Report: Escape Clause retires after a 'remarkable run'

Escape Clause, the Manitoba-bred mare who brought her eight race-winning streak to the U.S. and continued competing at her division’s highest level, has retired.

Don Schnell, the 5-year-old’s trainer and co-owner, told Assiniboia Downs’ Insider that Escape Clause will be offered at Fasig-Tipton’s “Night of the Stars” auction on Nov. 5 in Lexington, Ky.

“It was the saddest day of my life loading her in a van and watching her go,” said Schnell, who saddled the daughter of going Commando for 20 wins from 35 starts.

Most of those victories came at Canada’s Assiniboia Downs before Escape Clause tried tougher competition in the U.S. On Nov. 9, 2018, she took her underdog story to Del Mar and won the Kathryn Crosby Stakes; in January she struck again in Santa Anita’s La Canada (G3); and on March 24 she won Sunland Park’s Harry Henson Handicap.

Well-traveled, Escape Clause also ran a close second to Midnight Bisou in Oaklawn Park’s Apple Blossom (G1). She made a fourth in Churchill Downs’ Sept. 14 Locust Grove (G3) her final career start.

“She came up empty,” Schnell told Assiniboia Downs’ Insider. “She didn’t have the kick she normally does. We’ll freshen her for the sale.

“…She’s made more than $500,000 this year. How many horses have done that? It’s been a remarkable run by a remarkable horse.”