Subsanador outbattled a high-profile trio of Bob Baffert-trained contenders to emerge victorious for trainer Richard Mandella in a thrilling inaugural running of the $1 million Grade 1 California Crown Stakes presented by SirDavis American Whisky at Santa Anita Park Sept. 28.

Mandella, who knows how to win big races in front of the world, did it dramatically this time as Subsanador swooped in and bravely fought for the head victory over runner-up National Treasure, who was a nose in front of third-place Newgate in a three-way win photo.

National Treasure went to the front early and was responsible for most of the fractions, beginning with the first quarter mile in :22.89. Jockey 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.

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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. Subsanador had to gut it out between horses as the trio strived for the wire together. It took a photo to show Subsanador the winner. He stopped the timer in 1:48.68 while paying $14.20 for a $2 win bet.

Baffert brought 3-year-old Muth and 4-year-olds National Treasure and Newgate to the 1 1/18-mile California Crown, with Grade 1 Arkansas Derby winner Muth going off as the 3-2 favorite over 2023 Preakness winner and 2024 Grade 1 Hill 'N' Dale Metropolitan Handicap winner National Treasure at 8-5.

Subsanador, owned by Wathnan Racing, was coming off a 1 1/2-length victory in the Aug. 17 Grade 3 Philip H. Iselin Stakes at Monmouth Park. Mandella has trained 5-year-old since late last year after Subsanador had begun his racing career competing in his native Argentina in 2022 and 2023.

"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 was a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series "Win and You're In" race, giving Subsanador an automatic berth to the $7 million Longines Breeders' Cup Classic. Mandella mentioned both the Classic and the Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile as possibilities for Subsanador.

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 Pegasus World Cup Day in south Florida. Popular singers, celebrity chefs, and skydivers entertained the 21,812 in attendance. The California Crown saved its biggest celebrity for the winner's circle celebration when none other than Cher joined Belinda Stronach of 1/ST Racing.

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."

Johannes, First Peace, Cabo Spirit Headline California Crown Undercard

A trio of exciting finishes enlivened the inaugural California Crown undercard Sept. 28 at Santa Anita.

First Peace darted up the rail to win the Grade 2 California Crown Eddie D. Stakes presented by FanDuel, and later Johannes was victorious in the Grade 2 $200,000 City of Hope Mile Stakes presented by MyRacehorse. Earlier on the card, longshot Cabo Spirit kicked-off the day's Graded stakes action with a win in the Grade 2 $750,000 California Crown John Henry Turf Championship Stakes presented by 1/ST BET.

Johannes won the City of Hope Mile. (Alex Evers/Eclipse Sportswire)

The City of Hope Mile went to Johannes, the odds-on favorite under jockey Umberto Rispoli, who collared frontrunning Conclude and exchanged mild bumps before drawing off to win in the final race on the 10-race program. Almendares got second and Conclude ran on for third.

The victory earned Johannes a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series "Win and You're In" spot in the FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile presented by PDJF Nov. 2 at Del Mar.

Johannes now is 4-for-4 this year for trainer Tim Yakteen. He has won seven of 11 lifetime starts, all six starts on the Santa Anita turf, and all four starts at one mile on the turf.

Two races earlier, First Peace and regular rider Mike Smith won the Eddie D. Stakes after squeezing through the narrowest of holes along the rail early in the stretch run and shooting right to the lead to win by 1 1/2 lengths ahead of runner-up Air Force Red.

Mike Smith had a big day. (Tim Sudduth/Eclipse Sportswire)

First Peace seemed a logical choice for the run down the unique Santa Anita hillside turf sprint course. In five previous trips down the hill, he'd posted two wins and three seconds, all of the runner-up finishes by narrow margins.

At the top of the stretch, the Eddie D. looked like more of a challenge as First Peace was caught on the inside behind the tiring leaders. Seeking a sliver of daylight, Smith guided his mount right up against the rail and got through.

"We got the dream trip," Smith said. "I knew this horse didn't want to go to the front. I knew he was going to finish strong. He's got some kind of turn of foot. He turned it on at the end."

"Mike put a perfect ride on him," said winning trainer Mark Glatt. "That's why they call him 'Big Money Mike'."

In the first Graded stakes of the day in the $750,000 John Henry Turf Championship, it was longshot Cabo Spirit who went unchallenged on the lead and was able to go wire-to-wire to get the upset win atop an 11-horse field with jockey Abel Cedillo aboard for trainer George Papaprodromou. -- Bob Kieckhefer