A trio of George Teague, Jr.'s Pepsi North America Cup eligibles qualified in fine fashion today at Chester Racetrack. Delmarvalous, the 18-1 sixth choice in Trot Magazine's 2010 Pepsi North America Cup Spring Book, was the fastest of the bunch, as he provided some sizzle in what was

his seasonal charted debut.

In rein to Montrell Teague, George's son, Delmarvalous started from the rail in Race 3 and was first to the quarter-mile station, which he clicked off in 30 seconds. After yielding to a first-over attacker in the second panel, Montrell and Delmarvalous watched the next two stations come to life in :59.2 and 1:27.2. After passing the head of the lane, Montrell and his mount, a Badlands Hanover colt, popped the pocket and went on to post a two and a half-length victory in 1:53.4 off a :26.1 final quarter mile.

From 11 starts at two, Delmarvalous paced to a record of eight wins and two second-place finishes. He banked $189,348 in earnings and paced to a record of 1:52.3 over Dover Downs.

Qualifying in such fine form and having been a dominant force in Delaware at two, Delmarvalous' absence from the recently completed Delaware Standardbred Breeders' Fund series at Dover Downs comes as a bit of a curiosity.

"Not to downgrade the Delaware stakes at all, but we went in the direction of the national stakes circuit," commented trainer George Teague, Jr. "I think we're better off picking our spots and letting the Delaware stakes go by.

"It was only his first qualifier," continued the elder Teague. "Even though it was a big last half, he did hit easily. Our expectations are very high for him, and we don't want to get him cranked up too early. We're hoping to get him to the Meadowlands Pace, the North America Cup, and to race in the Delaware stakes we'd have had to get him in top form a month and a half ago."

The eighth race of the qualifying card saw Windfall Blue Chip also make his 2010 charted debut. Montrell Teague was in the bike once again, and he seemed to click well with the Art Major colt. The pair left from Post 6 and was first at every call (:29.2, :59.2, 1:28) before coming home in :26.3 to post a 13 and three-quarter-length win in a solid 1:54.3.

Assessed at odds of 32-1, Windfall Blue Chip is tied for 13th overall in Trot's NA Cup Spring Book.

The third of Teague's Cup-eligible pupils to stretch its legs during the qualifying session was the Four Starzzz Shark colt Fancyfreeshark, who started with Montrell Teague from Post 6 in Race 5. The pair sat second through the opening half (:29.4, :59) before moving to the lead prior to the 1:27.2 third call. The colt came home with a :28.1 final quarter mile and went on to post a 10 and three-quarter-length victory in 1:55.3.

The mile was the Fancyfreeshark's second qualifying effort of the 2010 campaign. The colt has been pegged as a 40-1 shot in Trot's Spring Book.

(With files from Harrah's Chester)