From the “a good horse can come from anywhere” file, the La Canada S.-G3 at Santa Anita, run on Saturday, January 12, 2019, proved a total anomaly because of its one-two finishers. Winning the race was Manitoba Wonder Mare Escape Clause, who has been racking up wins at such tracks as Assinoboia and Canterbury, whose race record now reads 28 starts, 19 wins, three seconds and three thirds. Talk about consistency!
And iron-leggedness! Her bank account contains $423,500 for owner/trainer Don Schnell. By little known Canadian sire Going Commando, by Unbridled’s Song, Escape Clause became his first graded stakes winner.
Second was a mare who’s done all her running in New Mexico, at Sunland and Zia, where she has won over $500,000. Interviewed before the race, her trainer, Jeff Mullins, seemed abashed when he discussed K P Wildcat’s chances. He admitted he had no idea what to expect. But the mare acquitted herself admirably, though she was no match for the Manitoba-bred mare, and added $20,000 to her bankroll, well worth the trip from the Land of Enchantment.
Brava to the mares, and bravo to the connections for daring to challenge the Santa Anita royally-bred horses and coming out on top!