NARROW ESCAPE
1983, b, m,
by Exceller—Gantlette by Run the Gauntlet
Trained by Philip Gleaves
Lifetime: Starts 21; Wins 3
History: Our first acquisition, Narrow Escape is Old Friends' Grand Dame. As the daughter of Exceller, a black-type winner of over $1 million whose life—like Ferdinand's—ended in a slaughterhouse, she is a living reminder of our efforts.
At 21, the former allowance horse ended up on the block at February 2004 Fasig-Tipton sale. When she failed to meet her $1000 reserve, we rushed to make her our principal retiree. Not only was she the daughter of Exceller, but her name also reflected the possible destiny of future paddock mates. We never did buy her, though, as owner Barbara Frank, of Ocala-based Frank's Farm, intervened and donated the mare to our program.
