Weekend Wizard has eye on $100,000 Northwest Triple bonus

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Weekend Wizard came out of his impressive performance in the $50,000 Chris Loseth on Sunday in excellent shape, and according to trainer Craig MacPherson he could make his next start in the $50,000 Muckleshoot Derby at Emerald Downs on July 29.

One of the reasons MacPherson likes the idea of running in the Muckleshoot Derby is that a win there would make the 3-year-old Weekend Wizard eligible for the $100,000 bonus that goes to a horse that can also win the Grade 3, $150,000 British Columbia Derby at Hastings Sept. 8, and the $100,000 Getaway Stakes at Emerald Sept. 23. The three races make up the newly created Northwest Triple.

The British Columbia-bred son of Rosberg is owned Robert Vargo and Norm Castiglione, who race under the stable name Riversedge Racing Stables Ltd.

Vargo and Castiglione live in Alberta, and one of their goals this year is to win the Canadian Derby Aug. 25 at Northlands Park. Northlands is closing for good this year, and the Grade 3 feature will reportedly be the last race for Thoroughbreds there.

“I haven’t sat down with the owners yet, so nothing has been determined about where he is going to run next,” said MacPherson. “The Muckleshoot makes a lot of sense. If he does win he’s eligible for the bonus. If he doesn’t, the timing works for the Canadian Derby.”

The 88 Beyer Speed Figure he received for his six-length romp in the 1 1/16-mile Chris Loseth is the best by any horse at Hastings this year. Riser was given an 88 Beyer for his win in the Emerald Derby last year, and Chief Know It All received a 75 last year for his narrow win over Trooper John and Riser in the British Columbia Derby.

MacPherson thinks another Riversedge-owned horse, Ace of Diamonds, might have what it takes to win the Canadian Derby. The Kentucky-bred son of Alternation will be a short price to win a 1 1/16-mile optional $50,000 maiden-claiming race, which will go as the fourth race at Hastings Saturday. In his last start he closed with a rush to finish second in a similar spot with Sahin Civaci riding. Richard Hamel, the regular rider of Weekend Wizard, picks up the mount. The past five years Hamel has won with 31 percent of his mounts from MacPherson.

“Half the battle in winning the Canadian Derby is being able to get the distance,” said MacPherson. “I just think Ace of Diamonds has the pedigree and the running style for it.”

The main threat to Ace of Diamonds on Saturday is his stablemate Stone Carver, who will likely be the one they have to run down and runs with blinkers for the first time.

Ace of Diamonds and Stone Carver could be used confidently in the pick five, which takes the place of the recently dropped Sea to Sky Pick 6. The pick five has a 15 percent takeout with a $1 minimum. It is not a jackpot betand will carry over only if there aren’t any tickets with five winners. It begins on the second race.