Math Man Marco adds up in Coin Collector

Charles Town’s one-turn dashes are all about speed, and speed is one thing that Math Man Marco has in abundance. The sophomore Alliance gelding put it to good use Saturday, taking a commanding early lead and holding on to win the $75,000 Coin Collector Stakes by three-quarters of a length.

The win was Math Man Marco’s second consecutive and third in five career outings. With his first stakes victory, he increased his lifetime earnings to $89,306 for owner-breeder Robert L. Cole, Jr. and trainer Irving Velez.

Under jockey Carlos Lopez, Math Man Marco was away alertly and quickly cleared his sophomore West Virginia-bred rivals, opening a three-length lead after a quarter-mile in 22.07 seconds. He was still up by two lengths hitting the stretch, and though the favored Coastal Mission closed willingly, he couldn’t gain quickly enough to finish better than second.

It was nearly five lengths farther back to show horse Royal Pain. Running time for the 4 ½ furlongs on a fast main track was 51.52 seconds.

Math Man Marco paid $10.00 to win as the second choice in the betting. Coastal Mission went off at 1-5 and spurred some bridgejumpers, as win-place-show handle on the race was more than double the two races around it. The exacta returned $14.10 on a one-dollar wager.

Spirit of Windsor stumbled leaving the gate and unseated his rider. As he had indicated he might, trainer Jeff Runco scratched Run to Daylight.

Math Man Marco
Math Man Marco won the Coin Collector Stakes. Photo Coady Photography.

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