Harness: Wiggle It Jiggleit now aiming for summer return

The best laid plans of horses and men often go astray.

Superstar pacer Wiggle It Jiggleit was supposed to return to the races in January but was once again sidetracked by injury. While it is not believed to be serious, owner George Teague, Jr is playing it safe with the former Horse of the Year who has been battling back issues his entire career.

“I have no doubt that he’ll come back. This is not the most serious of situations,” said Teague, who admitted Wiggle It Jiggleit would be racing already if he was a less prominent horse. “I’ll never do anything to hurt his reputation.”

Adding to the optimism that Wiggle It Jiggleit will be back is the fact that Teague made the February 15 payment for the TVG series run by The Meadowlands and as of now plans to have the 6-year-old gelding eligible for about eight stakes in the latter part of the year.

“We had to gamble with a few (stakes) races,” said Teague.

Wiggle It Jiggleit is not in heavy training at the moment according to Teague and he’s hoping to see him back racing before August.

For now the fifth richest pacer in the history of the sport with $3,907,557 earned and 38 career wins will wait for his next moment in the spotlight.

“He only has 51 career races and he’s young. There is no reason he couldn’t have at least two really good years ahead,” said Teague.

The TVG series involves multiple stakes races at different tracks, including the Breeders Crown, which Wiggle It Jiggleit is eligible to compete in.