No one can blame Mike Smith for being exuberant in his praise for Subsanador, who edged a pair of Bob Baffert horses in winning the $1 million California Crown (G1) on Saturday at Santa Anita Park.
“I truly think he’s King Kong,’’ Smith said as he led the robust Argentine-bred to with winner’s circle after beating National Treasure by a head with Newgate a nose further back in the marquee race at the inaugural California Crown Day that featured three other graded stakes races.
Subsanador, trained by Hall of Famer Richard Mandella, stalked pacesetter National Treasure along the inside through both turns and went two wide in the stretch. Smith went to a left-handed whip at the eighth pole and the 5-year-old chestnut 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 thinks he owns the place.”
He sure did on Saturday, returning $14.20 on a $2 win bet. The victory earned Subsanador a fees-paid automatic berth in the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on Nov. 2 at Del Mar.
Muth, the 3-2 favorite also trained by Baffert, finished last of six, with the trainer saying his Arkansas Derby (G1) winner didn’t “bring his A game.’’
As for National Treasure and Newgate, he said: “We just got beat ... [They] ran their hearts out.”
In the other “Win and You’re In’’ race at Santa Anita, Johannes ($3.60) is now 4-0 after winning the $200,000 City of Hope Mile for a fees-paid automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1).
Ridden by Umberto Rispoli, the 4-year-old Nyquist colt won by 1 ¼ lengths over Almendares.
Said trainer Tim Yakteen: “We got a great trip. It was rather uneventful. We just had to sweat out the inquiry a little. I’m thrilled with the effort. That’s seven out of eight since we went to the turf and Umberto has done a great job.”
In two previous starts for new owners Wathnam Racing and Mandella, Subsanador was fourth in the Hollywood Gold Cup (G2) in May before shipping to Monmouth Park and winning the Philip H. Iselin (G3) on Aug. 17.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
