by John Berry

Pompano Beach, FL — Wiggle It Jiggleit produced quite a buzz around town this past week or two — and deservedly so. His performance in the Little Brown Jug was probably the greatest I have ever witnessed since becoming enamored with this grand breed and sport back on Aug. 22, 1959 — yes, 56 years ago.

Being a sentimentalist and somewhat of a historian on our sport, Wiggle It Jiggleit’s miles brought back memories of the Cam Fella-It’s Fritz event three-plus decades ago, the Art Official-Somebeachsomewhere battle a few years back and other epic battles as well. It also brought back to mind the (unrecorded) world record performance of the 3-year-old colt Scotsdam back in 1962.

Wiggle It Jiggleit claimed his Little Brown Jug title in 3:39 — individual performances of 1:49.2 and 1:49.3 for driver Montrell Teague, owner George Teague Jr. and trainer Clyde Francis.

Scotsdam claimed his winning world record effort in 3:38.3 — two-fifths faster — but no one noticed.

The date was March 17, 1962 and there was a lengthy war going on in Chicago at the time — winter vs. spring.

With the temperature hovering a degree or two around the freezing mark for a good week and a half and the blanket of clouds above Maywood Park producing some rain, some snow, some sleet and some freezing rain — depending on whether it was 31 degrees, 32 degrees or 33 degrees — the half mile oval became — literally — a quagmire.

But, as they say, “the show must go on!”

And it did.

Scotsdam, just as Wiggle It Jiggleit, took back a bit at the start from his three post but driver Ken Lighthill started to roll forward with him just as the field entered the stretch for the first time, reaching second halfway through the event.

On the backside, Scotsdam forged into the lead and opened up daylight hitting the final turn, only to see the lead melt with Bob Farrington’s Dixies Daughter now in hot pursuit.

But, just as Wiggle It Jiggleit did, Scotsdam dug in and even widened his lead to the wire, stopping the timer in 3:38.3. The first half split was 1:47.4 with the final lap in 1:50.4.

Yes, Scotsdam had set a world record for the slowest winning pari-mutuel mile in history — a record that, in all probability, will never be eclipsed.

Imagine that; Wiggle It Jiggleit covered his two miles within two ticks of Scotsdam covering one mile!

We sure have come a long way!

This Standardbred breed never ceases to amaze — fast, durable, beautiful.

Of course, the speed is self-explanatory.

I remember writing an article some third of a century ago (Dean Hoffman won’t let me forget it) about why our sport will never be able to see a mile in 1:50 — unattainable because there would have to be a “breather” somewhere in the mile.

Today, it’s just about an every week occurrence and, in many instances, not fast enough!!

I am in awe of this modern day breed producing horses that are able to brush four quarters in an average of under :27.

Of course, those combatants that compete in those 1:50 miles and do not win leave owners with their heads shaking and thinking, “Just what do I have to do to hit the winner’s circle these days?”

Is there no “Balm in Gilead?” — No justice?

Take the grand Doo Wop Hanover for example. In the Haughton Memorial at the new Meadowlands, Doo Wop Hanover paced a mile in 1:49 — last quarter :26 (a 1:44 mile rate) — and didn’t earn a dime. In fact, he finished eighth and didn’t pass a single horse in the lane.

How about Somewhere In L A in the U.S. Pacing Championship. Capped his 1:47.4 effort with a final quarter in :26.4 and was barely able to pass two horses in the lane and earned z-e-r-o.

Of course, there are many others, too.

I was blessed to call the final three days of the Thoroughbred meet under the Calder Racecourse banner and witnessed a one mile event with a final quarter clocked in :28.

Couldn’t you just imagine one of our pacers rocketing by one of the galloping breed in the stretch? I sure did!

The Standardbred breed proved its durability many moons ago — and in many ways covering the many definitions of durability.

I guess it started back in the 1840s when a record for 100 miles hit the books — the last such horse being Conqueror back in 1853.

Then, the great Alex gave durability yet another meaning by winning a nine heat event in Chicago stretching over three days back in the 1890s.

There have been many other epic events covering seven, eight and nine heats, too.

Then, we have the “number of starts” factor with many horses having more than 100 starts in a single year — like Whirlaway in 1953 with 123 starts and earning $406…and 68 cents!

Durability may also be defined by age as Abax proved in 1950 when he raced for purse money at the age of 26!!! There, of course, were several others that raced well into their twenties.

That is what makes Wiggle It Jiggleit so very special. Speed and durability…all wrapped up in one incredible specimen of the Standardbred.

So, here I am, 30 some-odd years later, still eating humble pie about my 1:50 article and looking forward to our sport’s first 1:45 mile, which I now believe to be in reach during, hopefully, my lifetime. Nothing surprises me anymore about the greatest of our Standardbred breed. Nothing!

John Berry is a freelance writer living in Florida and a member of the Communicators Hall of Fame. The views contained in this column are that of the author alone, and do not necessarily represent the opinions or views of the United States Trotting Association.