Dali chopped out most of the fractions en route to a 1:50 score in his 2009 debut on Saturday night at Mohawk Racetrack in the $35,000 Open Pace
for four-year-olds.
With Jody Jamieson at the lines, Dali filled the pocket spot from Post 4 as the 33-1 longshot, Peenie (Sylvain Filion), hustled to the lead from the far outside. Refusing to sit a pocket trip, Dali quickly brushed to command at the :27 first quarter pole. The fan favourite then carved out the remaining panels of :55 and 1:22.4 before turning for home and kicking away by three and a quarter lengths for the triumph.
Oliver Cleo (Luc Ouellette) closed well to finish second with Peenie rounding out the top three.
The millionaire son of Real Artist, who ended his sophomore campaign with a 1:48.2 world record equaling performance in the Matron Stakes, scored his 10th career win for trainer Duane Marfisi and owners the Uncirculated Stable of Brantford, Ont. and the JL Benson Stables of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
In sophomore action, Art Colony also won his 2009 debut in the $30,000 conditioner for trainer Casie Coleman and owner Tom Hill of Lancashire, Great Britian.
Carnivore (Paul MacDonell) was quick off the gate crossing over from the outside post as Art Colony and driver Randy Waples got away fourth from Post 2. Carnivore settled on top at the :26.4 quarter pole, but gave way to Glad To Be Back (Luc Ouellette), who brushed up from third as Built To Drive (Jack Moiseyev) made a miscue and rolled off stride from the pocket.
The half was up in :54.2 and from there Art Colony stepped to the outside and hooked up with Glad To Be Back at the three-quarters mark in 1:23.2. Down the stretch, the odds-on favourite, Art Colony, kicked away and then held off the 20-1 Carnivore by a length to win in 1:51. Millionaire Cam (Jody Jamieson) closed well from fifth to nab the show spot
Art Colony won four races in seven starts last year earning $423,750 and was the runner-up in the Governor’s Cup and his Breeder’s Crown elimination and final.
The son of Artsplace is the 7-1 second choice in Trot Magazine’s 2009 Pepsi North America Spring Book while Carnivore is the 22-1 eighth choice. Millionaire Cam ranks 18th on the list and is gauged at odds of 40-1.
To view Saturday's results, click here.