The Pizza Man defends home turf against invaders in American St. Leger win

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – They came from everywhere, and still, they couldn’t catch the Illinois-bred over his home turf at Arlington Park.

The Pizza Man, always prominent under Florent Geroux, took the lead from a California invader, then turned back a pair of Europeans to post a 5-1 victory Saturday in the third running of the $400,000 American St. Leger on the Arlington Million undercard.

“He is crazy,” said Geroux, meaning that in the best way possible. “He loves this turf, and he loves to win. We may have a Breeders’ Cup horse here.”

After easily overtaking Big Kick with about a half-mile to go in the three-turn turf race, The Pizza Man turned back Eye of The Storm and maintained a safe advantage the rest of the way in finishing a length safe of Dandino, the defending race champion. It was another 1 1/4 lengths back to Havana Beat, with Moment In Time, the only female runner in the lineup, finishing fourth.

An Illinois-bred divisional champion in 2013, The Pizza Man returned $12.60 to win as fourth choice after finishing the infrequently run distance of 1 11/16 miles in 2:47.44. Bred and owned by the Midwest Thoroughbreds of Richard and Karen Papiese and trained by Roger Brueggemann, the 5-year-old gelding now has won 12 of 17 starts, with the St. Leger marking his richest victory yet. His career earnings now stand at $739,803.

Over firm going, Big Kick led through splits of 49.03 seconds and 1:13.04, with The Pizza Man always ready to pounce. Geroux gave his mount his cue leaving the backstretch, and the bay gelding glided away without urging while Eye of The Storm, the lukewarm 3-1 favorite, was put to heavy pressure by Ryan Moore to keep pace.

Down the stretch, only Dandino had a chance, but he barely cut into the margin, giving The Pizza Man his fifth straight victory and third in as many starts this year.

As a Chicago resident, Papiese was thrilled, especially to win with a homebred.

“We really weren’t sure what he was as a baby,” he said. “But he did have a lot of character. He doesn’t get too freaked out; he likes to chill. He thinks he’s a rock star.”

The Pizza Man is not nominated to the Breeders’ Cup, but Papiese said he likely will supplement him to the Nov. 1 BC Turf at Santa Anita.

Dandino, winner of the 2013 St. Leger, got a good trip as the 6-1 fifth choice.

“I had the perfect race,” said jockey Frankie Dettori. “Turning in, I thought we would win, but [The Pizza Man] never stopped.”

A field of 10 older horses started, with Hardest Core opting out to run instead later in the day in the Arlington Million. After the top four, the order was Eye of The Storm, Admiral Kitten, Moro Tap, Infinite Magic, Suntracer, and Big Kick.

The $2 exacta (10-2) paid $65.60, the $1 trifecta (10-2-7) returned $510, and the 10-cent superfecta (10-2-7-5) was worth $485.77.