by Greg Blanchard, media/communications, Woodbine Entertainment Group

Campbellville, ON — Trainer Duane Marfisi has declared ‘all systems go’ for his pacing colt Dali who trounced rivals with another sparkling qualifying win on Monday morning (May 19) at Mohawk Racetrack.

The 3-year-old son of Real Artist scored by 15-1/4 lengths for Luc Ouellette in 1:54.2 on what was a cool, blustery morning at the Campbellville oval.

“We were very happy with him again this morning,” said Marfisi. “Luc said he was steering well and that was a big mile this morning considering the weather. We still plan for him to make his first start of the year in the Burlington (Stakes).”

Dali was one of last season’s top rookie pacers with five wins in 10 starts, including a victory in the $415,000 Woodrow Wilson Final. He ended his initial campaign with $457,765 in earnings.

This morning also marked the return to the Mohawk oval of the O’Brien Award-winning Windsong Espoir.

Canada’s top 2-year-old colt trotter from last season had been wintering at the Hawkinsville Training Center in Georgia under the tutelage of Ryan Maxwell. Now back in the care of father Brad, the strapping son of Kadabra won by just over four lengths in his test for driver Steve Condren in 1:58.4.

“He was fine,” said the elder Maxwell. “We’ll definitely qualify again next Monday. He’s kind of a big, lazy colt and today was his first time behind the gate this year. We weren’t concerned about time at all this morning. He tells us when he’s ready. He’s grown this year and is a big, strong colt coming into this season.”

After losing his first career start as a rookie, Windsong Espoir would not taste defeat again, winning nine of his 10 starts overall and earning $707,920 along the way. His biggest wins came in the C$533,000 Wellwood Memorial and the C$300,000 OSS Super Final.

MacGrath will give Somebeachsomewhere update on The Score

Brent MacGrath will give the latest update on the status of pacing sensation Somebeachsomewhere during Monday night’s edition of Race Night On The Score from Mohawk which airs from 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. (EDT).

The undefeated colt, who has been the talk of the harness racing world, was scratched from this past Saturday’s Ontario Sires Stakes Gold eliminations at Mohawk due to what was diagnosed as a bone bruise.

Somebeachsomewhere is the early season favorite for this year’s C$1.5 million Pepsi North America Cup which goes June 14 at Mohawk Racetrack.

On that note, two more Cup contenders, Mucho Sleazy and Duneside Perch, will be profiled on Monday night’s show. In addition, the 1995, 1996 and 1997 editions of the North America Cup will be relived.

Fans will also have another chance to play along for cash prizes during the show with 123Racing.com. For more information, visit www.thescore.ca and click on the fantasy section.