George Teague Jr.'s Wiggle It Jiggleit ($2.10, Montrell Teague) put forth a dazzling performance Monday with a world record at Harrington Raceway as he remained unbeaten in eight career starts.
The Mr Wiggles gelding left the gate from post position five as the 1-to-9 favourite and effortlessly set fractions of :26.4, :54.1 and 1:22. While his closest pursuer Bobbies Powerplay yielded in the pocket, "Wiggle" steamrolled to a 14-length victory in world record and track record time of 1:49.
The time established a new world standard for three-year-olds on a half-mile racetrack and broke the overall track record of 1:49.2. Legendary pacer Somebeachsomewhere and Rock N Roll Heaven co-held the three-year-old mark of 1:49.2 world record previously, while Betterthancheddar and Clear Vision shared the track record.
Trained by Clyde Francis, Wiggle It Jiggleit could make his next start in the Indiana Sires Stakes at Hoosier Park on May 23.
In the $16,000 overnight feature, the Open Pace, 4-to-5 favourite Dancin Yankee left from post position three in a short field of five and assumed early command from People Are Crazy in an opening quarter mile in a pedestrian-like 29 seconds. Dancin Yankee then led the field to the half-mile in 58.3 seconds while Bandolito, who co-holds the fastest mile of the year, battled first over. Dancin Yankee then cruised to three-quarters in 1:25.4 while Bandolito began to fade. Dancin Yankee ($3.60, Allan Davis) opened up several lengths on the field at the wire and triumphed in 1:52.4 over People Are Crazy and Elite Awards.
It was the first win of the year for the Josh Green trainee, whose made more than $1.1 million in his career.
Last year's two-year-old DSBF champ, Remember Me VK ($3.20, Teague), making his first start since his freshman campaign, had an auspicious return to the races with a 1:53 score for trainer Bobby Wyatt. Owned by Sharon Wyatt, Robin West and Ron Benton, it was the fourth win in six career starts for the Art Director gelding, who is the two-year-old track record holder at Harrington.
Speaking of auspicious debuts, Legacy Racing and Reggie Hazzard's Bad Boy Matt had just that in his debut with a 1:52.1 win in the $12,500 Open II.
Allan Davis had four winners on the program as did owners Legacy Racing of Delaware. Montrell Teague drove three winners.
(with files from Harrington)