"I don't like to brag...I don't think they can beat him. Seriously, I don't think they can beat him."
Trainer Clyde Francis discussed his 2015 Pepsi North America Cup starter Wiggle It Jiggleit, the 8-5 morning line favourite, with Trot Insider at the post position draw on Tuesday, June 16.
The Mr Wiggles-Mozzi Hanover gelding, who won his elimination by six lengths in 1:49.2, is undefeated in 11 career starts heading into the $1 million final on Saturday, June 20 at Mohawk Racetrack. As an elimination winner, his connections were able to choose their post position for Canada's richest race. Wiggle It Jiggleit will be leaving from post three with 24-year-old Montrell Teague driving for his father, owner George Teague Jr.
To view the entries for Saturday's card at Mohawk or a free program for Mohawk’s Saturday card, courtesy of TrackIT, click on one of the following links: Saturday Entries -- Saturday Program Pages.
The Pepsi North America Cup is the centerpiece of Mohawk’s fantastic Saturday card of racing that will also feature the $479,000 final of the Fan Hanover Stakes (which will showcase three-year-old pacing fillies), the $350,000 final of the Roses Are Red (pacing mares), the $272,000 final of the Armbro Flight (trotting mares), the $233,000 final of the Goodtimes Stakes (three-year-old trotting colts), the $100,000 Mohawk Gold Cup (invitational pacers) and the $75,000 North America Cup consolation.
TSN1 will televise the Cup final on Saturday. The race will also be featured on Sirius XM satellite radio during an edition of the ‘Saturday Night at the Races’ series. First-race post time for Mohawk’s Saturday card of racing is 6:30 p.m. The NA Cup has been slotted as Race 12 on the 15-dash card and has an approximate post time of 10:40 p.m.
Absolutely 5 1/2 to 1 was an
Absolutely 5 1/2 to 1 was an overlay. I'm talking about one specific race here, not the "entire year". Let's forget the hype here and try to look at the race objectively (as I did before I made my wager). Understanding all the reasons why WiggleIt Jiggle It was a deserving favorite, I will not argue that anyone but him should have been favored BUT...consider: Wakizashi Hanover in his elimination paced a slightly faster 1/2 and the 3/4 and final times were similar. On the final turn he made a move NOBODY expected, ditching Artspeak's cover - remember Artspeak? - and motoring past him making Artspeak momentarily look like he was treading water or pacing on the spot. To me - an objective handicapper who is looking to make money - Wakizashi's elimination effort was more impressive than WiggleIt's in that he effortlessly passed the 2YO champion and easily drove away from him. Normally comparing these two races, the undefeated horse might be around even money and the other elim winner in the 5/2 or 3/1 range. But because there was SO much hype the likes of: "WiggleIt will be the fastest ever", "he'll just go :47 if he has to" "he hasn't even been asked yet" and "he's simply the fastest horse, period" most bettors considered the result a foregone conclusion which was patently ridiculous. I haven't even mentioned that WiggleIt was in the weakest elimination. Also, you have Tetrick - one of the best drivers in the world drawing inside the big favorite. Was it that far-fetched to think The Bionic Man would leave hard enough to land in the pocket? So yes, considering the relative merits of each horse (and driver) and their performances in the elimination, 5 1/2 to 1 was absolutely an overlay for those who weren't so quick to buy into the hype. For a million bucks they "race" - there are few if any breathers and sometimes the horse with the better trip wins.
Lastly, I wouldn't be too quick to dismiss Wakizashi going forward for the "rest of the year." I think it's pretty obvious now that he's a very very good racehorse.
I imagine if the Wiggle It
I imagine if the Wiggle It JiggleIt crew were told their horse would go a 1:48 mile on the front end in the NA Cup they would have thought the race was their's. He lost to one horse... both of which were well ahead of the field. He raced strong right through the wire and it clearly took a perfect trip for someone to defeat him. I would hardly call 5 and a 1/2 to one an "overlay", Mr.Barnsdale, but congrats in any event. Now the bigger question is between the two of them which one do you think will have more money winnings in their 3 year old campaign. Also how will they fare head up if/when they face each other in the rest of their 3 year old campaign. It seems you like to wager sir, as I do on occasion. I know which horse I want!!
BOOM! 5 1/2 to 1 on the
BOOM! 5 1/2 to 1 on the winner. Overlay city thanks to all the hype.
As much as I agree that
As much as I agree that Wiggle It Jiggle it is a great horse I am surprised at how many people are doubting Artspeak who is a great horse in his own right and super sharp. Personally WIJI has not yet shown me that he can come from behind while Artspeak has. I'm not suggesting WIJI can't come from behind but if he does try to wire them and they go :54 or less to the half I am pretty sure Artspeak will be coming fast. From the first time I saw WIJI in Feb I agreed he was a good horse but I said it then and I'll say it now. He had to show me he can beat Arstpeak who last year beat them all. I'm not jumping off the Artspeak bandwagon now. I'm sticking with him. And as a side note let's not discount In The Arsenal. Should be an awesome race and night. Looking forward to it.
If Wiggle it Jiggleit,
If Wiggle it Jiggleit, wiggles it just a little bit, they won't beat him. Good Friday Three was an extremely hard closing third in his elim. He is a great value play if the odds are enticing.
You're right: 46 if he has to
You're right: 46 if he has to won't be a problem... fast, fast animal
I like Wakizashi Hanover. To
I like Wakizashi Hanover. To me he was every bit as impressive as Wiggles last week and is as sharp as a horse can be heading into a race like this one.
Love the mans confidence. He
Love the mans confidence. He knows he has the horse, all of his starts back that up and hes not afraid to say it.
Bold prediction but I think
Bold prediction but I think this horse will be the fastest horse ever.
Good luck to all participants.