Susie Raisher Photo

Weather Wiz seeks clear skies in Bernardini

by Najja Thompson

Weather Wiz will make his stakes debut in a seven-horse field in the inaugural running of the $100,000 Bernardini for four-year-olds and up going 1 5/16 miles on Saturday at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Trained by Jimmy Jerkens for Centennial Farms, the 5-year-old son of Tiznow broke his maiden in his fifth career start in June at Belmont Park. Since then, he has one win from five starts having captured an allowance race in September.

In his most recent start on January 13 in an optional claiming route at Aqueduct, Weather Wiz finished second behind the ultra-consistent Stan the Man while earning a 93 Beyer Speed Figure.

Jerkens said he is hopeful Weather Wiz will appreciate the stretch out in distance on Saturday.

"He's been training good for this coming out of his last race," said Jerkens. "Normally, we wouldn't want to enter him right into a stakes race, but in his last race he kept trying to close on the leader [Stan the Man], who came back to win. The way he's bred, he should appreciate the distance."

With Dylan Davis named to ride, Weather Wiz will depart from post 5.

Shalako will look to build off a 3 ½-length victory in his most recent start for owner Vincent Scuderi and trainer Michelle Nevin.

The 6-year-old Malibu Moon gelding is 1-1-2 in from seven starts at the Big A and Nevin said Shalako will look to capitalize off his victory last out on January 27.

"I thought his last victory was good enough to deserve a shot in here," said Nevin. "We'll have to see where he draws, but he handled going 1 3/16 miles last time, so hopefully he can get a favorable post and work out a good trip."

Shalako, with Kendrick Carmouche aboard, will leave from post 4.

Forewarned ships in from Parx for owner and trainer Uriah St. Lewis. The 4-year-old Flat Out colt, who was purchased privately by St. Lewis last year, picked up an allowance win at Parx two starts back when sprinting seven furlongs.

On Saturday, Forewarned will look to rebound off a fourth-place finish in an optional-claiming race on February 18 at Parx.

Forewarned will leave from post 7 with apprentice rider Reylu Gutierrez aboard.

Also entered is Chiliean-bred Leitone for trainer George Weaver and owners R.A. Hill Stable and Reeves Thoroughbred Racing; Holiday Bonus for trainer Gregory DiPrima and Woodland Farms; Hit It Once More for trainer Gary Sciacca and owner Yellow Moon Stable; and Royal Albert Hall for trainer Rob Atras and Drawing Away Stable.

First post on Saturday's nine-race card is 12:50 p.m.