Montrell Teague makes Meadowlands Pace history
July 15, 2011EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - Montrell Teague will become the youngest driver in the history of the Meadowlands Pace on Saturday night.
The 20-year-old Teague steers Custard The Dragon, the 4-1 second choice in the $1 million mile stakes for 3-year-olds. Both horse and driver have come a long way in a short time.
Custard The Dragon emerged as a top contender in the last two races, winning the $500,000 Hoosier Cup and last week's Meadowlands Pace elimination.
In both victories, Custard The Dragon got coolly professional drives from Teague. The colt is trained by George Teague, Jr., Montrell's dad, who is confident his son can handle the pressure.
``I think I'd be in trouble if he didn't have the talent, but I feel very confident having him drive for me,'' said Teague, who won the 2007 Meadowlands Pace with Southwind Lynx. ``I'm very proud of my son,''
Montrell Teague will supplant Mario Baillargeon as the youngest driver in the final. Baillargeon was 21 when he drove Most Happy Collins to a ninth-place finish in 1979.
``This is a big thing for my career,'' he said. ``If I win this, it will be amazing.''
Custard The Dragon starts from post No. 3 in the 10-horse field. Big Jim, last season's champion 2-year-old, is the 2-1 favorite from post No. 3.
The full field, in post position order with drivers and odds: Westwardho Hanover, Jody Jamieson, 15-1; Big Jim, Phil Hudon, 2-1; Custard The Dragon, Teague, 4-1; Feel Like A Fool, Brian Sears, 12-1; Wink N Atcha, Yannick Gingras, 15-1; Powerful Mist, Andy Miller, 5-1; Betterthancheddar, Dave Miller, 10-1; Roll With Joe, Ron Pierce, 6-1; Bestofbest Hanover, Mike Lachance, 15-1; and Foreclosure N, Tim Tetrick, 10-1.