Delaware, OH — Wiggle It Jiggleit returned to the site of his greatest win, the Delaware County Fairgrounds, on Thursday (Sept. 19) for his first start since October 2016 and finished second to Celestial Arden N in a conditioned race timed in 1:51.2 at the half-mile oval.

Celestial Arden N motored to victory by 3-1/4 lengths. USTA/Mark Hall photo.

Wiggle It Jiggleit, the 2015 Horse of the Year and earner of nearly $4 million in lifetime purses, four years ago captured the Little Brown Jug at the Delaware County Fairgrounds in a dramatic battle with Lost For Words. Wiggle It Jiggleit, seemingly beaten in the stretch, came back to win by a nose.

The 7-year-old gelding was sidelined by back issues over the past several years but returned to action this summer and competed in four qualifiers before heading to Delaware for his 2019 debut.

Wiggle It Jiggleit and regular driver Montrell Teague started Thursday from post two and saw Night Pro take the early lead before moving to the front in a :27.4 opening quarter. Wiggle It Jiggleit remained on top through a half in :56.4 but was about to receive company in the form of Celestial Arden N, who had launched a first-over bid at the three-eighths point.

Celestial Arden N, with Brian Sears in the sulky, pulled even with Wiggle It Jiggleit at three-quarters and motored to victory by 3-1/4 lengths. Born To Be Bad was third.

Sears drove Celestial Arden N for owner/trainer Ned Hodkinson. The 7-year-old gelding has won two of six races and finished second on three occasions since arriving in the U.S. from Down Under.