Migliore back on Magic Weisner

Four weeks ago, Richard Migliore surprised many people when he chose to ride Iron Deputy in the $500,000 Jim Dandy rather than Magic Weisner in the $1 million Haskell Invitational.

Monday, when Iron Deputy and Magic Weisner both run in the $500,000 Pennsylvania Derby at Philadelphia Park, Migliore will be back aboard Magic Weisner, the horse he rode to a second-place finish in the Preakness and a win in the Ohio Derby.

A field of seven was entered for the Grade 3, nine-furlong Pennsylvania Derby, led by Florida Derby and Blue Grass winner Harlan's Holiday, who makes his first start in 107 days and first for trainer Todd Pletcher. Harlan's Holiday drew post 5 and will be ridden by Edgar Prado.

Magic Weisner, who finished second to War Emblem in the Haskell, drew post 7 while Wiseman's Ferry, who finished second to Magic Weisner in the Ohio Derby, drew post 6 under Jorge Chavez.

Also entered, from posts 1 through 4, were Essence of Dubai (Jose Flores), Iron Deputy (Norberto Arroyo Jr.), Make the Bend (Brent Bartram), and Matzsayo (no rider).

On Aug. 3, Migliore was aboard Iron Deputy when Quest came over on him at the three-sixteenths pole. Iron Deputy clipped heels with Quest and unseated Migliore. Meanwhile, Magic Weisner, under Mike Luzzi, rallied to be second in the Haskell.

While Migliore still thinks highly of Iron Deputy, he said he had already committed to owner-trainer Nancy Alberts to ride Magic Weisner in the Pennsylvania Derby.

"Within two days of the Haskell, Nancy said she wanted to go there and she would put me back on if I could give her a commitment right then, and I honestly didn't even know Iron Deputy was even thinking of that direction, so I gave Nancy the commitment,' Migliore said. "I think a lot of both horses, as you know; I was torn last time and I'm torn this time. I think the world of Iron Deputy and [owners John and Susan Moore] have been sensational to me. When I give my word about something I follow through.'

Migliore said he was impressed with Magic Weisner's hard-trying effort in the Haskell, and points out that his victory in the four-horse Ohio Derby is looking better and better. Wiseman's Ferry came back to win the West Virginia Derby and The Judge Sez Who, the third-place finisher in Ohio, won the Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park last weekend.

Magic Weisner could face a hurdle Monday similar to the one he faced in the Ohio Derby when Wiseman's Ferry got loose on the lead. Wiseman's Ferry looms the controlling speed again for trainer Niall O'Callaghan.

"I ran him down when he was the lone speed in Ohio,' Migliore said. "I would hope someone would show up to entertain him a little bit so I wouldn't have to ride my horse so hard to be close to him.'