Bruce Lunsford’s MADCAP ESCAPADE (Hennessy) stumbled badly at the break of
Saturday’s $150,000
Shirley Jones H. (G2) at Gulfstream Park, but recovered and sped
through along the rail to take the early lead. From there, the Frank
Brothers-trained four-year-old just glided over the fast track en route to a
two-length victory under jockey Jerry Bailey. No other could catch up with the
bay miss, who returned $3.20, $2.60 and $2.40 as the 3-5 heavy favorite.
Setting quick splits of :22 3/5, :44 4/5 and 1:09 during the seven-furlong
feature, Madcap Escapade stopped the clock in 1:22 while keying the $5.30 exacta
($1), $34.80 trifecta ($1) and $147.50 superfecta (1-7-5-4) ($1). Alix M (End
Sweep) came
with a good late run in the stretch after racing in second throughout the event, but could never reach the winner. The chestnut mare paid $3.60 and $3 for
holding D’ Wildcat Speed (Forest Wildcat) to third by two lengths. Show was worth
$4.80.
Next under the line was Slews Final Answer (Seattle Slew), Expect An Angel
(Valid Expectations) and Givememore (Brz) (Special Nash [Ire]). Society
Selection (Coronado’s Quest), who was sent off the 7-2 second choice, almost fell out of the gate
and never recuperated, running last for much of the race and finishing in that position.
Madcap Escapade was making her 2005 bow in this spot after ending last year
with an injury following a third-place finish in the Kentucky Oaks (G1). That was
her first loss, after she scored in the Ashland S. (G1) and Forward Gal H. (G2).
She has now earned $626,400 to go along with her 6-5-0-1 career mark.
Bred in Kentucky by Needham/Betz Thoroughbreds & James Blackburn, Madcap
Escapade brought $160,000 from her current connections at the 2002 Keeneland
September Yearling Sale. She is out of the multiple-stakes winning Sassy Pants
(Saratoga Six), who is also the dam of the juvenile filly Sass Me (Carson City)
and an unnamed yearling colt by High Yield.