Trainer George Teague Jr.’s trio of Wink N Atcha, Feel Like A Fool, and Wind Me Up head to Saturday’s eliminations for the million-dollar Metro Pace for two-year-old pacers at Mohawk Racetrack from different places, but with similar
results – plenty of wins. Wink N Atcha, who has raced in Pennsylvania, is five-for-five while Feel Like A Fool and Wind Me Up, who have raced primarily in New York, combined for five victories in eight starts.
There will be four divisions of Metro eliminations Saturday. The final is September 4.
“I think mine are equipped to go,” Teague said. “I don’t think they’re slackers. All of them have different dimensions, but they can go pretty good.
“Regions are regions and when you get to the Grand Circuit, you run into a little bit of a mix of everything. It’s the best from wherever they’re coming from. But I’m pretty content to be where I’m at.”
Wink N Atcha was purchased as a yearling for $40,000 at the Standardbred Horse Sale. He is a son of Dragon Again-Kiss My Lips. His mother is a full sister to 2001 Art Rooney Pace winner Fully Loaded and half sister to 2005 Cleveland Classic winner Jo Pas Shark. His granddam, Disarmed, is a half sister to Her Airness, who foaled millionaire Blueridge Western.
In his most recent start, on August 16, Wink N Atcha won a division of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes by two lengths over Hugadragon in 1:53.4 at The Meadows. He has three sire stakes victories to his credit, as well as wins in divisions of the Reynolds and Arden Downs stakes.
“He’s done nothing wrong,” Teague said. “He’s been really impressive every start. I hope he has a little bit of luck come Saturday. He seems to be quite a horse. He’s won from on the pace, off the pace; he’s done everything we’ve asked him to do. So far he’s been pretty handy.”
Feel Like A Fool was purchased as a yearling for $30,000 at the Standardbred Horse Sale. He is a son of Art Major-Fool That I Am and his third dam, Im No Fool, is the mother of 2003 Breeders Crown champion I Am A Fool (who also won the Governor’s Cup and was second in the Metro) and multiple-stakes-winner Cams Fool.
On Monday, Feel Like A Fool finished third in a division of the Nassagaweya at Mohawk. Feel Like A Fool went off stride after the start and spotted the leader more than 17 lengths, but rallied with a :26.4 last quarter-mile to be beaten by 4-3/4 lengths by Big Jim in 1:51.1. It was his first loss in four starts, although he also went off stride while winning a division of the New York Sire Stakes at Batavia Downs in New York.
“He’s a little funny about his face; when dirt hits him in the face, he has some issues with that,” Teague said. “But I don’t think he’s the kind of horse that runs a lot. He stepped over a boot when he ran at Batavia. He jumped over that. He does see stuff; he gets a little funny. His name kind of suits him; he can be a fool sometimes.
“He’s got a great turn of speed, though. It’s just a matter of keeping his head on straight. I think he’s got great upside.”
Wind Me Up, a son of Bettors Delight-Breathe, was purchased as a yearling for $20,000 under the name Air Speed Wagon at the Standardbred Horse Sale. His mother is a full sister to multiple-stakes-winner Northern Sky, who is the dam of recent Valley Forge consolation winner Northwest Hanover.
On Monday, Wind Me Up was fourth in his division of the Nassagaweya, beaten by 2-3/4 lengths by Shadyshark Hanover in 1:52.2. Among Wind Me Up’s two victories this season is a win in a division of the Tompkins-Geers at Tioga Downs in New York.
“The next two weeks, I hope it’s the next two weeks, will tell us a lot,” Teague said.
To view Saturday's entries, click here.
This story courtesy of Harness Racing Communications, a division of the U.S. Trotting Association. For more information, visit www.ustrotting.com.