Following in the footsteps of his father Andreas, George Papaprodromou has
been training thoroughbreds for 19 years and took over the Arcadia-based family
operation from his father in 2000. Wednesday’s victory by Ruler of
Dubai in the Graduation was George’s first in a stakes. Not just at Del
Mar. Anywhere.
Asked what he planned to do to celebrate, Papaprodromou said: “I don’t know,
but it’s going to be a long night.”
Ruler of Dubai, a 2-year-old son of Tribal Rule bred by trainer Julio
Canani, won for the second time in four career starts. He was returned to Del
Mar for the Graduation six days after finishing fourth in an allowance on July
27. Those were the gelding’s only experiences on the Del Mar Polytrack. Ruler
of Dubai, a recent $20,000 purchase by Harout Keshishian, has trained over
Santa Anita’s dirt track, shipping in only for races.
Papaprodromu said he intends to keep Ruler of Dubai in the company of
California-breds and bring him back in the $100,000 I’m Smokin Stakes on Labor
Day, Monday, September 5.