Manitoba-bred Escape Clause gives sire Going Commando a huge boost

Manitoba-bred Escape Clause emerged from a handful of foals produced in her home province to become a multiple graded stakes winner and make her sire, Going Commando, one of the top Canadian stallions outside of Ontario, where the country’s breeding activity is centered.

Among the top 10 living and active Canadian general sires, Not Bourbon, standing at Flying Horse Farm in British Columbia, and Going Commando, who stands for Ziprick Thoroughbreds in Manitoba, are poised to finish sixth and seventh on the earnings list.

Manitoba produces fewer than 1 percent of the annual North American foal crop, and Escape Clause was one of just 64 Manitoba-registered foals in 2014. Going Commando, by Unbridled’s Song, is a full brother to graded stakes winner and former Pennsylvania leading sire Rockport Harbor. He stands for the partnership of the province’s leading breeder, Cam Ziprick, who houses the stallion in the off-season, and Charlie Fouillard, who stands the stallion at his farm in St. Lazare.

:: DRF BREEDING LIVE: Real-time coverage of breeding and sales

Ziprick and Arnason bred Escape Clause in partnership, with Arnason buying out his partner when the filly went through the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society Manitoba Division yearling sale, bringing $3,792.

Escape Clause has rewarded Arnason and his partners, winning 20 of 35 starts with 18 stakes wins – most of those coming early in her career at Assiniboia Downs in her home province. She hit the road to successfully venture into graded stakes company, winning the Grade 3 La Canada at Santa Anita. She later finished second by a nose in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom Invitational at Oaklawn Park to Midnight Bisou, considered the favorite to win the divisional Eclipse Award. Another multiple Grade 1 winner, Elate, finished third.

Escape Clause went on to finish second to Elate in the Grade 2 Delaware Handicap, edging Blue Prize for third. Blue Prize went on to defeat Midnight Bisou in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.