HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Wolfie’s Dynaghost took advantage of a very firm and speed-favoring turf course to post a popular three-quarter-length victory over Cugino while setting a course and North American record in Saturday’s Grade 3 $200,000 Fort Lauderdale Stakes at Gulfstream Park. The victory is certain to earn the 7-year-old Wolfie’s Dynaghost an invitation to the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf here on Jan. 24. Wolfie’s Dynaghost used similar front-running tactics to register an even easier triumph six weeks ago in the Grade 3 River City Stakes at Churchill Downs while making his first start since being transferred to trainer Brian Lynch’s barn earlier this fall. He was ridden for the first time in the nine-furlong Fort Lauderdale by Irad Ortiz Jr. Wolfie's Dynaghost's winning time of 1:43.42 eclipsed the North American record of 1:43.92 set by Kostroma at Santa Anita in 1991. As expected, Wolfie’s Dynaghost sped right to the front after breaking alertly from near the inside in post position 2. He controlled the pace while under just some light early pressure by Quatrocento, remained clear while cutting the corner turning for home, then withstood a gallant try by Cugino under vigorous urging from Ortiz to the wire. Cugino, who shared highweight of 126 pounds in the Ft. Lauderdale with Wolfie’s Dynaghost, raced within easy striking distance while saving ground behind the leader from the outset. He eased out to launch his bid upon settling into the stretch, but could not gain much ground during the final furlong in light of the winner’s record-setting performance.  It was another 2 1/4 lengths farther back to Beach Gold, who rallied mildly to finish third. Owned by his breeder, Woodslane Farm, Wolfie’s Dynaghost paid $3.80 while swelling his bankroll to more than $1.43 million with his 14th lifetime victory. “It’s lovely to see an old horse like that just come into himself and get better and better with racing,” trainer Brian Lynch said. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.