ARCADIA, Calif. – Trainer Richard Mandella knew that his 5-year-old Subsanador was surrounded in the Grade 1, $1 million California Crown, facing three Bob Baffert runners. “Like the cowboy looked up on that hill and said, 'who are all those Indians?' " Mandella said. Mandella won the battle Saturday at Santa Anita, where Subsanador ($14.20) upset Baffert trainees National Treasure and Newgate in three-horse photo finish to earn a fees-paid berth into the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 2 at Del Mar. Subsanador benefitted from a ground-saving ride under Mike Smith, winning the 1 1/8-mile race in 1:48.68 by a head over National Treasure. Newgate rallied wide for a promising third-place comeback, a nose back. The third Baffert entrant, 1.50-1 favorite Muth, finished last in the field of six. :: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets. “You got me,” Baffert said to Mandella in a congratulatory handshake. The California Crown, previously called the Awesome Again, was the richest race Saturday on the inaugural California Crown program with five stakes and live entertainment by musical acts including Shaboozey. In terms of sheer excitement, California Crown day and race both delivered. Ontrack attendance was 21,812 according to Santa Anita. “Racing needs these things to succeed,” Mandella said. “I can’t say enough praise for them putting on such a show. Racing has gotten too ‘everyday.’ To make a big day and get excitement going, that’s what we need to do. “It’s kind of boring to just be standing next to Baffert rooting for your horse. It’s not that much fun,” Mandella said. Mandella was having fun after the race, joking that the race unfolded “exactly” as expected. “We planned this out, I knew he had it every step of the way,” he said. He was kidding. Subsanador did not have it won until he hit the wire. Subsanador tucked fourth on the rail and saved ground every step of the way while National Treasure set modest fractions of 47.19 and 1:11.26. At the top of the stretch, Smith took Subsanador outside National Treasure while Newgate rallied wide. No one knew who would win until the three hit the wire together. It was Subsanador by a head in 1:48.68, earning a 102 Beyer Speed Figure.  Subsanador had an eventful few months before winning the California Crown. He bled in his U.S. debut for trainer John Sadler, was later sold to Wathnan Racing and moved to Mandella. The 5-year-old finished a flat fourth in the Grade 2 Gold Cup at Santa Anita, then was scratched from the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar due to a medication mistake. But he bounced back in the Grade 3 Philip Iselin at Monmouth, winning by 1 1/2 lengths on Aug. 17. Since then, Smith worked him multiple times. “I don’t have jockeys work that much, but this horse … he’s got his [idiosyncrasies],” Mandella said. "[Smith] gets along with him really well. I just thought I’d keep it going.” The jockey’s familiarity with Subsanador paid dividends. "I knew we would probably be in the pocket the way the race would set up with National Treasure probably going to show the speed," Smith said. "Muth would sit to the outside and that would leave me in the pocket. "My horse doesn't mind being in there. I found that out the other day when I rode him. I wasn't concerned, I was just concerned if I'd get him out in time. He tends to wait.” Before the race, Mandella was not sure if the BC Classic was a possibility, or if he would settle for a shot at the Dirt Mile. After the California Crown victory, he said Subsanador’s target is “probably the Classic.” The two-three finishers trained by Baffert also are headed to the Breeders’ Cup. National Treasure to the Dirt Mile, Newgate to the Classic and Muth back to the drawing board. “Muth didn’t show up,” Baffert acknowledged. “Newgate, he had to come way wide, he should move forward off of that. Treasure, we know he’s a miler. That was thrilling, unfortunately I was on the wrong end of it. But it was a thrilling race.” Katonah finished seven lengths behind Negwate in fourth, followed by Senor Buscador and Muth. Indispensable was scratched and is entered in the Grade 3 Oklahoma Derby on Sunday at Remington Park. Santa Anita announced that the handle was $17,907,293. – additional reporting by Steve Andersen :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.