West Hills Giant eyes General George Handicap for next start

The New York-bred West Hills Giant has been nominated to several stakes on this circuit but is likely to make his next start Feb. 16 in the Grade 3, $250,000 General George Handicap at Laurel Park.

Trainer John Terranova said he prefers the seven-furlong distance of the General George to options at six furlongs or two-turn races at a mile and 1 1/16 miles available to him in New York.

“We’re toying with the idea of the General George,” Terranova said. “It’s a perfect distance for him and a good purse.”

West Hills Giant is only 1 for 10 on dirt and has not won since being placed first by the stewards in a turf stakes at Saratoga in August 2013.

In his last 10 starts, he has finished second or third six times, including a third-place finish in the Alex M. Robb at 1 1/16 miles Dec. 31.