Rich and Karen Papiese homebred The Pizza Man (English Channel–I Can Fan Fan, by Lear Fan), who became the only Illinois-bred to win the GI Arlington Million, has officially been retired from racing after a 12th-place effort in search of a second Million trophy Aug. 12.
Unplaced in his career debut over the Hawthorne main track on New Year's Eve 2011, The Pizza Man raced exclusively on the grass for the remaining 35 starts of his career. A restricted stakes winner at three, the popular chestnut won his first open black-type event in late 2013 and improved on that performance for a first graded success in the GIII Stars & Stripes S. He made the first of four straight appearances at the International Festival of Racing a winning one, taking out the 2014 American St. Leger S.
Successful in defense of his title in the 2015 Stars & Stripes, The Pizza Man was cross-entered in both the St. Leger and Million, and connections decided to cut back and roll the dice in the main event. As many as 13 lengths behind over yielding turf, The Pizza Man rallied in the stretch and outfinished future Eclipse Award winner Big Blue Kitten (Kitten's Joy) by a neck (video). He dropped back to a mile and flew home to just miss in the GI Shadwell Turf Mile, was hardly disgraced when fifth in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile in Lexington and displayed his versatility with a two-length victory in the GII Hollywood Turf Cup to conclude his richest season.
Sixth in search of back-to-back Millions last August, The Pizza Man had one more trick up his sleeve with a neck success in last year's GI Northern Dancer S.
The Pizza Man, who was trained by Roger Brueggeman for all but five of his career starts (Tom Amoss), retires as one of the richest Illinois-breds of all time, with 17 wins–11 stakes–from his 36 starts and earnings of $2,158,941.
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