Wiggle It Jiggleit went to post in Friday's (August 14) $405,000 Carl Milstein Memorial at Northfield Park as the overwhelming 1-9 favorite. His stellar performance did not disappoint a packed apron full of harness racing fans, who showed their appreciation with loud cheers as he returned to the Winners Circle.
Montrell Teague was in the sulky for his father, George Teague Jr., who owns Wiggle It Jiggleit, and trainer Clyde Francis. Friday's victory represents the popular gelding's 16th win in 18 career starts, while his share of the purse took his earnings to $1,195,644.
Staring from post position four, Wiggle It Jiggleit let his rivals get position off the gate before brushing to the front nearing the quarter pole. After clocking a :26.1 opening fraction, Teague was able to rate the second panel and slowed the pace to a :55.3 half.
"That was the plan," said Montrell Teague in a post-race interview. "I wanted to take care of him tonight after the hard race he had last week."
Wakizashi Hanover (Tim Tetrick) made a first-over challenge in the second half and pushed Wiggle It Jiggleit to a 1:22.4 three-quarter time. Wakizashi Hanover flattened in the final quarter while Lost For Words (David Miller), who sat the pocket throughout, also could not gain on Wiggle It Jiggleit, who posted a 1 ½-length victory in 1:49.3. Lost For Words finished second and Wakizashi Hanover was third.
The mile lowered Northfield's track record for three year-old geldings. The prior 1:52 record was held by both Gryffindor (Ray Fisher Jr.) in 2005 and Hare Craft (Aaron Byron) in 2011.
"I am glad he bounced back like he did. He was very strong tonight," offered Montrell, referring to his most recent disappointing fourth place finish in the Cane Pace. "I am glad to quiet the doubters."