Dover, DE — A winning combination was reunited on Thursday (Jan. 2), as Wiggle It Jiggleit ($7.60) and driver Montrell Teague — back in action after being sidelined with a broken wrist — rode the pocket to a 1:51 victory in the featured $30,000 Preferred Handicap Pace at Dover Downs.

After two unsuccessful tries in December, Wiggle It Jiggleit found his way back to the win column in Thursday’s Preferred at Dover Downs.

The 8-year-old Mr Wiggles gelding pushed forward from post two, but yielded early control to 38-1 outsider Larry Karr (Mike Cole) through a :27 first quarter. After stalking in the clear through a :55.3 half, Wiggle It Jiggleit angled off the pegs with five-sixteenths to go to avoid being boxed by the advancing Slick Tony (Ross Wolfenden).

Just two steps after Larry Karr reached three-quarters in 1:23.2, Wiggle It Jiggleit pushed to the lead and was urged clear off the home turn. He captured his 39th career win by 1-1/2 lengths, driven out to the winning post while a cavalry charge vied for the minors behind him. Slick Tony narrowly held second over Bo Mach (Corey Callahan), who rallied up the open stretch out of mid-division.

Clyde Francis trains Wiggle It Jiggleit for George Teague Jr. Inc. and the Teague Racing Partnership LLC. It was Wiggle It Jiggleit’s first win in five starts since returning from a 34-month layoff in September, and also his first since a 1:50.2 triumph in the 2016 Dan Rooney Invitational at Yonkers Raceway.

Sicily won the sub-featured $27,500 Blue Hen Open Pace.

Sicily brushed to a powerful victory in the evening’s sub-featured pacing event. Fotowon photos.

Sicily and driver Victor Kirby left confidently but settled behind a :25.4 speed duel between Late Mail N (Cole) and Proper One (Teague) before rushing back to the lead in front of the stands and reaching the half in :54.

Wichita Lineman (Allan Davis) pulled first-over and pressured Sicily to a :27.3 third quarter, towing favorite Hallie’s Comet into contention. However, Sicily accelerated to an insurmountable lead at the top of the stretch and won by 4-1/2 lengths in 1:50. Little Ben (Tim Tetrick) rallied to finish second over Hallie’s Comet.

Wayne Givens trains Sicily for Legacy Racing of Delaware and Reginald Hazzard.

– with files from Dover Downs