Pink Lloyd Scores 20th Career Win in Shepperton
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Photo: Michael Burns
Pink Lloyd wins the Shepperton Stakes at Woodbine
Canadian superstar Pink Lloyd reclaimed his Shepperton Stakes crown to earn his 20th win for Hall of Fame trainer Robert Tiller Aug. 4 at Woodbine.
The 6-1/2-furlong sprint on the Tapeta track with a purse of CA$100,000 (US$75,730) was Pink Lloyd's fourth consecutive stakes victory this year, and Tiller proclaimed, "The party is not over!"
An overwhelming 1-5 favorite in the six-horse field with regular rider Eurico Rosa da Silva aboard, the 7-year-old chestnut gelding stalked the leaders in third before making his move on the final turn and drawing off easily to win by 4 1/4 lengths in 1:15.40 on a fast track.
Pink Lloyd, who was carrying 127 pounds, returned $2.30 to win. There was no place or show wagering.
Dixie's Gamble, the 9-1 second choice, finished a non-threatening second off a ground-saving trip, while Spanish Express held off Marten Lake in a show photo after setting fractions of :22.55 and :45.42. Call Me Wally finished ahead of Jacks Escarpment to round out the field.
"He's just having fun and running so relaxed," said da Silva. "He did it very easy today.
"I'm just grateful to be a part of Pink Lloyd's life. He's such a great horse to ride, and to work with (Tiller), there's nothing better."
Pink Lloyd won the Shepperton in 2017 before finishing third to Kingsport in last year's edition, ending his 11-race win streak.
Bred in Ontario by John Carey and owned by Entourage Stable, the Old Forester —Gladiator Queen, by Great Gladiator, gelding boasts an outstanding résumé that includes 17 stakes wins, four Sovereign Awards including a Horse of the Year title for his 8-for-8 campaign in 2017, a track record of 1:08.05 for six furlongs on the Tapeta set in the 2018 Jacques Cartier, and US$1,186,560 in earnings from 25 starts.
"This is his 17th stakes win and his 20th win. I don't remember having any (other) horses close to winning 20 races," Tiller said. "I've never had a horse win more than three or four or five stakes.
"I've been doing this for 48 years, and I've never seen a horse at Woodbine run like him, and you never will again in the sprint races. I've lost words for explaining what he is. We love him to death. He's just one of the great loves of my life."