Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Dali wins $415,000 Woodrow Wilson

August 3, 2007

Dali rallied off fast early fractions to win the $415,000 Woodrow Wilson, the track's premier event for young pacers, on Friday night at the Meadowlands.

Duneside Perch, part of a heavily favored three-horse entry trained by George Teague, commanded the field through brisk fractions of :26.3, 54.2 and 1:22.4 into the stretch. Driver Luc Ouellette worked out a second-over trip for Dali and tipped him three-wide on the final turn. Dali took flight off the torrid pace, equaling the stakes record of 1:50.2 set by Fox Valley Barzgar in 2006.

Moon Beam held on for second. It was another six lengths back to Cash Cab in third.

"I think I was away sixth or seventh," Ouellette said. "Usually he's been taking me in the hole a little more than I would want to. Tonight, they were going good fractions and he was lot more relaxed and it suits his style a lot better. At that point [in the stretch], I was pretty confident he was going to pace right to the wire."

Duane Marfisi trains the son of Real Artist. Dali has now won three of four starts and also counts the $115,000 Niatross in his win column. The colt was a $57,000 yearling purchase at the Lexington Sale by Uncirculated Stable [Isaac and Aaron Waxman] of Brantford, Ontario.