American Theorem starts anew at age 4

ARCADIA, Calif. – Even though he has not started since last spring, things already are looking up for American Theorem, the Grade 1-placed ridgling who returns Friday at Santa Anita.

Physical development at age 4? Check. “He looks like a different horse this year,” trainer George Papaprodromou said.

Sore shins that limited his career to three starts over two seasons? They are history. “We gave him more time this time, to make sure everything is fine,” Papaprodromou said. “Knock on wood, he’s doing great.”

Finally, Papaprodromou and American Theorem’s owner, Rustin Kretz, can look forward to a campaign that is free from the pressure of a stakes schedule. This year, for the first time, the strapping gray faces no deadlines for a specific stakes race.

American Theorem meets modest entry-level allowance sprinters in race 4 Friday, including speedsters Posterize and Rayray as well as Wrecking Crew, multiple Grade 1-placed and gelded since his last start. Exaulted is a maiden with the highest recent speed figure in the field. Route-to-sprint comebacker Mongolian Legend will rally late in the seven-furlong race.

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It is a field American Theorem should defeat, though Papaprodromou tried to temper expectations. “Even if I get beat, I want him to run good, come back fine, and then go from there,” he said.

But high expectations have followed American Theorem since his flashy 2019 debut at Del Mar. Racing 5 1/2 furlongs, he won the maiden race ridden out, and a month later jumped in class and stretched to a mile and a sixteenth for the Grade 1 American Pharoah at Santa Anita.

American Theorem ran well, second by six lengths, in what turned out to be a productive race. Five subsequent stakes winners finished behind American Theorem – Storm the Court, Express Train, Collusion Illusion, Shoplifted, and Fore Left.

Off the runner-up finish, the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita made sense. Then came American Theorem’s first bout with sore shins. Two weeks out, Papaprodromou pulled the plug to prepare for a 3-year-old campaign in 2020. But time was not his side. As of early spring, the Kentucky Derby was still scheduled for May.

“I don’t want to say we rushed to go for the Rebel [March 14 at Oaklawn],” the trainer said. “But 3-year-olds, we just thought you only have one chance for the Derby, so we had to go out there and see what we have, see if we can make it or not.”

American Theorem engaged in a pace duel, cracked after six furlongs, and finished seventh. “He came back fine, and we tried to get him ready again, but in his last work he went a little too fast, and his shins came back,” Papaprodromou said. “So, we backed off again, gave him more time, and so here we are – we’re back.”

Unlike his first two seasons, with implied pressure to make the Breeders’ Cup and Kentucky Derby, American Theorem is under no pressure this year to make a specific stakes race. He commenced a work pattern in late December, and has not missed a beat.

His new rider is Flavien Prat, who has been on the son of American Pharoah for each work since early January.

American Theorem got reacquainted with the starting gate Jan. 28, posting a fast 59.80 gate drill. He followed with an easy 1:01.40 work Feb. 5, after which Papaprodromou popped the question: “I asked Prat, ‘Are we ready?’ He said, ‘George, we’re ready.’ ”

So begins the comeback of American Theorem, while the Friday card also presents an opportunity for Prat to make a dent in the jockey standings. He entered the week tied for fourth in the standings with 19 wins, behind meet leader Juan Hernandez (26), Umberto Rispoli (25) and Joel Rosario (23). Abel Cedillo (19) is tied with Prat.

Prat could win a handful Friday, with potential favorites in five races, including Fly to Mars, race 1; Bye Bye Miss Pie, race 2; American Theorem; Armour Plate, race 5; and Next Revolt, race 8. Prat also rides Mucho Woman, race 3, and Tapwater, race 7.

The Friday co-feature is race 7, a mile turf allowance for fillies and mares in which On Mars is expected to be strongly favored over Moonhall Milly, She’s Our Charm, Tapwater, and Queen of God.

On Mars was compromised by a wide trip through the far turn last out in a minor stakes race, finishing fourth by 1 1/4 lengths. She drops slightly in class Friday, with a versatile running style that can adapt to the pace scenario. There is plenty of pace.

Front-runners and pace-pressers include Tapwater, Love and Peace, Miss Stormy D, and She’s Our Charm.