The Pizza Man pointed to Arlington Million

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – The Pizza Man will make his next start in the Arlington Million, according to owner Rich Papiese of Midwest Thoroughbreds.

The Pizza Man, 7, has raced in the Million the past two years, winning in 2015 and finishing sixth, beaten just 1 1/2 lengths, last summer. In 2014, he won the $400,000 American St. Leger on the Million card.

The Pizza Man finished fourth against fellow Illinois-breds in the Black Tie Affair Handicap while making his 2017 debut in June but had a host of excuses for that performance. He improved July 8, when he was second in the Stars and Stripes Stakes over 1 1/2 miles. In that race, The Pizza Man made the lead in midstretch but was caught late by Keystoneforvictory.

“He likes to chase other horses,” Papiese said. “It’s all timing with him. If the timing is right, he’s there, but that being said, it’s difficult to get the timing right. We’ll be in our third race off the bench, so we should be fine.”

The Pizza Man is based at Churchill Downs with trainer Roger Brueggemann.

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◗ Prado’s Sweet Ride, who ran below form on a soggy course last month in the Mike Spellman Memorial for Illinois-breds, bounced back to her best with a good second to Dona Bruja in the July 8 Modesty Handicap and is a possible runner Aug. 12 in the Grade 1 Beverly D. Stakes.

“We’re going to nominate and see what comes in besides the filly who won the Modesty,” trainer Chris Block said. “Then we can evaluate whether we should take a shot in there.”

◗ The 3-year-old Malraux, a Speightstown colt trained by Ignacio Correas, ran his record to two sharp wins from three starts when he captured a first-level off-the-turf allowance race Thursday at Arlington. After earning a 92 Beyer Speed Figure for his maiden win, also in a race rained off the turf, Malraux got a 91 Beyer on Thursday. He ran 5 1/2 furlongs on Polytrack in 1:03.83 and beat Midnight Blue Note by 1 3/4 lengths.