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- G2 Stakes Winner
- Posts: 487
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- Location: Monroe, WA
- Logged
Much of the two Shoemaker books are well...embellished to say the least. While it was fairly common knowledge that Whittingham had a healthy share of Ack Ack, there was never any evidence that he owned any of Cougar. Whittingham had no knowledge of Jones replacing Shoemaker with Pincay until he called Vince DeGregory, Pincay's agent, to book Pincay on Kennedy Road. DeGregory told Whittingham that he already had a call for the Gold Cup, on Cougar. Since Jones bought Cougar in the summer of 1970, Shoemaker rode him almost exclusively. When a conflict arose in the 1971 Big 'Cap, Shoe stayed with Ack Ack and defeated Cougar with Pincay up. Because of a suspension in the fall of 1972, Don Pierce subbed for Shoe winning the Carleton F. Burke at Santa Anita on Cougar. Not long before the 1973 Big 'Cap, Shoemaker broke his hand and Pincay subbed for him twice on Cougar, winning the Big 'Cap and finishing third on a yielding turf course (Cougar hated anything soft) in the San Luis Rey Stakes. Shoemaker then finished third twice on Cougar--San Juan Capistrano and Hollywood Turf Invitational--sandwiched around a big win in the Century Handicap. It was in the Century that Cougar became the first foreign bred millionaire. It was after the Hollywood Turf Invitational that the trouble started.
Cougar was incredibly popular with the media and fans. He wouldn't allow use of a lead pony and would stop and go as he pleased on the way to the gate. He often times would stop in front of the tote board, gaze at it then look at the crowd as if he was confirming that he should be favored. He had a long flowing mane and tail that flew as wildly as his moods. Cougar could not be forced into anything he had to be finessed into it and at this Shoemaker was the master. When Cougar ran and won the Big 'Cap earlier that year, he had been prepared for the race on works alone as a device to keep weight off of him. Whittingham's ploy worked as he was asked to carry 126. Had Cougar won a prep race or two he would have carried at least 130. Since he was fresh, Cougar was compliant for Pincay and they had a good trip except for a bumping incident late in the race of which Cougar was absolved of blame. By 1971, Pincay had replaced Shoemaker as the leading rider on the circuit by a wide margin. Jones loved Cougar and soon began to blame Shoemaker for what she deemed as sub par performances. Since Cougar had won the Big 'Cap with Pincay--and in her opinion he was the superior jockey--Jones wanted Pincay to be Cougar's rider. The trouble was that Cougar was very difficult to ride. He would take him self back out of the gate and then want to be on the rail at all costs which only made for traffic problems. You couldn't really ask or tell him to do anything but make him think it was his idea. At this stage in his career, Pincay's biggest asset was his strength and power. Soon after the horses broke from the gate in the Gold Cup, Pincay could see that the pace was going to be solid but not blazing so he niggled at Cougar to stay close--Cougar sulked and slowed down. Pincay then asked Cougar to pick it up--Cougar became irritated and slowed down further. Around the 6f pole, Pincay demonstratively told Cougar to go and Cougar got angry and all but stopped. At this point Pincay gave up and just sat still. At about the 5/16 pole, Cougar seemed to look up and decide he had work to do. He took ahold of the bit and made an electrifying move to get third five lengths behind Kennedy Road--with Shoemaker up--and Quack who were a nose apart. Shoemaker knew of these quirks in Cougar's personality, Pincay did not and I do not imagine that Shoemaker was forthcoming with any tips as to how to get Cougar to run. Jones was booed in her box both before and after the race and she reportedly left after the race in tears. Shoemaker was rousingly cheered as he brought Kennedy Road back to the winner's circle. Whittingham trained Kennedy Road, Quack and Cougar so while not in love with the drama, he seemed to persevere. It was Whittingham's intent to run Cougar back in the closing day 12f on turf Sunset Handicap and he told Jones in no uncertain terms that Shoemaker would be aloft. Jones did not come to Hollywood Park to watch the Sunset Handicap, very uncharacteristic for her, since Cougar had almost become her identity. The race was not televised or broadcast live on the radio. Jones reportedly called the Hollywood Park publicity office after the race to ask if Cougar had won. When told he had, she was asked if she had a comment, she answered "No" and hung up. For the record when The Big Cat--as he was known--and Shoemaker made their move in the stretch in the Sunset, the horse they ran down late was, course record holder for the distance, Life Cycle with Pincay up. Shoe then was up for both of Cougar's fall New York races. Sorry for the length, but this really was my attempt at the Reader's Digest version.
... sadly lost by a nose to Kennedy Road ... and Cougar coming in third five lengths back. Would you happen to know why Shoemaker was "bounced off" Cougar for that race by the owner? Lucky for Shoemaker ... he rode the winner, Kennedy Road. The owner was booed by the fans .... and Shoemaker was cheered! Thought you might know .... more of this story.
