'Bright N' aims to stay unbeaten

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Bright N Golden will try to extend his unbeaten streak to three races Sunday at Woodbine in the $132,750 Swynford Stakes. The seven-furlong event has lured just three other 2-year-olds, including Ballado Dancer, who should be the speed of the race.

Trainer Frank Passero Jr. was taking an edge when he ran Bright N Golden for $40,000 first-time out Aug. 18. Bright N Golden won that five-furlong sprint by a half-length over Vicar's Song, who came back to win his maiden easily.

Bright N Golden was reluctantly loaded into the gate in his other outing Sept. 5, in the 6 1/2-furlong Silver Deputy Stakes. The start was delayed, and after the race finally got under way, he rallied from well back to record a 15-1 upset over favored Victoria's Boy.

Passero said he was content with Bright N Golden's five-furlong work in 1:01.20 over a muddy training track last Saturday under jockey Jerry Baird. Passero predicted that Bright N Golden might eventually find his calling going a route of ground.

"I know one thing about this horse, without a doubt, he will go long," he said.

Ballado Dancer was a prominent fourth when he debuted in the Victoria Stakes on June 19. He subsequently captured a five-furlong maiden special, earning a solid 85 Beyer Speed Figure.

Ballado Dancer tracked a sizzling pace under Stewart Elliott before fading badly last time in the six-furlong Sapling Stakes at Monmouth. Trainer Mark Casse said the extreme heat got to Ballado Dancer during that Grade 3 race.

"He had heat exhaustion," Casse recalled. "Stewart said he was running really easy, and then just quit. He barely passed the finish line, and then we almost didn't get him back to the barn. He was staggering, and almost went down.

"He has come back to train really well," Casse added. "He's obviously a much better horse than what he showed that day."

Run Justin Run, the probable third choice, took an immediate liking to the grass in his maiden victory on Sept. 3. Trainer John Ross said he believes Run Justin Run is a competent dirt runner.

"I think turf might be his best [surface], but he's not too bad on the dirt," Ross said.

* The Swynford winner was voted the Sovereign Award for Canadian champion 2-year-old in five of the past seven years.

* Grade 3 stakes winner Noble Stella heads Sunday's supporting feature, the $109,000 Flaming Page Stakes, a 1 1/2-mile marathon for fillies and mares.