Hit the Bid Racing’s colt, Schoolyard Superman, caught attention by winning a maiden race in his last start and will now make his stakes debut in Saturday’s Listed $200,000 Wizards Stakes—a 9-furlong race for three-year-olds—at Aqueduct Race Course. The Wizards serves as an early step on the path to the Kentucky Derby, offering qualifying points to the top five finishers (20-10-6-4-2) toward the prestigious Grade 1 event at Churchill Downs this May.
Under the guidance of five-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown, Schoolyard Superman secured a decisive 5 3/4 length win in a one-turn mile maiden race at Aqueduct on December 6. This race not only tested his class level but also marked his first experience running two turns. The Practical Joke gray horse had previously raced six furlongs in a sprint during his debut in September but suffered a fall during an October start.
With returning jockey Manny Franco aboard, Schoolyard Superman accelerated smoothly and drew away for an easy victory in a career-best time of 1:36.68, achieving the highest Beyer Speed figure of 86 among the field. Purchased for $150,000 at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, the Kentucky-bred by Woods Edge Farm hopes to add another strong contender to its stable, joining Lexington-based Linkernate, a 2023 Kentucky Derby runner.
Peter O’Callaghan, owner of Woods Edge Farm, praised Schoolyard Superman’s physical attributes, describing him as a large, attractive gray horse with great movement and promise. Though uncertain if the colt will top the Wizards field, O’Callaghan noted his potential and composure.
Schoolyard Superman is out of Tiz Regal, a winning mare sired by Tiznow and acquired by Woods Edge Farm for $25,000 in 2020. Tiz Regal is closely related to G2 winner Crazy Mason and descends from the graded stakes mare Is Sheri Gal, giving the colt a strong pedigree. O’Callaghan highlighted the family’s consistency and exciting developments, emphasizing that Tiz Regal resembles her sire Mariasmon more than Tiznow.
The combination of Practical Joke with Tiz Regal was chosen based on physical compatibility, speed, and value. O’Callaghan noted that Practical Joke is a robust, solid stallion with impressive hip structure, complementing Tiz Regal’s refined stature. He also mentioned that Practical Joke has risen in prominence as a sire in recent years.
Chad Brown will also enter Ottinho, a Kentucky-bred son of Quality Road, trained at Three Chimneys Farm. Ottinho, a half-brother to Hall of Fame horse Gun Runner, won at Aqueduct over course and distance on December 31 under Flavien Prat. In his previous starts, Ottinho has steadily improved his Beyer ratings from 71 to 82 and carries a promising pedigree as a full brother to graded winner Pritiana.
Brown aims to score his third Wizards victory, following previous wins with Risk Taking (2021) and Early Voting (2022), the latter becoming a Preakness champion.
Other notable entries include Pennsylvania-bred mare Mailata, who impressed with a 19-length victory in the Parks Future Stars event on December 30. Trained by Butch Reed Jr., Mailata has shown steady improvement since adding blinkers and has posted respectable Beyer figures. She is a half-sibling to stakes winner Jeanne Marie, adding to her allure as a contender.
Stony Point Stable’s Fourth and One, a Maxfield gelding trained by Jeremiah Englehart, will race following a series of promising performances in New York-bred stakes races. The colt, purchased for $240,000, is out of Medaglia d’Oro mare Wajiha and has shown progress with blinkers removed. His connections feel the 1 1/8 mile distance of the Wizards suits him well.
Star Sweeper, representing the Branjam stable and ridden by David Clark, will be cross-entered in a seven-furlong optional claimer at Parx on Saturday. The son of Lock Your World recently captured a 6-furlong optional claimer and is aiming to build on his mixed performances.
Additionally, two first-time winners from Florida, Project Ace—entered in both the Wizards and the G3 Holy Bull at Gulfstream—and New York-bred Talk to Me Jimmy will join the field. Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher also has a stake in the race with Gritness, a past three-time Wizards winner.
The Wizards Stakes will be the ninth race on a 10-race card at Aqueduct on Saturday, which also features the listed $150,000 Toboggan (Race 2), $135,000 Ruthless (Race 4), and the rescheduled $135,000 Ladies (Race 6). Post time is 12:10 pm ET.
Fans can follow live coverage and expert analysis of the Aqueduct Winter Meet on FOX Sports, with the NYRA Bets app serving as the official betting platform for nationwide players.
This story was first published by Paulick Report on January 27, 2026.
Fan Take: The Wizards Stakes is an exciting early test for 3-year-olds aiming for the Kentucky Derby, spotlighting rising stars like Schoolyard Superman and Ottinho. Their performances not only fuel Derby discussions but also highlight the future of horse racing through strong pedigrees and expert training, keeping fans eagerly engaged with the sport’s next generation.
