2002 Preakness Runner-Up Magic Weisner Dies at Age 27

Magic Weisner, a popular Maryland-bred gelding who won the 2002 Ohio Derby (G2) and placed earlier that year in the Preakness Stakes (G1), has died at age 27, according to Old Friends. He had resided at the Thoroughbred retirement farm in Kentucky since 2020 with paddock mate Bo's a Ten. Bred, owned, and trained by the late Nancy Alberts, Magic Weisner made Marylanders proud by rallying at 45-1 odds to finish just three-quarters of a length behind Kentucky Derby (G1) winner War Emblem in the 2002 Preakness, the second leg of the Triple Crown. He returned three weeks later to finish fourth in the Belmont Stakes (G1), the final jewel of the series. He would win the Ohio Derby in his subsequent start and then was second in the Haskell Invitational Handicap (G1). But later that summer while preparing for the Pennsylvania Derby (G2), the Ameri Valay gelding was diagnosed with West Nile virus after developing severe neurological symptoms. His condition initially was grave, but he gradually improved following treatment at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center. He raced just once thereafter, finishing sixth in an allowance optional claiming race in July 2003 at Laurel Park during his 4-year-old year. READ: Magic Weisner Positive for West Nile Virus A five-time stakes winner, he concluded his racing career with a 7-4-0 record in 15 starts with earnings of $888,830. Old Friends posted on social media that he died from complications of West Nile.