9-Year-Old Pink Lloyd Nets Second Straight Bold Venture
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Photo: Michael Burns
Pink Lloyd leads from start to finish in the Bold Venture Stakes at Woodbine
Canadian sprint superstar Pink Lloyd recorded his second consecutive Bold Venture Stakes (G3) victory Sept. 25 at Woodbine.
After two tough Bold Venture experiences, the seven-time Sovereign Award winner made it back-to-back wins in the 6 1/2-furlong Tapeta race for 3-year-olds and up.
Pink Lloyd finished fifth in the 2018 running and was declared a non-starter in the 2019 edition when he broke through the starting gate early. Last year, in his third Bold Venture attempt, the Robert Tiller trainee split rivals to earn his elusive first win in the race.
On Saturday at Woodbine, Canada's Horse of the Year in 2017 was once again at his very best in the CA$168,900 event.
With Rafael Hernandez aboard, Pink Lloyd was in unfamiliar territory early on, as the veteran campaigner was taken to the front in a compact field of five that was devoid of early speed. After setting easy fractions of :23.83 and :46.68, he accelerated en route to a three-quarter length victory in 1:15.13.
The son of Old Forester went off at just over even money on the odds board and returned $4.10 to win. Lucky Curlin finished second and Lookin to Strike was third.
"I just monitored to see what happens," Hernandez said of the early strategy. "If somebody goes crazy, I'll just sit next to him, if they don't, I'm just going to let him do his thing.
"I know (Lucky Curlin) was breathing next to me all the way, but I trust Pink Lloyd. I said, 'When you turn for home, you're going to stretch your legs and you're going to say bye-bye.'"
It was the fourth Bold Venture title for Tiller. The Hall of Famer won in 1977 with Pres de Tu and again in 2006 with Are You Serious .
Tiller, joined by his wife Gail in the winner's circle, was emotional in the post-race interview.
"I never trained a nine-year-old stakes winner," offered the lifetime winner of over 2,050 races. "He's still out here beating the best sprinters. I'm just so very happy today because I thought he should have won his last race (the Aug. 1 Vigil Stakse). This is not his best race on the lead, that's not what he wants. He likes to run at horses. He's a very competitive horse, but we had no choice today. Raffi just rode his race. As soon as the gates opened, I knew he was going to make the lead. We didn't want to get shuffled back because there really is no speed in the race."
Bred in Ontario by John Carey and owned by the Entourage Stable, the chestnut gelding now has 27 career wins, 24 of them stakes.
"It's an amazing story," said Tiller. "I don't think any horse is going to come along soon and do what he's done. He's running because he's so happy. He's sounder now than he's ever been. I thank the good Lord that my wife is here to see him. This one today is very special. We're blessed to have had this horse. He's an icon."
Out of the stakes-placed Great Gladiator mare Gladiator Queen , Pink Lloyd is related to three other winners. The mare has produced nine foals, the youngest of which is a yearling full sister to Pink Lloyd.