Pine Dance's US hat-trick

The remarkable Pine Dance notched up a third US victory when winning the $75,000 Brandywine Stakes at Delaware Park on Saturday…

The remarkable Pine Dance notched up a third US victory when winning the $75,000 Brandywine Stakes at Delaware Park on Saturday night and will be aimed next at the Grade One Manhattan Handicap.

The Dermot Weld-trained horse ran out a three parts of a length winner at the weekend under the local rider Ramon Dominguez and on a dirt track described as "sloppy."

It came on the back of an runner-up spot in an Aqueduct Grade Three race this season and victories at Arlington and Philadelphia Park last year. In two weeks time, Pine Dance will switch to the turf for the Manhattan at Belmont Park.

Kilbeggan gets under way for the year this evening where Frances Crowley can chalk up her first track success since the 1998-99 season.

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Crowley has 46 victories already this jumps season and after Henry Hammond's four placed efforts, he too can hit the mark in the bumper under the top amateur Kevin O'Ryan.

Crowley will also fancy her chances in the second maiden hurdle where the Killarney runner-up Roskem looks to hold reasonable claims while the opener looks good for the Roscommon runner-up Mandy's Gold.

The J P McManus colours will be carried by Moratorium in the handicap hurdle and the forecast good ground will be to his advantage, judged on a second to Heart Of The Ocean at Navan.

Last year's German Derby winner, Samum, shocked his connections when he was beaten by 16 to 1 outsider Bonvivant in the 30th Grosser Mercedez Benz Preis at Baden-Baden yesterday.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column