Colonial: Bright Gold repeats

Bright Gold pulled clear of pacesetter Partners Due in deep stretch to win the $60,000 Somethingroyal Stakes at Colonial Downs for the second straight year.

A 6-year-old mare ridden by Horacio Karamanos for trainer Mary Eppler, Bright Gold ($2.40) earned her 12th career victory in 31 starts and her second consecutive stakes over the local turf course. She previously won the $70,000 Buckland on June 25.

Partners Due, an 8-1 shot, opened up a 3 1/2-length lead after a half-mile in 44.21 seconds and maintained that margin with just a furlong remaining in the 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint for Virginia-bred fillies and mares. But Bright Gold, who made a three-wide move from third turning for home, came flying to take command at the sixteenth pole drew off by four lengths, covering the distance in 1:02.03.

Our Joy rallied to get second at 17-1 by a half-length over the tiring Partners Due.