Woodbine Racetrack’s top sprinter Pink Lloyd extended his win streak to five in Saturday’s featured $125,000 Shepperton Stakes for Ontario-sired three-year-olds and up.
With his regular jockey Eurico Rosa Da Silva aboard, Pink Lloyd drew clear in the stretch to win the 6-1/2 furlong sprint in 1:15.03 on the Tapeta track for trainer Robert Tiller and the Entourage Stable.
Supplemental entry Aaronic Blessing (Alan Garcia) established the lead from the inside with Boreal Spirit (Jesse Campbell) racing in second-place and Pink Lloyd positioned just behind the top pair in between horses. Aaronic Blessing led through fractions of :22.17, :44.59 and 1:08.65, but Da Silva maneuvered Pink Lloyd three-wide to the outside of Boreal Spirit around the final turn and drew clear in the stretch for the victory. San Nicola Thunder (Luis Contreras) closed outside to finish second ahead of Boreal Spirit.
“He was running very, very relaxed and a little bit too relaxed that I started to worry, but once I asked him and tapped him in the shoulder, he came outside and then he woke up,” said Da Silva. “Then I said, ‘that’s my boy!’”
“I was a little concerned at [the five-eighths], but as soon as I saw him shake outside, I knew it was over,” said Tiller. “He’s very relaxed and we’re trying to make this horse last the whole year. To win five stakes in the row, it’s amazing and he’s a wonderful animal. I’ve said it many times before, he’s such a thrill, especially towards the end of my career. This is the best sprinter, best horse I’ve had I think.”
Undefeated in five starts this year, Pink Lloyd also boasts victories in the Jacques Cartier Stakes, New Providence Stakes, Achievement Stakes and Vigil Stakes (Gr. 3).
“Five in a row…let’s go for six!” added the Canadian Hall of Fame trainer with a smile.
Bred in Ontario by John Carey, the five-year-old Older Forester-Gladiator Queen gelding has won eight of his 10 starts lifetime while banking almost $450,000.
Pink Lloyd was sent postward as the overwhelming 1-5 favourite and paid $2.70 to win. There was no place or show wagering. He combined with San Nicola Thunder for a 5-2 exactor worth $7.90. A 5-2-8 triactor (Boreal Spirit) paid $24.80 and a $1 superfecta of 5-2-8-3 (Field Of Courage) returned $86.15. Jacks Escarpment, Thor’s Rocket and Aaaronic Blessing completed the order of finish. Goodoldhockeygame was scratched.
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