Northfield: Wiggle It Jiggleit back on top with Milstein victory

Wiggle It Jiggleit showed his better (first) half six days after suffering defeat in the Cane Pace at the Meadowlands. The premier 3-year-old seized command in the $405,000 Carl Milstein Memorial at Northfield Park through a 26 1/5 opening quarter and then had his way the second quarter, strolling the opening half in 55 3/5 for driver Montrell Teague. That was three full seconds slower than he was pressed in the Cane and it certainly showed as the son of Mr Wiggles cruised to a 1:49 3/5 victory, easily shaking off the pressure of Wakizashi Hanover and holding pocket-sitter Lost For Words at bay without concern.

Wiggle It Jiggleit, owned by George Teague Jr. and trained by Clyde Francis, put up the three-quarter clocking in 1:22 4/5 and sprinted home with a 26 4/5 final quarter making the victory look so easy.

Sent off as the prohibitive 1-10 favorite in the field of eight, Wiggle It Jiggleit won for the 16th time in 18 career starts.

“I’m glad to see him bounce back and quiet the doubters,” said Montrell Teague following the race.

The 1:49 3/5 effort was the fastest ever at Northfield Park for a 3-year-old.

Wiggle It Jiggleit will race again in eight days, heading to Pocono for the $500,000 Battle of the Brandywine on August 22.

Wiggle It Jiggleit defeated Lost For Words with Wakizashi Hanover third and Wayfaring Man fourth. Wakizashi Hanover, a winner in the $1 million North America Cup over Wiggle It Jiggleit earlier in the season, had to overcome post eight and took an early tuck on the first turn and then was first over from early on the second turn. He battled through a wicked final half eventually weakening in the stretch.