The Cougar II Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually in late July/early August at Del Mar Race Track in Del Mar, California. A Grade III event open to horses age three and older, it is contested on Polytrack synthetic dirt over a distance of a mile and a half (12 furlongs). The winner automatically qualifies for a berth in the Breeders' Cup Marathon. Inaugurated in 1937 as the Escondido Handicap, it was renamed in honor of National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame inductee, Cougar II. The race was run as an overnight stakes from 1997 to 2007.