Regal Escape and Luke Hanners turned a perfect trip into a victory Sunday, March 15 at Miami Valley Raceway. The Indiana pacer rallied home as the winner in the $22,500 upper conditioned pace in a time of 1:52.2 with summer like conditions and wind.
Starting from post two, Regal Escape left the gate just enough to get the first lead before being taken over by Wicked Character and Chris Page at the quarter in :26.4. The tempo slowed down to the half in :56.1 before picking back up heading to the three-quarters with Trip Hammer and Trace Tetrick leading the way first over.
In the final turn, the field was tightening up and Regal Escape was itching to get out from behind Wicked Character. That opportunity arrived in the stretch, and he began to move forward. However, Wicked Character was not going to give in easily. The two horses battled all the way to the wire with Regal Escape getting the edge at the wire by a nose. Trip Hammer finished third.
Regal Escape paid $6.40 for the win. The 10-year-old son of Real Desire is trained by Daniel Stone for owners S & S Racing Stable. Dr. Keith Hollendonner bred the gelding, who has been a warrior every year he’s been on the track. To date, he has 35 wins and more than $300,000, earning it bit by bit along the way. He has raced mainly in Ohio in the past three years but has made a journey to the East Coast also. His career best time of 1:49.1 was taken last year at Scioto Downs. He already has two wins this season. Regal Escape is the final foal from the Artiscape mare Beach Escape and is a full brother to Cantescapemydesire, a winner in 1:51 with more than $240,000 on his card.
Earlier in the card, Lets Go Jude and Trevor Smith moved up first over and battled their way to the wire to score the win by one and three-quarter lengths in 1:53.0. Guns Blazin and Cameron McCown finished second over On Dayboo and Brett Miller for third.

Lets Go Jude paid $7.80 for the win. The six-year-old son of JK Endofanera is owned by Carlo Racing and trained by AJ Carlo. Lavon Miller is the breeder on Lets Go Jude, who hasn’t finished worse than second all season in seven starts. He has three wins and 16 overall with $142,000 in earnings. His career b est time of 1:52 was taken last year as a five-year-old at Dayton Raceway.
