The Pizza Man Looks for Redemption

GI Arlington Million winner The Pizza Man (English Channel), who disappointed when fifth in the GI Breeders’ Cup Turf Oct. 31, looks to redeem himself in the GII Hollywood Turf Cup at Del Mar. The Midwest Thoroughbred homebred took the Opening Verse S. May 30 at Churchill and the GIII Stars and Stripes S. at Arlington July 11 before his Arlington Million win. The Pizza Man was second in the GI Shadwell Turf Mile S. Oct. 3 before his fifth in the Breeders’ Cup. The Pizza Man gets the services of jockey Mike Smith for the first time in his career.

Big John B (Hard Spun), who is a perfect three-for-three at Del Mar returns to that track after his 10th in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. This season, the Philip D’Amato trainee took both the GIII Cougar II H. July 24 and the GII Del Mar H. Aug. 22.

Since being transferred into the Graham Motion barn, Up With the Birds has run well, but has yet to make it to the winner’s circle. He was third in the GII Dixie S. May 16 and GII Arlington H. July 11 before fourth-place efforts in the Arlington Million and GII Commonwealth Cup S. Sept. 19. Most recently, he was second in the GI Pattison Canadian International S. Oct. 18.

‘TDN Rising Star’ Texas Ryano (Curlin) earned his first black-type success two back in the King Pellinore S. at Santa Anita Sept. 27. He was fifth cutting back to a mile last time in an optional claimer here Oct. 30, and will try the 1 1/2-mile distance for the first time Thursday.