United Nations Goal for Teaks North

Jules Boutelle’s Teaks North sat the perfect trip in last Sunday’s Grade 3 Monmouth Stakes on the turf, launched his bid in deep stretch, and was up in time for a nearly-length score over Sleepless Knight.

That win should set him up perfectly for his major summer goal – the $750,000 United Nations Stakes (G1) here on July 2.

“He came out of the race great,” said trainer Justin Sallusto. “Eddie Castro rode a great race. He had the horse in the perfect spot the whole way.”

Teaks North, a 4-year-old son of Northern Afleet, remained unbeaten on the Monmouth turf when Castro placed him just behind the dueling leaders, Get Stormy and Get Serious, and was ready to pounce when they tired.

The gelding became a Grade 1 winner in February of this year when his closing style brought him a nose score in the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap. Last year, he won the Restoration Stakes on the Monmouth grass.

Get Serious, who ran head and head with favored Get Stormy for most of last Sunday’s stakes, finished fourth in the mile and an eighth test.

“It was a very good race,” said trainer Pat McBurney. “He dug in the whole stretch and never gave up.”

Get Serious had to deal with a turf course that had been softened by rain, and the nine furlongs of the Monmouth Stakes is at the limit of his range.

“No United Nations for him this year,” McBurney said. “He’ll go next in the Battlefield (one mile, July 9) and then the Oceanport (mile and a sixteenth on July 31).”