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Cougar II Handicap

Cougar II Handicap
Grade III race
Location Del Mar Racetrack
Del Mar, California, United States
Inaugurated 1937
Race type Thoroughbred - Flat racing
Website www.dmtc.com
Race information
Distance 1 12 miles (12 furlongs)
Surface Polytrack synthetic dirt
Track left-handed
Qualification Three-years-old & up
Weight Assigned
Purse $100,000

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 Polytrack synthetic 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.

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).

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

Called the Escondido Handicap from inception in 1937 to 2006.


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