American Theorem Edges Principe Carlo in Triple Bend

Though the Triple Bend Stakes (G2) looked like a shoo-in for Brickyard Ride , who has won four stakes during the current Santa Anita meeting, it turned into a mighty stretch battle between American Theorem  and Principe Carlo . A beautiful gray son of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah  , American Theorem edged a very game Principe Carlo to win the seven-furlong Triple Bend by a nostril at odds of 13-1.

American Theorem had been routing and hadn't sprinted since last year. But trainer George Papaprodromou always felt he had a "great horse" who belonged in this company. And Papaprodromou was having a huge day at Santa Anita May 29, winning the first race and then taking the race after the Triple Bend.

Brickyard Ride, the 1-5 favorite, figured to have a relatively easy task to become the first horse since Hall of Famer Round Table in 1957-58 to win five consecutive stakes during a single Santa Anita meeting. His devastating front-running speed usually destroys the competition from the start, as happened this season in three stakes for California-breds and the Kona Gold Stakes (G3).

This time, however, a fellow Cal-bred, Principe Carlo, stuck with Brickyard Ride early. The two initially ran together, though Brickyard Ride, on the inside, soon pulled out to the lead and was responsible for fractions of :21.96 for a quarter-mile and :44.09 for the half. After Brickyard Ride put a length between him and Principe Carlo, that runner closed the gap back to a half-length.

Meanwhile, Joe Bravo tucked American Theorem into fourth, in a perfect spot to monitor the leaders.

"I love when a plan comes together," Bravo said. "It seemed like at any time he could jump on those horses and he did."

Around the turn, Principe Carlo put his head in front of Brickyard Ride just as Bravo had American Theorem rolling. The gray moved up on the outside of Principe Carlo. Both horses showed plenty of courage throughout the stretch drive, neither conceding an inch, and they arrived at the wire almost even. The photo showed American Theorem a nose winner in 1:22.17. They finished 3 1/4 lengths ahead of third-place Get Her Number . Exaulted  ran fourth, followed by Brickyard Ride  and Elector . 

"It came like we planned it with Joe—just let them go out there and just stay right off them and make a little run," Papaprodromou said. "The plan came out perfect."

When asked if he would have settled for a dead heat, Papaprodromou smiled and replied, "No."

Papaprodromou trains American Theorem for Kretz Racing, which has owned the 5-year-old ridgling since he began his career at Del Mar in 2019. He won that 5 1/2-furlong maiden race impressively enough for Papaprodromou to try him next in the 1 1/16-mile American Pharoah Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita. In only his second start, American Theorem ran second to Eight Rings .

Since then, American Theorem had started eight times with only one victory and two seconds, all coming in allowance/optional claiming company. His three previous starts this year were sixth-place finishes in the 1 1/8-mile San Pasqual Stakes (G2) and 1 1/4-mile Santa Anita Handicap presented by Yaamava' Resort & Casino (G1) and ninth on an all-weather surface in the 1 1/8-mile TwinSpires Kentucky Cup Classic at Turfway Park.

"We tried him long, and he was going after fast paces and he just gave up," Papaprodromou said. "But he's a great horse and I love this horse like crazy."

Sierra Farm bred American Theorem in Kentucky from the Maria's Mon  mare Mighty Renee . Sierra consigned him to the 2018 Keeneland September yearling sale, where he was a $190,000 buy-back.

Video: Triple Bend S. (G2)