Math Wizard

After being claimed by co-owner John Fanelli and trainer Saffie Joseph following a blowout win at Gulfstream Park in January, this colt steadily improved his form while holding his own in graded stakes all throughout the eastern U.S.

He nearly won the Grade 3 Ohio Derby in June, losing by a half-length to Preakness Stakes third-place finisher Owendale, and then ran well in the July 13 Grade 3 Indiana Derby, losing by four lengths to dominant Mr. Money.

Math Wizard regressed a bit in his next start when checking in sixth in the Grade 3 West Virginia Derby Aug. 3, beaten 11 ¾ lengths by Mr. Money. The Alogirithms colt trained well after the West Virginia Derby and was pointed to the Grade 1, $1 million Pennsylvania Derby Sept. 21 at Parx Racing and another showdown with Mr. Money.

Preakness Stakes winner War of Will shadowed Mr. Money from his outside flank throughout the Pennsylvania Derby as the former set a leisurely pace. Mr. Money put away War of Will in early stretch but he could not hold off a furious late charge from Math Wizard, who closed from last to first to win by a neck at 31.10-1 odds.