Skippylongstocking will be scratched from Big 'Cap

Skippylongstocking will be scratched from Saturday's Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap after having a problem boarding his flight to California.

Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. confirmed a Daily Racing Form that the 7-year-old "acted up" when he was boarding the flight.

Joseph told Horse Racing Nation that tranquilizing him was an option, but he didn't want to risk so close to the race because of medication regulations. "So for me, the safest decision was to take him off" the flight, he said in a text message.

Skippylongstocking came off the plan in good shape and was on his way back his Palm Meadows base.

Skippylongstocking has won 11 graded stakes, and his Pegasus World Cup in January was his first Grade 1 score.

He has been working at Palm Meadows, most recently breezing four furlongs in 48.55 seconds Friday.

"Obviously, this is a bit of a curveball and very disappointing since he was likely going to be favored and it looked like a very good spot for him to pick up another Grade 1," Joseph told DRF. 

The scratch leaves a field of six for the Santa Anita Handicap, including Bob Baffert's Getaway Car, who was second last out in the San Pascual (G2), and Just A Touch, who was second by a neck last out in the Louisiana (G3) for trainer Brad Cox.