Cautious Giant to skip Santa Anita Handicap after 'flat' training session

ARCADIA, Calif. – Cautious Giant, who was claimed for $62,500 on March 2, was withdrawn from consideration for Saturday’s Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap on Wednesday after he failed to train well that morning, owner Ron Paolucci and trainer Bob Hess Jr. said.

Cautious Giant was supplemented to the Big Cap for $15,000 last Saturday.

“He was a little sluggish when he went to the track,” Paolucci said. “If he wasn’t perfect, I won’t run him. I thought he had a shot.”

In a text message, Hess described Cautious Giant as “flat” in a morning gallop.

Cautious Giant, a 6-year-old gelding by Giant’s Causeway, was expected to set the pace on behalf of Imperative, who is co-owned by Paolucci.

Paolucci said Cautious Giant was entered for the Big Cap early Wednesday morning, and that he later withdrew the entry. Cautious Giant has won 4 of 24 starts and earned $297,190. He was third in two Grade 2 stakes for sprinters last year – the Palos Verdes Stakes in February and the Kona Gold Stakes in May.

The $750,000 Big Cap is run at 1 1/4 miles on dirt. The race is led by Midnight Storm, the winner of the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes on Jan. 1, and Shaman’s Ghost, the winner of the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes at Belmont Park last September.

Paolucci said Cautious Giant will be considered for the Grade 2 Commonwealth Stakes at seven furlongs at Keeneland on April 8.