by Greg Blanchard, media/communications, Woodbine Entertainment Group

Campbellville, ON — Pepsi North America Cup hopeful Dali served notice to his competition that he will be a major player in this year’s 3-year-old division with a convincing 1:52.1 victory during qualifying action on Friday morning (May 9) at Mohawk Racetrack.

Last year’s Woodrow Wilson champion had Luc Ouellette in the driver’s seat and went coast to coast for the 28 length tally, using a :27 final quarter on what was a cool, blustery morning at the Campbellville oval.

“He’s a great horse and he marched through the wind pretty good,” commented trainer Duane Marfisi. “I wasn’t concerned about speed, I just wanted him to do it the right way.”

Marfisi is ecstatic with how the son of Real Artist-Armbro Tea has come back this season.

“He’s a more mature horse this year, a little wider in the shoulders which I like and he’s much stronger. He’s also a better keeper and a little fatter than he was last season. I basically call him a gentle giant.”

Dali distinguished himself as one of the best freshman in North America last season and ended his rookie campaign with five wins in his 10 starts and $457,765 earned for the Uncirculated Stable of Brantford, Ontario.

His record is even more impressive considering he battled through sickness during the midway point of the campaign.

“As sick as he was in the Metro, I was surprised he got a check,”admitted Marfisi. “I didn’t really want to go to Lexington with him in the fall, but we did and his improvement there forced us to go to the Governor’s Cup. He had a tough trip in the final and it wasn’t the result we hoped for. But, the time off has done him a lot of good and he seems as good as ever.”

The plan at this point for Dali is to qualify once more and then enter the Burlington Stakes on May 31 as a prep for the Pepsi North America Cup eliminations on June 7.

Dali’s stablemate, and fellow Pepsi North America Cup eligible, On The Brink also won his qualifier Friday at Mohawk in 1:55.3.

For more on the Pepsi North America Cup, visit www.northamericacup.com.