The 2015 U.S. Harness Horse of the Year, Wiggle It Jiggleit headlines the list of 24 four-year-old pacers that have been nominated for the $200,000 Prix D’Ete Grand Circuit Stake, set for Sunday, August 21 at the Hippodrome 3R.
The third annual revival of one of the most prestigious races in the history of Canada, this year’s edition of the Prix D’Ete could be the best yet.
Wiggle It Jiggleit was sensational in 2015, scoring 22 wins and three second place finishes in his 26 starts. He earned a whopping $2,229,496 in purses, took a record of 1:47.4 and provided what many race fans have voted is one of the greatest races in history when he won the Little Brown Jug in straight heats.
Owned by George Teague, Jr. of Delaware, driven by his son, Montrell Teague and trained by Clyde Francis, Wiggle It Jiggleit is sired by Mr Wiggles.
“The Prix D’Ete fit perfectly into our race schedule planning,” said George Teague Jr. “And we hope the season goes well and that we will be in Quebec in August. It would be great to show Wiggle It Jiggleit to the fans at 3R.”
In the past two editions of the Prix D’Ete at 3R, the all-age track record was set and then tied as both Sunfire Blue Chip (2014) and All Bets Off (2015) won in 1:50.3.
“With a possible Wiggle It Jiggleit coming to 3R this summer, the track record will be broken,” said a confident 3R General Manager, Vincent Trudel. “I have seen him race last year and he was sensational and super-fast. He will love speeding around our banked turns at 3R.
“We are very pleased with the quality of the horses that have nominated to this year’s Prix D’Ete,” Trudel said. “The revival of this Grand Circuit event is developing into the great race it was before.
“I want to invite everyone to come to Trois-Rivieres on August 21 for our Prix D’Ete and enjoy our great racing and Quebecoise hospitality.”
Already on a hot streak in 2016 is the nominated Rockin Ron from the Ron Burke Stable. Undefeated in five starts this year, Rockin Ron has already equalled his lifetime mark of last year in 1:51.
And there are a slew of other top colts from last year that have been nominated to the Prix D’Ete.
Art Rooney Final and Bluegrass Stakes winner In The Arsenal was a tiger last season, notching seven wins, $554,872 in earnings and a record of 1:49.1. Dealt A Winner won $442,389 and set a world record of 1:47.3 in winning the Cane Pace over both Wiggle It Jiggleit and In The Arsenal.
Another Ron Burke Stable nominee is My Hero Ron, who won five times last year with earnings of $387,044 and a record of 1:49.2. Other standouts include Rockin In Heaven, Split The House, Rock N Roll World and National Seelster.
Quebec owners and trainers are also in the Prix D’Ete hunt as Go Daddy Go and Traceur Hanover are both trained by Rene Allard, with Mach On The Beach (Richard Moreau) and Poisonous (Stephane Larocque) also among the eligibles.
There are two more nominations payments due for the Prix D’Ete on April 15 and May 15. There are no supplemental entries allowed. Only the eight top money earners in 2016 at time of entry for the race will be eligible for the Prix D’Ete Final.
(With files from QJC; video courtesy The Meadowlands)