Cougar II Handicap

The Cougar II Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually in late July/early August at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. A Grade III event open to horses age three and older, it is contested on dirt over a distance of a mile and a half (12 furlongs). The winner automatically qualified for a berth in the Breeders' Cup Marathon before that race was discontinued.

Cougar II Handicap
Grade III race
LocationDel Mar Racetrack
Del Mar, California, United States
Inaugurated1937
Race typeThoroughbred - Flat racing
Websitewww.dmtc.com
Race information
Distance​1 1⁄2 miles (12 furlongs)
SurfaceDirt
Trackleft-handed
QualificationThree-years-old & up
WeightAssigned
Purse$100,000

Inaugurated in 1937 as the Escondido Handicap, it was renamed in honor of National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame inductee Cougar II.

The race was run as an overnight stakes from 1997 to 2007. Over the years, it has been contested at various distances and occasionally in two divisions.

Three horses have won this race more than once: Dowty (1997, 1998), Big John A (1968, 1969), and Richard's Kid (2012, 2013).

Past winners
  • 2018 - Beach View (5) (2:34.02)
  • 2017 - Curlin Road (4) (2:31.74)
  • 2016 - Hard Aces (6) (2:30.55)
  • 2015 - Big John B (6) (Rafael Bejarano) (2:31.62)
  • 2014 - Irish Surf (4) (Elvis Trujillo) (2:29.01)
  • 2013 - Richard's Kid (8) (Joseph Talamo) (2:30.93)
  • 2012 - Richard's Kid (7) (Rafael Bejarano) (2:29.22) .17 off the mark set in 2011 by Bourbon Bay.
  • 2011 - Bourbon Bay (5) (Joe Talamo) (2:29.39) A new track record for the distance.
  • 2010 - Temple City (5) (2:30.46)
  • 2009 - Unusual Suspect (5) (2:31.22)
  • 2008 - Zappa (6) (2:30.53)

From 2008 until the present time, this race has been run at 12 furlongs. From 1989 to 2007, it was run at 11 furlongs.

  • 2007 - Atlando (6) (2:13.18)

Called the Escondido Handicap from inception in 1937 to 2006.

  • 2006 - Runaway Dancer (2:13.20)
  • 2005 - Lauras Lucky Boy (2:12.06) (holds the race record at this distance)
  • 2004 - Sarafan (2:12.92)
  • 2003 - Bonus Pack (2:12.50)
  • 2002 - Dance Dreamer (2:12.86)
  • 2001 - Cagney (2:14.19)
  • 2000 - Alvo Certo (2:15.23)
  • 1999 - Astarabad (2:13.74)
  • 1998 - Dowty (2:14.00)
  • 1997 - Dowty (2:15.60)
  • 1996 - Dernier Empereur (2:18.80)
  • 1995 - Varadavour (2:16.00)
  • 1994 - Sir Mark Sykes (2:13.80)
  • 1993 - Luazur (2:14.60)
  • 1992 - Navarone (2:12.40)
  • 1991 - Berillon (2:12.80)
  • 1990 - Rial (2:14.60)
  • 1989 - Brisque (2:16.00)
  • 1988 - Mazalier (1:42.40) Run at ​8 1⁄2 furlongs
  • 1987 - Captain Vigors (1:42.20) Run at ​8 1⁄2 furlongs
  • 1986 - Truce Maker (1:42.20) Run at ​8 1⁄2 furlongs
  • 1985 - NOT RUN
  • 1984 - Go Dancer (1:29.00) Run at ​7 1⁄2 furlongs FIRST DIVISION
  • 1984 - Pair of Deuces (1:28.80) Run at ​7 1⁄2 furlongs SECOND DIVISION
  • 1983 - Pin Puller (1:43.00) Run at ​8 1⁄2 furlongs
  • 1982 - Rock Softly (1:42.80) Run at ​8 1⁄2 furlongs
  • 1981 - Advocatum (Run at ​1 3⁄8 miles)
  • 1980 - Nain Bleu (Run at ​1 3⁄8 miles)
  • 1979 - Uniformity (Run at ​1 3⁄8 miles)
  • 1978 - Bywayofchicago (Run at ​8 1⁄2 furlongs)
  • 1977 - Authorization (1:43.00) Run at ​8 1⁄2 furlongs FIRST DIVISION
  • 1977 - Pike Hall (1:43.20) Run at ​8 1⁄2 furlongs SECOND DIVISION
  • 1976 - Silver Saber (1:43.60) Run at ​8 1⁄2 furlongs
  • 1975 - Buck Price (1:27 2/5) Run at ​7 1⁄2 furlongs
  • 1974 - Flighting (1:29) Run at ​7 1⁄2 furlongs on the turf FIRST DIVISION
  • 1974 - Bensadream (1:29.00) Run at ​7 1⁄2 furlongs SECOND DIVISION
  • 1973 - Tannyhill (1:49.60) Run at 9 furlongs
  • 1972 - Mongos Pride (1:49.60) Run at 9 furlongs on the turf
  • 1971 - Born Wild (1:49.60) Run at 9 furlongs on the turf
  • 1970 - Cougar II (1:49) Run at 9 furlongs
  • 1969 - Big John A (1:50.60) Run at 9 furlongs on the turf
  • 1968 - Big John A (Run at 9 furlongs on the turf) FIRST DIVISION
  • 1968 - Til Morrow (1:51.20) Run at 9 furlongs on the turf SECOND DIVISION
  • 1967 - Strawberry Drive (1:50.20) Run at 9 furlongs on the turf FIRST DIVISION
  • 1967 - Estambul (1:50.20) Run at 9 furlongs on the turf SECOND DIVISION
  • 1966 - Quicken Tree (1:50.20) Run at 9 furlongs on the turf FIRST DIVISION
  • 1966 - Amerigos Fancy (Filly) (1:49.60) Run at 9 furlongs on the turf SECOND DIVISION
  • 1965 - Switchback (Run at ​1 3⁄8 miles)
  • 1964 - Desert Chief (Run at ​1 3⁄8 miles) FIRST DIVISION
  • 1964 - Victory Beauty (1:50.00) Run at 9 furlongs SECOND DIVISION
  • 1963 - Braganza (Run at ​1 3⁄8 miles) FIRST DIVISION
  • 1963 - Moon Mad (1:51.20) Run at 9 furlongs SECOND DIVISION
  • 1962 - Hardware (1:51.40) Run at 9 furlongs
  • 1961 - Top Double (Run at ​1 3⁄8 miles)
  • 1960 - Cleave (Run at ​1 3⁄8 miles)
  • 1959 - I Step (Run at ​1 3⁄8 miles)
  • 1958 - Solid Fleet (Run at ​1 3⁄8 miles)
  • 1957 - Hi Pardner (Run at ​1 3⁄8 miles)
  • 1956 - Poona (Run at ​1 3⁄8 miles)
  • 1955 - Arrogate (1:42.40) Run at ​8 1⁄2 furlongs
  • 1954 - NOT RUN
  • 1953 - NOT RUN
  • 1952 - NOT RUN
  • 1951 - Caruso (1:10.60) Run at 6 furlongs
  • 1950 - Pats Own (1:04.20) Run at ​5 1⁄2 furlongs
  • 1949 - Great Dream (1:10.40) Run at 6 furlongs
  • 1938 - Happy Bolivar (1:10.60) Run at 6 furlongs
  • 1937 - Clean Out (1:11.60) Run at 6 furlongs

References
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