George Teague said Friday there’s not much point in trying to rush the pacer back to the races this year.

by Dave Briggs

Wiggle It Jiggleit’s part-owner George Teague, Jr. confirmed Friday that the 2015 Horse of the Year is unlikely to return to the races this year. Wiggle It Jiggleit has been sidelined all of 2017 with back issues.

“He’s been out in the field and will probably be out there another month or so and then I’ll start back with him,” Teague said via text message. “The idea is (he will return) earlier next year and maybe try Yonkers in March or April.

“I feel confident he’ll make it back next year. I just wasn’t going to press on (this year) if he wasn’t 100 per cent.”

Teague said the son of Mr Wiggles—Mozzi Hanover, a career winner of more than $3.9 million, “is just relaxing in the field and gaining a little bit too much weight… But I’m sure it will come off and he will look like a million bucks.”

Though Teague said life is “a little tougher” without the fan favorite on the track, he wasn’t going to rush the horse back to the races in time just to get in a few stakes races before the end of the year.

“I would rather waste those couple races and hopefully gain a little bit next year,” Teague said.“Hopefully, everything goes well and is better then this year was for him.

“No one had more fun watching him race than me and the whole stable misses him — Montrell (Teague) driving and (trainer) Clyde Francis traveling and racing him.”