Salutos Amigos skipping General George Handicap

Trainer David Jacobson called an audible Friday morning and decided not to enter Salutos Amigos in the $250,000 General George Handicap on Monday at Laurel Park.

Salutos Amigos would have been favored in the Grade 3 General George off his impressive come-from-behind victory last Saturday in the Toboggan Stakes at Aqueduct. Salutos Amigos made up four lengths in the final furlong of the Toboggan to overpower the front-running Dads Caps in deep stretch and win by 1 3/4 lengths. He earned a 108 Beyer Speed Figure.

Jacobson said he was concerned about the extremely cold temperatures predicted for this weekend.

“Because of the cold, I don’t think I’m going to be able to train him this weekend, and I’m not comfortable running him back in Maryland on nine days’ rest if I can’t go to the track with him,” Jacobson said. “He’s been such a good horse for us, and I have such high hopes for the future, I don’t want to take any chances with him.”

Jacobson said the next major objective for Salutos Amigos will be either the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen at Meydan on March 28 or the Grade 1 Carter at Aqueduct on April 4. Salutos Amigos may have a prep race in the interim.

Jacobson will be represented in the General George by Big Business, who Jacobson said has been “training right along and is ready to go.” Irad Ortiz Jr. has been named to ride.

:: GENERAL GEORGE: Get PPs, watch Monday’s Laurel Park card live