American Theorem surprises with Triple Bend triumph

ARCADIA, Calif. – The longshot winner of the Grade 2 Triple Bend Stakes on Sunday at Santa Anita deserves accolades for his first career stakes win, but two key subplots eclipse American Theorem’s $28 upset in the seven-furlong sprint.

First is the disappointing fifth-place finish by odds-on favorite Brickyard Ride, whose bid to win his fifth straight stakes race ended at the quarter pole. Hounded through a blazing 44.09-second half, fastest of the meet for seven furlongs, Brickyard Ride surrendered into the lane.

The additional Triple Bend backstory concerns the amazing runner-up finish by Principe Carlo. He pressed Brickyard Ride through blistering fractions, disposed of the favorite at the top of the stretch, dug in through the lane, but got nailed. Principle Carlo won the battle, but lost the war. By a nose.

In the end, it was American Theorem and jockey Joe Bravo winning the Triple Bend with a perfect trip tucked fourth behind the speed. The 5-year-old son of American Pharoah, trained by red-hot George Papaprodomou, rallied outside to win in 1:22.17.

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The win marked an unexpected return to form for American Theorem, whose previous claim to fame was a runner-up finish in the Grade 1 American Pharoah in fall 2019. American Theorem, owned by Kretz Racing, entered the Triple Bend off three successive double-digits losses in which he finished last or next to last.

“We’ve been trying him long and he’s been involved with fast paces and it didn’t work out,” Papaprodomou said. The cutback to one turn worked wonders.

American Theorem, now 3 for 11, benefitted by circumstances. Bravo kept him fourth behind the hot pace, swung wide into the lane, and won by a nose over Principe Carlo. Get Her Number finished 3 1/4 lengths back in third, followed by Exaulted, Brickyard Ride and Elector.

The win continued a hot streak for Papaprodomou, who came back one race after the Triple Bend to score with 12-1 longshot winner Balladeer, making Papaprodomou 7 for 15 the past eight days.

Brickyard Ride’s trainer Craig Lewis was unable to provide immediate answers for the favorite’s off-the-board finish. “Juan (Hernandez) said he switched leads down the backside, and just didn’t seem to try like he usually does.

“You know why good horses get beat?” Lewis asked rhetorically. “It’s because something is wrong with them physically. It’s so hard to maintain soundness and be 100 percent every time they run.”

Lewis will monitor Brickyard Ride’s condition before making plans for a summer campaign. He appeared fine walking off the track.

As for runner-up Principle Carlo, trained by Librado Barocio, he ran too good to lose. Claimed for $20,000 in fall 2020, the 6-year-old California-bred has since won two races and $187,400 from six starts.

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