Forest Secrets much the best

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - What looked like a two-horse race on paper turned out to be a one-horse race on the track as Forest Secrets easily ran away from main rival Summer Colony in the stretch en route to a convincing three-length victory in Saturday's $200,000 at Gulfstream Park.

Forest Secrets stalked the pace of Summer Colony from the outset of the 1 1/8-mile Rampart under confident handling by Pat Day. Forest Secrets drew alongside of the leader approaching the quarter pole while still in hand as jockey John Velazquez aboard Summer Colony had to urge his filly to remain on even terms into the stretch.

But once straightened for the drive, Day asked Forest Secrets for her run and the daughter of Forest Wildcat asserted her superiority, edging well clear in the final furlong.

Summer Colony, who entered the Rampart sporting a six-race win streak, was easily second best, finishing two lengths in front of Happily Unbirdled. Castlebrook, Lily's Affair, and Unbridled Waters completed the order of finish.

Forest Secrets paid $4 as the tepid favorite over the 6-5 Summer Colony. She completed the distance in 1:49.83 over a fast track.

Forest Secrets is owned by Debby Oxley and trained by John Ward Jr., who deferred to his wife Donna in the postrace aftermath.

"She's the one who really trains this horse at Palm Beach Downs, not me," said Ward.

"Forest Secrets is very professional now," said Donna Ward. "I really haven't trained her hard to this point. It's a long year and when she was so quiet yesterday [Friday] I began to second guess myself, thinking maybe I brought her back too soon off her last race. But she did it easily today."

Forest Secrets, who won the Grade 1 Acorn Stakes last year at 3, finished second behind Miss Linda in the Sabin Handicap in her 2002 debut here three weeks ago.