Looking for his fifth Sovereign award for champion sprinter, Canadian champion Pink Lloyd takes on five rivals in the Nov. 7 CA$100,000 Ontario Jockey Club Stakes at Woodbine.
Bred in Ontario by John Carey and owned by Entourage Steady, the venerable 9-year-old gelding, a 27-time winner, arrives on the six-furlong Tapeta occasion for Ontario-sired 3-year olds and up off his second straight Daring Enterprise Stakes (G3) rating.
Skilled by Robert Tiller, the son of Old Forester will carry the top weight of 124 pounds for the Ontario Jockey Club. Pink Lloyd will once again have Rafael Hernandez in the irons, who has partnered with Pink Lloyd regularly since 2020 following Eurica Rosa Da Silva’s retirement from the saddle.
“This horse, he’s really strong and he can do anything you want from him,” said Hernandez. “He can get you in a good spot, but if you get into a tough spot, he can always find a way out. Last time, in the Bold Venture, there didn’t appear to be much speed in the race. Was someone going to come and try to go with him fast early and then I wouldn’t have anything left in the end, or were they thinking that he’s a veteran horse and we’ll let him go? Another horse tried to go for the lead, but he couldn’t get to him. So, we had the lead and we went from there.”
Pink Lloyd, a namestay at the Woodbine oval for the past five years, has been a fan favorite at the races. Hernandez counts himself as one of Pink Lloyd’s proudest supporters.
“He has so many stakes (wins) and he is a favourite horse of all people, not only for me, not only for Bob Tiller, not only for his proprietor, however for the racetrack. I do know folks come to Woodbine simply to see him.”
Hernandez hopes Pink Lloyd can add to his lofty listing of successes Sunday.
“I discuss to him, even earlier than the race begins. I inform him, ‘You are taking me the place you need to go and do your factor. I’ll wait so that you can change your lead and allow you to go.’ Once we go within the gate, I inform him to chill out. He desires to go, however I take a maintain and say, ‘Not but. Simply maintain on.’ After the wire, we each breathe and I inform him, ‘We did it, buddy. Good job.’ Proper now, I am fascinated with using him within the race and it makes me smile. Each time I speak about him in an interview after the race, I inform them I’m only a passenger. You want the horse to win the race. You’ll be able to’t say that you just gained the race. You want a very good driver. With this horse, I’m comfortable to be the driving force.”
Entries: Ontario Jockey Club S.
Woodbine, Sunday, November 07, 2021, Race 3
- STK
- 6f
- All Climate Monitor
- $100,000
- 3 yo’s & up
- 1:55 PM (native)
