Numbers Point to Math Wizard in Charles Town Classic
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Photo: Joe Labozzetta/EQUI-PHOTO
Math Wizard (outside) rallies to defeat Mr. Money in the 2019 Pennsylvania Derby at Parx Racing
Like many graded stakes this year, the Charles Town Classic Stakes (G2) has been impacted by COVID-19, left with a diminished $600,000 purse after being staged for $1 million or more from 2010-19.
Opportunities are still relatively rich for horses and riders alike in the Aug. 28 race, however. The 1 1/8-mile dirt contest remains one of the most lucrative races on the summer and fall calendar for older horses, drawing horses from all across the country. But on the rider front, no leading national riders are participating. Only Charles Town regulars are riding due to COVID-19 health and jockeys' room restrictions.
This leaves Christian Hiraldo on Math Wizard, the late-running 3-1 morning-line favorite in an overflow field that is further headlined by Tenfold, defending champion Runnin'toluvya, War Story, Multiplier, and Mr. Money.
Math Wizard and Mr. Money are no strangers to each other. Last year, the duo ran 1-2 in the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Parx Racing, with Math Wizard winning by a neck.
Neither has won since, though Math Wizard enters the Charles Town Classic in good form, having just finished second in the July 18 Monmouth Cup Stakes (G3) at Monmouth Park. He rallied from the back of the pack to finish a length and a half behind Global Campaign.
Video: Monmouth Cup S. (G3)
"He ran one of the best races of his life last time out according to the numbers, and he's been training great coming out of it," trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said. "I think he's going to continue to progress and take another step forward on Friday."
Math Wizard's victory in the Pennsylvania Derby provided the young trainer with the first grade 1 win of his career. Math Wizard is owned by a large partnership that includes John Fanelli, Khalid Mishref, Cash is King, LC Racing, Collarmele Vitelli Stables, Ioannis Zoumas, and Bassett Stables.
Lacking speed, the 4-year-old son of Algorithms could be at a disadvantage. Friday's race is around three tight turns at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, a bullring racetrack with a short stretch run.
He is not the only one facing an obstacle. War Story, a regular in the Charles Town Classic in recent years, has not started since finishing third in the Jan. 25 Pegasus World Cup Stakes Presented by Runhappy (G1) at Gulfstream Park.
The 8-year-old gelding is set to make his fourth start in the race after running third in 2017 and 2019 and second in 2018.
Imaginary Stables and Glenn Ellis' War Story, now trained by Elizabeth Dobles, will have J.D. Acosta aboard. He is the 4-1 second choice on the morning line.
As for Mr. Money, trainer Bret Calhoun still has faith in his Goldencents colt, though he has not been better than fourth in four starts since the Pennsylvania Derby. He believes some of his recent efforts can be blamed on unfavorable conditions, such as catching a sloppy track on one occasion and racing too short a distance in his latest when sprinting 6 1/2 furlongs.
"So it really hasn't been his fault. He's trained forwardly all along, and we're looking forward to getting him back on track this Friday," Calhoun said.
Chester Thomas' Allied Racing Stable and Spendthrift Farm own the 4-year-old, who has the services of Gerald Almodovar.
Tactical speed may leave him well positioned, as it might Runnin'toluvya, who will seek to repeat in the race. Researcher (2009-10) is the only back-to-back winner of the Charles Town Classic. Imperative won the race in 2014 and 2017.
Runnin'toluvya before his 2019 Charles Town Classic score
Post time for Friday's feature, race 11, is set for 10:18 p.m. ET and can be seen on TVG and heard on the Horse Racing Radio Network. West Virginia's richest race highlights a card that includes seven stakes with purses totaling $1.25 million, including the $200,000 Charles Town Oaks (G3) for 3-year-old fillies, which goes as the 10th race.
Hollywood Casino At Charles Town Races, Friday, August 28, 2020, Race 11Entries: Charles Town Classic S. (G2)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Forewarned (OH)
Sunday Diaz, Jr.
118
Uriah St. Lewis
12/1
2
2Tenfold (KY)
Luis A. Batista
118
Steven M. Asmussen
5/1
3
3Mo Dont No (OH)
Wesley Ho
118
Jeffrey A. Radosevich
15/1
4
4Math Wizard (KY)
Christian Hiraldo
118
Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.
3/1
5
5Runnin'toluvya (WV)
Antonio Lopez
118
Timothy C. Grams
12/1
6
6Mr. Money (KY)
Gerald Almodovar
118
W. Bret Calhoun
6/1
7
7Sleepy Eyes Todd (KY)
Carlos J. Delgado
118
Miguel Angel Silva
10/1
8
8Plus Que Parfait (KY)
Reshawn Latchman
118
Brendan P. Walsh
15/1
9
9War Story (KY)
J. D. Acosta
118
Elizabeth L. Dobles
4/1
10
10Multiplier (KY)
Arnaldo Bocachica
118
Peter Miller
9/2
11
11Awesome D J (KY)
Fredy Peltroche
118
Jose Corrales
15/1
