11/9/06

FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATE
CONTACT: TAMARA CRONIN
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
304-387-8335 (OFFICE) 304-479-8097 (CELL)

CHESTER, WV — BRIGHT ONE SCORES AGAIN by Bill Mooney

Bright One, the winner of this year’s Grade 3 West Virginia Derby, scored by 3 ¼ lengths in his most recent effort, a 1 1/16-mile allowance/optional claiming race at Churchill Downs on November 2.

The 3-year-old colt now has now made six career starts, from which he has gained four victories and a second-place finish, and earnings of $575,074. Jockey Mark Guidry, who piloted Bright One to his West Virginia Derby win, was also aboard him at Churchill.

To date, the only real blemish on Bright One’s resume is his seventh place effort in the Grade 2 Indiana Derby at Hoosier Downs on October 7. It was his first start following his Derby effort at Mountaineer Race Track.

Bright One’s forte is to be on or near the lead throughout his races. In the West Virginia Derby, he led from start to finish, drawing off by 5 ¾ lengths at the wire. But, in the Indiana Derby, Bright One got squeezed on the first turn and was forced to drop back.

“He had a bad trip at Hoosier,” said Bright One’s trainer, Dale Romans. “He got caught in some heavy traffic, which put him back in the pack early on, and he had to go around a pack of horses turning for home.”

Last week, Bright One returned to his front-running (and winning) ways. Romans said the colt’s next start will be in the Grade 1 Clark Handicap at 1 1/8 miles for 3-year-olds and upwards at Churchill on November 24.