Hard Aces Stands Out in Cougar II
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Photo: Chad Harmon
Hard Aces
After the scratch of fellow grade I winner Hoppertunity, who was withdrawn after spiking a fever, Hard Aces stands out in a field of five for the $100,000 Cougar II Handicap (gr. III) July 24 at Del Mar.
Hronis Racing's Hard Aces has shown a propensity to cash significant paychecks against top competition. His grade I score came in the 2015 Gold Cup at Santa Anita, and the 6-year-old son of Hard Spun hasn't won since, but he has hit the board in three of his last four starts for trainer John Sadler and has lifetime earnings of $939,645.
Hard Aces was also entered in the San Diego Handicap (gr. II) a day prior to the 1 1/2-mile Cougar II, but Sadler opted for the longer race once he heard of Hoppertunity's scratch.
"“Hoppertunity got sick, so that would make him a pretty strong favorite Sunday," the trainer said. "He runs well at a mile and a quarter, so I don’t think the distance will be a problem.”
Completing the field is 2016 San Juan Capistrano (gr. IIIT) winner Quick Casablanca, who will be making his first start on dirt since 2013, along with graded stakes-placed Energia Fribby, stakes-placed Seve's Road, and South American allowance winner Infobedad.
Cougar II H. (gr. III)
Del Mar, Sunday, July 24, 2016, Race 4
- 1 1/2m
- Dirt
- $100,000
- 3 yo's & up
- 3:33 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Infobedad (ARG) | Joseph Talamo | 114 | John W. Sadler | 12/1 |
| 2 | 2Energia Fribby (BRZ) | Drayden Van Dyke | 114 | Neil D. Drysdale | 4/1 |
| 98 | 3Hoppertunity (KY) | SCRATCHED | 0 | UNKNOWN | - |
| 3 | 4Seve's Road (KY) | Rafael Bejarano | 117 | Philip D'Amato | 4/1 |
| 4 | 5Hard Aces (KY) | Santiago Gonzalez | 122 | John W. Sadler | 6/5 |
| 5 | 6Quick Casablanca (CHI) | Tyler Baze | 120 | Ronald L. McAnally | 2/1 |