Stayers Watch: Cougar II Handicap · 30.07.08

Big Booster will attempt to be the first winner of three stayers’ races this year when he runs in Wednesday’s $150,000 Cougar II Handicap at Del Mar.

The newly-carded, ungraded stakes race, run at 1 1/2 miles on Del Mar’s main synthetic track, is part of the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” program for the Breeders’ Cup “Marathon”, to be run October 25 at Santa Anita. The race is named after the great Chilean-bred Hall-of-Fame member Cougar II.

Sporting victories in the San Juan Capistrano and Gallant Man Handicaps, and a third in the Tokyo City Handicap, Big Booster deserves to be the favourite and 121 pound high-weight. Another win will put the 7-year-old gelding at the top of the Champion Stayer Award standings.

Update: Zappa (not Frank) snapped a five-race losing streak to win the inaugural Cougar II Handicap. He set leisurely fractions and went on to win the 1 1/2 mile race on Del Mar’s synthetic surface in 2:30.53. Tizzy Fit was second, while pre-race favourite Big Booster, who needs a fast early pace for his finishing kick to be effective, managed third.

Champion Stayer Award standings — update:

  1. Big Booster — 12
  2. Warning Zone — 12
  3. Da’ Tara — 10
  4. Porfido — 9
  5. Evening Attire — 8
  6. On The Acorn — 8
  7. Cedar Mountain — 8
  8. Delosvientos — 6
  9. Dancing Forever — 6
  10. Boule d’Or — 6
  11. Spring House — 6

That show finish is enough to lift Big Booster into first place in the standings. With two wins (on turf and synthetic) in four starts in the unofficial “stayers’ division”, Big Booster gets the nod over Warning Zone, although both have 12 points.

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What do you think?

  1. Glad to see a stakes FINALLY named for Charlie Whittingham’s great one. Saw this one’s FIRST race at Del Mar right after the Anita’s announcer, Joe Hernandez, imported him. Was lucky enough to see him at stud in Paris Kentucky at age 22. Good solid performer on dirt (when it was dry – ran third to Secretariat in the off going in New York) and the turf.

    — Dr, Timothy Yatcak · Jul 30, 01:56 PM · #

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