Pink Lloyd Aims for Third Shepperton Win

Canada's sprint superstar Pink Lloyd will attempt to share the record for most wins in the CA$100,000 Shepperton Stakes July 23 at Woodbine.

Another race, another chance to add to a stacked racing résumé.

A victory in the 6 1/2-furlong main track Shepperton would tie champion Pink Lloyd with three-time winner Paso Doble, a son of Bold n' Flashy who took the 2011, 2013, and 2014 editions of the race.

Pink Lloyd, who won the 2017 and 2019 runnings, comes into the race off another record-setting performance.

On June 25, Canada's reigning three-time champion male sprinter notched a record fourth consecutive victory in the Jacques Cartier Stakes and recorded his 20th overall added-money win. His initial Jacques Cartier score in 2017 was his first stakes victory and the start of an unprecedented 11-race win streak.

"It was a good race and a good start for him," trainer Robert Tiller said. "Like me, he's getting older. But I'd say he ran very well. I certainly wouldn't knock it. He's doing very well. He's very happy. He hasn't worked since his last race—he does a lot of long miles. He's happier than a bumblebee."

Entourage Stable's 8-year-old son of Old Forester  now turns his attention to the Shepperton, a race Tiller has won a record five times. Forever Grand (2003), Dave the Knave (2006), and Dancer's Bajan (2008) are the conditioner's other Shepperton winners.

Bred in Ontario by John Carey, Pink Lloyd now boasts 23 wins from 28 starts with purse earnings of US$1,395,747. The chestnut gelding is riding a seven-race win streak. Three starts back, he was declared a non-starter after a fourth-place finish in the Sept. 14 Bold Venture Stakes (G3) in which he broke through the starting gate early.

Tiller continues to marvel at the six-time Sovereign Award winner, who was named Canada's Horse of the Year in 2017.

"You know what, you probably run out of questions when it comes to this guy. I've run out of answers. You could ask me, 'At 8, is he still the same old Pink Lloyd?' My answer would be, 'Absolutely.' He doesn't know he's old. He's a lot like me. He's bucking and kicking and feeling good."

Pink Lloyd launched his career in 2016, winning his first three races. In his Aug. 28 debut, he won by 1 1/2 lengths over six furlongs on the Woodbine main track.

"It warms my heart (that he's built up a big fan base)," Tiller said. "They should love him. I love him so much. The owners love him so much. I'm not saying he's the best horse ever. I'm saying he's got the most heart and charm of any horse I've ever seen, and I've trained a lot of good horses.

"I'd like to see him get over $2 million in career earnings, Canadian. He'll go to LongRun (Thoroughbred Retirement Society) and have a great retirement. He'll be a movie star there after being a rock star on the racetrack."

Pink Lloyd will break from the rail under Rafael Hernandez, with Souper Success, Silent Jimmie, Magical Man, Dun Drum, and Not So Quiet to his outside.