Candy My Boy earns shot at Louisiana Derby

Candy My Boy, who held admirably for fourth in the Risen Star after setting a very strong pace, worked an easy half-mile in 50.60 seconds last weekend at Fair Grunds and is likely to make his next start in the Louisiana Derby.

“If everything goes right, he probably will [run],” said trainer Roger Brueggemann. “He probably deserves another shot.”

But Brueggemann’s stable star, The Pizza Man, won’t be running anytime soon. The Pizza Man finished fifth as the even-money favorite last month in the Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap, worked back once at Fair Grounds following that race, but has been sent to owner Midwest Thoroughbreds’s farm in Anthony, Fla., to be freshened for a summer campaign.

“He just needed a break,” Brueggemann said. “For some reason, he didn’t do well over here.”

◗ Friday’s program, which is likely to be off the turf and on a wet track, is the final night card of the meeting, with first post set for 5 p.m. Central.

– additional reporting by Bob Fortus