Cherokee's Boy Wins Brandywine by Neck

(from Delaware Park report)
Z W P Stable's front-running Cherokee's Boy won the $100,600 Brandywine Handicap by a neck at Delaware Park Saturday.

Ridden by Travis Dunkelberger, the 5-year-old son of Citidancer held off the late charge of Separato, with Roberto Alvarado aboard, to post the victory. It was another 1 ¾ lengths further back Ouagadougou, with Mario Pino aboard, in third. Private Lap, the 2-to-1 favorite in the field of seven with Ramon Dominguez astride, finished in fifth.

Cherokee's Boy covered the 1 1/16-mile test in 1:44.30 over a fast main track and returned $17, $6.80 and $4 as the fifth choice. The Maryland-bred trained by Gary Capuano increased his career record to 11 wins from 32 starts with earnings of $695,000.

Before the Brandywine Handicap, Cherokee's Boy had been 0-for-6 over the Delaware Park main track. Capuano was happy break the slump.

"Since his win at Charles Town, we have had him at Delaware Park," he said. "It worked out good. He got the race over the track last time and he got beat a nose and a ran a great race. I also think training over the track really helped him with this trip."

Separato returned $6.40 and $3.60 while Ouagadougou was $5.80 to show.

(Chart, Equibase)