American Theorem being freshened; Cabo Spirit to Hollywood Derby

DEL MAR, Calif. – American Theorem, the California-based Grade 1 winner who became one of the circuit’s top sprinters in spring and summer, is on vacation following his eighth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.

“He’s back, he came out of the race good, we just want to give him a little time off,” trainer George Papaprodomou said. “There’s nothing coming up right now.”

Papaprodomou speculates American Theorem did not handle the Keeneland surface as well as he handles Del Mar, where he won the Grade 1 Bing Crosby, or Santa Anita, where he won the Grade 2 Triple Bend. A 5-year-old ridgling owned by Rustin Kretz, American Theorem has won four races and $601,967 from 14 starts.

“He’s staying in training next year, for sure,” Papaprodomou said. “The main plan is to bring him back and end up at the Breeders’ Cup.”

The 2023 Breeders’ Cup is Nov. 3-4 at Santa Anita.

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Cabo Spirit to Hollywood Derby

Papaprodomou and Kretz plan to start Cabo Spirit in the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby on Dec. 3 at Del Mar. The gelding’s wins this year include the Grade 3 La Jolla at Del Mar in summer and the Grade 2 Twilight Derby last month at Santa Anita.

Other candidates for the Hollywood Derby include Twilight Derby runner-up Speaking Scout, Del Mar Derby runner-up Spycatcher, East Coast-based Grade 2 winner Celestial City, and locally based Handy Dandy.

Balnikhov, winner of the Oceanside Stakes at Del Mar in summer and recently the Grade 3 Bryan Station at Keeneland, is expected to skip the Hollywood Derby and point to the Grade 2 Mathis Mile on Dec. 26 at Santa Anita.

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