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.The work was the 15th best of 39 works at the distance. After spending the summer at Alberts' farm in Howard County, Magic Weisner returned to the track six weeks ago."I didn't think he went that fast," Alberts said. "I was just sitting on him. I was waiting for him to look right before bringing him back."
Magic Weisner contracted West Nile Virus following a second-place finish in the 2002 Haskell Invitational Handicap (gr. I) at Monmouth Park. Since then he made one start, finishing last in an allowance race at Laurel Park in July 2003, and has not raced since. "He's coming around," Alberts said. "He is not dragging his rear-end anymore and that is encouraging. But I don't want to get ahead of myself. It might be another six to eight weeks before he is ready to race. We are going to take it slowly." The son of Ameri Valay has won seven of 15 career starts for earnings of $888,830.
