What a View possible for Charles Whittingham Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – What a View is unlikely to try for a repeat victory in the $100,000 Crystal Water Stakes for California-bred turf milers at Santa Anita on Sunday.

Trainer Kenny Black said on Sunday that he is leaning toward starting the 7-year-old What a View in the Grade 2 Charles Whittingham Stakes, a $200,000 race at 1 1/4 miles on turf May 26, with the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile on turf May 28 a less likely option.

What a View won the Grade 3 American Stakes at a mile on turf April 21, his fifth stakes win. Owned by a partnership that includes the family of the late Bud Johnston, What a View has never raced at 1 1/4 miles but did win the California Cup Turf Classic at 1 1/8 miles in January 2016.

The candidates for the Crystal Water are led by the six-time stakes winner Ashleyluvssugar, who has not raced since August, and Rye, who won the California Cup Turf Classic in January and was third in the Grade 3 San Juan Capistrano Stakes at about 1 3/4 miles on turf April 22.

Saturday’s leading race is the $100,000 Fran’s Valentine Stakes for Cal-bred fillies and mares at a mile on turf, which may include Enola Gray, a five-time stakes winner who was fourth as the favorite in the Grade 2 Royal Heroine Stakes at a mile on turf April 7.