Beaten 50 lengths in his last three starts, all stakes, at distances of 1 1/8 miles and 1 ¼ miles, trainer George Papaprodromou's American Theorem, unhurried early, rallied from off the pace to just outfinish Principe Carlo on the money and win Sunday's $200,000 Triple Bend Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita.
Ridden by Joe Bravo, American Theorem, a 5-year-old ridgling by 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, got seven furlongs in 1:22.17.
Heavily favored Brickyard Ride, who sped to the lead as expected, had a three-length advantage on American Theorem past the half mile pole, as Principe Carlo and Elector sat second and third. A joint third, about 2 ½ lengths off the favorite three furlongs out, American Theorem wheeled three-deep turning for home and battled head and head with the runner-up to the wire.
“I love when a plan comes together,” said Bravo, who was aboard for a ninth-place finish going 1 1/8 miles on a synthetic surface at Turfway Park in Northern Kentucky on April 2. “We really had high hopes for this horse, he had a couple of hiccups along the way and George cut him back in distance. Look at him around the turn, it seemed like at any time he jump on those horses and he did.
“There were some nice horses in that race and I give all the credit to George, having the patience with him, bringing him around the right way. It's all in the details that got him to the winner's circle today.
“…I give credit to Principe Carlo because he is a great horse. (He) really laid it down turning for home. That's what horse racing is all about, it's a war. You don't know who's going to get it until the last, final jump.”
Off at 13-1 in a field of six older horses, American Theorem paid $28.
Bred in Kentucky by Sierra Farm from the Maria's Mon mare Mighty Renee, American Theorem notched his first stakes win in the Triple Bend and is now 11-3-3-0 overall. With the winner's share of $120,000, he increased his earnings to $291,967.
“Our plan was to just sit right off of them and make a little run and it worked out perfect, like we planned,” said an ebullient Papaprodromou.
When asked if he'd have settled for a dead heat, he responded quickly, “No. We've been trying him long and he's been involved with fast paces and it didn't work out. I think he's a great horse and like I've said, I love this horse. Congrats to my owners, Kretz Racing, they're the best owners ever. Hopefully, we'll move forward from this.”
For his part, the Librado Barocio-trained Principe Carlo ran much too good to lose, pressing the favorite early and nearly prevailing in desperate finish. Off at 13-1 with Kyle Frey, he finished 3 ¼ lengths in front of Get Her Number.
Get Her Number trailed early and rallied four-wide under Ramon Vazquez for third .
Brickyard Ride, off at 1-5, and Elector, one-two early, finished fifth and sixth, with Brickyard Ride checking in 9 ¼ lengths in front of Elector who was the second choice at 7-2.
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