Irish Surf swamps Cougar II rivals

DEL MAR, Calif. - Irish Surf took command of Friday’s $100,750 Cougar II Handicap at Del Mar a half-mile into the race. It was the last the 4-year-old colt saw of his rivals.

Ridden by Elvis Trujillo, Irish Surf led by as many as eight lengths on the backstretch and won the Polytrack marathon over 1 1/2 miles by 8 1/4 lengths for his first stakes win. Irish Surf was timed in 2:29.01, setting a track record. The previous mark of 2:29.22 was set by Richard's Kid in the 2012 Cougar II Handicap.

Friday’s race was not without incident. Longview Drive, the winner of the Oak Tree Handicap at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton on June 21, suffered sesamoid injuries a half-mile into the race and was euthanized, according to track officials.

Longview Drive was the second horse euthanized as a result of injuries sustained during Friday’s program. In the sixth race, the 4-year-old filly Yes She’s Unusual broke down in a turf sprint.

Sky Kingdom, the even-money favorite, finished second to Irish Surf, but was never a threat to win. Ice Cream Truck, a 14-1 outsider, finished third, 1 3/4 lengths behind Sky Kingdom. Bailoutbobby was fourth, followed by Layton Register, Old Time Hockey, and Lideris.

Irish Surf ($17.60) ended an eight-race losing streak in the Cougar II, dating back to a win in an optional claimer on turf here exactly one year ago. A 4-year-old colt by Giant’s Causeway, Irish Surf ran in five turf stakes in the last year, with his best finishes fourth-place results in the Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup last December and the Grade 2 Charles Whittingham Stakes at Santa Anita on May 24.

Irish Surf has won 3 of 18 starts and earned $213,660. He races for Gainesway Stable and Thor-Bred Stables and is trained by Dan Hendricks.