Fair Grounds: Wiggins gears up for another season as steward

Hal Wiggins, who trained Rachel Alexandra through her dominating win in the Kentucky Oaks, is set to start his second season as a Fair Grounds steward next month. Wiggins, who is retired from training, had gone through a stewards training program in Louisville, Ky., in 2007, before Rachel Alexandra.

“I served as a steward last year. That was my first year, and I really enjoyed it,” Wiggins said. “Fortunately, they asked me to come back.”

Wiggins said an opening became available when steward Dave Hooper went to Canterbury.

Wiggins in June was elected president of the Texas Thoroughbred Association. Due to his role with the organization, he said he cannot serve as a steward in his home state of Texas. Wiggins is a 72-year-old native of Port Arthur, and he was in the same graduating class as the late singer Janis Joplin.

◗ Grade 2 Super Derby runner-up Chocopologie is entered in a Saturday night allowance at Delta Downs.