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The Horseman - By Will Alberts

Her drive and determination were always to do the best she could with what she had in any circumstance.

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Nancy Alberts, Trained Magic Weisner, Dies

Maryland trainer Nancy Alberts, who saddled her homebred Magic Weisner to run second in the 2002 Preakness Stakes (gr. I), died Tuesday, May 3, from complications following a stroke April 17.

Magic Weisner's Comeback Abandoned

Magic Weisner, the Maryland-bred who nearly won the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) at 45-1 in 2002 has been retired, Nancy Alberts, his trainer, owner, breeder and exercise rider announced Saturday.

Magic Weisner Breezes at Pimlico

Magic Weisner, the 2002 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) runner-up who contracted West Nile Virus later that year, could return to racing. Owner/trainer Nancy Alberts has not given up hope, giving the 5-year-old a half-mile breeze in :49 4/5 at Pimlico Saturday morning.

Fogelsonger Departs Maryland a Winner

One day before leaving for the Southern California circuit, Ryan Fogelsonger won with his only mount on Wednesday's opening day of the Pimlico summer-fall meet, guiding Late Night Leader ($5) to a popular score in the sixth race for trainer Dale Capuano.

Magic Weisner's Miracle Comeback Begins Thursday

On Friday, moviegoers all across America will witness the emotional comeback of Seabiscuit and his jockey, Red Pollard, in the 1940 Santa Anita Handicap. One day earlier, at Laurel Race Course, another comeback will take place that is pretty remarkable in its own right.

Magic Weisner, Leatherbury Highlight Laurel Opener

The return of Magic Weisner and King Leatherbury's pursuit of his 6,000th win could highlight an unusually spicy opening day at Laurel Park when racing resumes Thursday at the Maryland track after a six-week break for competition at Colonial Downs.

James P. Simpson III, Trained Cormorant, Dies at 82

Retired trainer James P. Simpson III, who trained grade I winner Cormorant and sold the dam of Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner Magic Weisner to Nancy Alberts for $1, died Sept. 16 at his Winchester, Va., home.

Magic Weisner Could Return to Training in Three Weeks

Magic Weisner, who burst onto the national stage after finishing just three-quarters of a length behind War Emblem in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) is back at the track and could return to training within the next three weeks after contracting the West Nile virus.

Magic Weisner Remains at New Bolton; Return to Track Delayed

Magic Weisner, the Preakness runner-up recovering from West Nile virus, was to have been released Thursday, Sept. 12, from the New Bolton Center in Pennsylvania. But veterinarians at New Bolton decided to keep the 3-year-old gelding a couple of more days, according to Dr. Bob Vallance, the horse's Maryland veterinarian.

Magic Weisner Positive For West Nile Virus; Condition Improves

Magic Weisner, the popular gelding who finished second at long odds in the Preakness, was diagnosed Monday with West Nile Virus, said Dr. Bob Vallance, a Maryland veterinarian.

Magic Weisner's Condition Reportedly Improving

Dr. Raymond Sweeney reported Sunday that Magic Weisner's condition is stable to slightly improved at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center.

Magic Weisner Continues to Improve

Magic Weisner, the Preakness and Haskell Invititational runner-up, continues to show improvement from treatments he is receiving at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center. The 3-year-old is being treated with anti-inflammatory medications for the signs of encephalitis.

Pennsylvania Derby Report: The Answer Man

Harlan's Holiday delivers off the layoff in winning the Pennsylvania Derby .

Magic Weisner Scratched From Pennsylvania Derby

It was learned Saturday that Nancy Alberts' colt Magic Weisner had developed a fever and would be scratched from Monday's $500,000 Pennsylvania Derby (gr. III).

Harlan's Holiday Favored in $500,000 Pennsylvania Derby

A field of seven is set for Monday's $500,000 Pennsylvania Derby (gr. III) at Philadelphia Park, with Starlight Stables' Harlan's Holiday installed as the morning line 2-1 favorite.

Steve Haskin's Analysis: 3-Year-Old Division Takes a New Turn

Victories last weekend by Came Home in the Pacific Classic and Medaglia d'Oro in the Travers, combined with War Emblem's sixth-place finish in the Pacific Classic, have tightened up the 3-year-old division, with the Eclipse Award now up for grabs.

Haskell Invitational Report: Icing on the Cake

War Emblem tops Bob Baffert's wedding cake and Monmouth Park's celebration cake.

Island Skipper Has Foot Abscess, May Miss Haskell

Island Skipper, the Golden Age Stable's colt who shipped in from Florida for Sunday's Haskell Stakes (gr. I) was on his way out to the track to gallop Saturday morning when handlers noticed he had a problem with his left front foot.

Alberts Still Hoping For The Mig; Puck in Fast Workout

Although jockey Richard Migliore has pretty much committed to riding Iron Deputy in Sunday's $500,000 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga, trainer Nancy Alberts is still hoping Migliore will somehow wind up back on Magic Weisner in the $1 million Haskell Invitational Handicap on the same day.

Puck Preps in 1:13 for Haskell

Classic Contenders' Puck, winner of the Long Branch Breeders' Cup Stakes (gr. III) in his last start, had his final serious drill for the Aug. 4 Haskell Invitational (gr. I) Thursday morning at Monmouth Park when he worked six furlongs in 1:13 with Juan Arias aboard.

Magic Weisner Leads Ohio Derby Field

Scrappy Magic Weisner, who finished a fast-charging second to War Emblem in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I), leads a compact field of five in Saturday's $300,000 Ohio Derby (gr. II) at Thistledown.

Magic Weisner Arrives at Belmont

Preakness runner-up Magic Weisner arrived at Belmont Park at 1:30 Friday afternoon following an uneventful van ride from his home base at Laurel.

Baffert to Alberts: Just Have Fun

Bob Baffert, trainer of Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner War Emblem, said on a national teleconference Thursday he is going to try to enjoy his third attempt at a Triple Crown sweep, and advised Magic Weisner's trainer Nancy Alberts to do the same.

Belmont Challengers Might Include Magic Weisner; Proud Citizen Definite

Who will challenge War Emblem in the Belmont (gr. I) and try to stop his Triple Crown bid? Wayne Lukas said Sunday morning that Proud Citizen, who was second in the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) and third in the Preakness (gr. I), will show up for sure.

Triple Crown Threat: War Emblem Wins Preakness

War Emblem will have shot to become racing's 12th Triple Crown winner following his dramatic victory in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I) at Pimlico. Following a wire-to-wire score in the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) two weeks ago, jockey Victor Espinoza rated War Emblem off a quick pace, got to the lead on the turn, then held off a strong rally by Maryland-bred Magic Weisner to win by three-quarters of a length.

Fresh Horses Expected in Second Leg of Triple Crown

With only the top two Kentucky Derby finishers and fourth-place Medaglia d'Oro confirmed for the Preakness (gr. I), a crowd of new shooters are expected for the second leg of the Triple Crown.

Smoked Em Wires Tesio Field; Include Wins by Nine

G Three Stable's Smoked Em set unpressured fractions en route to a two-length win over Magic Weisner in Saturday's $107,250 Federico Tesio Stakes at Pimlico. Smoked Em's victory snapped 9-10 favorite Magic Weisner's five-race winning streak.

Magic Weisner Tops Tesio

Maryland's major prep race for the Triple Crown takes place Saturday at Pimlico as a field of six 3-year-olds, headed by Magic Weisner, meet in the $125,000 Federico Tesio Stakes.

Magic Weisner Pulls Clear in Private Terms; Tesio Next

Magic Weisner took another successful step on his road to the Preakness (gr. I), winning Saturday's $50,000 Private Terms Stakes, the closing day feature at Laurel Park.

Steve Haskin's Derby Report (Cont.)

From Preceding Page

Magic Weisner Posts Maryland Juvenile Surprise

Magic Weisner, a foal of 1999 bred, owned, and trained by Nancy Alberts, ran down Invent in deep stretch to score a $26.20 surprise over state-bred rivals in the $100,000 Maryland Juvenile Championship Stakes at Laurel on Monday.

Magic Weisner Posts Maryland Juvenile Surprise

Magic Weisner, a foal of 1999 bred, owned, and trained by Nancy Alberts, ran down Invent in deep stretch to score a $26.20 surprise over state-bred rivals in the $100,000 Maryland Juvenile Championship Stakes at Laurel on Monday.