Richard's Kid Gets Groove Back in Cougar II

Rekindling memories of better days, Richard’s Kid ended a ten-race winless streak with a rousing come-from-behind victory in  the featured $100,000 Cougar II Handicap under a strong ride by jockey Joe Talamo Friday at Del Mar.

Without a victory since he won the mile and one-half race last summer, the eight-year-old son of Lemon Drop Kid rallied from next-to-last to wear down and outfinish even-money favored Sky Kingdom in the stretch by a half-length. Pacesetting Blueskiesandrainbows a game third, another half-length back at the wire. Oilisblackgold with fourth in the field of seven marathoners.

Withdrawn from the original line-up were Lime Rickey, Kettle Corn, Golden Itiz and Rousing Sermon.

Richard’s Kid reached his peak as he won consecutive renewals of the $1 million Pacific Classic in 2009 and 2010 when he was conditioned by Bob Baffert. Sold to his present owners, a conglomerate including Dave Kenney, Mark Verge of Triple B Farms and Paul Boghosian, he was turned over to trainer Doug O’Neill after winning the Cougar II ‘Cap and prior to running third behind Dullahan in the Pacific Classic.

Richard’s Kid, packing topweight of 121 pounds,  went postward at 4-1 and paid $10.80, $3.60 and $3 after scoring his twelfth triumph in 46 careeer starts. First money of $60,000 increased his earnings to $2,422,284, making him one of the richest active campaigners in America.  Time for the distance was 2:30.93.

Sky Kingdom, piloted by Martin Garcia, returned $2.80 and $2.40 while Blueskiesandrainbows paid $4.60 to show.