The Pizza Man likely for Arlington Million

The Pizza Man won the 12-furlong Stars and Stripes on Saturday, the local prep for the $350,000 American St. Leger, a race The Pizza Man won last year, but Rich Papiese, co-owner and breeder of The Pizza Man, said after the victory it was more likely the gelding would try the Arlington Million than attempt a second St. Leger win on Aug. 15.

Trainer Roger Brueggemann, Papiese said, will make the final call on which race The Pizza Man will contest. Both Brueggemann and jockey Florent Geroux said just after the Stars and Stripes that The Pizza Man, although he is a 6-year-old, is a better horse this year than last.

The Pizza Man won Saturday by just a neck over Roman Approval as the odd-on Stars and Stripes favorite, but had a tricky, traffic-filled trip behind a slow pace, and appeared to cross the wire with something still in reserve.