The Cougar II Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually in late July/early August at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. A Grade III event open to horses age three and older, it is contested on Polytrack synthetic dirt over a distance of a mile and a half (12 furlongs). The winner automatically qualified for a berth in the Breeders' Cup Marathon before that race was discontinued.
Inaugurated in 1937 as the Escondido Handicap, it was renamed in honor of National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame inductee Cougar II.
The race was run as an overnight stakes from 1997 to 2007. Over the years, it has been contested at various distances and occasionally in two divisions.
Three horses have won this race more than once: Dowty (1997, 1998), Big John A (1968, 1969), and Richard's Kid (2012, 2013).
2016 - Hard Aces (6) (2:30.55)
2015 - Big John B (6) (Rafael Bejarano) (2:31.62)
2014 - Irish Surf (4) (Elvis Trujillo) (2:29.01)
2013 - Richard's Kid (8) (Joseph Talamo) (2:30.93)
2012 - Richard's Kid (7) (Rafael Bejarano) (2:29.22) .17 off the mark set in 2011 by Bourbon Bay.
2011 - Bourbon Bay (5) (Joe Talamo) (2:29.39) A new track record for the distance.
2010 - Temple City (5) (2:30.46)
2009 - Unusual Suspect (5) (2:31.22)
2008 - Zappa (6) (2:30.53)
From 2008 until the present time, this race has been run at 12 furlongs. From 1989 to 2007, it was run at 11 furlongs.
2007 - Atlando (6) (2:13.18)
Called the Escondido Handicap from inception in 1937 to 2006.
2006 - Runaway Dancer (2:13.20)
2005 - Lauras Lucky Boy (2:12.06) (holds the race record at this distance)
2004 - Sarafan (2:12.92)
2003 - Bonus Pack (2:12.50)
2002 - Dance Dreamer (2:12.86)
2001 - Cagney (2:14.19)
2000 - Alvo Certo (2:15.23)
1999 - Astarabad (2:13.74)
1998 - Dowty (2:14.00)
1997 - Dowty (2:15.60)
1996 - Dernier Empereur (2:18.80)
1995 - Varadavour (2:16.00)
1994 - Sir Mark Sykes (2:13.80)
1993 - Luazur (2:14.60)
1992 - Navarone (2:12.40)
1991 - Berillon (2:12.80)
1990 - Rial (2:14.60)
1989 - Brisque (2:16.00)
1988 - Mazalier (1:42.40) Run at 8 1/2 furlongs
1987 - Captain Vigors (1:42.20) Run at 8 1/2 furlongs
1986 - Truce Maker (1:42.20) Run at 8 1/2 furlongs
1985 - NOT RUN
1984 - Go Dancer (1:29.00) Run at 7 1/2 furlongs FIRST DIVISION
1984 - Pair of Deuces (1:28.80) Run at 7 1/2 furlongs SECOND DIVISION
1983 - Pin Puller (1:43.00) Run at 8 1/2 furlongs
1982 - Rock Softly (1:42.80) Run at 8 1/2 furlongs
1981 - Advocatum (Run at 1 3⁄8 miles)
1980 - Nain Bleu (Run at 1 3⁄8 miles)
1979 - Uniformity (Run at 1 3⁄8 miles)
1978 - Bywayofchicago (Run at 8 1/2 furlongs)
1977 - Authorization (1:43.00) Run at 8 1/2 furlongs FIRST DIVISION
1977 - Pike Hall (1:43.20) Run at 8 1/2 furlongs SECOND DIVISION
1976 - Silver Saber (1:43.60) Run at 8 1/2 furlongs
1975 - Buck Price (1:27 2/5) Run at 7 1/2 furlongs
1974 - Flighting (1:29) Run at 7 1/2 furlongs on the turf FIRST DIVISION
1974 - Bensadream (1:29.00) Run at 7 1/2 furlongs SECOND DIVISION
1973 - Tannyhill (1:49.60) Run at 9 furlongs
1972 - Mongos Pride (1:49.60) Run at 9 furlongs on the turf
1971 - Born Wild (1:49.60) Run at 9 furlongs on the turf
1970 - Cougar II (1:49) Run at 9 furlongs
1969 - Big John A (1:50.60) Run at 9 furlongs on the turf
1968 - Big John A (Run at 9 furlongs on the turf) FIRST DIVISION
1968 - Til Morrow (1:51.20) Run at 9 furlongs on the turf SECOND DIVISION
1967 - Strawberry Drive (1:50.20) Run at 9 furlongs on the turf FIRST DIVISION
1967 - Estambul (1:50.20) Run at 9 furlongs on the turf SECOND DIVISION
1966 - Quicken Tree (1:50.20) Run at 9 furlongs on the turf FIRST DIVISION
1966 - Amerigos Fancy (Filly) (1:49.60) Run at 9 furlongs on the turf SECOND DIVISION
1965 - Switchback (Run at 1 3⁄8 miles)
1964 - Desert Chief (Run at 1 3⁄8 miles) FIRST DIVISION
1964 - Victory Beauty (1:50.00) Run at 9 furlongs SECOND DIVISION
1963 - Braganza (Run at 1 3⁄8 miles) FIRST DIVISION
1963 - Moon Mad (1:51.20) Run at 9 furlongs SECOND DIVISION
1962 - Hardware (1:51.40) Run at 9 furlongs
1961 - Top Double (Run at 1 3⁄8 miles)
1960 - Cleave (Run at 1 3⁄8 miles)
1959 - I Step (Run at 1 3⁄8 miles)
1958 - Solid Fleet (Run at 1 3⁄8 miles)
1957 - Hi Pardner (Run at 1 3⁄8 miles)
1956 - Poona (Run at 1 3⁄8 miles)
1955 - Arrogate (1:42.40) Run at 8 1/2 furlongs
1954 - NOT RUN
1953 - NOT RUN
1952 - NOT RUN
1951 - Caruso (1:10.60) Run at 6 furlongs
1950 - Pats Own (1:04.20) Run at 5 1.2 furlongs
1949 - Great Dream (1:10.40) Run at 6 furlongs
1938 - Happy Bolivar (1:10.60) Run at 6 furlongs
1937 - Clean Out (1:11.60) Run at 6 furlongs