What a View will try to show them his heels
ARCADIA, Calif. – What a View will have an unobstructed view of nine rivals Thursday at Santa Anita. He leaves from the outside post – No. 10 of 10 – in a one-mile turf allowance for California-breds in race 7.
It is not the post trainer Kenny Black wanted, although he and What a View are growing accustomed to making the most of a raw deal.
What a View overcame an outside draw Aug. 16 at Del Mar, breaking from post 11 of 12 in a one-mile turf race for California-bred maidens. He sprinted to the lead, set a fast pace, and ran them off their feet. It was only his fourth start.
Black entered What a View in a California-bred allowance for his next start Sept. 2. The gelding was the program favorite but got stuck on the also-eligible list and did not draw in.
With time running out at Del Mar and facing three weeks at Los Alamitos, where there is no turf racing, Black entered What a View in an open, first-level allowance. Despite jumping a condition, he went favored at 4-1. He finished sixth, beaten three lengths.
On Thursday at Santa Anita, What a View is back where he fits – a first-condition California-bred allowance. What a View is fast enough to make the lead despite the outside post, and he’s the likely favorite to race gate to wire under Kent Desormeaux.
The turf rails are at 24 feet. Both front-running winners at this meet at a mile on turf were with the rails positioned at 15 or 24 feet. The small sample supports the idea that What a View will not be compromised by the configuration.
The least experienced runner in the field, with one win from five starts, What a View is the choice. If he falters, nine rivals will be rolling late. Finding the winner among those closers is difficult.
KEY CONTENDERS
What a View
(Last 3 Beyers: 83-85-77)
◗ Black, a former jockey, officially took over trainer Don Warren’s stable when Warren retired this summer. Black has won with four of his last 14 starters.
◗ What a View is a 4-year-old gelding by California sire Vronsky, who stood the 2015 breeding season at Old English Rancho. The stallion’s top earner is Norvsky ($616,444). Hopes are high for a lightly raced 3-year-old by Vronsky named Acceptance, a 3-for-4 stakes winner nearing his comeback for Black.
It Is Living Water
(Last 3 Beyers: 81-79-85)
◗ Peter Miller trains It Is Living Water, who won at this condition during the summer Del Mar meet and is entered Thursday for the optional $20,000 claim price.
◗ It Is Living Water drew post 2 and should get a good trip forwardly placed while saving ground under Victor Espinoza.
Durango Flier
(Last 3 Beyers: 84-79-79)
The runner-up in a California-bred, first-level allowance last out, Durango Flier is making his first start in two months. He is a deep closer.
Gab Power
(Last 3 Beyers: 75-78-73)
◗ The old man in the field at age 7, Gab Power has won 7 races from 50 starts.