American Theorem bypassing Santa Anita Derby after training setback

Kretz Racing’s American Theorem, unraced since attending a sharp pace and fading March 14 in Oaklawn Park's Rebel Stakes (G2), will be forced to miss the June 6 Santa Anita Derby (G1) due to a “shin issue” similar to what knocked him out of last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

Trainer George Papaprodromou said Thursday that the ailment developed shortly after American Theorem blazed five furlongs in :58.60 during a bullet work on April 17 at Santa Anita. It was the son of American Pharoah’s third work and second bullet since checking in seventh in the Rebel won by Nadal.

“We’re going to give him some time off. His shins bothered him a little bit again,” Papaprodromou said. “We worked him on the 17th and he went in :58 -- it was probably a little too fast. One of his shins was bothering him. We’re going to work on that and then we’ll go from there.”

Santa Anita is planning to re-open for spectator-less racing on May 15. However, that's dependent on Los Angeles County lifting its “safer at home” order set to expire on that date.

Carrying a $400,000 purse, the Santa Anita Derby is expected to be led by Authentic and Honor A. P., the 1-2 finishers of the San Felipe Stakes (G2).

As for American Theorem, the early career frustrations continue. A debut winner at Del Mar last August, the gray or roan colt came right back to be a promising second to Eight Rings in the American Pharoah (G1) to earn  his Breeders’ Cup Juvenile spot.

When shin issues forced Papaprodromou to scrap those plans, American Theorem was given the winter off before shipping to Oaklawn for the 1 1/16-mile Rebel. Running off a 5 ½-month layoff, American Theorem dueled with Nadal through fractions of :22.89, :46.00 and 1:11.38 for six furlongs before tailing off and beating just one horse to the wire.