On to the Classic For Subsanador After California Crown

Subsanador  was bright and alert the morning after his thrilling win in the $1 million California Crown (G1) at Santa Anita Park Sept. 28.

"He's doing great. All is well," Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella said from his stable office Sept. 29.

In the inaugural California Crown going 1 1/8 miles, Subsanador and Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith prevailed by a head in a three-way photo with grade 1 winners National Treasure   and Newgate .

It was the second stakes win in a row for Subsanador, who arrived in the United States from his native Argentina late last year. Last month at Monmouth Park, the 5-year-old horse by Fortify  was a comfortable winner of the Philip H. Iselin (G3) going 1 1/16 miles.

"We saw a lot of courage yesterday," Mandella said. "He was in tight. We hadn't had him in that position before, so it was really nice to see him fight that hard."

With the California Crown victory, Subsanador earned an automatic berth to the $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) Nov. 2 at Del Mar.

"That's the plan," Mandella said of going in the 1 1/4-mile Classic.

Subsanador, a group 1 winner on turf in Argentina, improved his overall record to 9-2-1 from 17 starts with $1,003,124 in earnings. He made his first two starts in the United States for trainer John Sadler, including finishing second by a head to Newgate in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) March 3. Subsanador was then sold privately to Qatar-based Wathnan Racing and transferred to Mandella.

Mandella, who is in his fifth decade training at Santa Anita, also offered his thoughts on the first-ever California Crown Day at Santa Anita.

"They put on a hell of a show," Mandella said. "It might take a year or two to introduce, but I think it can be a success. I was sure impressed with the effort they made."

CABO SPIRIT 'LIKELY' FOR BC TURF AFTER JOHN HENRY UPSET

Trainer George Papaprodromou did it again. Last year, the 47-year-old native of Cyprus took the John Henry Turf Championship (G2T) with loose-on-the-lead winner Balladeer . On Saturday, it was Cabo Spirit 's turn to do the same.

Sent off as a 24-1 longshot, Cabo Spirit went straight to the front under Abel Cedillo in the 1 1/4-mile John Henry and gamely held off all comers to score by a length. It was Cabo Spirit's first win since the 2022 Twilight Derby (G2T) at Santa Anita, a span of 11 straight losses.

"Abel did a great job. He got to the lead and then put them too sleep," said Papaprodomou, himself a former jockey.

Next up for Cabo Spirit, who is owned by longtime Papaprodromou client Kretz Racing, could be a crack in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) at Del Mar.

"I don't know yet," Papaprodromou said of the Breeders' Cup. "I still need to talk to the owners, but most likely."

In last year's 1 1/2-mile Breeders' Cup Turf, Balladeer under Hall of Fame jockey Victor Espinoza led until the final quarter mile before fading to finish ninth. Papaprodromou, who has saddled 322 winners in a career dating back to 2003, has never won a Breeders' Cup race.

A 5-year-old gelding by Pioneerof the Nile, Cabo Spirit is now 5-3-6 from 27 starts with $1,035,336 in earnings.

FIRST PEACE IFFY FOR BREEDERS' CUP AFTER WINNING EDDIE D

Trainer Mark Glatt reported First Peace  was doing well the morning after his sharp win under Hall of Famer Mike Smith in Saturday's California Crown Eddie D Stakes (G2T) sprinting on the hillside turf course.

"He pulled up great," Glatt said from Clockers' Corner Sunday morning.

The Eddie D was First Peace's third stakes win and first at the graded level. It also improved his record to 3-3-0 from six starts on Santa Anita's unique hillside turf course. A 4-year-old colt by Funtastic  , First Peace's previous stakes wins came in July at Del Mar in the restricted Wickerr Stakes going a mile on turf and last year's John Shear Memorial at Santa Anita on the hillside course.

First Peace improved his overall record to 5-5-2 from 15 starts with $778,520 in earnings for owners Rancho Temescal, Red Baron's Barn, and Rodney Orr.

The win by First Peace could propel him to the $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) at Del Mar Nov. 2. However, with the race being only five furlongs, Glatt indicated it was unlikely First Peace would take that path.

"I don't think so," Glatt said. "I'm not sure that really fits him best, but we'll take a look at it."