Pizza Bianca works half-mile for possible Matriarch Stakes start

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Saturday was the last day turf works were offered at Belmont Park for the season and trainer Christophe Clement and Shug McGaughey took advantage, each working five horses over the inner grass course.

Among Clement’s quintet was Pizza Bianca, the 2021 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner, who breezed a half-mile in 50.09 seconds in company with Soldier Rising. Pizza Bianca, who failed to reach her reserve at the Fasig-Tipton November sale on Nov. 6, is being considered for a start in the Grade 1 Matriarch at Del Mar on Dec. 4, Clement said.

In her only start since she ran eighth in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, Pizza Bianca finished fourth in the Sands Point at Aqueduct on Oct. 15. The 88 Beyer Speed Figure she earned in the race was her career best.

“I was a touch disappointed in the Sands Point because I thought she was doing well,” Clement said. “If you believe in numbers, she ran a good race. The draw was against her, the pace of the race was against her, she ran okay.”

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Clement said that following the trip to Royal Ascot, “it took me a long, long time to get her back,” he said.

Clement has time to get one more work, albeit on the dirt, into Pizza Bianca before having to make a final decision on whether to ship to California or not. Pizza Bianca did win the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar.

Meanwhile, Clement does plan on running Soldier Rising in next Saturday’s Grade 2 $300,000 Red Smith Stakes at Aqueduct. Soldier Rising, who actually made up two lengths on Pizza Bianca in Saturday’s work, finished second to stablemate Gufo in the Grade 1 Sword Dancer and, most recently, dead-heated for fourth in the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic. Clement felt the horse got stuck on the inside in the Joe Hirsch.

Liar’s Poker and Smokie Eyes worked a half-mile in company in 50.35 seconds for upcoming stakes next weekend. Liar’s Poker, a debut winner, is pointing to next Saturday’s $120,000 Central Park Stakes for 2-year-old males while Smokie Eyes is pointing to the $120,000 Tepin Stakes on Nov. 27.

Contemporary Art, fourth in the Saratoga Oaks on Aug. 7, worked a half-mile in 49.19 seconds. Plans for her are uncertain.

Meanwhile, McGaughey sent out five horses for workouts for upcoming engagements. Skims, the Sands Point winner who is being considered for the Grade 1 American Oaks at Santa Anita on Dec. 26, worked a half-mile in 49.09 seconds by herself.

Stolen Holiday, who will try to cut back to sprinting in the $150,000 Autumn Days here on Nov. 27, went a half-mile in 47.80 seconds. General Jim, 2 for 2 on turf, went a half-mile in 50.07 seconds with the 3-year-old filly Surprisingly. Fort Washington went a half-mile in 47.33 seconds.

Trainer George Weaver worked the 2-year-olds Chiringo (48.40 seconds) and Let’s Go Big Blue (50.52) separately over the turf. Both are nominated to the $120,000 Central Park.

*** Zandon, preparing for the Grade 1 Cigar Mile on Dec. 3, worked five furlongs in 1:00.50 over the Belmont Park training track Saturday morning.

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