The Pizza Man back for another try in Hollywood Turf Cup

DEL MAR, Calif. – Being based in Chicago, The Pizza Man’s favorite style probably is deep dish, but he will try to make California his pizza kitchen on Thanksgiving Day, when he makes a return visit to Del Mar for the Grade 2, $250,000 Hollywood Turf Cup on Thursday.

The Pizza Man managed to finish only third in the Turf Cup last year, but he is a far better horse this year, highlighted by his victory in the Arlington Million and a narrow loss in the Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland. He most recently finished fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland.

The Pizza Man is scheduled to fly Monday to Del Mar. His main rival, Up With the Birds, flew Thursday to California in the company of his Graham Motion-trained stablemate Rusty Slipper, who is competing Saturday in the Red Carpet Handicap. Up With the Birds was fourth in the Arlington Million and most recently was second in the Canadian International at Woodbine.

The Turf Cup field is expected to include both Big John B and Dana’s Best for trainer Phil D’Amato as well as Class Leader, Ganesh, Power Foot, and Texas Ryano. Flamboyant, Kulik Lodge, Procurement, and Wanstead Gardens are all possible, too.

The 1 1/2-mile Turf Cup kicks off a four-day holiday week during which seven graded stakes will be contested, six on turf, including the last two Grade 1 grass races of the year in North America, the Hollywood Derby on Nov. 28 and the Matriarch on Nov. 29, closing day of the meet.