Wolfson duo finish one-two in Banshee Breeze

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Trainer Marty Wolfson said he'd heard so much about trainer Todd Pletcher's Chilean bred Isola Piu Bella prior to Sunday's $60,000 he thought he was running for second money.

Wolfson did indeed take home second money in the one mile and one eighth Banshee Breeze with Adobe Gold. But he also got first money with Pampered Princess who outlasted her uncoupled stablemate by a head after turning back several challenges under jockey Eddie Castro Jr.

Isola Piu Bella, making her first start in the U.S. finished third as the even money favorite, hanging through the final furlong after slipping along the rail to gain a short lead in early stretch.

Pampered Princess set a contested pace, getting pressed early by Passing Shot and then challenged by both Eye Dazzler and Rare Gift around the second turn. She came off the rail entering the stretch, relinquished the advantage briefly to Isola Piu Bella near the eighth pole, reasserted herself to discourage the favorite then withstood a final bid from her stablemate. Adobe Gold raced within easy striking distance, was shuffled back a bit around the second turn then finished willingly and just missed.

Pampered Princess, a daughter of Indian Charlie, covered nine furlongs in 1:51.25 seconds over a fast track and paid $12.60. The stable exacta paid $48.30 for a $1 wager. Pampered Princess is owned by Martin Cherry.

"Both these fillies are equal in ability and trained extremely well coming into the race," said Wolfson. "When Pampered Princess gets her head in front she's extremely tough to pass. I don't know what's next for either filly but I don't want to keep them together."