Math Wizard, Diamond Oops in Gulfstream Park Showdown

Pennsylvania Derby (G1) winner Math Wizard and two-time grade 3 winner Diamond Oops clash in the $55,000 Coaltown Handicap June 13 at Gulfstream Park.

The mile overnight handicap on dirt attracted a field of nine 3-year-olds and up and highlights a 12-race program that includes a mandatory payout of the 20-cent Rainbow 6 jackpot wager, which had a carryover of more than $1.7 million entering the June 12 card.

The Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained Math Wizard will seek to rebound from a disappointing eighth-place finish in the Feb. 17 Razorback Handicap (G3) at Oaklawn Park in his 2020 debut.

"It was off of a layoff, and he was hung out wide on a track that seemed speed-favoring. It was a disappointing result, but I think he's been doing better after the race, training-wise," Joseph said. "He's training much better in the last few weeks. I think he's rounding back into form."

The 4-year-old son of Algorithms  owned by John Fanelli, Khalid Mishref, Cash is King, LC Racing, Collarmele Vitelli Stables, Ioannis Zoumas, and Bassett Stables concluded his breakthrough 3-year-old campaign with a fifth-place finish in the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita Park. The highlight of his 2019 campaign came at Parx Racing in the Pennsylvania Derby when he scored a 31-1 upset victory over Mr. Money, War of Will, and Improbable after finishing third in the Indiana Derby (G3) and second in the Ohio Derby (G3).

Video: Pennsylvania Derby (G1)

"He put me on the map. I had mainly claimers up to that point, and for him to win a grade 1, being a former claimer, it will be a moment I'll never forget," Joseph said. "I just watched the race again last week. It never gets old. It's a memory that will remain priceless for me forever."

Math Wizard, who was claimed by his current connections for $25,000 out of an 18 1/2-length victory Jan. 31, 2019, will likely return in a graded stakes race if he performs up to expectations Saturday.

"There are no goals set. We have ideas where we can go, but we just want to get through this race first. We want to see him come back," Joseph said. "Hopefully, he can come back and win and do it the right way."

Math Wizard, who will be ridden by Paco Lopez, has been assigned 123 pounds, two less than highweight Diamond Oops.

The Patrick Biancone-trained Diamond Oops, who also had a breakthrough year in 2019, will make his first start since finishing fourth in the Jan. 25 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes Presented by Runhappy (G1) at Gulfstream.

"We decided to give him a break, and then the virus came. He had no runs for 130 days. That's why we want to run him Saturday. He's a big, strong horse. He may need the race or he may not—we'll see," Biancone said. "He needs to start someplace."

Diamond Oops ran well in the 1 1/8-mile Pegasus World Cup, but the 5-year-old gelded son of Lookin At Lucky  has excelled at shorter distances.

"He is best at six furlongs to a mile. We have plans for the Met Mile (G1) at the moment, but we'll see how he runs Saturday and see if he runs up to form," Biancone said.

The Runhappy Metropolitan Handicap takes place July 4 at Belmont Park. 

Last year, Diamond Oops captured the Smile Sprint Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream before finishing second in the six-furlong Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (G1) at Saratoga Race Course and the Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes (G1T) at Keeneland. He subsequently finished a troubled eighth in the Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) before concluding the season with a victory in the Mr. Prospector Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream for Diamond 100 Racing Club, D P Racing, Patrick Biancone Racing, and Amy Dunne.

"He's training well. He'll need the race, for sure, but he's trained well," Biancone said. "He has to carry a lot of weight, but we need to come back someplace."

Luca Panici will have the mount aboard Diamond Oops.  

Multiple stakes winner Noble Drama has been assigned 120 pounds. The David Fawkes-trained 5-year-old gelding, who finished second in the Big Drama Stakes last time out, kicked off his 2020 campaign with a victory in the Sunshine Millions Classic Stakes at Gulfstream.

Joe Bravo has the call aboard Harold Queen's homebred, a son of Gone Astray.