After disappointing effort in Pacific Classic, Mandella will lower sights with Subsanador

Subsanador beat one rival in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar on Aug. 22, leaving trainer Richard Mandella unable to explain why the 2024 Grade 1 winner was uncompetitive in the feature race of the summer for older horses in California.

Subsanador, owned by Wathnan Racing, raced at the back of the field in the Pacific Classic at 1 1/4 miles, his fourth consecutive loss since returning from an 18-month layoff in late March.

“I’m having trouble getting him interested in racing again,” Mandella said on Friday.

“I have no big plans. We’ve gotten him back galloping and he looks perfect. He looks fine out of the race.

“I’ll take time to build up his confidence.”

:: Play to Win at Del Mar! Get DRF Past Performances, Expert Picks and Clocker Reports

Mandella said Subsanador will not be considered for the Grade 1 Goodwood Stakes at 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita on Sept. 26.

“We’ll forget all that stuff,” Mandella said. “It would be nice to find an easier spot.”

The $300,000 Goodwood Stakes is the leading race for 3-year-olds and older horses at the Santa Anita fall meeting.

In 2024, Subsanador won the equivalent of the Goodwood, the $1 million California Crown Stakes, which was part of an extensively promoted day of leading stakes at Santa Anita. The 2024 running was the only time the race was titled the California Crown and had a seven-figure purse.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.