The Pizza Man tries same path to Arlington Million

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – The Pizza Man used the 1 1/2-mile Stars and Stripes Stakes as a springboard to his rousing win in the 2015 Arlington Million, and his connections are sending him down the same path this summer.

The Pizza Man was one of 10 horses entered Wednesday in the Stars and Stripes, which is one of four Grade 3 turf stakes Saturday at Arlington designed as preps for races on the Aug. 13 Arlington Million card. The Stars and Stripes is worth $100,000, while the American Derby, Modesty, and Arlington Handicap are $125,000 races.

The Arlington Handicap over 1 1/4 miles is the more natural-seeming Million prep, but the longer Stars and Stripes, which The Pizza Man won by a neck in 2015, worked for him last year. Last year vs. this year – that’s the question that has settled over The Pizza Man, one of the best Illinois-breds in recent history. The Pizza Man had a great 2015 campaign, nearly winning the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile and finishing a creditable fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. But after winning the Hollywood Turf Cup on Nov. 26, The Pizza Man finished fifth as the 6-5 favorite in the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap on Feb. 26, then was fourth at 7-5 while making his comeback July 2 in the Wise Dan at Churchill Downs.

Still, owner-breeder Rich Papiese isn’t stressing over his 7-year-old’s form.

“I’m not guaranteeing anything, but he’s going to show up Saturday, and I think you’ll see a completely different Pizza Man,” Papiese said.

The Pizza Man wasn’t in peak health when stabled at Fair Grounds over the winter, Papiese said, and his blood work wasn’t perfect before he was sent to Gulfstream to race.

“We probably should have sent him home then because he just wasn’t himself,” Papiese said.

The Pizza Man got rest at Papiese’s farm in Florida and in the Wise Dan, over nine furlongs, wound up last of 10 behind a muddling pace. He finished about as strongly as could be expected, but with the top finishers also coming home fast off the slow gallop, The Pizza Man had little chance to win.

“We didn’t expect to be all the way at the back,” said Papiese. “We weren’t looking at that race as a prep. We wanted to win.”

The Pizza Man drew post 6 and will have Robby Albarado in the irons. He figures to be a strong favorite over a field that also includes Roman Approval, Greengrassofyoming, Five Green Stars, Pumpkin Rumble, Quiet Force, Birdsone, Bullards Alley, O’Prado Ole, and Chip Leader. Roman Approval, Greengrassofyoming, Five Green Stars, Pumpkin Rumble, and Quiet Force are cross-entered in the Arlington Handicap.

Marypop makes U.S. debut

Marypop, the promising 4-year-old filly privately purchased by Arlington chairman Dick Duchossois and imported from France this year, is set to make her North American debut in the Modesty Handicap on Saturday. She’s one of eight fillies and mares entered in this local prep for the Grade 1 Beverly D. next month.

Marypop won 1 of 6 starts last year at 3 but was victorious in both of her starts this season, including the Group 2 Prix Allez France over 1 1/4 miles at Chantilly last out.

“I’m very happy with her. She’s been here over two months, and she’s acclimated well,” said trainer Mike Stidham. “Her last three works have been really good.”

Along with Marypop, the Modesty drew No Fault of Mine, America Mon Amie, Al’s Gal, Smiling Gambler, Faufiler, Secret Someone, and Sequiota.

The Arlington Handicap attracted a field of 12: Peej, Kasaqui, Roman Approval, Greengrassofyoming, Messi, Go Around, Pajama Party, Five Green Stars, Only in America, Pumpkin Rumble, Quiet Force, and R Great Adventure. Several could opt instead for the Stars and Stripes.

There are 11 in the American Derby, which is playing second fiddle Saturday to the $1.25 million Belmont Derby. Entered in the race are Itsnoteasybeinbreezy, One Mean Man, Lomcevak, Mongolian Holiday, J R’s Holiday, The Rouge Diesel, Two Step Time, Oscar Nominated, Swagger Jagger, Tequila Joe, and Weavers Ice Cold.