Jiggy Jog S jets to wrapped-up FanDuel Championship win

Saturday, November 25, 2023

Odds-on choice Jiggy Jog S reaffirmed her spot atop the divisional throne with a facile victory in a final-quarter sprint to take the $175,000 FanDuel Championship for trotting mares on Saturday night (Nov. 25) at The Meadowlands.

Driver Dexter Dunn floated Jiggy Jog S off the wings while her stablemate Bond bolted for the front into the first turn. M-M’s Dream pushed to sit the pocket from the pylon post and angled off the pegs through a :27.4 first quarter before opting to tuck back behind Bond into the backstretch. Through the skirmish, Dunn landed Jiggy Jog S in third and stayed steady while Bond slowed to a :57.2 half.

Bond maintained a tepid tempo through the final turn, which prompted M-M’s Dream to pull outside and start digging into the leader. Jiggy Jog S perched onto her cover and swelled through three-quarters in 1:27 until Dunn released her in the straightaway. Bond accelerated into the stretch, but Jiggy Jog S came barreling after her and collared her stablemate within the final eighth before drawing clear to a two-length win in 1:53.1. M-M’s Dream settled for third with Raised By Lindy taking fourth.

“The pace wasn’t fast,” Dunn said, “but we were close enough to the speed and I don’t think there are as many trotters that have got a turn of foot like she does. We got a good helmet around the last turn, and once I moved her off, she showed speed.

“I’ve been so lucky to drive some top trotting mares. A couple got retired, and then she came along and she’s a pleasure to drive. She’s versatile, quick, and makes my job easy.”

Jiggy Jog S has now won 18 times from 35 starts and banked $2,166,279 for owner Jorgen Sparredal Inc. Åke Svanstedt trains the 4-year-old daughter of Walner who paid $2.60 to win.