Santana Jr. wins out as Breeders' Cup rider for Math Wizard

Ricardo Santana Jr. has been awarded the mount aboard Gulfstream Park-based Math Wizard for the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic set for Nov. 2 at Santa Anita Park.

“They reached out to us. A bunch of them did for four different riders. We made the final choice to go with Santana,” trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said. “He’s had a great year. He’s won six Grade 1s.”

Santana, who is based primarily in the Midwest, has ridden Mitole to Grade 1 victories this year in the Met Mile, Forego and Churchill Downs. Mitole will be the likely favorite in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint.

Santana also notched Grade 1 wins aboard Mia Mischief in the Humana Distaff and She’s a Julie in the La Troienne, both on Kentucky Derby weekend at Churchill Downs.

Math Wizard most recently captured the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Parx under Irad Ortiz Jr., who has opted to ride Vino Rosso, who captured the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) only to be placed second behind Code of Honor via disqualification.

Santana, a 2008 graduate of the Laffit Pincay Jr. jockey school in Panama before venturing to the U.S. in 2009, has ridden the winners of 1,279 races and $66 million in purses.

Math Wizard is scheduled to work five furlongs at Gulfstream Park Saturday morning, weather-permitting.

“We’re looking for a steady five-eighths, nothing fancy, just to get some air into him,” Joseph said. “Hopefully, it will set him up well for the Classic.”