(Chart, Equibase)
Forest Heiress romped home Friday at Pimlico in The Very One Stakes, a race decimated by scratches after heavy rains forced its movement from the turf to the main track. Under Pat Day, Forest Heiress sat third in the early going, then as they straightened away for home, came through a wide spot on the rail and eased home. Forest Heiress won by seven lengths over Maria's Mirage, 1 3/4 length ahead of New Years Eve Gala."She broke sharp but there was a lot of other speed up front, so we sat patiently until we could get out," Day said. "She finished very strong."There were five scratches in the race, leaving seven to contest the five-furlong event. Forest Heiress covered the distance over a very sloppy track in :57.72.A 4-year-old Forest Wildcat filly, Forest Heiress is owned by Stonerside Stable and trained by Bill Mott. She was bred in Kentucky by New Farm."I wasn't worried about the track conditions," Mott said. "If I were, we wouldn't have run. This track can handle a little water and the horse handled an off-track in her last start. Pat did everything right again." It was the eighth win in 14 lifetime starts for Forest Heiress, who became a heavy favorite with the scratches and the fact she won her last start on a muddy track. She paid $3.40, $2.60, and $2.20.Maria's Mirage and New Years Eve Gala, who showed speed the entire way, finished second and third. Maria's Mirage paid $3 and $2.80, while New Years Eve Gala was worth $3.60.