Campaign, Tizamagacian Among Six Stayers in Cougar II
Image:
Description:
Photo: Benoit Photo
Campaign wins the 2019 Cougar II Stakes at Del Mar
A short field of well-seasoned racehorses will run a testing mile and one half at Del Mar July 18 in the 70th edition of the $100,000 Cougar II Stakes (G3).
Four of the six entrants are stakes winners, including the defending Cougar II champion—Woodford Racing's late-running Campaign , who captured the race in 2019 when it was last run.
The Cougar II—named for the South American racehorse who came north and into the barn of Hall of Fame trainer Charlie Whittingham where he went on to a Hall of Fame career that included being named U.S. grass champion in 1972—is not for the faint of heart at its 1 1/2-mile distance and the majority of the half dozen who'll give it a go Sunday have shown an affinity for marathons.
Flawless Racing, Masino Racing Stable, Brian Flanagan, and Michael Jarvis' Cupid's Claws is, like Campaign, a winner at 1 1/2 miles, as is MyRacehorse and Spendthrift Farm's Tizamagician . Little Red Feather Racing, Gordon Jacobsen, and Phillip Belmonte's Red King has won at 1 3/4 miles on turf.
Hronis Racing's Heywoods Beach is a winner at 1 1/4 miles, while Gary Barber's Contagion is coming off three mile wins in his last five starts.
Both Campaign and Heywoods Beach are trained by John Sadler. Heywoods Beach is also entered in the July 17 San Diego Handicap (G2) at 1 1/16 miles on the main track at Del Mar, where he would be a longshot in the wagering, should he compete.
Heywoods Beach (Speightstown ) is a half brother to multiple grade 1 winner Stephanie's Kitten . He primarily raced on grass before shifting to dirt this year.
"(Heywoods Beach) is another one that woke up when he came off the turf," Sadler said. "He won on the dirt (May 15 at Santa Anita) and then had a rough trip in the Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) (fifth of seven), so we want to give him another try on dirt also."
Tizamagacian, a 4-year-old colt by Tiznow who races out of the Richard Mandella barn with Flavien Prat in the saddle, is the likely favorite, having four wins and seven seconds from 17 starts and a bankroll of $367,851. He was second most recently in the Brooklyn Stakes Presented by Northwell Health (G2) at Belmont Park at 1 1/2 miles when shipped east for the June 5 tilt. Overall, he has a record of four wins and seven seconds from 17 starts and a bankroll of $367,851
Red King, a 7-year-old horse by English Channel , sports seven wins and career earnings of $483,755. Among his victories was a score in last summer's Del Mar Handicap Presented by The Japan Racing Association (G2T) at 1 3/8-miles on the local turf course.
Cupid's Claws captured the mile and one half Tokyo City Cup Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita last September —a race Tizamagician took this year when it was scheduled in the spring. Cupid's Claws, a 6-year-old Kitten's Joy gelding, has earnings approaching $200,000. He adds blinkers.
The Cougar II is the 10th of 11 races on the Sunday card that begins at 2 p.m. and closes out the first week of Del Mar racing. Also on the program is Wickerr overnight Stakes, which drew eight runners to race a mile on turf.
Del Mar, Sunday, July 18, 2021, Race 10Entries: Cougar II S. (G3)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
Heywoods Beach (KY)
Tyler Baze
121
John W. Sadler
-
2
Contagion (KY)
Juan J. Hernandez
121
Peter Miller
-
3
Campaign (KY)
Trevor McCarthy
121
John W. Sadler
-
4
Red King (KY)
UMBERTO RISPOLI
123
Philip D'Amato
-
5
Cupid's Claws (KY)
Kent J. Desormeaux
123
Craig Dollase
-
6
Tizamagician (KY)
Flavien Prat
123
Richard E. Mandella
-
