Cougars get their deserved place at Del Mar

Rosie Goldstein, Del Mar's Miss Cougar 2009 (courtesy delmarscene.com)

To promote today’s Cougar II Handicap at Del Mar (the longest race of the summer at 1.5 miles), marketing and PR at the racetrack came up with an idea that has been in their line of sight (literally) for years.

The winner, Rosie Goldstein, was announced yesterday. She’ll be on hand to present the trophy to the winner of today’s handicap, in addition to dinner for two gratis at Vela restaurant at the new Hilton Bayfront.

That’s right, “Miss Cougar” will be front and center but, in case you haven’t figured out yet, this time we’re not talking about a cat. Slang bible Urban Dictionary describes a “Cougar” as the following (this is one of the tamer definitions):

An attractive woman in her 30’s or 40’s who is on the hunt once again. She may be found in the usual hunting grounds: nightclubs, bars, beaches, etc. She will not play the usual B.S. games that women in their early twenties participate in. End state, she will be going for the kill.

If you’ve been to the races at Del Mar, you are aware of the constant Cougar presence. And via their statement about the contest, they know it:

Del Mar won’t hide that the seaside track is known for attracting cougars of all kinds … The mature ladies on the prowl have come to be a staple element of Del Mar’s charm.

All one had to do to submit to the contest was mail a photo, contact information and one sentence describing one’s qualifications (boy would I love to read those…) by Monday’s deadline.

So congrats Rosie, and guys, think up that excuse for taking the afternoon off and get yourselves to the racetrack.