The 5-year-old daughter of Ishiguru ran twice on dirt before being switched to turf two starts back. 

 

“I’m not sure which she likes better,” Wolfson said. “I do know that she’s a very nice horse for the summer. For the winter? I don’t know yet.”

 

Mark Hennig-trained Baffle Me, coming off a pair of stakes victories at Belmont Park, has been rated as the 3-1 morning-line favorite for the South Beach. Todd Pletcher-trained Ana Luisa, a Group 2 stakes winner in Brazil, is rated second at 4-1 for her U.S. debut.

 

“These turf races for fillies are so tough,” Wolfson lamented.