The Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes, worth $400,000, was won at Del Mar on July 30 by George Papaprodromou's American Theorem.

After running almost as quickly to the winner's circle as his mount, the passionate trainer exclaimed, "We've always believed in this horse.

American Theorem successfully handled a competitive field of sprinters in the six-furlong Bing Crosby, giving Papaprodromou his first Grade 1 victory. The Triple Crown winner, American Pharoah's son, appeared to be built for longer races, so that's where Papaprodromou initially tried him. However, American Theorem displays a lethal turn of foot at closer ranges.

When the Bing Crosby race's gates opened, Drain the Clock quickly took the lead, followed closely by Principe Carlo on his outside and Shaaz, the 1.70-1 favorite, keeping up the pace along the rail. With odds of 7-1, American Theorem broke quickly from post nine for jockey Joe Bravo, then sat off the early pacesetters.

As Drain the Clock finished the first quarter mile in 22.28, Letsgetlucky advanced to join the leaders. For position entering the turn, all four of the leaders were competing. Bravo turned to face American Theorem as he started his run and saw that he would have to send his horse around every single one.

Bravo observed, "He was really at ease and moving easily." Then, as we approached the corner, I wasn't sure I wanted to go six wide, but he had more momentum than me, so we just kept going.

American Theorem, the lone grey in the race, was decisively overtaking opponents. Since he was moving so quickly, neither the broad trip nor Bravo dropping his whip when turning was important. He promptly took the lead at the top of the Stretch and led by three lengths at one time.

Bravo stated, "I dropped my stick on the turn, and that will make you uneasy. He didn't require it, though.

Even though Get Her Number came in late, American Theorem, who won by 1 1/2 lengths and stopped the clock in 1:08.67, was never going to be caught. Get Her Number won by 4 1/4 lengths, with Letsgetlucky coming in third.

We made one run, and the race went as planned, according to Papaprodromou. "We anticipated going a little wide with the post, but it worked well."

The Bing Crosby gave American Theorem a "Win & You're In" entrance to the Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint, granting paid the automatic entry on November 5 at Keeneland and awarding Papaprodromou with his first Grade 1.

To win San Diego, Royal Ship Skips Clear in the Stretch.

Following the passing of owner Rick Porter in 2021, Fox Hill Farms scaled back operations, keeping just a small number of horses in training, including Royal Ship, a graded stakes winner owned in partnership with Siena Farm.

For instance, on July 30 at Del Mar, Royal Ship, a 6-year-old gelding, excelled for Fox Hill Farms by upsetting the $300,000 San Diego Handicap by defeating Dubai World Cup Sponsored By Emirates Airline winner Country Grammer, who was making a comeback, by 2 1/4 lengths.

With a win in the John Shear Stakes at Santa Anita Park in April and a third in the Hollywood Gold Cup Stakes on May 30, the triumph was his second in three races this year.

Although the seasoned jockey has competed in several noteworthy contests—including winning a Group 1 race in his native Brazil and defeating Country Grammer in the 2021 Californian Stakes at Santa Anita—San Saturday's Diego- likely his best effort in a career that has included 18 starts. He overcame the Grade 1 champions of Country Grammer, Mandaloun, and There Goes Harvard with remarkable ease. Theodore King