Math Wizard did little more than work an easy three furlongs in 36.20 Sunday morning at Gulfstream Park, his first recorded breeze since finishing fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. But the big news came later that afternoon when trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. confirmed that the winner of the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby could make his next start in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational on Jan. 25.

“After talking with John(part owner John Fanelli), it’s been decided that the Pegasus is in play a little bit,” said Joseph. “Obviously our main target is the Saudi Cup. But the Pegasus is here at home, it gives us an opportunity to get a race into him before Saudi and still give us plenty of time to get him ready for the next one. If all the big horses don’t show up, why not?”

The purse for the Pegasus World Cup was reduced from $9 million to $3 million in 2020 but there is also no fee to enter the race, as had been the case in past seasons. 

Math Wizard ended his 3-year-old campaign with earnings of over $1 million. Not bad for a horse who opened the year winning his maiden under a $16,000 claiming tag.

“I thought he worked well this morning, the last quarter in :23 and change,” said Joseph. “He’ll go an easy half-mile next week then have a more serious one after that.”