American Theorem Proves the Truth in Bing Crosby

George Papaprodromou's faith in American Theorem  paid off at Del Mar July 30 in the $402,000 Bing Crosby Stakes (G1).

"We've always believed in this horse," said the emotional trainer after he sprinted to the winner's circle nearly as fast as his charge.

American Theorem gave Papaprodromou his first grade 1 win by effectively handling a talented field of sprinters in the six-furlong Bing Crosby. Being a son of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah  , the ridgling seemed designed for longer races, which is where Papaprodromou tried him at first. But American Theorem showed a devastating turn of foot at shorter distances around one turn. 

When the gate opened in the Bing Crosby, Drain the Clock  burst into the lead, with Principe Carlo  going right with him to his outside and Shaaz , the 8-5 favorite, keeping pace on the rail. American Theorem, sent off as the 7-1 fifth choice, broke sharply in second from the outside post in the field of nine for jockey Joe Bravo and then sat off the early pacesetters.

Letsgetlucky  moved up to join the frontrunners, as Drain the Clock completed the first quarter-mile in :22.28. All four of the leaders were vying for position into the turn. As American Theorem began his run, Bravo looked ahead and realized he would have to send his horse around all of them.

"He was real comfortable on the backside, moving easy," Bravo said. "And then when we came to the turn, I didn't think I wanted to go six wide. But he just had his momentum up, and we just kept on going."

The only gray in the field, American Theorem began passing rivals with undeniable authority. He had so much momentum that neither the wide trip nor Bravo losing his whip at the head of the lane mattered. He zoomed to the lead and opened up down the stretch, at one point leading by three lengths. 

"I dropped my stick on the turn, and that will make you nervous," Bravo said. "But he didn't need it."

Get Her Number  closed late, but he was never going to catch American Theorem, who scored by 1 1/2 lengths and stopped the timer in 1:08.67. Letsgetlucky finished third, 4 1/4 lengths behind Get Her Number. Shaaz weakened to fourth 

"The race turned out the way we planned, and we made one run," Papaprodromou said. "We knew with the post that we would have to go a little wide, but it worked out perfect."

The Bing Crosby not only rewarded Papaprodromou with his first grade 1, but it also earned American Theorem a "Win & You're In" berth to the Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1), providing paid, automatic entry. In that race, to be held Nov. 5 at Keeneland, he will likely encounter Jackie's Warrior , who earlier Saturday at Saratoga Race Course easily took the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (G1). Some of the Bing Crosby shippers from the eastern part of the country were no doubt ducking Jackie's Warrior.

But the local runner with good recent form triumphed. American Theorem was coming off a victory in the seven-furlong Triple Bend Stakes (G2) May 29 at Santa Anita. In that race, he defeated Principe Carlo by a nose while favored Brickyard Ride  ran unplaced. 

Prior to the Triple Bend, American Theorem's best stakes effort had been a second in the 1 1/16-mile American Pharoah Stakes (G1) as a 2-year-old in 2019. Earlier this year, he ran unplaced in three stakes around two turns, including the 1 1/4-mile Santa Anita Handicap Presented by Yaamava' Resort & Casino (G1)

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

Mighty Renee's offspring have done well at Del Mar. The mare's 2009 filly by Stormy Atlantic , Mighty Caroline , won the 2011 Sorrento Stakes (G3) there, while her 2010 filly by After Market , Renee's Queen , won the 2012 Oak Tree Juvenile Fillies Turf Stakes at the seaside oval. Mighty Renee has also produced stakes winner Cyclogenisis  and stakes-placed Viel Spass.

Sierra Farm bought Mighty Renee, in foal to Stormy Atlantic, for $270,000 at The November Sale in 2011 at Fasig-Tipton from Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency. It is the family of 1987 Spinaway Stakes (G1) and Matron Stakes (G1) winner Over All , the third dam of American Theorem.

The next major sprint race in California is the seven-furlong Aug. 27 Pat O'Brien Stakes (G2), a race that can lure some Bing Crosby starters without extended sprint distance limitations. The Pat O'Brien is a "Win and You're In" Challenge race for the Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1), also Nov. 5 at Keeneland. 

Video: Bing Crosby S. (G1)