The Pizza Man wins as big favorite in Black Tie Affair Handicap

The tote board said what jockey Sheldon Russell already knew – The Pizza Man, making his first start since Oct. 12, was ready for the Black Tie Affair Handicap.

Favored at 1-9 on the tote’s first flash after the preceding race, The Pizza Man pounced on Tazz in mid-stretch and went on to a popular half-length victory, paying $3.20 to win in the $85,450 Black Tie Affair.

Racing 1 1/16 miles over good turf in an Illinois-bred stakes race following a layoff of more than eight months might have seemed a daunting proposition in many cases, but The Pizza Man’s trainer, Roger Brueggeman, has proven adept through the years at readying Illinois stakes-class runners for strong comeback runs. Russell, spending his first meet at Arlington and riding The Pizza Man for the first time, had worked the horse three times on Polytrack and once on turf preparing for Saturday’s race. He knew what he was getting into.

“It’s always a big advantage when the trainer allows you to get on horses and do some morning work,” Russell said. “It allows you to get to know the horse.”

The Pizza Man finished second in the 2013 Black Tie Affair after falling too far behind a moderate pace, and Russell was determined to employ the gelding’s tactical pace Saturday. He settled his mount in third as Tazz set moderate splits of 23.83 seconds, 48.93, and 1:13.58, and The Pizza Man ranged up to the leader’s flank in upper stretch. Tazz fought on gamely, but The Pizza Man quickened nicely and appeared to win more comfortably than the bare margin suggests.

“He’d beaten all these horses before,” said Russell. “I just wanted to keep him in the clear and out of trouble.”

The Pizza Man was timed in 1:42.86 for 1 1/16 miles on good going. Domain’s Rap finished third, three-quarters of a length behind Tazz.

The Pizza Man, a Midwest Thoroughbreds homebred by English Channel, won for the 10th time in just 15 starts.