Teaks North Goes Long in Sword Dancer

After Teaks North won Monmouth Park ’s Grade 1 United Nations at 1 3/8 miles, trainer Justin Sallusto anxiously awaited the opportunity to run the 4-year-old at an even longer distance. That opportunity will come on Saturday when Teaks North leaves his home base at Monmouth to compete as the 3-1 morning-line second choice in the Grade 1, $500,000 Sword Dancer Invitational at Saratoga Race Course.

Teaks North has already demonstrated his versatility, having won stakes on dirt and turf and at distances ranging from 1 1/16 miles to 1 3/8 miles. Yet the gelding’s victory last time out in the United Nations has Sallusto believing the Jules Boutelle color-bearer is at his best going long.

“The extra distance [of the Sword Dancer] will be a benefit,” said Sallusto. “The further he goes, the better he goes. The way he’s trained and the way he won going 1 3/8 miles shows he wants to go longer.”

Sallusto said he has made no changes to Teaks North’s training regimen as he has stretched out the gelding in distance.

“He loves to train and take a good hold,” said Sallusto. “I’ve been training him the same way. He’s a very professional, very calm horse.”

In addition to Teaks North, the Sword Dancer attracted seven other entrants, including three-time Grade 1 winner Winchester, the 5-2 morning-line favorite.