Reigning National Horse of the Year Wiggle It JiggleIt (Mr Wiggles) came to Saratoga Casino Hotel for the first time on Saturday night and was the 1-9 betting favorite in the 8th annual Joe Gerrity Jr. Memorial Pace. Driver Montrell Teague blasted the superstar pacer out early but after seeing he was parked in a fast opening quarter backed off a bit and waited for things to sort out. Wiggle It Jiggleit then blasted up alongside leader All Bets Off (Matt Kakaley) and took over the lead in a half of 54.4. After stealing a third quarter breather, Wiggle It Jiggleit sprinted away in a 27.1 final panel to win by two lengths in 1:51. Bit Of A Legend N (Jordan Stratton) closed quickly up the rail and won the photo for place with All Bets Off earning the show spot in the $260,000 Gerrity. Though the track record wasn’t ever in jeopardy on Saturday night, the fans who came out in full force to see the harness racing superstar roared in appreciation as the talented four year old made his way back for the winner circle presentation. It was victory number ten in fifteen starts this year for Wiggle It Jiggleit who is owned by George Teague Inc. and Teague Racing Partnership LLC and trained by Clyde Francis. There was over $600,000 in purse money battled for on the evening’s fourteen race card at the Spa.
Live racing resumes on Tuesday night as the summer schedule is in full swing with racing every Tuesday through Saturday beginning at 7:05pm each night.
Mike Sardella
Photo: Melissa Simser-Iovino
