Teaks North notches his second graded stakes of 2011 in the Monmouth S. (G3)  photo: Equi-Photo

Teaks North took advantage of an early speed duel to register a three-quarter length victory in the $250,000 Monmouth S. (G3) on June 12. The 4-year-old son of Northern Afleet earned his second graded stakes win of 2011; he kickoff the year with a win in the Gulfstream Park H. (G1), also on the grass, in February.



Teaks North sat a few lengths behind a pair of dueling frontrunners for the majority of the nine furlong contest. Eddie Castro took his mount three wide coming into the stretch, eventually collaring multiple Grade 1 winner Get Stormy at the sixteenth pole and pulling away in the final strides. The time of 1:48.56 over the “good” turf course earned a 95 Beyer Speed Figure, his highest number since the Gulfstream victory.



The winner is now a perfect 3 for 3 on the Monmouth turf. “He loves it here,” said winning trainer Justin Sallusto. “He’s never lost over this track. Eddie did everything exactly as I said, ‘sit off the early speed and when you turn for home come and get them.’ Today was perfect.”  



“We had two speed horses in front of us and were in perfect position,” Castro said. “I thought Get Stormy was going to be really tough, but luckily my horse had a really good kick in the stretch.”



Teaks North improved to 6-1-2 from 16 starts. The $150,000 winner’s share of the purse upped his lifetime bankroll to $526,964 for owner Jules Boutelle.



Teaks North was bred in Florida by Brylynn Farm, Inc. He is one of three multiple stakes winners on the year for his sire.