Eye of a Jedi upsets Diamond Oops, Math Wizard in Coaltown Handicap

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Trainer Steve Budhoo picked a good spot to get his first win of the year in Saturday’s $55,000 Coaltown Handicap at Gulfstream Park as his 17-1 outsider Eye of a Jedi rallied to defeat a Grade 1 quality field that included runner-up Diamond Oops and fifth-place finisher Math Wizard.

Eye of a Jedi was the 21st starter Budhoo saddled in 2020 and his 13th at the spring-summer meet. The stretch-running 5-year-old also broke a long losing streak of his own, posting his first victory since the Sea of Tranquility Stakes here in July of 2019.

Eye of the Jedi's victory helped sweeten the payoff in the Rainbow 6 which featured a mandatory dispersal on Saturday. A total of $7.7 million in new money was added to a $1.8 million carryover with 138 winning tickets containing all six winners resulting in a payoff of $58,267 for a 20-cent ticket.

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With Marco Meneses aboard, Eye of a Jedi was reserved near the rear of the seven-horse field as Wentz set the pace while prompted from the outset by the two-time Grade 1-placed and even-money favorite Diamond Oops and Red Crescent. Eye of a Jedi commenced his rally while wide into the stretch, overtook Red Crescent near mid-stretch and edged away to a 1 1/4-length decision in the one-mile race.

Diamond Oops grabbed a brief advantage after five furlongs, quickly relinquished the lead to Red Crescent while racing in what was arguably the deeper going nearest the rail turning for home before continuing resolutely to be second best. Red Crescent took command entering the stretch while also racing well off the rail, could not resist the winner when challenged near the sixteenth pole, weakening to finish a length behind Diamond Oops.

Math Wizard, winner of the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby at 3, wore blinkers for the first time in over a year in the Coaltown. He raced well placed behind the early leaders, eased out to loom boldly in early stretch only to flatten out through the final furlong in his first outing since an eighth-place finish in the Grade 3 Razorback Handicap in February.

Eye of a Jedi completed a mile over the fast track in 1:35.17 and paid $36.40.

“He’s a good horse. These are old tough veterans that he beat,” said Budhoo, who also owns Eye of a Jedi. “He’s just coming into his own. He ran a good race last time and ran fourth in the [Grade 3]Hal’s Hope before that. I only race him sparingly. He always gives his best and he’s sound.”