Photos: Miss Cougar Del Mar Contest at Racetrack

Horses and gamblers and cougars—oh my! For the third year in a row, “mature” women who have a penchent for dating (much) younger men gathered at the Del Mar racetrack to compete for the title of “Miss Cougar Del Mar.”

The winner, Rosa Hildebrandt, was crowned in the winner's circle of the track on Friday night. The contest began in 2009 as a way to promote the Cougar II Handicap, the longest distance stakes race of the seven-week season. 

The six Miss Cougar Del Mar finalists were each awarded a “Day at Del Mar Package” which was valued at $500. Hilderbrandt, who described herself as, “…a confident, easygoing woman who is living life to the fullest,” was declared the winner after she received the majority of the votes in the competition which was held online.  

According to the website Dating Thoughts, a  “cougar” is defined as: “A woman aged 40 years or old who preys on younger men. During a hunt, she can often be spotted by her leopard print outfit, which makes her feel and look younger.”