Cougar Stakes – Grade 3

DMR – 1 1/2 Mile – Dirt

For Three Years Old and Upward

July 24, 2022

Kick Rocks made his first win of the year a big one, taking the Cougar and holding off a late challenge from Spankersville.

The field came away in three tiers with Eagle Mountain, Root Cause and Flashy Chai showing the way early. Four across the track about a length and a half back were Kick Rocks, Smoking Makes You Il, and Insist On Beauty. Spankersville and Fistfight At Dawn trailed in the early going.

Around the turn, Kick Rocks made a big move on the outside to challenge Flashy Chai and Root Cause while Eagle Mountain separating himself from the pack slightly. The second tier lost ground. Spankersville sat six lengths off the lead with Fistfight At Dawn trailing.

Into the stretch for the first time, Flashy Chai slipped up the rail to press Eagle Mountain still holding the lead. The rest of the field was content to hold their positions as they passed under the wire for the first time.

Kick Rocks hit another gear around the turn, leaving Root Cause and setting sights on the leaders, Eagle Mountain and Flashy Chai. Less than a length separated the first three. Behind them, Smoking Makes You Il and Mr Nix Nooks vied for fifth. Insist on Beauty held the rail next with Spankersville two lengths ahead of the trailer and still six lengths behind the leader.

They entered the backstretch three across the track – Flashy Chai, Eagle Mountain and Kick Rocks. The rest of the field began to spread out with Root Cause in fourth, then Smoking Makes You Il a length and a half behind him. Mr Nix Nooks was next, half a length in front of Insist On Beauty. Spankersville still had only one horse beaten, and Fistfight At Dawn remained the trailer.

Kick Rocks took the lead nearing the turn for home. At the back of the pack, Spankersville swung to the outside and started his run, with Smoking Makes You Il in front of him showing the way. By the time they hit the stretch, Kick Rocks was two and a half lengths in front.

While Kick Rocks cruised on the lead, the drama unfolded behind him. Smoking Makes You Il and Spankersville passed horses on the outside. Fistfight At Dawn followed close behind them, making his move from last along with the other closers.

At the wire, Spankersville put his nose in front of Smoking Makes You Il to take second, but it was Kick Rocks first by a dwindling 3/4 of a length.

 By El Gran Broomstick out of Miss Rock Box (Mistrooper), Kick Rocks was bred in LA by Broken Stoke Stables. Owner Nakamura Stables bought him for $40.000 as a yearling. This win brings the 5-year-old gelding’s earnings to $374.160. Congratulations to Kick Rocks and Nakamura Stables!

Complete Order of Finish:

Kick Rocks
Spankersville
Smoking Makes You Il
Fistfight At Dawn
Root Cause
Flashy Chai
Eagle Mountain
Insist On Beauty
Mr. Nix Nooks

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES