California Dreamin may be case of age before beauty
DEL MAR, Calif. – Ashleyluvssugar and What a View have been marquee names among older California-breds for several years now, with their accomplishments including multiple victories in graded stakes company.
Now age 8, and both likely best suited to racing in statebred company these days, both geldings are hoping to stave off Father Time and some young bucks Friday at Del Mar in the $150,000 California Dreamin. The 1 1/16-mile grass race for California-breds could serve as an indication of where this division is headed in coming months.
Ashleyluvssugar is in the midst of a 12-race losing streak, having not won since May 2017, but this $1.4 million earner is still a tough out. He most recently was third in the Grade 2 Whittingham going 1 1/4 miles at Santa Anita, and now returns to a course over which he has finished first or second in 5 of 9 starts.
“He usually runs a mile and an eighth or a mile and a quarter, so he should catch some gas in this race and be able to lay fourth or fifth,” said his trainer, Pete Eurton. “He hasn’t won in a while, but he’s still competitive. I’m happy with the way he looks. He’s carrying great flesh. He’s so fun. He has so much personality.”
What a View is making his first start in 49 weeks and his first since moving to the barn of trainer Phil D’Amato, but there’s still some commonality in his preparation, as his former trainer, Kenny Black, is now an assistant with D’Amato.
What a View likes the front end, and he should be fresh coming off the lengthy layoff.
“He had glue-on shoes for a long time, and you can get away with that for a while, but eventually they need time, so we gave him a good four months up at Old English Rancho,” D’Amato said. “We let his feet grow out, which is not a fast process. He’s got a good foot on him now. Since we’ve brought him back, he’s been training well.”
D’Amato also will send out Acclimate, who shortens up after winning the Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano at Santa Anita going about 1 3/4 miles on June 23 for his second straight victory. D’Amato said this race is being used as prep for Acclimate for the 1 3/8-mile Del Mar Handicap on Aug. 17.
The Hunted, who beat California Dreamin rivals Tule Fog and Brandothebartender in the Crystal Water for statebreds on April 27, just missed in an open second-level allowance last time and should be a formidable presence. At age 4, he could be the heir apparent in this division.
A field of 11 was entered in the California Dreamin, which goes as race 7 on an eight-race card that begins at 4 p.m. Pacific.
