Teague optimistic with NA Cup chances

Trainer George Teague has a pair of entries in Saturday night's North America Cup eliminations at Mohawk Racetrack—Dr. Dreamy and Delmarvalous—but he admits he needs a little bit of luck for either to advance to the $1.5 million final on June 26. Teague has named Brian Sears to drive both colts, which appears to be a good move as the driver has had success in the past with the pair.

 

Recent Empire Breeders Classic winner Dr. Dreamy landed post 10 in the first NA Cup elim, which arguably is the toughest of the trio of heats. Dr. Dreamy is coming off a third-place finish in his Burlington division, but last year Mohawk was the site of his two biggest victories—a Nassagaweya split and the Metro consolation. Overall, Sears has been in the sulky behind the son of Art Major six times—and won five of them.

 

“He didn’t draw too well, did he,” lamented Teague of Dr. Dreamy’s outside post position. “And on top of that, he drew in with the roughest and toughest bunch.

 

“We’ll just hope we have a little luck—in this case, a lot of luck,” he added with a laugh. “There’s nothing you can do but play the hand that is dealt to you.”

 

As for Delaware champion Delmarvalous, who drew post two in the second NA Cup elim, the son of Badlands Hanover won eight of 11 starts last year, but has nothing to show for three starts in 2010. Following Delmarvalous’s first start of the year in early May, Teague put the colt on the anti-bleeding medication Lasix, and the response was an immediate 10-length qualifying romp at the Meadowlands in 1:50.2.

 

Teague then sent Delmarvalous to Mohawk where the stable is under the watchful eye of his sister, Brenda. Delmarvalous then finished second in an overnight and then fourth in his Burlington division. Teague said he remains optimistic for Delmarvalous’s NA Cup chances.

 

“The first time he raced there he got parked to the half in :54 and a piece, and then last week (Burlington) they got to the quarter in :25 and half in :53, and he probably made it to the front around the half and then hit the three-quarters in 1:21 and a piece,” said Teague. “He never caught a breather. So I’m hoping he gets a little luck along the way.

 

“I’ve always liked this horse,” he said. “He loves doing what he does so it makes it easy for me to start looking for things when he’s not going forward."