Hoosier Park: Wiggle It Jiggleit scores over Always B Miki in Dan Patch

Wiggle It Jiggleit let Always B Miki clear on the way to the half, tracked him until the stretch, and then slipped up the passing lane for a 1:49 1/5 victory in the $325,000 Dan Patch for older pacers on Friday night at Hoosier Park.

Driver Montrell Teague put Wiggle It Jiggleit on the lead early from post one, and the field lined up behind him before the 27 second opening quarter. Always B Miki (Dave Miller) settled in fourth from post nine after the start, but then rolled first-over in the backstretch and took control before the 54 4/5 half.

Freaky Feet Pete (Trace Tetrick) wound up third after Always B Miki landed on the engine, so Tetrick elected to send him after the leader past the half. He would advance on the rim around the final bend and was positioned only three-quarters of a length behind Always B Miki at the 1:22 4/5 three-quarters.

In the stretch Always B Miki was able to put away Freaky Feet Pete's try, but a patient Teague waited until the Hoosier Park passing lane came available, then guided his charge into it. Once shown the clear track, Wiggle It Jiggleit was able to get around Always B Miki, winning by a length at the finish line. All Bets Off (Ricky Macomber Jr.) and Shamballa (Scott Zeron) rallied to finish in a dead-heat for third, and they were followed by Mel Mara (Corey Callahan).

"I know if I put him in any position he can prevail either way," said Montrell Teague. "I rushed out of there, and nobody came, so I got an easy fraction. Miki did a bull rush, and I let him go. I remembered we had a passing lane now, so I took advantage of it. I was a little bit worried when I got Miki on the front and Pete right alongside him, but we got the job done."

Clyde Francis trains Wiggle It Jiggleit, a 4-year-old gelding by Mr. Wiggles, for George Teague Jr. Inc. and the Teague Racing Partnership. Wiggle It Jiggleit scored his 34th victory from 44 career starts, and he has now earned $3,367,922. The slight 8-5 second choice behind Always B Miki, Wiggle It Jiggleit paid $5.40.

"With the rail coming in, I thought he had a great chance," George Teague added. "When Miki bull-rushed to the front, it was a good position to be in. You want to be following him. Pete came first-over again, and they were going to take a little bit of starch out of each other. The passing lane came up, and like Montrell said, it was a perfect trip. Trip wins races, and he tripped out well.

"I like mine raced hard. He races hard when he's supposed to. He's better than he ever was. He's sounder, he's fresher, so I don't see why we don't race."