Math Wizard needs to be 'four or five lengths' better in Breeders' Cup

Math Wizard, who pulled off a 31-1 upset victory in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Parx in his most recent start, breezed three furlongs in 35.80 seconds Sunday morning at Gulfstream Park in preparation for a scheduled start in the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 2 at Santa Anita.

“It went good. It went to plan. He went three eighths and galloped out really good. He did it with his ears pricked,” trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said. “Edgard Zayas was on him. He had a lot of energy and is showing all the signs that he’s moving forward, which is good because he’ll need to improve four or five lengths to have a shot.”  

Math Wizard, who had finished third behind eventual Florida Derby (G1) winner and controversially disqualified Kentucky Derby first-place finisher Maximum Security in a $16,000 maiden claiming race at Gulfstream last December, was claimed by owner John Fanelli for $25,000 out of an 18 ½-length victory Jan. 31 and joined Joseph’s stable. The son of Algorithms went on to finish fourth in the Wood Memorial (G2), second in the Ohio Derby (G3) and third in the Indiana Derby (G2).

Ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. for the first time in the Pennsylvania Derby, Math Wizard saved ground while sitting off the pace before making a sweeping move on the turn into the stretch and prevailing over Mr. Money by a neck.