Campaign makes good on promise in Cougar II

DEL MAR, Calif. -- Campaign won his second main-track marathon of 2019 in Wednesday’s Grade 3 Cougar II Handicap at Del Mar in what was likely a prep for the Grade 1 Pacific Classic on Aug. 17.

Campaign ($3.40) closed from last in a field of five to catch a stubborn stretch leader in Itsinthepost and win by 1 1/4 lengths, finishing 1 1/2 miles in 2:32.36.

Itsinthepost, best known as a multiple stakes winner on turf in recent years, finished 12 lengths clear of 5-2 For the Top, a Group 1 winner in Argentina in 2018.

Campaign, who was ridden by Rafael Bejarano, trailed Itsinthepost by 2 1/2 lengths with a quarter-mile remaining.

“He always likes to come from behind,” Bejarano said. “At six furlongs, I had to put him in the race. I knew they were going slow. I knew [Itsinthepos]) would be tough to beat.”

Campaign took the lead in the final sixteenth.

“I had a lot left,” Bejarano said.

Itsinthepost finished last of 13 in the Grade 2 Wise Dan Stakes on turf at Churchill Downs on June 15 in his first start in 10 months. Trainer Jeff Mullins knew Campaign would be a threat in the final furlong, but had high hopes Itsinthepost could hang on.

“I could see that horse was coming,” Mullins said. “I hoped it would take a little longer to get by.

“Our horse has never been on the lead that long. It’s nice to see him come back into his own.”

Morse Code finished fourth, followed by Original Intent. Premium Forest, and Zestful were scratched by their trainers earlier in the day.

Campaign, a 4-year-old colt by Curlin, races for Woodford Racing. Earlier this year, Campaign won the Grade 3 Tokyo City Cup at 1 1/2 miles at Santa Anita on April 12. Campaign was a troubled fourth in the Grade 2 Brooklyn Invitational at 1 1/2 miles at Belmont Park on June 8, racing in traffic in the final furlong.

“He’s tough to watch because he comes from the back,” said winning trainer John Sadler. “He’s such a stayer. I thought he’d wear them down.”

If Campaign starts in the $1 million Pacific Classic, it will be his second appearance in a Grade 1. He finished fourth in the Santa Anita Handicap at 1 1/4 miles on April 6. The Pacific Classic is run at 1 1/4 miles.

“There’s a strong chance we’ll go in the Pacific Classic,” Sadler said. “Maybe we can get a race with a lot of pace.”