Temple City Steals Cougar II

7/31/2010 9:06 AM  | horseracingnation.com
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Del Mar logo Spendthrift Farm's Temple City, the only speed horse in a field of five marathoners, took advantage of an ideal set-up to lead from wire-to-wire under careful rating by jockey Joe Talamo and win today's featured $125,000 Cougar II at a mile and one-half over Del Mar's main track.

As expected, Temple City, second choice in the wagering at 6-5, went to the front almost immediately after the break and never was seriously threatened in winning by 3  1/4 lengths. The long-striding son of Dynaformer set a track record in the process, running the distance in 2:30.46 to eclipse the mark of 2.30.53 set in the 2008 running of the Cougar.

Unusual Suspect, winner of the Cougar last summer, outfinished even-money favored Richard's Kid for second by a half-length, with Delightful Kiss a distant fourth in front of longshot Lifeline. Richard's Kid, after being nosed out by Unusual Suspect in the Cougar a year ago, returned to win the $1 million Pacific Classic in a stunning upset.

Not only did Temple City earn first money of $75,000 with his fourth victory in a dozen starts, the five-year-old horse also clinched a spot in the Breeders' Cup Marathon at Churchill Downs Friday, Nov. 5 as part of the Breeders' Cup's "Win and You're In" program.

Temple City, lightly weighted at 114 pounds, returned $4.40, $3.60 and $2.10. He is conditioned by Carla Gaines. Unusual Suspect, with Corey Nakatani aboard at 119 pounds, paid $3.80 and $2.20, while Richard's Kid, piloted by Martin Garcia at highweight of 122 pounds, returned $2.10 to show.

Temple City provided Talamo with his third win on the program. He also won the second and fourth races today. Gaines had a training triple, also taking the fifth and eighth events.

Patrick Valenzuela, reinstated to compete in California after an absence of 2 1/2 years, won his first race since his return, guiding Warren's Jitterbug to victory in the sixth race for a $7.40 payoff. It was Valenzuela's eighth mount of the young Del Mar season.

 With  a carryover of $103,938 from Thursday and $853,375 wagered today, there was a total Pick Six pool of  $957,313. After a formful afternoon of racing, there were 137 perfect tickets and each paid $4,221.
 

 

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