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Temple City Wins Cougar II Handicap
Del Mar - July 30, 2010 - 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.