Northfield: Wiggle It Jiggleit rolls in Battle of Lake Erie

It didn’t take more than 28 seconds to realize who would be the winner of the $200,000 Battle of Lake Erie at Northfield Park on Saturday night. Driver Montrell Teague was able to get away with that soft opening quarter behind Wiggle It Jiggleit and the rest was history.

Although there were a host of leavers, Wiggle It Jiggleit scooted away fastest from his pylon post position to assume command over Roland N Rock in the pocket. After tucking fourth, Freaky Feet Pete was quickly on the move at the quarter and was applying heavy pressure at the 55 4/5 half mile marker.

The marquee match-up between Wiggle It Jiggleit and Freaky Feet Pete continued to develop down the backstretch the second time, but the time on the rim was taking its toll on Freaky Feet Pete. “Pete” would settle in along the pylons in the vacated pocket at three-quarters in 1:23 as All Bets Off continued to rally from third-over into the race.

With his main challenger put away and fresh after setting soft fractions, Wiggle It Jiggleit had plenty left in the tank to fend off All Bets Off for the victory in 1:49 4/5. Freaky Feet Pete was third.

The final time resulted in a track record for 4-year-old geldings on the pace.

“I was thinking when we came out of there that my horse was unbelievably grabby and ready to roll,” said Montrell Teague about the start of the race. “They would’ve had a hard time getting around him.

Trained by Clyde Francis for owner George Teague Jr., Wiggle It Jiggleit returned $3.00 to win. The gelded son of Mr. Wiggles is scheduled to head to Harrah’s Philadelphia for his next start in an Invitational race on May 29.