The Pizza Man opts for Stars and Stripes; Triple Threat out of Arlington 'Cap

The Pizza Man opts for Stars and Stripes; Triple Threat out

of Arlington 'Cap

After cross-entering in both the Arlington H. and Stars and Stripes -- both

Grade 3, $100,000 events on Saturday -- The Pizza Man (English Channel) is

slated to run in the latter, according to Richard Papiese, principal of

ownership Midwest Thoroughbreds. Trained by Roger Brueggemann, the  gelding

is still targeting the Arlington Million (G1), according to Papiese, if all goes

well.

Papiese cited the 1 1/2-miles distance of the Stars and Stripes --

five-sixteenths of a mile farther than the Arlington H. -- as the main factor.

Said trip is the same as his year-end goal, the $3,000,000 Breeders' Cup Turf

(G1) at Keeneland on October 31.

In other cross-entered news, Yankee Dealer (Yankee Gentleman) is likely to

stay in the Arlington H. in lieu of the Stars and Stripes, according to trainer

Mike Reavis. Also cross-entered in those two races, Dramedy (Distorted Humor) is

leaning toward running in the Arlington H. as well, according to conditioner

Gerald Aschinger. The Dramedy camp cited the weight under the allowance

conditions (124 pounds; give away between three and 12 pounds to rivals) as one

of the factors swaying them in that direction.

Trainer Chris Block confirmed that Mister Marti Gras ( Belong to Me) will

stay and run in the Stars and Stripes. Also entered in a Saturday's Mystic Lake

Mile at Canterbury, the eight-year-old will try his hand at a marathon distance

for the first time in his career.

Meanwhile, Monmouth S. (G2) winner Triple Threat (Monsun) has been scratched

from the Arlington H. Established as the 5-2 morning-line favorite, the

five-year-old had a temperature on Friday morning and was officially withdrawn

by trainer Bill Mott.

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