Matriarch a challenging spot for Pizza Bianca

The last time Pizza Bianca ran in a Grade 1 race in the United States she won the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar in November 2021.

The 2022 season has not been as fruitful.

In four starts this year, Pizza Bianca has one win – the Hilltop Stakes at Pimlico in May. She was later eighth in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Royal Ascot in England in June and fourth in the Grade 2 Sands Point Stakes at Aqueduct in mid-October after a four-month layoff.

Pizza Bianca’s next Grade 1 race will be a stern test – Sunday’s $400,000 Matriarch Stakes against older fillies and mares at a mile on turf at Del Mar.

“It’s a fine spot to be ambitious,” trainer Christophe Clement said.

:: DRF Bets members get FREE DRF Past Performances - Formulator or Classic. Join now!

Owned by Bobby Flay, Pizza Bianca is part of a very strong field of 10 expected runners in the Matriarch, the closing day feature race of the Del Mar autumn meeting. Los Alamitos begins a two-week meeting on Dec. 9.

The Matriarch will be Pizza Bianca’s first start outside of her age group.

“We know she likes Del Mar,” Clement said.

It’s apparent that Pizza Bianca also likes to run from off the pace.

In the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf, Pizza Bianca closed from last in a field of 14 to win a thrilling running by a half-length at 9-1. In the Sands Point Stakes at 1 1/8 miles, Pizza Bianca closed from last of eight with a wide rally to finish 2 3/4 lengths behind winner Skims.

“She came out of the race in good order,” Clement said.

In the Matriarch, Umberto Rispoli will ride Pizza Bianca for the first time, replacing Jose Ortiz.

The Matriarch field is led by Regal Glory, who won the 2021 Matriarch and is a two-time Grade 1 winner this year, and Wakanaka, who won the Fall Harvest Stakes for fillies and mares at a mile on turf at Keeneland on Nov. 5.

Other probable starters are Avenue de France, Bipartisanship, Dolce Zel, Eddie’s New Dream, England’s Rose, Gold for Kitten, and Hamwood Flier.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.