Breaking from Santa Anita: Skippylongstocking Out of the Big ‘Cap After Flight Removal
By AJ Johnson
In a development that’s rattled handicappers and casual fans alike, Skippylongstocking, fresh off his dramatic Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup triumph at Gulfstream Park, will not be lining up in Saturday’s Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap.
The 7-year-old bay, trained by Saffie A. Joseph Jr. and owned by Daniel Alonso, was scratched from the historic Californian classic after being removed from his flight to California, effectively nixing plans for his return to the West Coast.
Why This Matters
This isn’t just another scratch — this is one of the most consequential withdrawals in a major American handicap in recent memory.
Skippylongstocking burst onto the national scene with a career-defining performance in January, rallying to win the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) under Tyler Gaffalione, upsetting several marquee rivals and banking over $1.6 million for his connections.
Going back to Santa Anita — where he had previously scored a graded stakes triumph in the Hollywood Gold Cup — had been one of his major spring targets. That plan now evaporates.
What This Means for the Santa Anita Handicap Field
His withdrawal reshapes a race that already carried plenty of intrigue.
Skippylongstocking had been a marquee headliner in the Big ‘Cap entry list alongside horses like Westwood and others who had been set to take a crack at the 1¼-mile test. Without him, the dynamics shift significantly — and the wagering pools and pace scenarios could look very different on Saturday.
For fans, bettors, and casual observers alike, this scratch serves as a reminder that in racing, logistics and travel issues can be just as influential as form charts and gallop times. Whether it’s a late-season plan or a transcontinental trip, these finely tuned equine athletes often dictate their own destinies — sometimes before the starting gate even opens.
