TORONTO, June 8 – Pink Lloyd, a five-year-old son of Old Forester, trained by Robert Tiller, goes after his third straight added-money score in Saturday’s $125,000 Achievement Stakes, at Woodbine. A lifetime winner of five races from seven starts, Pink Lloyd’s 2017 Toronto oval tour includes victories in the Jacques Cartier and New Providence Stakes, contested on April 15 and May 6, respectively. Bred by John Carey and owned by Entourage Stable, the chestnut heads into the six-furlong Tapeta feature in top form. “I’m very happy with the way he’s coming into the race,” said Tiller. “There are no cinches in horse racing, but he’s in really good shape and he’s in good order.” The Hall of Fame conditioner, who has 1,888 career wins, was thrilled with both efforts leading into the Achievement. “We weren’t sure if he was really ready for his first start, but he ran very well,” offered Tiller. “We figured he’d improve off that one – some people thought he might go backwards – but he ran his race and came up with a win.” The Ontario-bred launched his racing career at the end of August last year, making three straight trips to the winner’s circle. On Saturday, Pink Lloyd, in concert with leading rider Eurico Rosa da Silva, will have a chance to emulate that feat. “We knew he was a runner long before that (first start),” said Tiller. “He didn’t race as a three-year-old. He had three injuries that stopped him from racing and that sent him back to the farm.” Tiller is no stranger to Achievement success, having won the race on three occasions: in 1975 with Near the High Sea; in 2002 with Rare Friends and in 2004 with Twisted Wit. As for the name, a play on legendary rock band Pink Floyd, the three-time (2001, 2003 and 2004) Sovereign Award winner as Canada’s champion trainer gives the credit to a longtime friend and owner. “It’s a tremendous name,” said Tiller. “That’s all Frank Di Giulio Jr. There’s no one better than him at coming up with great names for horses. I’m a big fan of the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, The Guess Who – groups like that – but I can’t say I’m that familiar with Pink Floyd.” Pink Lloyd’s record, however, is music to his ears. Post time for the Achievement, slated as race eight on the program, is 4:52 p.m. ET. FIELD FOR THE ACHIEVEMENT PP / Horse / Jockey / Trainer / Morning Line Odds 1 / Jacks Escarpment / Rafael Hernandez / Nick Gonzalez / 15-1 2 / Conquest Tsunami / Patrick Husbands / Mark Casse / 10-1 3 / Boreal Spirit / Ismael Mosqueira / Jennifer Shafer / 20-1 4 / Shaft of Light / Luis Contreras / Jorge Navarro / 2-1 5 / Thor’s Rocket / David Moran / Paul Buttigieg / 20-1 6 / Pink Lloyd / Eurico Rosa da Silva / Robert Tiller / 4-5 7 / Sweet Grass Creek / Jesse Campbell / Mike Keogh / 8-1 Share This:Share
