Justin Sallusto’s Teaks North takes on European challengers to win United Nations Stakes
The United Nations Stakes held at Monmouth Park is an annual July race for thoroughbreds, three years and above. This year’s stakes was held on July 2nd and won by Justin Sallusto’s 7/1 Teaks North, who has won all four of his races at Monmouth
Park.
The stakes this year, Grade 1 $750,000, attracted a diverse field of ten horses, including runners from as far of as Ireland, France and Chile.
As the race broke out, Pulsion set a mediocre early pace followed by Sleepless Knight.
Teaks North ran on the inside edge while Stacelita remained on the outside. At the last turn, Stacelita took hold of the lead as Pulsion and Sleepless Knight faded away.
Soon enough Teaks North gained momentum, angled out, got the lead, put his head forward and won.
Under jockey, Eddie Castro, Teaks North stalked favourite, Stacelita, and eventually got hold of the lead.
Towards the end Chinchon tried to challenge four-year-old Teaks North but he stood firm and won the 1 3/8 mile race by half a length in 2 minutes and 13 seconds.
Chinchon was the runner-up while Stacelita finished in show position and Bourbon Bay finished in fourth place, 2 ¼ lengths behind Teaks North.
General Perfect finished in fifth place and Bold Hawk and Eldaafer were both tied for sixth place.
Pulsion finished in seventh place followed by Belle Waiting and Sleepless Knight closed the field.
The United Nations Stakes is a part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, therefore, Teaks North earned a place in the Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Turf due to take place at Churchill Downs this November, on the basis of this victory.
A victorious Castro said, “We had a nice trip. He was comfortable the whole way around…I was very confident in him throughout the race.”
He also commented on how Teaks North really ‘kicked it in’ in the last stretch.
Trainer Justin Sallusto said that he was confident in the maturing horse’s talent but said, “Many times you believe something but until the reality sets in, you don’t know for sure”.
He also added that Teaks North had the added advantage of running at a track he knew well as he was not alien to it.
Describing the home court advantage he said, “It’s much easier to walk over from the barn than it is to take an airplane or a van”.
Teaks North, who has now won seven out of his seventeen starts, has accumulated a total earnings of $976,964.
U.S based Teaks North who got first Grade 1 victory for the year at the stakes is a half brother to Grade 2 winner, Wooden Phone.
Stacelita was making his American debut, whereas Irish-bred Chinchon was running in the U.S after a year long hiatus.
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