When trainers Brenda and George Teague, Jr. send stock up to contest the best stakes races the Woodbine Entertainment Group has to offer, astute handicappers know that they'd better give the charges a serious look
. With four Teague starters in to contest Saturday's Burlington Stakes at Mohawk Racetrack, Brenda has discussed her entrants.
In an interview this week with WEG, Brenda touched on each of her Burlington starters (Dr Dreamy, Im Gorgeous, Windfall Blue Chip, Delmarvalous), each of which are eligible to Mohawk's $1.5 million Pepsi North America Cup, which will be contested June 26 at the Campbellville, Ont. oval.
The eliminations for the NA Cup will take place a week after this Saturday's Burlington divisions.
Dr Dreamy (PP2, D. Dube, 6-1)
• Burlington Division 1 (Race 5)
• (Free TrackIT Program Page)
How do you think he stacks up?
"I think he stacks up pretty [well]. He's drawn the two-hole, which I think will help a lot. He's not that big, but he's a gutsy little fella, so I'm not kicking him out of it at all. I think he's got as good a chance as everyone else."
He's a very tiny horse.
"Yeah, he's very tiny, but he's like me, short but gutsy."
Im Gorgeous (PP7, C. Callahan, 12-1)
• Burlington Division 2 (Race 5)
• (Free TrackIT Program Page)
"Yes he is gorgeous. He's got the name that fits him just right."
How do you think he will stack up?
"I guess I have some favouritism (in regard to the colt). I think he's got a good chance, too. He raced [well] in the Hoosier Cup. I think he got away last and then came flying for home, so if he does the same thing again I'll be happy with him here."
Windfall Blue Chip (PP5, C. Callahan, 10-1)
• Burlington Division 2 (Race 8)
• (Free TrackIT Program Page)
He won the Woodrow Wilson at two. Where's he at and how do you feel about him?
"I like Windfall, too. He trained down really [well]. As I said, I like him, too. I think I have some favouritism because he is one of my horses. He didn't race badly in his first start. I didn't get to see him, but everyone told me that he raced well -- I think it was at Tioga. He didn't race too badly, but George put him in for a shot in the Hoosier Cup, but in the Hoosier Cup he got tortured. He left out of there and got to the front, but they (the other horses) kept coming at him and he just never got a chance to rest, so I'm not really disappointed with him. Last year he got a little sick on us after the Woodrow, so we had to quit with him and shut him down. I think in time he'll get better."
Is he just a late-maturing colt?
"I think so. He's got a lot of little breathing problems, so if we keep that under control I think that he'll be alright."
Delmarvalous (PP5, C. Callahan, 3-1)
• Burlington Division 3 (Race 9)
• (Free TrackIT Program Page)
He raced well at Mohawk in an overnight last week and finished second to Kyle Major. Before the race you said that you were sort of tinkering with his equipment and that you made some equipment changes.
"Yeah. That's true. He's been hot and a little grabby. So George thought that maybe we'd try to open him up a little bit, and try a Kant See Back (bridle) and see if that worked. I don't think it was the bridle that mattered. We were very pleased with him. Randy (driver Randy Waples) thought he was good and quiet, but when he got him into the hole he (Delmarvalous) kind of hit the stirrups and went sideways. That kind of got him fired up, but we were very pleased with him."
His racelines show that his best miles come when he's near the front, is that because he is an aggressive colt?
"I think so, but I think he is just as good off the pace, too. I'd like to see him race from off the pace, but we're just hoping that someone can keep him under control and keep him quiet. Maybe I can find a bigger bike. We thought we had a bigger bike (last) Saturday, but it didn't work. So maybe with a little luck we can get all of them conditioned and ready for the North America Cup."