Heart Stealer heads one-two finish for Wolfson in Paseana

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Heart Stealer shook off the rust from her 3 1/2-month vacation once she entered the stretch of Saturday’s $75,000 Paseana Stakes at Gulfstream Park, rallying to a 2 1/4-length triumph over stablemate Kipling’s Joy.

Heart Stealer, one of four fillies and mares trainer Marty Wolfson ran in the Paseana, had not started since winning the Grade 2 Inside Information here on March 22. She was scheduled to compete in the Grade 1 Humana Distaff at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby weekend but had to be withdrawn from the race due to an abscess.

With Edgar Zayas aboard for the first time, Heart Stealer ($3) raced within easy striking distance of the early leaders for the opening half-mile, and then asserted her class once settling into the stretch, readily overtaking the leaders to win going away. Kipling’s Joy wore down the pacesetting Salamera for second.

Wolfson also sent out Quiet Hour to finish a troubled fourth and Centrique a disappointing sixth in the 6 ½-furlong Paseana.

Heart Stealer was also entered in and scratched from Saturday’s $75,000 Housebuster Stakes later on the card. A 4-year-old daughter of Speightstown, owned by Peachtree Stable, Heart Stealer completed the distance in 1:16.61 over a good main track.

“He really only let her run the last eighth of a mile. I just needed an easier race for her before I go to Saratoga,” said Wolfson, whose primary goal for Heart Stealer is the Grade 1, $500,000 Ballerina at Saratoga on Aug.23. “I felt this was the easier race [today]”

Madame Giry beats males in Umphrey Turf Sprint

Madame Giry got the stakes action off to a flying start when she rallied strongly down the center of the course to a convincing 2 ½- length victory in the $75,000 Bob Umphrey Turf Sprint.

With Edgar Prado aboard, Madame Giry saved ground early, eased out for the drive, and readily wore down the pacesetting Jo Jo’s Comet to win going away. Cajun Beat finished another three parts of a length farther back in third.

Madame Giry, who was wearing blinkers for the first time, went off as the 2-1 favorite despite being the only filly in the field, and paid $6.60 after covering five furlongs in 55.80 over a good turf course.

Like Heart Stealer, Madame Giry will also make her next start at Saratoga.