Escape Clause streaking into CTHS Sales Stakes

Here is a scary thought for the connections of the five horses running against Escape Clause in the $50,000 CTHS Sales Stakes at Century Downs on Sunday: According to owner and trainer Don Schnell, the 4-year-old Manitoba-bred daughter of Going Commando is “better than she’s ever been.”

If that’s true, there isn’t much doubt that Escape Clause is going to have an easy time winning the seven-furlong dash restricted to 3- and 4-year-old fillies foaled in Canada.

The filly division, race 7, shares the spotlight with the male division, which drew a more competitive field of seven and goes as race 6.

Quarter Horses are featured in the first two races, with the $35,624 Canada Quarter Horse Cup Derby kicking off the 11-race card that begins at 1:15 p.m. Mountain. The $74,459 Canada Quarter Horse Cup Futurity drew a well-matched field of 10.

Escape Clause is the star of the show. She hasn’t been tested in her last seven races, and her most impressive victory came in the $50,000 Founders Distaff on Oct. 8 at Century Downs.

With Prayven Badrie riding her for the first time, she was well in hand while sitting just off Parcam Cowgirl for a half-mile. When Badrie turned her loose, she immediately responded and took the lead at the six-furlong mark. Under strong urging, she drew off to win the 1 1/16-mile race by 10 3/4 lengths over Anstrum.

“She’s gotten bigger and stronger this year,” Schnell said. “She’s also learned how to relax behind horses, which has been a big asset. You can put her anywhere, and anyone can ride her.”

Escape Clause has had five different riders during her seven-race win streak.

A gem of consistency throughout her career, Escape Clause has compiled a 16-3-2 record from 23 starts for earnings of $343,378. She will break from post 2 under Badrie. She was carrying the high weight of 124 pounds in the Distaff. On Sunday, the horses will each carry 121 pounds.

The 3-year-old filly Raider has never lost in five starts in Alberta and is coming off a good effort in the $100,000 British Columbia Oaks on Sept. 8 at Hastings. The Greg Tracy-trained daughter of Stephanotis rallied to finish third in the 1 1/8-mile race won by the heavily favored Here’s Hannah.

Anstrum, trained by Monica Russell, is as honest as they come and will be rolling late. She hasn’t finished worse than third going around three turns this year, with her lone win coming in the one-mile, $50,000 John Patrick on June 16 at Northlands Park.

Strate Remark and Regal Max are the main protagonists in the colts-and-geldings division.

Trained by Craig MacPherson, Strate Remark won the CTHS Sales Stakes on Aug. 24 at Hastings prior to finishing fifth in the $25,000 Pete Pedersen on Sept. 23 at Emerald Downs. He has speed and could be gone if he breaks on top with Rico Walcott riding.

Regal Max, trained by Rick Hedge, used his speed to win the $50,000 Beaufort Stakes for 3-year-olds on Sept. 16 at Century Downs.

Strate Remark and Regal Max both want the lead. If they get carried away, the race could set up for the Russell-trained Rainy Bay. The 4-year-old son of Cause to Believe is versatile and can either stalk or come from well back.