Wiggle It Jiggleit continues to prep for an eventual return to the races. On Tuesday (Sept. 10) at Harrah’s Philadelphia, the much-heralded son of Mr Wiggles recorded his fourth qualifying effort since August 20, and the morning mile saw him pace his fastest mile since the fall of 2016.
After lining up in Post 4 for Race 7, Wiggle It Jiggleit sprinted off the gate for driver Montrell Teague and opened up an early four-length lead. He was first to the quarter pole in :26.4 over the ‘fast’ track.
The Clyde Francis trainee continued to do the work on the engine through the middle splits, as he clicked off the opening half-mile in :55.4 and brought the three-quarters timer to life in 1:23.4.
Wiggle It Jiggleit was on top by four lengths at the head of the stretch, but that is where he faced some competition from the rest of the six-horse field.
Although Wiggle It Jiggleit capped off his mile with a :28.3 final quarter, it wasn’t enough to get the job done, as he was reeled in by a handy and three-wide Divas Image in the final 70 yards of the tilt.
Divas Image, who was driven by Tim Tetrick and closed three-wide, went on to post a one-length victory in 1:52.1. Wiggle It Jiggleit finished second and was individually timed in 1:52.2.
After being away from the races since October of 2016, Wiggle It Jiggleit has now appeared in four qualifiers since August 20. He won his first qualifier in 1:53.4 at Harrah’s Philly; he then finished third, timed in 1:54.1, at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono; and he then won last week at Philly in 1:54.1.
The $4-million career earner is owned by George Teague Jr. Inc. and Teague Racing Partners LLC.
Teague stated earlier this month that the connections’ ultimate goal is to have Wiggle It Jiggleit ready for pari-mutuel racing in 2020, but that ‘WIJI’ is the one that is going to make that decision.
(With files from PHHA / Harrah’s Philadelphia)