If you looked closely, you could see Great Escape in the winner’s circle following his victory in the 93rd Canadian Derby (G3) at Century Mile on August 20. The dark bay, almost black colt was dwarfed by over 100 friends celebrating the win of the Kentucky-bred in the 1 1/4 mile feature race of the Alberta season.
GREAT ESCAPE (Midnight Storm – Chickasaw Gal by Indian Charlie) led a 1-2 finish to the wire for trainer Robertino Diodoro who was winning his fourth Canadian Derby. Red Knobs, the Manitoba Derby winner was second with Regal Riot, a BC-bred, finishing third. The time was 2:01.35 on a very fast Century Mile dirt strip.
Red Knobs went on an enterprising journey on the lead, setting fast fractions of 22.41, 45.35 and 1:09.53 with Great Escape and jockey Rico Walcott always in range. The pair had opened up more than half a dozen lengths on the rest of the field as they dueled for the lead on the turn for home. Great Escape powered forward to win by 3 1/2 lengths.
Great Escape was privately bought by a large group of owners from WinStar and Siena Farm this spring. Arnold Bennewith, Lana, Clayton and Rick Wiest, Randy Howg, Gary Kropp, R6 Stables, and Norm Tremblay all joined in the syndicate of the colt who was originally a $200,000 Fasig-Tipton select yearling purchase in 2020.
After being bought by his new owners, Great Escape finished second in the Manitoba Derby Trial and second in the Manitoba Derby behind Red Knobs. His Canadian Derby victory was his second career win in his ninth start. He has earned over $254,000.
Great Escape is the fourth foal to race of his dam Chickasaw Gal, who won one of 2 starts. Chickasaw Gal is out of the stakes-producing mare Juliac.
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