Back in November at the Black Book Sale in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, trainer Daniel Martin of Saint-Barnabé-Nord and Gaston Bibeau of Sorel-Tracy, were looking to buy a racehorse that was something special.
That something special is named American Wiggle and Martin is certain that this horse will be the star of his stable in 2018. The purchase price was $55,000.
“We saw how good he was in the New York Sire Stakes,” Martin explained. “On the night of the $225,000 Final he raced super to finish third. I was also able to talk with Stephane Bouchard, who co-owned the horse and he told how good he really is and then we bought him.”
Now age four, American Wiggle has $106,000 in career earnings and a record of 1:51 taken last year.
Last week at the Hippodrome 3R, American Wiggle and driver Stephane Brosseau, were very strong from post eight, moving to second place in the backstretch and then coming on in the stretch to win by four lengths. American Wiggle is back at the Hippodrome 3R this Sunday, starting again from post eight in the eighth race co-feature pace.
How did American Wiggle come out of the race last week?
“He came out of the race just fine.” Martin (pictured at right) said. “With his races at Rideau Carleton under his belt, he was in perfect shape for last Sunday’s race and will be again this Sunday. He is ready now to put in even a better performance. The eight post is not great through.”
Martin also has high hopes that American Wiggle will develop into the type of horse that could compete in the Hippodrome 3R’s premier race, the $200,000 Prix D’Ete on August 19.
“If he continues to develop as he has been,” Martin said, “We will enter him in the Prix D’Ete. If he can draw a good post and depending on the competition, he could do well in there. You never know. He has been good on a half-mile track and that can make a lot of difference.”
What does Martin like best about American Wiggle?
“I really like his confirmation,” Martin said. “He is built like a racehorse should be. I also like that he is calm, relaxed and quiet both off and on the track and that when you do ask him for speed, he gives it to you.”
Martin has 15 horses in his stable and he feels that American Wiggle is the best of all of them.
After his race on Sunday at 3R, Martin said he will be taking him to Toronto to race at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Fans at 3R could see him back in action before the Prix D’Ete. Martin is anxious to see how he will be on the big track.
Now for this Sunday, American Wiggle and Brosseau face some new competition in the top racehorse National Debt, who starts from post seven for driver Jocelyn Gendron.
Last week at Rideau Carleton, National Debt, a $400,000 career winner, came from off the pace to score in 1:53.2. Other contenders include DJ Power (post six) and the entry from trainer Isabelle Binet of Washington Hanover (post two) and Highpoint Chip (post 5).
There is also a co-featured Invitational-Handicap Trot featuring last week's return winner, Torches Angel. She starts from post eight for driver Stephane Brosseau and was an easy winner last week over a sloppy track.
Her main rivals include Holiday Party (post seven), Rocky Boy (post three) and Four Starz Speed (post six).
Post time Sunday is 12:50 pm. To view entries for Sunday's card, click the following link: Sunday Entries - Hippodrome 3R.
(with files from the Quebec Jockey Club; Daniel Martin photo courtesy Dominique Michel)