Canada’s sprint superstar Pink Lloyd will attempt to share the record for most wins in the Shepperton Stakes, Thursday afternoon at Woodbine.
Another race, another chance to add to a stacked racing résumé.
A victory in the 6-1/2-furlong, $100,000 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 27, Canada’s reigning three-time Champion Male Sprinter notched a record fourth straight 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,” said trainer Robert Tiller. “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.”
The eight-year-old son of Old Forester, owned by Entourage Stable, 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 lifetime with purse earnings over $1.8 million. The chestnut gelding is currently riding a seven-race win streak.
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 eight, 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, including a victory in his debut on August 28, a 1-1/2-length score over six furlongs on the Woodbine main track.
“It warms my heart [that he’s built up a big fan base]. 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,” continued Tiller. “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.”
The Shepperton is scheduled as the seventh race on Thursday’s eight-race program. First post is 3:20 p.m. Fans can watch and wager on all the action via HPIBet.com. Racing Night Live returns on Thursday, with live action from Woodbine Racetrack and Woodbine Mohawk Park from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on TSN.
FIELD FOR THE SHEPPERTON
Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer
1 – Pink Lloyd – Rafael Hernandez – Robert Tiller
2 – Souper Success – Kazushi Kimura – Michael De Paulo
3 – Silent Jimmie – Daisuke Fukumoto – Paul Buttigieg
4 – Magical Man – Steven Bahen – Gail Hughes
5 – Dun Drum – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Ian Black
6 – Not So Quiet – Justin Stein – Mark Casse
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