11.26.15
The Pizza Man delivers G2 Win on Thanksgiving
The Pizza Man, a 6YO gelding by English Channel, delivered his fourth graded stakes victory on Thursday with his 2 length win in the G2 Hollywood Turf Cup at Del Mar.
The 6 year old gelding by English Channel out of I Can Fan Fan by Lear Fan is trained by Roger A. Brueggemann and was bred by Midwest Thoroughbreds. The Pizza Man is English Channel’s third millionaire with current earnings of $1,898,537 in 26 starts with 16 wins and 4 placings. The Pizza Man’s biggest win came this year in August with his victory in the Grade 1 Arlington Million overBig Blue Kitten.
Below article via BloodHorse.com. on G2 Hollywood Turf Cup win:
“The Pizza Man, showing no ill effects from a busy schedule and a trip to the West Coast, feasted on the Hollywood Turf Cup Stakes (gr. IIT) field Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, rallying wide and from far back to score easily in 2:31.75 for the 12 furlongs on a turf course rated firm at Del Mar.
Fifth last out in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (gr. IT) at Keeneland, The Pizza Man rebounded to win for the fourth time in seven tries this season. His share of the $250,000 Turf Cup purse raised his earnings to more than $1.9 million for his career.
The pace was slow throughout the Turf Cup, as Class Leader and Southern Freedom kept each other company on the front end through the first turn and past the stands the first time. Jockey Mike Smith, meanwhile, had The Pizza Man reserved near the back of the 14-horse field despite the tepid fractions. The opening half mile went in :51.10 and three-quarters was clocked in 1:17.28.
Not much changed through the second turn, as Procurement moved up and Southern Freedom gained the lead up the backstretch. It wasn’t until nearing the third turn that Smith angled The Pizza Man, still back in 10th position, toward the outside.
Once in the clear, he began picking off foes quickly. Off the final turn the Roger Brueggemann trainee was eight-wide, but he dominated from there, cruising past the field to victory. Second choice Big John B, the local hope, followed The Pizza Man in the center of the course and gained the place. Power Foot was along for third.”