We’re Off To See The Wizard (Well, His Rear End Anyway)

WEEKEND WIZARD – MICHAEL BYE PHOTO

Replay

With one exception, the only view the field in the Chris Loseth Stakes had of Weekend Wizard ($9.90) was his hindquarters. He’s the Reason was the exception and he settled for the same view after dicing for the lead with the winner through 6 furlongs in a solid 1:11.80.  After that, it was Weekend Wizard by himself and by as far as he wanted.  He’s the Reason continued on bravely to easily hold second despite not being able to keep up with Weekend Wizard while trying hard.  Day Raider out-closed the rest with an admirable last to third move, but he was still in a different postal code than the winner.  Final time for the mile-and-a-sixteenth route was 1:44.11.

Weekend Wizard was away well, better than He’s the Reason who had to do some checking early before rushing up inside Weekend Wizard to take the lead that he held for most of the first 6 furlongs. After that, it was all Weekend Wizard.   He’s the Reason did not quit; Weekend Wizard, with Richard Hamel making a cameo appearance in the irons, simply ran away from him. Hamel is four for four on Weekend Wizard who now assumes the mantle as the local horse to beat in the BC Derby future book.  He rode the winner when he broke his maiden at Hastings last September and in three subsequent stake scores.

Weekend Wizard was purchased by his owner, Riversedge Racing Stables, as a yearling from the Red Rock Farm consignment for $47,000 in the 2016 CTHS Sale. He was bred in British Columbia by the Foundation Racing Stable and is by Rosberg, out of Gosailgo, a Finality mare who won stakes at both Hastings and Emerald Downs while racing for the Foundation Racing Stable.  Craig MacPherson, who also sent out the third-place horse in Day Raider, trains Weekend Wizard.