Pink Lloyd Does It Again In Shepperton

TORONTO, ON – The Woodbine win machine named Pink Lloyd added yet another notch to his belt when he ran away from the field to capture Sunday’s $100,000 Shepperton Stakes for registered Ontario-sired horses.

Breaking from post 3 under Eurico Da Silva as the 1/9 bettors’ choice, Pink Lloyd watched as Spanish Express posted opening fractions of :22.55 and :45.42. Asked to move three-wide while midway through the far turn, Pink Lloyd raced right to the front and took control as he straightened for home.

Running away strongly in the stretch, the Robert Tiller-trained Pink Lloyd crossed 4 1/4 lengths the best to win the 6 1/2-furlong event over the fast synthetic surface in 1:15.40.

“He’s just having fun and running so relaxed,” Da Silva said. “He did it very easy today. I’m just grateful to be a part of Pink Lloyd’s life. He’s such a great horse to ride, and to work with this man here (Tiller), there’s nothing better.”

Dixie’s Gamble ran up the rail to take second over Spanish Express, who weakened in the stretch and just headed Marten Lake for third. Call Me Wally and Jacks Escarpment completed the order of finish.

Pink Lloyd’s win was his 17th in a stakes event and improved his career record to 25-20-1-1 with $1,186,560 earned for owner Entourage Stable. The 7-year-old gelded son of Old Forester began an 11-race win streak on April 15, 2017, that ended when he finished third in the 2018 Shepperton. That streak included his first two graded stakes scores and the 2017 edition of the Shepperton, but to Tiller, he’s never looked better.

“I don’t remember having any horses close to winning 20 races,” Tiller said. “I’ve never had a horse win more than three or four or five stakes. I’ve been doing this for 48 years and I’ve never seen a horse at Woodbine run like him, and you never will again in the sprint races. I’ve lost words for explaining what he is. We love him to death. He’s just one of the great loves of my life.”

Pink Lloyd returned $2.30 to win. There was no place or show betting.