Sky Kingdom Takes Third Shot at Cougar II

A third time might be the charm for Westrock Stables' Sky Kingdom, back for yet another run in the $100,000 Cougar II Handicap (gr. III) at Del Mar July 24 after finishing second the past two years in a row.

An even third off the layup in the June 6 Brooklyn Invitational Stakes (gr. II) at Belmont Park last time out, the 6-year-old son of Empire Maker seeks his second graded stakes score of the season in just his third start; he won the March 28 Tokyo City Cup Stakes (gr. III) at Santa Anita Park—a race he also won in 2013—in his first outing of 2015 and did not run again until the Brooklyn.

Last year Sky Kingdom was second for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert by 8 1/4 lengths to Irish Surf in the 1 1/2-mile Cougar II. In 2013 he missed by half a length to Richard's Kid  , both seconds earned by racing in that position throughout.

Sky Kingdom carries high weight of 122 pounds from post 3 under jockey Martin Garcia. He is part of an uncoupled entry for Baffert, who will also start Michael Lund Petersen's Cat Burglar.

Cat Burglar, a 5-year-old by Unbridled's Song, raced fifth in the June 13 Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) at Churchill Downs in his most recent start, and was third in the May 15 Pimlico Special (gr. III). The allowance winner seeks his first score of the season in his fourth outing this year, and is also in search of his first graded victory.

After running third in the 2014 Brooklyn, he went to the sidelines from June of last year until May 2, when he was second 6 3/4 lengths back in a one-mile Churchill allowance race.

Victor Espinoza rides Cat Burglar from post 2 as part of a 119-pound impost.

Michael House's 2014 Del Mar Handicap (gr. IIT) winner Big John B returns to the seaside track at which he registered his greatest score to date, but will venture to dirt after taking a 1 1/4-mile starter handicap June 28 on the Santa Anita lawn for trainer Phil D'Amato. The 6-year-old Hard Spun   gelding looks all the way back to 2012 for his last time on a dirt track; he tried three out of 32 lifetime starts on the dirt.

Rafael Bejarano has the mount from post 5 on the former claimer, who was obtained for $50,000 by House last April at Keeneland and went on to win three in a row for his new connections in California, topped by the Del Mar 'Cap victory. Big John B carries 118 pounds.

Lideris, Point Piper, Bailoutbobby, and Solid Wager complete the seven-horse field.