Nichols, N.Y. -- Reigning Horse of the Year Wiggle It
Jiggleit ($2.60) proved too much for his ten 4-year-old pacing rivals in Sunday
(June 12) afternoon's $75,000 Graduate preliminary at Tioga Downs, drawing
clear authoritatively after setting a strong pace.
The 4-year-old Mr Wiggles gelding not only endured early
pressure from Rockin Ron (Yannick Gingras) through a :25.4 first quarter, but
also a broken buxton in the initial stages of the race. Nonetheless, he dictate
all the terms, rating a :55.3 middle half before edging clear of first-over
challenger In the Arsenal (Brett Miller) on the far turn. Now a 30-time winner,
Wiggle It Jiggleit amassed 5-1/2 lengths clearance over the others in the end,
and his 1:48.1 mile equaled Rockeyed Optimist's track record for 4-year-old
pacing geldings.
In the Arsenal held second, Rockin in Heaven (David Miller)
rallied mildly to save third off a tracking trip, and Rockin Ron faded to
fourth after forcing the early pace.
Clyde Francis trains Wiggle It Jiggleit for owners George
Teague, Jr. and the Teague Racing Partnership.
In the $75,000 Graduate Trot, Maestro Blue Chip ($13.40)
lasted on the lead, parrying a stern first-over threat from Musical Rhythm
(John Campbell) through the middle half and just holding sway from a surging
Whataworkout (Scott Zeron) for a 1:53.4 victory. Tim Tetrick drove the
4-year-old Credit Winner entire for owner Richard Poillucci and trainer JoAnn
Looney-King. Pinkman (Gingras), the 2015 Hambletonian winner, could not escape
the pocket, narrowly beaten for third by Crazshana (David Miller) while lacking
for racing room the entirety of the stretch.
The afternoon's two $62,400 New York Sire Stakes events for
3-year-old pacing fillies saw Angels Rockn Pink ($15.20) and Time on My Hands
($4.10) work to the fore early and never look back. Angels Rockin Pink, a
daughter of Rock N Roll Heaven and Miss Liz, turned aside a first-over push
from Dime a Dance for a 1:52.1 win under Mark MacDonald for trainer Chris
Oakes.
Time on My Hands also repelled a third-quarter challenge,
but later would have to outlast a late push from American Ivy (Andy Miller),
who vacated the pocket in upper stretch. Jason Bartlett drove the daughter of
American Ideal and Bewitching Jewell to a 1:53.2 victory for trainer Chris
Ryder.
The annual Tioga Downs Scholarship Race, a non-wagering
exhibition sponsored by the Harness Horse Breeders of New York State and the
Southern Tier Harness Horsemen's Association, went to the Tompkins Cortland
Community College-bound Alexis Eaton, teaming up with trainer Mike Deters in a
two-seated jog cart behind Prairie Jaguar in the 5/8-mile race.
Live racing returns to Tioga Downs on Friday (June 17)
evening, with post time slated for 6:30 p.m. Eastern.
