Trot Insider has learned that older pacing star Wiggle It Jiggleit is no longer pointed to a return to racing this year.
Owner George Teague told Trot Insider on Tuesday night that the issue with Wiggle It Jiggleit's back that has hampered his performance in faster training miles continues to plague the popular pacer.
"The timing is not good to make it back this year," said Teague. "Unfortunately the problem that he had he continues to have. I don't think it will be permanent. But time is definitely a problem because of his stakes races.
"Because of the schedule I probably would only get an opportunity to race him maybe three times, and coming into the middle of the season it's kind of tough to have him look like he always did...which I don't think of being a problem with time. Wasn't what I wanted but it is what it is."
Wiggle It Jiggleit was North America’s leading money-earning Standardbred in 2016 with more than $1.8 million in purses, pushing his overall earnings past the $4 million mark. The now five-year-old son of Mr Wiggles-Mozzi Hanover won 15 of 24 starts last season and finished no worse than third -- which he only did twice.
Purse-wise, his biggest win of the year came in the $600,000 Canadian Pacing Derby. That victory helped propel Wiggle It Jiggleit to divisional honours in Canada for Teague and the Teague Racing Partnership of Boynton Beach, Fla.
Teague told Trot Insider back in May that he would not race the horse unless he was "ready to go physically with the best and have a shot at winning." In addition, the veteran horseman needs to be sure he doesn't exacerbate the problem by rushing him back.
"I would not put him back on the track unless he looked like he always did," continued Teague. "He feels the same; nothing's changed with his ability at all. I just need to be careful to not create a bigger problem by pressing when he's not a hundred percent.
"It's never that easy to get one back at that level if you're not a hundred percent. Even for a great horse like him it's not easy. It just takes a little bit more time, which I think would work better for him."
Teague stated that the plan for Wiggle It Jiggleit is to back off on training, turn him out for a few months and start him back in the winter.
Too bad... sad. Without Miki
Too bad... sad.
Without Miki and WIJI the FFA ranks are thin this year and I figured WIJI might go undefeated. Sadly he will be undefeated for a different reason. Wear and tear.
Looking forward to seeing him next year going up against Fear The Dragon and Huntsville.
WIJI is a gelding so the time off will help lend a hand to a long career as Foiled Again was able to put together.
Hopefully you get him right
Hopefully you get him right and he returns next year. It's obvious you have the horse's best interest at heart.
Thanks George , I look
Thanks George , I look everyday to see if he is entered to qualify! I sure loved to watch him race. And his antics in the winners circle. He is so exciting. Here's hoping the king of the business returns next season, with a full green light.