Subsanador Earns Spot at Breeders’ Cup in Del Mar with Upset at California Crown

Subsanador won the inaugural $1 million California Crown by a head over two Bob Baffert-trained colts in a photo finish at Santa Anita on Saturday.

The Argentine-bred chestnut ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.68. National Treasure was second and Newgate was another nose back in third on a day that featured top-level racing in an effort to boost the sagging sport in California.

“Racing needs these things to succeed,” winning trainer Richard Mandella said. “Racing has gotten too everyday and so to make a big day and get excitement going, that’s what we need to do. Get people back in here.”

The victory landed Mandella and fellow Hall of Famer, jockey Mike Smith, in the winner’s circle, where Cher was part of the trophy presentation in front of 21,812 spectators.

Subsanador earned an automatic entry to the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar in November. Mandella said the colt would likely be pointed toward that race at the two-day world championships.

“We’ve never had him in a tight situation like that. I didn’t know how he’d react,” Mandella said. “I was very proud that he kept trying. Can’t give Mike enough credit for the way he rode him.”

Subsanador paid $14.20 to win as the third choice in the field of six that included three Baffert horses. His other entry, 3-2 favorite Muth, finished last. Baffert has won the California Crown eight times, when it known by other names and run at Santa Anita and the old Hollywood Park.

“We just got beat,” Baffert said. “Muth didn’t bring his ‘A’ game. He just didn’t fire. The other two horses ran their hearts out.”

Subsanador stalked National Treasure along the inside through both turns and went two-wide into the stretch. Smith went to a left-handed whip at the eighth pole and Subsanador dug in to overtake National Treasure approaching the wire.

“Once we got by Newgate, he thought the race was over and I had to gather myself and get him going again,” Smith said. “He has a tendency to think the race is over. I’ve got to give Richard Mandella credit. He’s got this horse so confident, he think he owns the place.”

The California Crown purse was tripled in value by 1/ST Racing, the parent company of Santa Anita, in an attempt to replicate the Pegasus World Cup held in South Florida in January.

In other races:

• Cabo Spirit, a 24-1 shot, led all the way in winning the $750,000 California Crown John Henry Turf Championship by a length. Ridden by Abel Cedillo, he ran 1 1/4 miles in 2:01.26 and paid $51.20 to win. There Goes Harvard was second and Master Piece was another head back in third.
• First Peace, also ridden by Smith, won the $750,000 California Crown Eddie D Stakes by 1 1/2 lengths. He ran 6 1/2 furlongs on the hillside turf course in 1:11.56. Sent off as the 9-5 favorite in the field of 11, First Peace paid $5.80 to win. Air Force Red was second and Britain-bred King of Gosford was third.