Pink Lloyd wins seventh straight in Overskate Stakes at Woodbine
Entourage Stable’s rock star Pink Lloyd played another winning tune in Sunday’s $125,000 Overskate Stakes, blasting by his rivals down the stretch for his seventh straight stakes victory of the Woodbine meet.
Robert Tiller trains the Horse of the Year candidate, who remains undefeated in 2017.
“I’m not speechless,” said Tiller after the victory. “I’m going to say it right now: I can’t remember the last horse that’s won seven stakes in a row, the 126 pounds with the Beyer’s (Speed Figures) he’s had. If he’s not the greatest sprinter in Canada and he’s not the best horse in Canada, I give up. What are we supposed to do for an encore here?”
Despite carrying 126 pounds, seven more than his nearest rival in the Ontario Sires Stakes for three-year-olds and up, Pink Lloyd was a dominant three and a half length winner with Jacks Escarpment a runner-up in their second straight match up. Supplemental entry Roxy’s Vision rounded out the top three.
Pink Lloyd broke from the outside post nine and tucked back to seventh before coming through between horses in the final turn and taking off down the stretch. He powered by pacesetter Singandcryindubai (:22.96, :44.98 and 1:09.32) and won the seven furlong sprint in 1:21.73.
“He was a little excited inside the gate," said Da Silva. "He broke a half-length behind. What I did was a blessing because I had the speed to run at. There were a lot of horses that wanted to go faster than my horse. When I stuck in behind the horses, he just relaxed and I was able to save a little bit of ground in the turn and the gap was there for me at the right time. And when I asked him, he just took off from there. He’s just a phenomenal horse.”
As Da Silva aims for the meet stakes record of 36 wins, he can credit Pink Lloyd for his part in putting him within reach. He has partnered with the Tiller trainee for seven of his 31 victories on the year.
Pink Lloyd’s 2017 set list has included the Jacques Cartier, New Providence, Achievement, Grade 3 Vigil, Shepperton, Kenora Stakes and today’s Overstake Stakes.
“I was on top of him when I came back and I was petting him,” said Da Silva of his affection for Pink Lloyd. “I just want to have that good memory about this horse. This horse is very special.”
“We’re blessed, blessed, blessed and I thank the good Lord that we have this horse,” agreed Tiller. "And I mean that from the bottom of my heart. At this stage in my career, I’m very touched by this horse.”
Pink Lloyd paid $3.30 to win as the heavy 3-5 favourite, rebounding from a foot injury and 10 days off from training after his resilient Kenora Stakes score last time out.
“I knew he was very, very sharp today," said Tiller. "I think we were lucky to draw the outside post because he got a little sharp in the gate and kind of broke outward. He’s always been very capable of running by horses or running on the lead, so come on and get him boys! I dare you to take him on!”
Bred in Ontario by John Carey, the five-year-old Old Forester-Gladiator Queen gelding is now 10-for-12 lifetime with earnings soaring over a half-million dollars. Pink Lloyd has another opportunity this year to add to his impressive resume in the Grade 2 Kennedy Road Stakes, which is scheduled for November 25 at Woodbine.
Source: Woodbine Communications