Entourage Stable’s Pink Lloyd notched his third consecutive added-money score in taking Saturday’s $125,000 Achievement Stakes, at Woodbine.
Trained by Robert Tiller and perfectly handled by Eurico Rosa da Silva, Pink Lloyd, took control of the race from the outset, and then dashed away on his rivals to the tune of a 5 ¼-length score.
The Old Forester chestnut has been at the top of his game in 2017. And this day was no different.
He arrived at the six-furlong Achievement off two stellar stake showings, winning the Jacques Cartier on April 15 and the New Providence on May 6.
And while there was some drama prior to the opening act, Pink Lloyd was, as Tiller noted, a “rock star” when the race was over.
Jacks Escarpment and Pink Lloyd were both fractious just prior to the start, with the latter bursting through the gate before being quickly pulled up with assistance from the outriders. There was a short delay when the decision was made to switch starting gates.
Pink Lloyd traveled well through opening splits of :22.70 and :45.23, with Sweet Grass Creek and Boreal Spirit sitting second and third, respectively.
At the stretch call, Pink Lloyd was two lengths in front, but soon began to distance himself from his pursuers, kept to task by da Silva, but impressive every step of the way in the Saturday feature.
Sweet Grass Creek held on for place by three-quarters of a length over Boreal Spirit. Pink Lloyd covered six furlongs in 1:08.76.
Da Silva was impressed to see the five-year-old sprinter shrug off the pre-race jitters and put in a performance that will no doubt earn great reviews.
“That’s why I was moving him along because he’s a big horse,” noted the Toronto oval’s leading rider. “Just because he was by himself there, he was bored. If there was a horse beside him, it would be different music.”
“He was very, very fresh today and another horse tried to flip in the gate,” he continued. “He just went through the door – he exploded through the door. I knew he’d be on the lead because he practiced before the race. I know I made my boss nervous to be on the lead, but he’s a very good horse. Nothing to worry about.”
Pink Lloyd’s Hall of Fame conditioner was relieved everything turned out well. He was also full of praise for his sprint sensation.
“Twenty years ago, I probably would have fainted and they would have had to carry me off on a stretcher,” said Tiller, of the eventful day. “I took it all in stride. I thought the outriders did a tremendous job grabbing him. I don’t know how they got there that quickly.
“He was so sharp this whole week. I was worried I hadn’t done enough with him. He went over there like a wild man. He’s just a very good horse. I’m proud of him. He’s a special horse. We’ve had a lot of good horses, but as far as Ontario-sired, he’s more than an Ontario-sire…this is a rock star.”
Pink Lloyd, bred in Ontario by John Carey, banked $75,000 in victory while improving his record to 6-1-0 from eight starts.
He paid $3.30, $2.20 and $2.10, combining with Sweet Grass Creek ($4.70, $3.50) for a $13.20 (6-7) exactor. A 6-7-3 triactor (Boreal Spirit, $5.60 to show) was worth $49.90. A $1 Superfecta of 6-7-3-5 (Thor’s Rocket) returned $162.50. Conquest Tsunami was scratched.
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