Midnight Mammoth never threatened after relaxing on lead in Cougar II marathon

Midnight Mammoth has a way to go to match Budroyale, the best horse ever owned by Jeffrey Sengara, but the owner needs to make room on the trophy shelf after Midnight Mammoth romped in the Grade 3 Cougar II Stakes on Thursday at Del Mar.

Claimed for $50,000 by Sengara and trainer Craig Dollase in spring 2023, Midnight Mammoth ($20) wired the mile and one-half Cougar II, and it wasn’t even close. Under a confident ride by jockey Armando Ayuso, Midnight Mammoth won the $100,000 stakes by 10 1/4 lengths over odds-on Reincarnate. Salesman finished more than seven lengths back in third.

The margin of victory was largest since the Cougar II moved to the main track in 2008.

“It’s the best feeling in the world,” Sengara said after the race, giving credit to both Dollase and Ayuso.

Midnight Mammoth popped the gate and took token pressure from Reincarnate. The pacesetter cruised through easy fractions of 48.16, 1:12.93 and 1:38.03 before he kicked away in the lane to win in 2:32.03.

“I was just a passenger today,” Ayuso said. The win was Midnight Mammoth’s third straight, his fourth since joining the Sengara-Dollase stable, and the gelding’s seventh from 30 career starts.

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The Pacific Classic did not come up in immediate Cougar II post-race conversation, but considering runner-up Reincarnate was using the race as a Pacific Classic prep, it would not be a reach for Midnight Mammoth to jump in. The Pacific Classic will be run Aug. 31.

Reincarnate had no excuse. He pressed Midnight Mammoth, but could not keep up into the stretch. Salesman was under a drive at the three-eighths and completely sputtered.

Sengara owned Budroyale from 1998 through the end of his career in 2001. Claimed by Sengara for $50,000, Budroyale won five graded stakes and finished second behind Cat Thief in the 1999 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Gulfstream Park. Budroyale retired having earned more than $2.8 million.

Since the Cougar II was moved from turf to the main track in 2008, 10 winners ran next in the Pacific Classic; two finished in the money. Tizamagician finished second in the 2021 Pacific Classic. Richard’s Kid ran third in the 2012 Pacific Classic. Richard’s Kid had previously won the 2010 Pacific Classic following a third in the 2010 Cougar II.

* Bettors wagered more than $1.2 million into the Thursday pick six, chasing a carryover of $144,919. The $1 wager returned $177,525.50. The $2 win payoffs of the pick six winners: $15.80, $9.40, $4 favorite, $14.60, $20, and $24.60.

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