Clintons Escape turned in the fastest mile in the history of Alberta Downs on Sunday afternoon when he scorched the oval in 1:50.2 en route to a six and a quarter-length triumph in the $105,000 Brad Gunn Final
for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings.
Trainer/driver Keith Clark mapped out a sweet trip for the gelded son of Clintons Cigar-Emotionaliscape, and the end result saw him chop three seconds off the track record for his age group. The mile was more than a full second faster than the overall track record of 1:51.3 set on May 2, 2009 by Smart Shark in his five-year-old campaign.
Clintons Escape was treated to a two-hole trip behind a keyed-up Campasser (Brandon Campbell), who sprinted the field through sensational fractions of :25.3, :54.3 and 1:22.2. Clintons Escape went after the leader on the way to the three-quarter pole, and he crossed over in front of his fleet-footed foe shortly after passing that juncture.
A :28-second final frame was more than enough for Clintons Escape to deliver on his 1-2 pari-mutuel promise. Campasser held on for the runner-up award in the 10-horse affair, while Barona Ice tagged along to finish third.
Clark shares ownership on the 11-time winner with the pacer’s breeders, Allan Neurauter of High River and George Young of Calgary, AB. Collectively they’ve watched the talented sophomore bank in excess of $150,000 in just 17 lifetime starts.
Clark also clicked with Lady And Thetrench in the $10,000 Fillies & Mares Open. The four-year-old daughter of Armbro Trench, who is owned by Clark and partners Pat Elynuik and John Hing of Calgary, AB, tracked cover and out-kicked rivals to the line in a time of 1:54.2. Her :26.1 closing quarter earned her the half-length decision over race favourite Goodbadanddeugly N, with third prize going to Second Fancy.
Sent off as an 8-1 outsider, Lady And Thetrench won for the fourth time this season and for the 11th time in her career. She has managed to stash away more than $153,000 in lifetime earnings.
Over the course of the afternoon, Clark made five trips to the winner's circle - and four of them were with horses from his own barn.
To view Sunday’s results, click here.