Bowman's Band Nips Private Lap in Brandywine

Martin Schwartz's Bowman's Band, with Ramon Dominguez aboard, out dueled the 7-to-5 favorite Private Lap, with Anthony Black astride, in the $100,000 Brandywine Handicap at Delaware Park Saturday.

The pair battled through early fractions of :46.76 for the half mile and 1:11.09 for the three-quarters mile before Bowman's Band notched a neck victory over Private Lap. The final time for the one mile over a sloppy main track was 1:36.64.

Justification, with Joe Rocco Jr. aboard, finished third nearly 20 lengths behind the winner. Bowman's Band, a 5-year-old son of Dixieland Band, returned $8.60 as third choice in the field of five.

The Kentucky-bred trained by Michael Matz iimproved his career record to six wins from 17 starts with earnings of $519,900.

(Chart, Equibase)