What a View game winner in American Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – What a View, the 7-year-old gelding, and veteran rider Stewart Elliott both needed a win in Saturday’s Grade 3 American Stakes for turf milers at Santa Anita.

For What a View, the $100,690 American Stakes was his fourth stakes win, and first since the Crystal Water Stakes for California-bred turf milers last May.

For Elliott, best known as the rider of 2004 Horse of the Year Smarty Jones, the American was his first stakes win since Mongolian Shopper prevailed in the minor Wishing Well Stakes in February and his first graded stakes win since last May.

Elliott, 53, rode What a View for the first time in the American Stakes, and utilized his mount’s speed to control the race. What a View set a moderate pace of 23.13 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 46.42 for a half-mile before holding off a determined Colonist to win by a neck.

Kenjisstorm, the 2-1 second choice, finished third, beaten 1 3/4 lengths. The disappointment in the field was 3-2 favorite Blackjackcat, who was third in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar last November. Blackjackcat raced wide on the turn and could not threaten What a View, finishing fourth by three lengths.

What a View was timed in 1:33.80 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 93. The slower pace surprised Elliott, who expected pressure from the high-priced claimer Sawyer’s Hill.

Sawyer’s Hill “had always shown speed,” Elliott said. “I didn’t see him around.”

What a View led by 1 1/2 lengths with a quarter-mile remaining, leaving Elliott confident.

“I knew he’d keep running,” Elliott said. “They’d have to come running to get to me.”

Ritzy A.P. finished fifth, followed by Mr. Roary and Sawyer’s Hill.

What a View, by Vronsky, races for the partnership of Finish Line Racing, the family of the late Bud Johnston and Taste of Victory Stables. Kenny Black trains What a View, who has won 8 of 24 starts and earned $885,361.

What a View had his best form in 2016, winning three consecutive turf stakes at Santa Anita, including the Grade 1 Frank Kilroe Mile. What a View was seventh in the Kilroe Mile last month, setting a quick pace before fading in the stretch.