Papiese remains confident in The Pizza Man
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – The Pizza Man remains on course to try to win the Arlington Million for the second year in a row despite a somewhat disappointing fourth-place finish in the Stars and Stripes on July 9.
The Pizza Man was the 1-2 favorite in the Stars and Stripes but failed to muster the needed late spark, though he was beaten only a head for first in a four-horse photo. After winning 4 of 6 starts in 2015, including his victory in the Million, and 16 of his first 26 races, The Pizza Man has finished fifth, fourth, and fourth in his three 2016 starts, only the second time in his career he has lost three in a row.
But Rich Papiese, who bred and owns The Pizza Man with his wife, Karen, under their Midwest Thoroughbreds banner, said he has lost no confidence in the 7-year-old.
“He was wide in the Stars and Stripes,” Rich Papiese said. “I don’t think he’s lost anything as a 7-year-old, but it might be that since he’s 7, it takes him longer to round into form. He’s pretty dappled out now. He’s in good shape.”
Asked if The Pizza Man would be cross-entered in the American St. Leger on the Million card, a race he won in 2014, Papiese said no. “We’re only looking at the Million.”
Even without Flintshire, who is staying in New York during August, the Million is coming up a good race. Godolphin is sending two starters, Sky Hunter and Tryster, with Tryster the race’s potential favorite. Tryster most recently finished a fine fifth in the Group 1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot and was third in the $6 million Dubai Turf at Meydan, a flat, left-handed, American-style oval with firm ground he seemed to relish.
United Nations Stakes winner World Approval is being pointed for the Million, and trainer Chad Brown said Thursday he could have three starters in the race: Big Blue Kitten, Takeover Target, and Wake Forest. Arlington Handicap winner Kasaqui is expected to run, and Graham Motion said he is at least considering the Million for that race’s third-place finisher, Messi.