New challenge for What a View

ARCADIA, Calif. – Five weeks after a hard-fought win in the Grade 3 American Stakes at a mile on turf, the 7-year-old What a View will be asked to do something he has never done in Saturday’s Grade 2 Charles Whittingham Stakes at Santa Anita – start at 1 1/4 miles on turf.

The assignment is achievable from trainer Kenny Black’s point of view.

“I believe my horse is training and acting as good as I’ve ever had him,” Black wrote in a text message Sunday. “He should be sitting on a big race.”

What a View would surpass $1 million in earnings with a victory in the $200,000 Whittingham. A win would be well earned. The list of probable starters is led by Its in the post, who won three consecutive Grade 2 stakes here from early January to late March before finishing third as the 2-1 favorite in the Grade 2 Elkhorn Stakes on April 21 at Keeneland.

The same day, What a View won the American Stakes, taking his customary position at the front and winning by a neck over Colonist, a candidate for Monday’s Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile here.

Black had considered running What a View in the Shoemaker Mile or the $100,000 Crystal Water Stakes for statebreds Sunday before finalizing plans for the Whittingham.

What a View has run well at 1 1/8 miles on turf against statebred company, winning the California Cup Turf Classic in January 2016 and finishing second in the same race in 2017.

The Whittingham Stakes has a projected field of six, including A Red Tie Day, Frank Conversation, Kenjisstorm, and Syntax.

Kenjisstorm worked five furlongs in 1:01.80 on the infield training track Sunday. Kenjisstorm was second in an optional claimer at 1 1/4 miles on turf in 2016 in his only other start at the distance. At the time, Kenjisstorm was trained by Steve Knapp. He is now trained by Phil D’Amato.

“He acts like a mile and a quarter should be okay for him, especially with his breeze” Sunday, D’Amato said.

The Whittingham Stakes will be joined on the Saturday card by two Grade 1 stakes, the Gold Cup at Santa Anita and the Gamely Stakes. The Gold Cup at Santa Anita at 1 1/4 miles is expected to be led by Accelerate, winner of the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap on March 10, and Dr. Dorr, winner of the Grade 2 Californian Stakes on April 28.

The Gamely Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles on turf will have a small field likely to include Beau Recall, who won the Grade 2 Royal Heroine Stakes at a mile on turf April 7, and Uni, a two-time stakes winner in New York for trainer Chad Brown.

There is racing on Monday, Memorial Day, at Santa Anita. The program will be highlighted by the Grade 1, $400,000 Shoemaker Mile on turf.

Next step for Catalina Cruiser

Catalina Cruiser won an optional claimer Saturday at Santa Anita to remained unbeaten in two starts, both sprints, and will stretch out to two turns in his next few starts, trainer John Sadler said.

On Saturday, in his first start of the year, Catalina Cruiser led throughout going six furlongs under Drayden Van Dyke and won by 2 1/4 lengths. He was timed in 1:08.64 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 101. Owned by Pete and Kosta Hronis, Catalina Cruiser won a maiden race last October.

“He’s a very talented horse,” Sadler said.

“He’s a big horse. Hopefully, we can get a series of races. He needs some schooling.”

Sadler said Catalina Cruiser could start in the $75,000 Harry Brubaker Stakes at a mile Aug. 22 at Del Mar. The race could be a springboard to graded stakes in the fall.

Smith to serve two days

Jockey Mike Smith, who rides Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Justify, will serve two days of suspension this week for careless riding May 6 at Santa Anita.

Smith was to serve a fourday suspension last ThursdaySunday, but he sat out only Thursday and Sunday and rode in graded stakes at Pimlico on Friday and Saturday. Smith won the Preakness on Saturday aboard Justify.

Under California racing rules, jockeys are allowed to ride graded stakes while under suspension for routine infractions as long as they serve the days at a later date.

Smith will serve the suspension days this Friday and Saturday.

BENOIT PHOTO What a View wins the Grade 3 American Stakes on April 21 in his typical wire-to-wire fashion.