Subsanador Wins Inaugural $1 Million California Crown

Subsanador secured a thrilling victory in the inaugural $1 million California Crown at Santa Anita, winning by a head in a photo finish against two Bob Baffert-trained colts, National Treasure and Newgate. The Argentine-bred horse, trained by Richard Mandella and ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, ran the 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.68, earning an automatic entry to the Breeders' Cup Classic in November. The event aimed to rejuvenate interest in horse racing, attracting over 21,000 attendees with a mix of live music, food, and competitive racing. Mandella emphasized the need for excitement in the sport, stating, 'Racing needs these things to succeed.' The victory was particularly noteworthy as favorite Muth finished last among the competitors. Subsanador's win marks a significant achievement for his team, with the horse now boasting a record of 9 wins out of 17 races.