With Somebeachsomewhere looming large in 2008, other solid stakes colts looked rather average in comparison -- even if they went out and won in 1:48.2 and banked $600,000
. With 'The Beach's ominous shadow now residing in the breeding shed, Dali stepped out during the Friday Mohawk Racetrack qualifying session and let the racing world know that he is back.
With Jody Jamieson up behind the Real Artist four-year-old, Dali went wire-to-wire from Post 2. The duo spun fractions of :28, :56.4 and 1:24.4 before pacing home in :27.2. The final clocking rang in at 1:52.1. The margin of victory was a whopping 19 lengths for the millionaire.
"He came back stronger, sounder and healthier," Marfisi told Trot Insider after the qualifier. "He filled out over the winter and trained down exceptionally."
As for this morning's impressive performance, Marfisi and company were not surprised, even though it was Dali's first charted line of his 2009 campaign.
"He was definitely ready for this type of mile this morning," said the trainer. "Prior to this morning, I had trained him in [1:] 55 at the home track and had taken him to Mohawk to train as well. In his training mile at Mohawk he went a mile in [1:] 53.3 and he was wanting to go more. We're not surprised whatsoever by his mile this morning."
As for when and where Dali is to make his '09 debut, Marfisi told Trot Insider that he can take the four-year-old down a couple of different stakes trails.
"At this point, I'm really not quite sure," Marfisi told Trot Insider. "He can go to the Dan Patch on June 20 or maybe to the Des Smith. I'm also looking at the Haughton as an upcoming date on the stakes calendar."
Click here to view the charted lines for the Mohawk qualifying session.
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