Remembering the Cougar

re: Remembering the Cougar

Mike Sekulic — Thu, 05 Dec 2013 04:41:05 GMT

It took 42 years for this film to surface, but, finally, someone posted the 1971 Woodward Stakes to Youtube.

www.youtube.com/watch

re: Remembering the Cougar

Mike Sekulic — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 05:39:23 GMT

Local Southern California racing fan and friend, Eddie Rosenbloom, died just recently at the age of 53. Eddie's favorite horse was COUGAR II and, to him, no one else compared. He told me that when he watched COUGAR's races on video that he "cried and cried," because COUGAR "was just that special."

Santa Anita held a sort of memorial service or gathering to commemorate and eulogize Eddie the other day, and I love what Barry Abrams said, "Eddie is probably up in heaven with COUGAR, and Charlie Whittingham, right now!"

re: Remembering the Cougar

LouAnn — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:43:04 GMT

Thanks lots Mike for updating us with more info on Cougar ll. I don't believe that there are too many people out there that know as much as you do in his regards. He was sure a talented horse!

re: Remembering the Cougar

GinaR — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 22:43:33 GMT

Mike brings *Cougar II to life for another generation to appreciate. There should be a book written about this incredible horse and Mike should write it!

re: Remembering the Cougar

Mike Sekulic — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 06:54:42 GMT

Here's a comparison between COUGAR II and DAHLIA (#50), which I believe shows him to be the much better horse and also proves he deserves a place on the Bloodhorse's Top 100 horses of all time.

Race Record:

COUGAR II - 50 starts 20 wins 24 placings (40% wins, 88% in the money); unplaced in 12% of his races.

DAHLIA - 48 starts 15 wins 10 placings (31% wins, 52% in the money); unplaced in 48% of her races.

Grade 1 wins (or equivalent):

COUGAR II - 10

DAHLIA - 10

Record in Grade 1 (or equivalent races):

COUGAR II - 27 starts 10 wins 15 placings (37% wins, 93% in the money...only 7% out of the money)

DAHLIA - 32 starts 10 wins 6 placings (31% wins, 50% in the money...and 50% out of the money!)

*In 27 Grade 1 starts COUGAR II was only out of the money twice, both on horribly soft & yielding turf courses. If not for those conditions he would likely be at 100% in the money, to DAHLIA's 50%.

Stakes wins:

COUGAR II - 18 wins, 22 placings (40 stakes placings)

DAHLIA - 14 wins 10 placings (24 stakes placings)

*Dahlia might have only 13 stakes wins, because I don't know if her first race was an offical "black type race."

Speed exhibitions:

COUGAR II - 8-1/2 furlongs on dirt in 1:39-1/5 (missed SWAPS' world record by 1/5)

COUGAR II - 11 furlongs on turf in 2:11 (NWR that stood for more than 15 years)

COUGAR II - 10 furlongs on dirt (*about distance*) in 1:58 (Del Mar track record)

COUGAR II - 9 furlongs on turf in 1:49 (Del Mar track record, on the old deep turf course)

COUGAR II - 10 furlongs on dirt in 2:00 (Santa Anita, 1/5 off track record)

COUGAR II - 10 furlongs on dirt in 2:00-2/5 (Belmont, 2/5 off track record)

DAHLIA - 13 furlongs on turf in 2:40 (Woodbine turf course record)

I think DAHLIA was a great turf mare, but I think it's rather evident that COUGAR II was a better horse, so he deserves a Top 50 spot on the all time best list, ahead of DAHLIA.

re: Remembering the Cougar

Mike Sekulic — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 06:48:07 GMT

COUGAR II, as compared to other racing greats:

COUGAR II 50 starts, 20 wins (40%), 24 placings (88%), unplaced (12%)

SHUVEE 44 starts, 16 wins (36%), 16 placings (72%), unplaced (28%)

CARRY BACK 62 starts, 21 wins (34%), 22 placings (69%), unplaced (31%)

RIVA RIDGE 30 starts, 17 wins (56%), 4 placings (70%), unplaced (30%)

GALLORETTE 72 starts, 21 wins (29%), 33 placings (75%), unplaced (25%)

FORT MARCY 75 starts, 21 wins (28%), 32 placings (71%), unplaced (29%)

SEABISCUIT 89 starts, 33 wins (37%), 28 placings (68%), unplaced (32%)

ASSAULT 42 starts, 18 wins (43%), 13 placings (74%), unplaced (26%)

DAHLIA 48 starts, 15 wins (31%), 10 placings (52%), unplaced (48%)

SUSAN'S GIRL 63 starts, 29 wins (46%), 25 placings (86%), unplaced (14%)

JOHN HENRY 83 starts, 39 wins (47%), 24 placings (76%), unplaced (24%)

All these racehorses competed at the top level of the game, in what you might call "Grade 1" company (races weren't graded until 1973 in America, so I'm just assigning that designation based on quality). All these horses, except COUGAR II, made The Bloodhorse's list of the top 100 horses of all time. Here is how they were ranked:

#23 JOHN HENRY

#25 SEABISCUIT

#33 ASSAULT

#45 GALLORETTE

#50 DAHLIA

#51 SUSAN'S GIRL

#57 RIVA RIDGE

#70 SHUVEE

#83 CARRY BACK

#86 FORT MARCY

Stakes wins and placings (and percentage of stakes placings from lifetime starts):

COUGAR II - (50 starts) 18 stakes wins, 22 stakes placings (40 total) 80%

ROUND TABLE - (66 starts) 31 stakes wins, 13 placings (44 total) 67%

FOREGO - (57 starts) 23 stakes wins, 14 stakes placings (37 total) 65%

JOHN HENRY (83 starts) 29 stakes wins, 18 stakes placings (47 total) 56%

SHUVEE (44 starts) 14 stakes wins, 10 stakes placings (24 total) 55%

GALLORETTE - (72 starts) 13 stakes wins, 26 stakes placings (39 total) 54%

FORT MARCY - (75 starts) 17 stakes wins, 22 stakes placings (39 total) 52%

DAHLIA - (48 starts) 14 stakes wins, 10 stakes placings (24 total) 50%

What an amazing and ultra-impressive statistic it is that after 50 races he was in the money 88% of the time. That matches FOREGO (also at 88%), and it is far better than the in the money records of many other superb runners, including: JOHN HENRY, DAHLIA, SEABISCUIT, ASSAULT, CARRY BACK, SHUVEE, NODOUBLE, CRIMSON SATAN, FORT MARCY, GAMELY, NATIVE DIVER, STRAIGHT DEAL, T.V. LARK, GALLORETTE, ANCIENT TITLE, RIVA RIDGE, AUTOBIOGRAPHY, EXCELLER, KEY TO THE MINT, KENNEDY ROAD, TYPECAST, LADY'S SECRET, PRECISIONIST, BAYAKOA, BEST PAL, SWORD DANCER, STYMIE, POLYNESIAN, DEVIL DIVER, BEWITCH, DISCOVERY, SIR BARTON, IMP, GREY LAG, EXTERMINATOR, etc.

re: Remembering the Cougar

Mike Sekulic — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 06:35:13 GMT

In addition to that unfair disqualification in the 1971 Woodward (which should have been overturned years ago) there is another thing about COUGAR's legacy that bothers me, and that's the exclusion by the editors of the Bloodhorse from that list they put together of the 100 greatest horses of the last century. COUGAR is definitely better than at least half of the horses on the list. I don't think I am alone when I say that his inclusion on the list is a "no brainer" and that his exclusion is a mistake.

re: Remembering the Cougar

Chris Aplin — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 01:24:53 GMT

It is great to see someone who has such a passion for one of the great champions in the racing industry. Cougar II was before my time so I enjoyed Mike's recount of all that the horse and his connections went through. I especially like his inside view of Mrs. Bradley and Charlie Whittingham. Wish I had been around to see the big cat.....

re: Remembering the Cougar

Mike Sekulic — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 06:43:53 GMT

One of my favorite quotes about COUGAR II was when Leon Rasmussen said, "When Cougar makes his charge he looks like he is riding Sir Lancelot into battle," such was his fire and tenacity. He really looked like he had a purpose. He did his thing with passion and purpose!

re: Remembering the Cougar

GunBow — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 07:47:56 GMT

A writer and piece worthy of one of the best, and most underappreciated horses of the last 40 years.

Had the graded system been in place for all of Cougar's career, he would have won 10 gr.1s and placed in 10-15 other gr.1s. And, as you mentioned, remember that in many of his narrow defeats he was conceding substantial weight.

Given Cougar was successful on turf and dirt, one can only imagine that he would have been dynamite on synthetic.

Cougar, as you capture, wasn't popular simply for what happened between the start and finishes of races. He was a horse with a larger than life poersonality, a genuine charisma that translated across species.

re: Remembering the Cougar

TyAlexander — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 07:04:12 GMT

My father first took me to Santa Anita, opening day 1974. So, I missed the great Cougar. But, just reading your passionate, articulate words, I feel like I was there!

Great article Mike, the only thing that surpasses this work,is your photography. I'm glad your work gets showcased so others can appreciate your talent, passion, opinions and natural gifts.

re: Remembering the Cougar

Linda Subias — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 19:25:44 GMT

This was definitely an overlooked horse in horse racing lore - he should be much better known/remembered than he is. We need to pass this information on the younger generation of racing fans, and thanks for doing so, so well, Mike!

re: Remembering the Cougar

NFC — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 23:22:15 GMT

Very complete article about a great horse. It is nice to have him remembered as well as introduced to a new audience. Mike has a great love of race horses evident through both his wonderful photos and his writing. A kindred spirit.

re: Remembering the Cougar

GinaR — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 21:04:02 GMT

Great article, would love to read more about past great horses!

re: Remembering the Cougar

Mike Sekulic — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 15:37:11 GMT

Has anyone ever seen the gallop out footage past the wire for the 1973 Marlboro Cup? With his flying finish, at 9 furlongs, which might have been a tad too short at that point in time, I would have to guess that The Big Cat passed RIVA RIDGE after the wire, but did he catch up with SECRETARIAT?

I think of SECRETARIAT as the best horse of all time, with SPECTACULAR BID being second, but I do believe that a 5 or 6 year old COUGAR II, instead of the 7 year old version, could have given SECRETARIAT all he could handle, especially at 10 furlongs. Maybe COUGAR II was past his slightly prime when he faced SECRETARIAT, so I'm just saying that if he had been in his prime he would have really made it a horse race!

re: Remembering the Cougar

Pedigree Ann — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 15:43:11 GMT

Mike was kind enough to send me a DVD copy of the film made by Mrs. Jones of His Felinity's career; I had seen it at Stone Farm in the film version in 1977 when I visited My Own True Love, The Great Chilean One. I was amazed again at the smoothness of his action in the hind end compared to the jerkiness of that of his rivals. Yeah, he held his head high, he picked up his knees like a trotter breaking stride, but that efficient action behind got the job done. The solid bright red silks on a dark bay horse and the tail that reached his fetlocks streaming behind: it was always easy to spot Coug when he made his move on the outside and began to 'loom' over the field on the turn.

I always found it interesting that Cougar II was only the fourth or fifth best 3yo of his crop in Chile; his biggest win there was a major fall handicap over his elders, not a classic race. The best 2 of that crop also came to the States and were just okay, while Coug became a champion. Just goes to show you.

Oh, and did any of you see the article a long time ago about how the Chilean owner sold Cougar II for export because he was worried that the new, communist-leaning (in his mind) Allende government would nationalize horse racing and farms, as the Russians had done? I think the article was on The Thoroughbred of California.

Oh, and most people don't know that this apparent solid bay had a couple of large white spots on his right side. The saddle and girth covered them up completely.

re: Remembering the Cougar

The Deacon — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 20:40:17 GMT

Thank you for this very informative article. Nice to see some stuff written about the California greats. Cougar II helped put Calif racing on the map for the 1970's. I saw most of his races, along with Ack Ack, Crystal Waters, Kennedy Road, Quack, Hill Rise, etc, etc.

Good stuff, kudos to all involved..........

re: Remembering the Cougar

LouAnn — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 15:03:08 GMT

Wow, what a fantastic article and so informative and interesting in regards to a horse that has never been given the credit he so much deserved. I have always been a fan of Cougar and this article is a wonderful tribute to a super horse. Very nicely written-thankyou for sharing this!

re: Remembering the Cougar

angman — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 22:32:56 GMT

great job Mike, you are Cougars biiggest fan thats a given...

re: Remembering the Cougar

Matthew W — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 19:35:40 GMT

I saw The Big Cat run many times--including the 72 San Antonio, where he would be soundly defeated by Triple Bend and Unconscious--two talented four year olds--he had that long tail and smart eye--he ran with his head up high, and he lugged in a lot--and he was the crowd pleaser! He would just stop and look at the grandstand and just stand there--Shoe would look amused! He always came with that late run--not as consistent as Zenyatta but who was? Cougar II was one of my favorites, and his Marlboro Cup was fantastic, one-turn, 1 1/8, with trouble--Cougar's Marlboro, run as a seven year old, and his blow-out Woodward, vs a full field, in 71, showed everyone, Easty and West, that The Big Cat was for real!

re: Remembering the Cougar

eric anderson — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 19:11:22 GMT

Mr. Sekulic, thanks for the Big Cat flashbacks. in the early 70's having just returned to SOCAL from a stint in peninsula of Viet Nam, the Big Cat was just getting around to be a very solid if not great horse with an odd ball owner. His tail was of enormous length, and it seemed as though it was as long as he was when he got rolling and it floated out behind him. My old memory recalls that Charlie always had a real soft spot for this horse and wanted the world to know what this horse really was. In those years, a horse like him; stuck around, ran them into the ground and was a pleasure to be around and of course to see run. Senor de Encino

re: Remembering the Cougar

Pam S. — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 16:02:27 GMT

A highly readable, very complete account of the career of a horse I was not terribly familiar with. Great job, Mike!

re: Remembering the Cougar

Pedigree Ann — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 15:55:32 GMT

Just a note. Buzkashi didn't just hit the rail - he leaned against the temporary rail (across the turn) until he hit the permanent one, then tumbled over it onto the turf course.

Cougar II was a horse who knew his own mind and didn't need no stupid jockey boy or stud groom telling him what to do. When I went to visit the Big Cat at Stone Farm, the manager told us that one had to leave him entirely alone when he was covering his mares; he liked to take his time and do so without human interference.

He also sired numerous graded winners, aside from Kentucky Derby/Del Mar Futurity winner Gato del Sol. They included Our Suiti Pie (Del Mar Oaks), Angel Island (Alcibiades S, dam of G1 winner Sharrood), Milingo (Arlington Lassie), Exploded (Hollywood Inv. Turf Cup), First Norman (Del Mar Derby, a sire in New Zealand), and Cougarized (Nashua S). 20-30 sized foal crops in those days, remember.

re: Remembering the Cougar

Shackleford — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 06:02:18 GMT

Great read, although I wasn't alive at the time I do know some of the history of this great horse and found this article to be really in-depth and informative. Nice to remember the greats of the past, after all they have done for us, it is fitting that we talk and remember them. Once again, it was a great read and loved seeing it through the eyes of someone who was there.

re: Remembering the Cougar

willwewin — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 03:14:47 GMT

A very nice history of the Big Cat. He was an iron horse like so many of the good horses of that era. A fun refresher on the career of a horse that I followed in my youth.