The Pizza Man delights crowd, defends Stars and Stripes title
Midwest Thoroughbreds' popular Illinois-bred The Pizza Man successfully defended his title in the Grade III $100,000 Stars and Stripes Saturday, powering through the stretch to thundering applause at Arlington International Racecourse on Million Preview Day.
The son of English Channel captured his first graded stakes win in last season's Stars and Stripes before going on to win the Listed $400,000 American St. Leger in his next start, but his connections are aiming higher this year with a planned start in the Grade I $1,000,000 Arlington Million next out.
Well-positioned throughout, The Pizza Man - under Florent Geroux - sliced between foes turning for home and served up a well-deserved victory after a stretch-long battle with pacesetter Roman Approval. Geroux notched his fourth win of the day in the process after completing a Pick-3 sweep from races 2-4.
"I think this horse is very good mentally. He's a horse that can be anywhere during the race and he just knows where the wire is and that's a big plus," Geroux said. "I'm just trying to be a good passenger and stay out of his way and he does the rest."
Quiet Force strong with this one in Arlington Handicap
Warner Thoroughbreds' Quiet Force stamped his ticket to the 33rd Grade I $1,000,000 Arlington Million with a powerful performance in the Grade III $100,000 Arlington Handicap Saturday afternoon at Arlington International Racecourse. After breaking on top in the field of seven older horses, the son of the late Dynaformer relaxed in second place before tipping out at the top en route to a hard-fought three-quarter-length score for trainer Mike Maker.
Ridden by Julien Leparoux, the Kentucky-bred traveled the 1 3/16-mile distance in 1:56.50 over good ground on Arlington's world-renowned turf course after stalking earlier fractions of 24.02, 48.39, 1:13.34, and forging to the front after a mile in 1:38.34. Sent off at 5.20-1, Quiet Force returned $12.40, $4.40 and $2.80 as the public's fourth wagering choice, earning $58,800 to boost her career bankroll to $247,870. The Arlington Handicap was only his second race in over a year after a third-place finish in allowance company at Parx and allows him, along with the second- and third-place finishers, a free roll into the Million.
"On paper it didn't look like too much pace (in the race), so I just wanted to make sure he broke good," said a very pleased Leparoux. "Actually when (Dramedy) went (to the lead), it was great for us. We got a target and finished up strong."
Walk Close outstrides Mango Diva in Modesty Thriller
Highland Yard LLC's Walk Close showed brilliant acceleration to best her fellow female turf fillies and mares and win the Grade III $100,000 Modesty Handicap Saturday at Arlington International Racecourse. After breaking last of all from the four-hole of nine starters, the daughter of Tapit settled in seventh before saving ground on the turn, tipping out and displaying an impressive turn of foot to wear down Mango Diva by a half-length for trainer Christophe Clement. The top three finishers in the Modesty all earned themselves a free roll into the Grade I $700,000 Beverly D. on Aug. 15 - Arlington Million Day.
Ridden by James Graham for the first time, the Kentucky-bred traveled the 1 3/16-miles distance in 1:57.08 over rain-soaked good ground on Arlington's turf course after earlier fractions of 24.02, 49.22, 1:13.71, and 1:38.72 were set by Steven Frum's Seeking Treasure under Jerome Lermyte. Sent off at a generous 4.80-1, Walk Close returned $11.60, $6.20 and $3.40 as the public's co-fourth wagering choice, earning $57,600 to boost her career bankroll to $279,788. The Modesty was her first graded victory and second stakes victory overall after taking last summer's $100,000 Wild Applause Stakes at Belmont Park.
"I had a beautiful trip and followed the pace around there, picked up the spread to home and did it well," Graham said. "The ground is a little soft, but she did it the right way. She's a really nice filly."
World Approval's rating soars in American Derby
Live Oak Plantation's World Approval, a regally bred son of Northern Afleet, notched his first graded stakes win when holding firm in deep stretch to register a neck win in Saturday's Grade III $100,000 American Derby at Arlington International Racecourse on Million Preview Day. The top-three finishers all received automatic berths into the Grade I $450,000 Secretariat Stakes on Aug. 15 with their entry and starting fees waived.
Sent to post as the even-money favorite, World Approval pressed a soft pace set by Lothenbach Stables' Nun the Less through splits of 25.46, 52.46 and 1:18.12 over good turf and completed the 1 1/8-miles journey in 1:52.92. Ridden by Jose Lezcano for trainer Mark Casse, World Approval returned $4.20, $3.20 and $2.60. The win was World Approval's third in seven lifetime starts and the $58,800 winner's share boosted his career bankroll to $174,050.
"I felt very confident all the way," Lezcano said. "When I asked him at the quarter, he had a good kick and he went on to win the race. He is very good."