Gift Box bypassing Saudi Cup; Higher Power will 'bounce back'

Photo: Benoit

Hronis Racing’s multiple graded stakes winner Gift Box figures to forego the inaugural $20 million Saudi Cup

to defend his victory in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1).

Trainer John Sadler said he’s “leaning toward staying home” after the 7-year-old son of Twirling Candy was listed Wednesday as one of 11 contenders in the Feb. 29 Saudi Cup. The Big ‘Cap, which carries a $600,000 purse, runs a week later on March 7.

“He’s a little bit older,” Sadler said. “We thought the best campaign for him would be here domestically. We looked at (the Saudi Cup) and it was attractive because of the money, obviously, but we think what’s best for the horse is to keep him here.”

Gift Box, a former Chad Brown trainee purchased privately by his current connections, is 3-for-5, all in graded stakes company, since the barn switch. His wins also include back-to-back editions of the San Antonio Stakes (G2) on opening day at Santa Anita.

Returning from a six-month layoff, the gray horse took them all the way in the Dec. 28 San Antonio to earn a 107 Beyer Speed Figure. He has posted four works since then, most recently breezing a half mile Sunday in 49.60 seconds.

Don’t expect to see Higher Power, last as the betting favorite in the Jan. 25 Pegasus World Cup (G1), heading overseas this spring, either. Sadler said the 5-year-old son of Medaglia d’Oro, who had hit the board in three straight Grade 1 events, exited the Pegasus sick. “He came back from Florida and his bloodwork showed that he had an infection going on,” Sadler said. “We had to wait that out for about seven days. The blood has returned to normal.” Higher Power, another for Hronis Racing, came to Sadler after fetching $250,000 at Keeneland’s April sale. Switched from turf to dirt, he rolled to a victory in Del Mar’s Pacific Classic (G1) to establish himself as a top older horse in California, where he was also third in the Awesome Again (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Classic. “He didn’t travel that well,” Sadler said of the Pegasus. “We’ve never shipped him anywhere. I don’t think he’s ever been on a plane before. It wasn’t right for him. We put him in a nuclear scan (Tuesday) to check his bones. Results with that shows all is good. “

Sadler fully expects Higher Power to return to his normal self soon. “He’ll be back in training in the next couple of days,” the trainer said. “I know he’s going to bounce back. We’ll have plenty of time to right the ship and get a lot done this year. He’d been running well and he’s a nice horse.”