Atreides gets in work for Indiana Derby

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Atreides moved another step closer to making his graded stakes debut when he worked four furlongs in 48.84 around the dogs over a sloppy track Tuesday morning at Gulfstream Park. Atreides, undefeated and untested in three outings, is scheduled to make his next start in the Grade 2 Indiana Derby at Indiana Grand a week from Saturday.

With regular exercise rider Elmer Nunez aboard, Atreides broke off right on top of the half-mile pole, cruised his opening quarter in 24.54, finished well over the sealed trip, then galloped out strongly, as usual, completing five-eighths in 1:01.60 before pulling up six furlongs in 1:15.76. The dogs were out approximately 15 feet from the inner rail after the main track had been inundated by rain during early morning.

“He worked well, galloped out strong, and he wasn’t blowing at all when he got back to the barn,” said trainer Marty Wolfson on Tuesday. “I had some reservations about the track this morning, but it’s probably going to be worse tomorrow with more rain coming today. This track is usually not a problem when it gets wet. I’d rather have it a little too tight than too loose, and by working this morning it keeps us right on schedule now. I can bring him back and work him again next Monday.”

Wolfson also reported that his graded stakes winner Heart Stealer has been sent to Taylor Made Farm in Kentucky and will likely not start again before going through the sales ring in Kentucky in November.

Heart Stealer, who is owned by John Fort’s Peachtree Stable, won the Grade 2 Inside Information on March 22 and the Paseana on July 5. Foot issues forced her to miss the Grade 1 Humana Distaff this spring at Churchill Downs.

“I was hoping to run her once more here last week in the Musical Romance, but I missed a key work because of all the wet weather we’ve had,” said Wolfson. “This way, she’ll go into the sale off two stakes wins. I didn’t know she was selling until last week, which kind of broke my heart, but they do it every year, turns their fillies over.”