What were you doing on October 28, 2016? All harness racing fans were watching the Breeders Crown at The Meadowlands as Always B Miki and Wiggle It Jiggleit did battle for the final time. Always B Miki went on to win the TVG Final two weeks later before retiring to stallion duty as Horse of the Year. Wiggle It Jiggleit hasn’t been seen since. That long 14-month absence for Wiggle It Jiggleit is on the verge of coming to an end. Owner George Teague, Jr. confirmed on Wednesday (12/13) that perhaps the most popular horse in the sport at this time last year would be qualifying within the next few weeks. “He’s ready to qualify any time I want,” said Teague, who mentioned either the final Saturday in December (12/30) at The Meadowlands or first Wednesday of January (1/3) at Dover Downs as possible dates. “Right now he is as sound as I’ve ever seen him and I’m anxious about him coming back.” A career winner of $3,907,557, Wiggle It Jiggleit missed all of 2017 due to a lingering back issue that has plagued the gelding his entire career. He was training down with intent to debut in June of 2017 but that plan was halted. His comeback began back in September when he started training with slow miles in the 2:40 range and was swimming to maintain fitness. Teague admitted that he could have brought his star back earlier but didn’t want to throw him to the wolves after missing so much racing action. “I didn’t want to start him versus the best in the country with no foundation,” said Teague. The plan going forward is for Wiggle It Jiggleit to qualify three to four times before looking to start in a pari-mutuel race near the end of January or beginning of February. The main issue for Teague could be finding opportunities for Wiggle It Jiggleit to race at a time during the year when there are fewer tracks and only a handful of upper-level pacers in action. With the George Morton Levy series at Yonkers Raceway starting March 17 under serious consideration, Teague will only need about two to three starts from late January until early March to keep the soon to be 6-year-old sharp. “I’d like to make sure I’m on the right path and know by early February that he will stay sound with a heavy workload before stakes payments are required,” said Teague, who added that he keeping his fingers crossed. “Anything can happen, just like a football player can make a bad cut and wind up with a torn muscle. Right now he is as sound as I’ve ever seen him. He still makes me go ‘wow’ when training. I’m looking forward to his return more than ever.” One certainty is that Teague won’t send Wiggle It Jiggleit to the track unless he is 100%. He is firmly against doing anything to tarnish the reputation of the son of Mr Wiggles.  With a stellar record of 51-38-10-2, a lifetime mark of 1:47 2/5, and a scroll of stakes wins that include the Max Hempt, Meadowlands Pace, Little Brown Jug and Canadian Pacing Derby, few horses have the résumé of Wiggle It Jiggleit. “He is one of the greatest horses in recent history. I won’t race him if he even loses a step or two,” said Teague. With the holiday season upon us, what greater gift could fans of the sport receive than a return to the track of Wiggle It Jiggleit?