Breeders' Cup Turf: Teaks North in with a shot

ARCADIA, Calif. – Teaks North was claimed for $100,000 when he finished sixth in a turf race at Saratoga on Aug. 15. Just 11 weeks later, he will be a longshot in Saturday’s $3 million Breeders' Cup Turf.

It is worth a gamble, according to trainer Eric Guillot.

“If I run third, I’d be clear for the year,” Guillot said.

The winner of two Grade 1 races in 2011 – the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap and the United Nations Stakes at Monmouth Park, Teaks North was eighth in the 2011 BC Turf at Churchill Downs when trained by Justin Sallusto. Guillot claimed Teaks North on behalf of Southern Equine Stable from trainer Michelle Nevin.

In his first start for Guillot, Teaks North was fifth in the Grade 2 John Henry Turf Championship last month, losing by 2 1/2 lengths to Indy Point, a leading contender in the BC Turf.

“The horse that beat me two lengths is one of the favorites,” Guillot said. “I think I’ve got him going in the right direction.”

[BREEDERS’ CUP 2013: Fields with DRF odds and comments]

The BC Turf has a projected field of 12. Aside from Indy Point, the top contenders are The Fugue, the 4-year-old filly from Europe; Little Mike, the 2012 BC Turf winner; and Big Blue Kitten and Real Solution, who were second and third behind Little Mike in the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Belmont Park on Sept. 28.