Riding a double-digit win streak, reigning Horse of the Year Pink Lloyd surpassed the $1 million mark in Canadian earnings with his latest conquest in the $125,000 Achievement Stakes on Sunday afternoon at Woodbine Racetrack.
The popular Canadian sprint sensation notched his 11th straight stakes victory with jockey Eurico Rosa Da Silva aboard for Hall of Fame trainer Robert Tiller and the Entourage Stable.
“I’m so proud of him,” said an emotional Tiller after the victory. “I’m so in love with him – I really, truly am. I’m just so affected by this horse.”
As the rain began to fall at the Toronto oval, Pink Lloyd reared out of the starting gate with Lokinforpursemonee leaving to his inside in rein to Rafael Hernandez. The pair took off in a duel through a quarter in :21.82 and half in :44.58, racing as much as 10 lengths in front of their foes. However, Lokingforpursemonee was no match for Pink Lloyd as the new millionaire pulled ahead into the turn and drew off down the stretch to win by a comfortable three lengths in 1:09 flat over six furlongs. Conquest Lemonraid came on for second-place over Lokinforpursemonee after trailing throughout, with Occasional View completing the field.
“He’s a freak. He’s half freak, this horse. He’s half horse, half freak. He just wants to run, he wants to go after them,” said Tiller. “You saw Rafael [Hernandez aboard Lokinforpursemonee] do a little :44 and change half trying to get us beat, but that’s horse racing. He won with his ears up, eased, and he didn’t have any horses left to run at anymore.
“At the end of the day, we got it done. Hopefully he’ll come back good. We’re enjoying this run. It’s going to end one day, I’ve said it many times, but the party is still on!”
Following a perfect eight-stakes campaign that earned him 2017 Horse of the Year honours, the six-year-old Old Forester-Gladiator Queen gelding has successfully defended his titles this year in the Jacques Cartier with a track record performance, the New Providence and today’s Achievement Stakes.
Bred in Ontario by John Carey, Pink Lloyd now boasts 14 career wins from 16 starts, with his earnings soaring over seven figures to add millionaire status to his impressive list of accomplishments.
“He just became a new millionaire. He’s such a deserving, special animal and we understand him so much and he understands us,” said Tiller. “He just gives us so much love and so much joy. We’re just so blessed. I thank the good Lord for having him, I mean that.”
Sent postward as the overwhelming 1-9 favourite, Pink Lloyd paid $2.10 to win. There was no place or show wagering. He combined with Conquest Lemonraid for a $2 exacta of 5-2 worth $6.60. Yorkton was scratched after being cross-entered and running fourth in Saturday’s Grade 2 Connaught Cup.
The victory was one of four on the day for Da Silva, who has now won four consecutive editions of the Achievement Stakes and five of the last seven.
Live racing continues Wednesday evening at Woodbine, with first race post time set for 6:45 p.m.
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