Weekend Wizard dominates Loseth in Hamel's return to saddle

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Weekend Wizard turned the $50,000 Chris Loseth into a stroll in the park as he cruised to a six-length win over He’s the Reason in the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-olds.

He paid $9.90 and posted a final time of 1:44.11.

Weekend Wizard broke alertly from post 5 with Richard Hamel aboard, then dueled with He’s the Reason though honest interior fractions of 23.90 seconds and 47.42. He started to assert himself at the six-furlong mark, opened up a clear lead on the stretch turn, and the only question when he turned for home with a six-length advantage under a full head of steam was what the winning margin was going to be.

He’s the Reason broke a step slow, moved up to join Weekend Wizard going into the first of three turns, and after being disposed of by the winner held on well to finish two lengths clear of Day Raider who rallied from well back. Argosy Fleet, the 3-2 favorite, never really got involved while finishing a dull sixth.

Weekend Wizard was the first horse Hamel rode in a race since May 6.

“It’s good to be back,” he said. “I thought we might be going a little too fast early, but did he ever kick in when I asked him. It was his first time going long, so I didn’t expect the same kind of kick he gave me in his sprints. He gave me a lot more, though. That was impressive.”

Weekend Wizard is trained by Craig MacPherson and owned by Riversedge Racing Stables Ltd.

He was coming off a disappointing fifth-place finish in the $50,000 River Rock Casino. He is perfect in four starts with Hamel riding

“All I see with Richard riding him are a lot of ones,” MacPherson said. “I was pretty happy to have him back riding.”

The $27,500 winner’s share of the purse brought Weekend Wizard’s earnings to $93,879. He is a son of the deceased sire Rosberg.