American Theorem will make seasonal debut in the Rebel Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – American Theorem, unraced since a second-place finish in the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes at Santa Anita last September, will have his 3-year-old debut in the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park on March 14.

Trainer George Papaprodromou said on Wednesday that he considered starting American Theorem in Saturday’s Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita, but wanted to wait an additional week.

“I wanted to give him one more work,” Papaprodromou said. “I want to make sure he’s 100 percent.”

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Tiago Pereira is booked to ride American Theorem in the Rebel Stakes, which is run at 1 1/16 miles. American Theorem races for Rustin Kretz.

In the American Pharoah Stakes, American Theorem was beaten six lengths by Eight Rings, who was later sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile here. Wednesday, Eight Rings worked six furlongs from the gate in 1:11.80, his fourth workout in the last month. Trainer Bob Baffert said he does not have a comeback race selected for Eight Rings.