Escape Clause's win in CTHS Sales a record-setter

Trainer Don Schnell called Escape Clause a “freak” and the 3-year-old proved he was right in winning the fillies division of the $50,000 CTHS Sales Stakes for 3- and 4-year-olds at Century Downs Sunday.

Her final time of 1:16.40 for the 6 1/2 furlongs was the fastest at the distance at the new track that opened Sept. 23.

She paid $3.00.

After breaking alertly with Antonio Whitehall aboard, she sat just off 66-1 shot Lil Lottie through a rapid quarter-mile in :21.88 seconds. She took control of the race going down the backstretch, held a 6 1/2-length lead heading into the stretch, and cruised to an easy 9 3/4-length victory over Anstrum, who rallied to finish second. I Tricked My Ride, at 80.85-1, rounded out the $1 triactor that paid $218.10.

It was the eighth win in nine starts this year for the Manitoba-bred daughter of Going Commando who is owned by Schnell. Her only loss this year was a runner-up finish against the boys in the Manitoba Derby.

The winner’s share of the purse brought her lifetime earnings $169,619.

Whitehall and Schnell teamed up to win the boys division with Langara, who paid $5.50 for his three-length win over Makealittlenoise.

It wasn’t as impressive, but the 4-year-old son of Langfur ran an almost identical race to his stablemate. Even-money favorite Golden Oldie, who finished third, loomed a threat on the stretch turn but was easily repelled by the winner.

The final time was 1:17.80.