Richard Mandella knows how to win big races in front of the world. Despite the presence of three Bob Baffert powerhouses, Mandella swooped in for the inaugural $1 million California Crown Stakes (G1) Sept. 28 at Santa Anita Park with Subsanador.
He did it dramatically as well. Subsanador, who had never been "in a tight situation like that," Mandella said, had to gut it out between National Treasure on the rail and Newgate to his outside. Subsanador bravely fought for the head victory over National Treasure, who was a nose in front of Newgate.
Baffert brought 3-year-old Muth and 4-year-olds National Treasure and Newgate to the 1 1/8-mile California Crown, with Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Muth going off as the 3-2 favorite over Preakness Stakes (G1) and Metropolitan Handicap (G1) winner National Treasure at 8-5. Subsanador was the 6-1 third choice.
National Treasure went to the front early and was responsible for setting most of the fractions, beginning with the first quarter mile in :22.89. Mike Smith aboard Subsanador stalked National Treasure from the inside, while Muth and longshot Katonah engaged with them from the outside. Newgate and Senor Buscador raced behind the first quartet.
Subsanador moved up on the rail in the second turn, and then Smith angled him outside of National Treasure for the stretch drive. Newgate closed ground from the outside, setting up the battle with the three of them across the track. The trio strived for the wire together, and it took a photo to show Subsanador the winner. He stopped the timer in 1:48.68.
Subsanador, owned by Wathnan Racing, was coming off a 1 1/2-length victory in the Aug. 17 Philip H. Iselin Stakes (G3) at Monmouth Park.
"At Monmouth he never had a straw in his path—everything went well," Mandella said. "This was tight—it had him cooped up a little bit. I didn't know how he'd react, and I was very proud that he kept trying. I can't give Mike enough credit for the way he rode him."
Smith was on Subsanador for the second time in a race, following their debut together in the Iselin.
"I knew my horse could handle the pocket," Smith said. "I knew National Treasure would be the speed and Muth was outside, so I had to lay back. I've got to give Richard Mandella all the credit. He's got this horse so confident, he thinks he owns the place."
The California Crown is a "Win and You're In" race, giving Subsanador an automatic berth to the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). Mandella mentioned both the Classic and the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) as possibilities.
1/ST Racing established the California Crown by repurposing the opening Saturday of its fall meeting, whose stakes are major preps for the Breeders' Cup, and emulating what it does at Gulfstream Park in January with the Pegasus World Cup (G1). Popular singers, celebrity chefs, and skydivers entertained the 21,812 in attendance. Joining Belinda Stronach of 1/ST Racing for the California Crown winner's circle celebration was none other than singer/actress Cher.
Mandella complimented Santa Anita management for trying the new concept in California.
"Racing needs these things to succeed," the Hall of Fame trainer said. "I can't say enough praise for them putting on such a show. Racing has gotten too 'every day.' So to make a big day, get excitement going—that's what we need to do."
Mandella has trained 5-year-old Subsanador since late last year. The horse competed in his native Argentina in 2022 and 2023, winning five black-type stakes there, three of them at the group 1 level. El Mallin bred Subsanador from the Hurricane Cat mare Save the Date, who is a half sister to stakes winner Solamente Vos (Arg).
Subsanador is by Fortify, a 14-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Distorted Humor. Bred by Darley and racing for Godolphin, Fortify was a debut winner at Saratoga Race Course, ran second in the 2012 Hopeful Stakes (G2) to champion Shanghai Bobby, and an allowance winner at Aqueduct Racetrack as a 3-year-old.
Fortify was most recently listed as standing at Haras Santa Ines in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His last reported foals were born in 2023, when he sired three foals. Fortify became the leading sire in Argentina and has sired 50 stakes winners, which include five champions.
