What A View Runs Rivals Off Their Feet in Kilroe Mile

What A View Runs Rivals Off Their Feet in Frank E Kilroe Mile

By: Christopher Ado

In a stellar edition of the Gr. 1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile that featured Graded Stakes winners Om, Bal A Bali, Bolo, and Midnight Storm, it was the up and coming Golden State, California-bred gelding What A View, that sprung the 6-1 upset.

In a field that appeared to have plenty of early speed, What A View and jockey Kent Desormeaux quickly establish the role of pacesetter. Breaking on top out of the gate and shooting for the early lead, the duo was pressed by 35-1 longshot Kenjistorm through a 22.65 opening quarter and 46.25 half mile. As the field entered the far turn, Desormeaux had plenty of horse and easily kicked away from Kenjistorm after six furlongs in 1:10.17. What A View opened up a four-length lead at mid-stretch and scored his first Grade 1 victory by 3-¾ lengths in 1:35.57 over 2-1 favorite Bolo while Bal A Bali finished a nose away in third. This was What A View’s third consecutive victory this meet after capturing an Allowance N1X on December 26 and the $250,000 California Cup Turf Classic on January 30. The victory not only gave him a perfect record of three wins from as many starts over the Santa Anita turf course, but also gave trainer Kenneth Black his first Grade 1 victory.

A California-bred son of Vronsky out of the Manila mare Oceans N Mountains, jockey Kent Desormeaux commented after the race that What A View’s affinity for a turf course with some moisture in it played a big factor in his margin of victory. “He was loaded turning for home. He was enjoying himself and I think he enjoyed the soft ground. The time is incredible because the turf has a tremendous amount of give in the ground. For him to put that number up on the clock, he’s a real racehorse.”

Trainer Kenneth Black explained after the race why the dark bay has been kept on grass instead of racing on the main track. “We’ve had some issues with his feet and I just wanted to keep him on the grass. There were some really tough horses in here: Bolo, Bal a Bali and Om, so we knew we were going to have to run big to win.”

With a record of four wins and a second beaten nose in five starts together, the team of Kent Desormeaux and trainer Kenneth Black can look forward to a big year ahead for What A View with the ultimate coming in November in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.

Payouts/Order of Finish
What A View $14.00 $5.80 $3.40
Bolo —————- $3.80 $2.80
Bal A Bali —————– $2.60
Midnight Storm
Kenjisstorm
Om

$1 Trifecta $77.80
$1 Superfecta $241.60