Subsanador opts for San Pasqual over Pegasus World Cup

ARCADIA, Calif. – Subsanador, a three-time Group 1 winner in Argentina in the last two years, will start in the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes on Jan. 27 at Santa Anita instead of the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park the same day, trainer John Sadler said Sunday.

“I think I’ll keep him here,” Sadler said.

Subsanador finished fourth by 3 1/4 lengths in his American debut in the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on Dec. 26 at Santa Anita. Sent off as the 6-5 favorite in a field of five, Subsanador raced between horses and was no threat to race winner Newgrange in the stretch.

“It wasn’t a trip he liked, between horses,” Sadler said.

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Subsanador was on the first list of invited runners for the $3 million Pegasus World Cup issued Jan. 3.

Newgrange is a candidate for the Pegasus World Cup, trainer Phil D’Amato said Sunday. The $200,000 San Pasqual Stakes at 1 1/8 miles is another possibility, D’Amato said.

The San Pasqual Stakes is a goal for the 4-year-old colt Mr Fisk, who has won his last two starts in stakes at Del Mar for trainer Bob Baffert – a dead heat with Tahoe Sunrise in the Shared Belief Stakes at a mile in September and the Grade 3 Native Diver Stakes at 1 1/8 miles in his last start Nov. 26.

Arabian Knight, fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita in November, is currently with Baffert but does not have a race target, the trainer said.

“He’s just chilling,” Baffert said. “We’re giving him a freshening.”

Arabian Knight, 4, won the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar last September.

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