Richard's Kid Wins Second Cougar II

All it took was a trip “home” to Del Mar for Maryland-bred superstar Richard’s Kid to break the longest losing streak of his career. On Friday, the eight-year-old son of Lemon Drop Kid drove to a determined win in the $100,000 Grade III Cougar II Handicap for the second year in a row, and his first win in 11 starts, dating back to his 2012 win in the same event. It was the sixth graded-stakes victory lifetime for the two-time Maryland Horse of the Year.

Tracks down favorite in final strides to the wire

In very similar fashion to last year’s race – where he set the course record for 1 ½ miles at 2:29.22 – Richard’s Kid, with jockey Joe Talamo, broke well from the gate and then settled near the back of the seven-horse field, but within short striking distance of pacesetter Blueskisnrainbows. Sitting in third just a head off the lead at the top of the straight, Richard’s Kid dug in to fight a battle with favorite Sky Kingdom, and managed to just get by that one at the wire to finish a half-length in front.

Former BC Classic contender loves Del Mar 

Richard’s Kid now runs his lifetime record to 12 firsts, three seconds and 12 thirds in 46 starts, with a sixth-place finish in the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic, and a fifth-place finish in the Classic in 2012. His purse earnings now sit at just under $2.5 million. During his illustrious career he has raced and represented Maryland-breds across the US, running in Maryland, California and Kentucky, as well as overseas in Dubai. But it’s obvious he like Del Mar best, as he has never been worse than third in seven races at the San Diego track.