Meadowlands: Cullipher hopes for winning hand in Wiggle It Jiggleit final

Trainer Jeff Cullipher described the effort by Dealer’s Table in the second leg of the Wiggle It Jiggleit this way: “He was a little fired up.” The trainer hopes to have the 3-year-old gelding race with a bit more composure on Saturday night when $58,500 is on the line in the final of the series at The Meadowlands.

“He was a very laid back horse when we started with him,” said Cullipher. “We prepped him out there (New Jersey) and then he was under control winning the series at Miami Valley (Omar Hiteman Memorial). He’s gone to the front both times and last week he was out of control.”

Again, that’s quite the understatement as Dealer’s Table hit the lead in 27 seconds in his Wiggle It Jiggleit division last week and then just took off heading into a stiff headwind and paced a 26 3/5 second quarter and a 54-second middle half into the breeze. It was hardly a surprise that the horse had a commanding lead into the stretch but less shocking when he was overtaken in the shadow of the wire.

With four wins in six career starts, the future seems bright but Cullipher would like to take one step at a time. “I think he has a very good chance on Saturday night. We’re making changes and expect them to help,” said Cullipher. Dealer’s Table landed post three with David Miller in the tenth race on Saturday of 13 slated at The Meadowlands.

Cullipher has nominated Dealer’s Table for the New York Sire Stakes but isn’t quite sure that’s where he’ll be headed when stakes action begins. “I’m not sure about him on a half-mile track,” Cullipher said. “He’s kind of a big horse and I’m not sure how he’ll get around the turns.”

While Dealer’s Table appears to have an abundance of speed, he’ll have to mind his manners on Saturday and take on a field of sophomore pacers that have collectively shown talent and potential. Trainer Jennifer Bongiorno has built a Top 10 stable with 60 winners in 2019 including three from a pair of sophomores she has in the Wiggle It Jiggleit finale. Respect Our Flag has won two of the three legs in the series, most recently defeating Dealer’s Table in a 1:49 2/5 mile, a big speed drop from his initial 1:52 4/5 score in first leg action. A son of Roll With Joe, Respect Our Flag has won half of his eight starts lifetime. Joe Bongiorno drives Respect Our Flag from post seven.

Rollwithpapajoe was victorious in the series’ second round with a 1:51 1/5 score, but the gelding will have more obstacles in his path on Saturday having landed post 10 in the field. Dexter Dunn has the assignment.

Trainer Ron Burke also has a pair in the Wiggle It Jiggleit finale with World On Edge (post 2) the more advanced and Sugartown (post 5) showing promise. World On Edge was a first round winner but had to go overland in his last two starts and was somewhat compromised. Sugartown has been third in all three legs showing some versatility along the way.

The well-bred Somebeachsomewhere-sired Prince Of Tides acclimated quickly after wintering in Florida for trainer Ross Croghan and was a handy 1:51 winner in his second Meadowland start. Andy Miller has the driving assignment with him from post eight.

Cullipher has been quite pleased with how his horses have fit in locally. With 15 based in New Jersey, he once again finds himself with two in one race on Saturday as New Talent and Eddard Hanover form an entry in the first leg of the Golden Receiver, an Open event that carries a $30,000 purse. The trainer sent out a ton of horses this winter at The Meadowlands and often times had two entries in one race while helping the track fill. “I don’t mind going as any entry when you’re racing for this kind of money,” Cullipher said. New Talent (post 2) is one of his favorites. The 6-year-old by Mach Three was a solid third in a 1:48 1/5 mile two weeks ago at The Meadowlands after returning from a month-long absence. Eddard Hanover makes his first big track start for Cullipher after a recent purchase. “Tom (co-owner) Pollack has been after this horse for a long time. He was supposed to be in the Meadowlands sale and when that didn’t happen we inquired and were able to purchase him privately,” said Cullipher. “I was happy with the way he raced at Yonkers and we’ll see how he does.” Eddard Hanover drew post 12 in the Golden Receiver, race nine on the card.