Midwest Thoroughbreds homebred The Pizza Man (English Channel) put in his first work of 2016 in preparation for his seasonal bow in Santa Anita's GII San Marcos S. Feb. 6. The 7-year-old breezed five furlongs at the Fair Grounds in 1:01.60 (11/42) under jockey Francisco Torres Saturday morning.
“He's doing well,” trainer Roger Brueggemann said. “We're probably going to Santa Anita with him if he comes out okay.”
The Pizza Man kicked off 2015 with a trio of victories, including the GIII Stars and Stripes S. July 11 and the GI Arlington Million S. Aug. 15. Second in the GI Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland Oct. 3, the gelding was fifth in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf Oct. 31. He shipped to Del Mar where he won the Nov. 26 GII Hollywood Turf Cup S. under Hall of Famer Mike Smith, who has the call for the San Marcos, and was an Eclipse finalist in the champion turf male category.
After the San Marcos, The Pizza Man is possible for the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan in the United Arab Emirates or the GII Mervin H. Muniz Memorial at Fair Grounds Mar. 26. Midwest Thoroughbreds principal Richard Papiese indicated that the bay's main objectives for 2016 are a title defense in the Arlington Million and a return trip to the Breeders' Cup.
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