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HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - R Heat Lightning bounced back from the worst performance of her career in the Grade 2 Forward Gal four weeks ago by drawing off to a decisive 7 1/2-length victory over even money favorite Dancinginherdreams in Saturday's Grade 2, $250,000 Davona Dale at Gulfstream Park.

R Heat Lightning, runner-up behind division champ Awesome Feather in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, was bumped early, got hung wide and finished a disappointing fourth launching her 3-year-old campaign in the seven-furlong Forward Gal. But jockey John Velazquez had R Heat Lightning in perfect position behind the early leaders as the field turned for home in the one-mile Davona Dale and the Grade 1 winner did the rest.

R Heat Lightning slipped inside the tiring and drifting Pomeroys Pistol to wrest control nearing the furlong marker, then readily drew off to a one-sided triumph. Dancinginherdreams raced wide throughout and wore down Pomeroys Pistol, who had defeated her in the Forward Gal, by a head, to finish second.

The previously undefeated Oh Carole finished a tiring and well-beaten fourth followed by Hot Summer, Evil Queen, Mending Hearts, and Bellaridge.

R Heat Lightning completed the distance in 1:36.25 seconds over a fast track and paid $7.

"Last time she was bumped hard at the start and never settled into a rhythm," said Todd Pletcher, who trains the homebred R Heat Lightning for the E Paul Robsham Stables LLC. "Today she had a much smoother trip and turning for home she kicked in the right way, finished up strong and galloped out really well."

Pletcher said the next logical step for R Heat Lighting would be the Grade 2 Gulfstream Oaks, formerly the Bonnie Miss, which will be decided at 1 1/8 miles on April 2. He said her main goal would be the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs on May 6.

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