Wolfson sends out classy but rusty pair

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - The two best horses in Thursday's featured third race at Gulfstream Park may be Eclisse and Indy's Alexandra. Both horses have not started in more than six months, have similar running styles, and are stablemates in Marty Wolfson's barn.

Eclisse is Grade 3 stakes-placed but has not raced since winning Calder's Liberada Stakes last June. Now 6, Eclisse is owned by the estate of the late Edmund Gann and will compete for the optional $80,000 claiming tag in the one-mile race.

"We're trying to disperse Mr. Gann's horses, so she is for sale," Wolfson said of Eclisse, who finished third in the Grade 3 All Along Breeders' Cup during the summer of 2008. "I stopped on her after her last win because she was knocked out and needed a rest. She's training well for her return, although she might need a race."

Wolfson said the same holds true for Indy Alexandra, whose last appearance came here 13 months ago when she finished second in a similar third-level optional claimer. Indy's Alexandra opened her career with three straight victories but has not won since capturing Calder's Three Ring by four lengths in her 2-year-old finale.

"She hurt her back after getting cast in her stall one day, which was the reason for the layoff," said Wolfson. "I think she can also stalk but she could need a race too. I hate to run them against each other but I needed to find a spot to get them both started again."

The uncoupled Wolfson duo will face five rivals, including Direct Line and Perfect for You, who will race coupled in the wagering even though they come from different barns.

Direct Line, a daughter of Tiznow, is trained by Victoria Oliver and has done the bulk of her racing and had her most success on turf.

Rusty Arnold will send out Perfect for You who, like Eclisse, is graded stakes-placed, having finished third in the Grade 3 Dogwood Stakes last May at Churchill Downs. She has not run since finishing second at this same level in November.

Trainer Todd Pletcher will put blinkers back on Yes She's a Lady off her last-place finish in the Grade 3 Honey Fox here three weeks ago. Yes She's a Lady was a stakes winner at 3 and is another in this field who seems at her best when on the lead.