Meadowlands: Wiggle It Jiggleit gets the better of Freaky Feet Pete in Graduate Pace

Rain and a sloppy track were no match for two pacing titans in the $250,000 Graduate Series final at the Meadowlands on Saturday night, with Wiggle It Jiggleit earning the decision over Freaky Feet Pete in 1:47 2/5 over the off going.

The defending Horse of the Year, driven by Montrell Teague, was sent off as a 1-2 favorite, and starting inside his main Indiana-bred rival, Teague made the most of it. Wiggle It Jiggleit left alertly and parked Freaky Feet Pete and driver Trace Tetrick past a wicked 25 3/5 opening quarter, with longshot Rock N Roll World taking a seat in third.

The hot first quarter kept the pace more than honest, but the leader had help as well with longshot Americanprimetime sitting on the outside and not advancing. Still, the pace was more than solid with Freaky Feet Pete responsible for fractions of 53 1/5 and 1:20 4/5.

Teague and Wiggle It Jiggleit never had problems finding racing room and tipped out entering the homestretch, with the son of Mr. Wiggles quickly engaging his rival on even terms. The two battled valiantly through the stretch in an epic struggle, with Wiggle It Jiggleit showing the fortitude to prevail through the 26 3/5 final quarter. Rock N Roll World held his ground in the three-hole from the early stages and finished third, with Rockin Ron and Artistic Major earning the final two checks.

"They're both great horses," said George Teague, the winning owner. "It's great to see two great horses and two young drivers go at it."

A week earlier in the Franklin when the two hooked up, it was a third horse, Always B Miki, that eventually found the front and the winner's circle. The top two finishers in the Graduate are likely to renew their rivalry with Always B Miki in next week's William Haughton Memorial at The Meadowlands.