What a View fresh and ready for California Dreamin'

DEL MAR, Calif. – What a View has established credentials among California-bred turf milers. He has won five stakes, the most recent of which was the Grade 3 American Stakes at Santa Anita in April.

Those achievements are complemented by What a View’s condition of late, which has left trainer Kenny Black confident about the 7-year-old’s chances in Saturday’s $150,000 California Dreamin’ Stakes for statebreds at Del Mar.

“If he runs to how he looks, he’ll be real tough,” Black said in the middle of the week. “He’s got dapples on his ears right now.”

What a View is part of a full field of 11 in the California Dreamin’ Stakes, run at 1 1/16 miles on turf. What a View has several formidable rivals, notably the Santa Anita sprint stakes winner Pee Wee Reese, the improving Fly to Mars, and the first three finishers of the Crystal Water Stakes for turf milers at Santa Anita on May 20 – the 10-year-old Soi Phet, B Squared, and Well Developed.

KEY CONTENDERS

What a View, by Vronsky

Last 3 Beyers: 93-97-88

◗ What a View was fourth in the Grade 2 Charles Whittingham Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on turf on May 26, setting a slow pace to early stretch before finishing 4 1/4 lengths behind the seven-time Grade 2 stakes winner Itsinthepost.

What a View ran the first six furlongs in a pokey 1:15.32, which ironically may have aided the closers, Black said.

“I thought he went too slow,” Black said. “I thought the fractions let the others stay in the race instead of spreading them out a little more.”

◗ What a View drew the rail in the California Dreamin’. He will be ridden by Kent Desormeaux for the first time since October 2016. Desormeaux has ridden What a View nine times, winning six races, including the Grade 1 Frank Kilroe Mile in 2016. Desormeaux replaces Stewart Elliott, who was aboard What a View for his last two starts.

◗ Desormeaux is likely to have What a View on or near the lead. The race should have a quick pace with runners such as Fly to Mars and Pee Wee Reese capable of leading throughout. What a View could be part of that speed duel from an inside post.

“It does force our hand,” Black said.

Pee Wee Reese, by Tribal Rule

Last 3 Beyers: 103-97-106

◗ Pee Wee Reese has not raced since winning the Joe Hernandez Stakes at Santa Anita on Jan. 1. Pee Wee Reese was third in the Grade 2 Seabiscuit Stakes here last November. Trainer Phil D’Amato said Pee Wee Reese will be ready on Saturday.

“He’s had bullet workouts on the turf course and done it so easily,” he said. “He’s so sharp right now.”

Soi Phet, by Tizbud

Last 3 Beyers: 94-92-80

◗ Soi Phet’s popularity has soared with consecutive stakes wins against statebreds in the Crystal Water and in the Bertrando Stakes at a mile on dirt at Los Alamitos on July 4. Trainer Leonard Powell cautioned on Wednesday that Soi Phet is not a definite runner, depending on how the 10-year-old fares in training leading to Saturday.

“I’m not sure I’m going to run,” Powell said. “It took a little longer to acclimate to the surroundings at Del Mar. His energy has been a bit lower than expected. The next few days will tell me.”