The 72nd edition of the Cougar II Stakes has lured seven long-winded older horses out of their barns for a testing test of a mile and one-half around the Del Mar oval on Sunday. The Grade 3 worth $125,000 will be offered as Race 6 on the 11-race program at the seaside track north of San Diego, Calif.
The Cougar II has, in the past, served as a prep for the $1-million FanDuel Racing Pacific Classic, which this year will be run on Saturday, Sept. 2.
Likely favorite in the Cougar II is Sondereker Racing's Kiss Today Goodbye, a 6-year-old by Cairo Prince who'll be making the 22nd start of his career. The most recent try by the J. Eric Krujac-trained veteran saw him run third in the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup at Santa Anita. He's banked $367,302 in his career and will have the saddle services of Hector Berrios Sunday.
His chief threat in the marathon will be Pegram, Watson and Weitman's Azul Coast, who races out of the Bob Baffert barn and will be handled by top rider Juan Hernandez. He's a 6-year-old, too, though his sire is Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver. He's won four of 14 outings and banked $257,080.
Here's the full field for the Cougar II from the rail out with riders and morning line odds: Azul Coast (3-1); B-4 Farms' Bye Bye Bobby (Mike Smith, 6-1); Desimone, Jarnig or McCanna, et al's Rimprotector (Kyle Frey, 5-1); Kiss Today Goodbye (5/2); Holly and David Wilson's Ghazaaly (Antonio Aguilar, 6-1); Buckendorf, Lambert or Rodriguez, et al's Order and Law (Kent Desormeaux, 8-1), and Augustin Stables' Kitten Mischief (Joe Bravo, 4-1).
Besides the Cougar II, the Sunday card also will feature the Wickerr Stakes, an overnight event that carries a $100,000 purse and is run at one mile on the turf for 3-year-olds and up. Possible favorite in this test is Pozo de Luna's Irideo, who is trained by Marcelo Polanco and will be handled by Abel Cedillo. Morning line maker Jon White has hung him as the 7/2 favorite in the 14-horse lineup. The Wickerr goes as Race 9.
First post for the day's activities is 2 p.m.
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