The Pizza Man's connections seek second Arlington Million win

Local racegoers were delighted with the result of the 2015 Arlington Million when Midwest Thoroughbreds’ The Pizza Man made history as the first Illinois-bred to win the Prairie State’s most prestigious horse race. This year, his connections are chasing a second chance at Chicago glory with longshot Twenty Four Seven.

Trained by Roger Brueggemann, the son of City Zip has more experience over the Arlington turf course than any of the other runners, which is no surprise given that he is based at the Chicagoland oval. In four starts at Arlington, Twenty Four Seven has won twice. Both of those wins took place this year in one-mile allowance events.

The pair of victories gave his connections the confidence to try him against graded stakes company in the Grade 3 Arlington Handicap, where he finished sixth beaten only two lengths by Divisidero. 

“He had a compromised day in the Arlington Handicap,” said Rich Papiese, who owns Midwest Thoroughbreds with his wife, Karen. “He didn’t have earplugs in. He kicked the wall twice when he was getting saddled. He only lost the race by a few lengths. I’d look for him to be running late in the stretch (on Saturday).”

In his final work for the Arlington Million, Twenty Four Seven drilled a half-mile over the Arlington synthetic surface in :46.00 on Aug. 4.

“He put in a real nice work going in,” Papiese said. “Roger’s always liked the horse. He’s just got to grow up a bit, but I don’t think he’ll disappoint.”

Papiese briefly reflected on The Pizza Man’s memorable Arlington Million win just three years ago. The homebred by English Channel quickly became a fan favorite during his Chicago campaign. After winning the Million his success continued when taking the Grade II Hollywood Turf Cup at Del Mar to cap off 2015. The following year, The Pizza Man was struggling to finish on the board in his first four starts, but returned to top form with a win in the Grade I Northern Dancer Turf Stakes at Woodbine Racetrack.   

“It was a big moment for the family,” Papiese recalled of his Arlington Million triumph. “We bred him and raced him, and to win the Million was amazing.”

Today, The Pizza Man is living his best life as a stable pony in Brueggemann’s barn. He provides companionship and security to Brueggemann’s working Thoroughbreds who go out each morning for training. Joining The Pizza Man in stable pony duties is another Illinois racing fan-favorite – Work All Week, winner of the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Santa Anita in 2014 who was honored with the Eclipse Award for Champion Sprinter the same year.

“I’ve been to the track a couple of times and he’s fitting in pretty well,” Papiese said of The Pizza Man in his new career. “He’s settling in nicely.”

On Saturday, Twenty Four Seven will receive the services of another local in jockey Chris Emigh as the duo break from post seven in a field of 11.