What a View ends stakes drought with Crystal Water

ARCADIA, Calif. - What a View and jockey Tyler Baze became a team for the first time last fall, finishing last of 14 in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita.

The results have improved noticeably this year.

What a View was second in three consecutive stakes, including two graded stakes in February and March. Saturday at Santa Anita, What a View won his first stakes in 13 months in the $98,000 Crystal Water Stakes for California-bred turf milers.

“Every time I’ve ridden him I’ve learned more about him,” Baze said. “I know he can go fast. He was ready for today.”

What a View ($3) led throughout the Crystal Water, winning by a length in 1:33.24 over 8-5 Pee Wee Reese. Smokey Image was third, followed by Grazen Sky. Burnaroundtheedges was scratched in favor of a race next week, trainer Kenny Black said.

What a View set fractions of 22.59 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 46 for a half-mile. What a View led by as many as two lengths on the turn and was in front by 1 1/2 lengths with a furlong remaining.

“I didn’t think I’d get that easy of a lead,” Baze said.

What a View was sixth in the Grade 1 Maker’s 46 Mile at Keeneland on April 14 and is likely to race at that level again for his next start in the $400,000 Shoemaker Mile here June 3.
Owned by the partnership of Finish Line Racing, the family of the late Bud Johnston, and Taste of Victory Stable, What a View has won 7 of 20 starts and earned $824,326. Trained by Black, What a View has won three stakes, notably the Grade 1 Frank Kilroe Mile in March, 2016.