from the Meadowlands Media Relations Department

East Rutherford, NJ — When last seen on the racetrack, Wiggle It Jiggleit was dominating the final of the William “Buddy” Gilmour at The Meadowlands in mid-March. The 3-year-old gelded son of Mr Wiggles was given a brief break following that win, but returned in style on Saturday night (May 2) at The Meadowlands, winning the $47,124 John Simpson Memorial by three lengths in 1:50 over pocket-sitting Rock N’ Roll World.

Not only was Wiggle It Jiggleit released as the nickel on the dollar (1-20) favorite, but he was also the subject of a strong minus show pool, with $122,008 of $130,427 bet to show on the race favorite.

Lisa photo

Wiggle It Jiggleit won the John Simpson Memorial in a time of 1:50.

His pilot, Montrell Teague, wasted no time establishing the early lead, carving out fractions of :26.3, :55 and 1:23.3 while facing no pressure throughout the mile. Rock N’ Roll World was content to sit the pocket to the favorite throughout the mile.

As the field turned for home, Teague asked his gelding for another gear and Wiggle It Jiggleit found it, pulling away to another impressive victory, his seventh in a row to start his career. Rock N’ Roll World was second and Gratian Hanover checked in third.

The winner is owned by George Teague and trained by Clyde Francis. Wiggle It Jiggleit now has earnings of nearly $90,000 in seven starts. He is Meadowlands Pace eligible.

The other main event on the evening was the $54,200 Whata Baron final, featuring a field of nine. Rediscovery was sent off as the 3-5 favorite and was looking for a series sweep, but Ideal Cowboy had other ideas.

Rock Out was sent to the early lead through a strong :26.1 opening quarter, but relinquished that lead to Rediscovery before the half-mile pole. As the field moved to the far turn past the half in :54.4, Rock Out seemed to step out of one of his hobbles and bolted to the outside, forcing Ideal Cowboy near the outside fence and scattering several horses behind.

Ideal Cowboy got back on track and challenged Rediscovery though three-quarters of 1:23. The two raced on even terms as the field turned for home, but Ideal Cowboy put away the favorite and set sail for the wire. He was promptly challenged by Bettorever, who cut into the margin through the stretch and lunged at Ideal Cowboy late. Those two hit the wire together in 1:49.2, but the win photograph revealed that it was the nose of Ideal Cowboy that reached the wire first. El Bloombito was two lengths back as a rallying third.

Ideal Cowboy paid $10 to win. He is owned by Bamond Racing LLC and J&T Silva Stables. The winning trainer was Jeffrey Bamond Jr. and the winner was piloted by Tim Tetrick.

In other action, Dovuto Hanover won the $25,000 Open Handicap for 4- and 5-year-old pacers in surprising wire-to-wire fashion, winning in 1:49.2 over Doctor Butch.

Blatantly Best established a new lifetime mark of 1:48.4 winning an upper-level conditioned pace with Brett Miller in the bike.

Scott Zeron and Tim Tetrick reached the winner’s circle three times on the evening, while Brett Miller scored a driving double on the program.

The first Jackpot Super Hi-5, which took place in race 10 this evening saw two winning tickets, thus the jackpot will once again carryover with $103,769 in the pool for the fifth race on Friday. The last race Jackpot Super Hi-5 also went unclaimed, with the carryover pool growing to $77,990.

Racing returns to The Meadowlands on Friday evening, with first post time at 7:15 p.m.