Punters are aware that Custard The Dragon, Wink N Atcha and Feel Like A Fool have the ability to haul down the some of harness racing's biggest purses on any given day, but according to trainer George Teague, Jr., a stablemate of theirs that is flying into the Meadows' Delvin Miller Adios eliminations under the radar might be as lethal

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Teague has hinted that Bettors Delight colt Wind Me Up, his other starter in Saturday's Adios elims, could pace to a victorious mile against top stock.

Three $50,000 elims are set for Saturday, July 23 at the Meadows (first-race post time will be 6:55 p.m.). The $500,000 (estimated) final will be contested during the afternoon of Saturday, July 30. The rich tilt will anchor a program of racing which will offer more than $1 million in purses.

What do Billy Haughton, Stanley Dancer, Joe O’Brien and Brett Pelling have in common? They’re the only trainers in the 45-year history of the Adios to win the 'Pace for the Orchids' in consecutive years (actually, Haughton won three straight from 1967-69, and Pelling went back to back twice [1995-96 and 2004-05]). Teague, who won the 2010 Adios with Delmarvalous, will try to join that elite group.

Few trainers pursue Adios glory with as much firepower as Teague, although the sharp conditioner is taking nothing for granted.

“When you first start out in this game, you don’t really think a whole lot about winning major races,” he said. “And if you’re lucky enough to win a few of those, you learn how tough a task it is. But the horses are feeling good, so we have a shot.”

Two of Teague’s horses, Wink N Atcha and Feel Like A Fool, are coupled as a wagering entry in the first elim. Teague’s assessment of his 'Gang of Four' appears below.

• Wink N Atcha (Elim. 1, Post 5) --- “He’s been good all year, although his earnings don’t necessarily show that. He was used hard in the Meadowlands Pace final and still raced solid all the way (finishing third). He and Custard The Dragon definitely are the sharpest of the four.”
• Feel Like A Fool (Elim. 1, Post 6) --- “He needs to get into the race a bit more; that may not be easy to do from Post 6. He still has the speed and potential, and I expect him to keep getting better.”
• Wind Me Up (Elim. 2, Post 6) --- “He definitely hasn’t had a good year, but there’s a lot more to him than what you see. I still have high regard for him but he needs a break or two.”
• Custard The Dragon (Elim. 3, Post 2) --- “He’s danced every dance this year, and it hasn’t taken a toll on him. Early in the year, he dropped a knee boot, got into himself and had some problems from there, but I don’t think there will be any issues in the Adios.”

(With files from the Meadows)

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