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‘An Absolutely Fantastic Ride’: On Eve Of Final Start, Robert Tiller Reflects On Pink Lloyd’s Career

Pink Lloyd, one of Canada's most decorated champions, will make the final start of his illustrious career in Saturday's Grade 2 $175,000 Kennedy Road Stakes at Woodbine in Toronto, Ont.

Campaigned by Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee Robert Tiller, 9-year-old Pink Lloyd is set to chase his 26^th career stakes victory in the Kennedy Road, a six-furlong main track test for 3-year-olds and upward, a race that he won in 2017 and 2019.

“We made a decision this week to retire him after this race,” said Tiller of the seven-time Sovereign Award-winning gelding, who was named Canada's Horse of the Year in 2017. “It will be a bit of a sad situation because all good things come to an end, but it's been an absolutely fantastic ride. To me, he's the greatest sprinter we've ever had at Woodbine. It's been a wonderful ride, with some sadness, but on the other hand it will be a big relief for me, certainly, because it's not easy training a horse like this where everyone expects him to win all the time.”

Owned by Entourage Stable and bred by John Carey, the son of Old Forester launched his career in 2016 with straight three straight victories.

It was only the beginning for Pink Lloyd, a $30,000 purchase at the 2013 Canadian Premier Yearling Sale.

His trophy haul includes four consecutive (2017-2020) champion male sprinter trophies and a pair of champion older male titles in 2017 and 2019.

Pink Lloyd, who went 8-for-8 in 2017, won four consecutive editions of the Vigil Stakes and Jacques Cartier Stakes, along with three triumphs in both the Shepperton and Kenora.

The chestnut arrives at his final start off a win in the Ontario Jockey Club Stakes on November 7 at Woodbine. He brings a record of 28-3-2 from 37 starts, accompanied by over $2.3 million (CDN) in purse earnings, into the Kennedy Road.

“We're so proud of him,” said Tiller. “On one hand, it will be over, and I'll be very sad to see him get on the van and go, but I don't think anyone should shed too many tears because what he's done has been fantastic. We want to give him what he deserves.”

The fan favorite has built up an impressive following over his years on the racetrack.

That popularity will live on when he starts his post-racing life with LongRun, one of the continent's most respected horse retirement and adoption organizations.

He'll join over 50 retired thoroughbred horses at LongRun's farm in Erin, Ont., a little less than an hour's drive north of Woodbine.

“It's just an awesome privilege for LongRun to be chosen to give Pink Lloyd his happy retirement home,” said Vicki Pappas, a founding member and longtime chairperson of LongRun.

Michelle Gibson, Pink Lloyd's groom, will be a frequent visitor to the picturesque property.

“I have mixed emotions,” said Gibson, recipient of the Jockey Club of Canada's 2020 Outstanding Groom Award. “I'm elated that he is retiring but at the same time, I'm going to miss that face greeting me every morning. He deserves a happy life now. I would love to be there the first time he gets turned out in a huge paddock, just being a horse. Even though he will be gone from my stalls, he will never be gone from life. He is my heart horse.”

Regular rider Rafael Hernandez, a lifetime winner of over 2,800 races, continues to marvel at the veteran campaigner's ability to show up every time the gate opens.

He's hoping to end Pink Lloyd's racing career on a high note.

“When you ride him, you don't feel yourself going fast because he spends so much time in the air,” Hernandez recently told Woodbine. “He has a big, big stride. He's unbelievable… he's push button. When you're in a race car and you push the nose and say, 'Bye-bye,' that's him. When you turn for home and push the button, it's, 'Bye-bye, come and get me.' Every time I talk about him in an interview after the race, I tell them I am just a passenger. You need the horse to win the race. You can't say that you won the race. You need a good driver. With this horse, I am happy to be the driver.”

His connections are grateful to have been along for the thrill ride.

“He'll be a tourist attraction at LongRun now,” offered Tiller. “Vicki and her crew, they're going to love him, and he's going to be great for people to come out and see. I plan on being out there myself and having a few chats with him.”

They'll no doubt have plenty to talk about.

First post for Saturday's 11-race card is 12:55 p.m. The Kennedy Road goes as race eight. Fans can watch and wager on all the action with HPIbet.com and the Dark Horse Bets app.

To learn more about LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement click on the link.

$175,000 KENNEDY ROAD STAKES

Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer
1 – Lenny K – Justin Stein – Kevin Attard
2 – Red River Rebel – Luis Contreras – Kevin Attard
3 – Tap It to Win – Kazushi Kimura – Mark Casse
4 – Clayton – Antonio Gallardo – Kevin Attard
5 – Pink Lloyd – Rafael Hernandez – Robert Tiller
6 – Richiesinthehouse – Emma-Jayne Wilson – Francine Villeneuve
7 – Smokin' Jay – Shaun Bridgmohan – Kelsey Danner
8 – Souper Stonehenge – Patrick Husbands – Mark Casse
9 – Malibu Secret – Ademar Santos – Ross Armata, Jr.

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Neige Blanche Kicks Off Del Mar Turf Festival With Front-Running Red Carpet Score

The French filly Neige Blanche made every pole a winner in her 11-furlong journey Thursday in the $100,000 Red Carpet Handicap at Del Mar and held off the late-charging 3-10 favorite Luck at the wire for a head victory in the Grade 3 headliner at the seaside track north of San Diego, Calif.

The 4-year-old chestnut by the Irish stallion Anodin ran the distance in 2:15.45 under Juan Hernandez and returned $24.80 to her backers in the Thanksgiving Day crowd.

Neige Blanche ('white snow' in French) is trained by Frenchman Leonard Powell. She's owned by the following group: Sol Kumin's Madaket Stables, Laura De Seroux, Marsha Naify and Mathilde Powell.

Luck, who races for LNJ Foxwoods, finished a half length ahead of Katsumi Yoshida's Nicest in third.

The payoffs were Neigh Blanche $24.80, $5.00 and $3.00; Luck $2.20 and $2.10, and Nicest $3.00. Fractions were :25.00, :50.60, 1:16.35, 1:40.25, 2:03.38 and 2:15.45

“I thought I'd be running second behind someone,” said Hernandez. “She usually relaxes better if she's got a horse in front of her. But today nobody wanted the front and she seemed to be fine out there so I just let her keep on going. When we were in the stretch she sensed that other horse (3-10 favorite Luck) coming on the outside and she picked it up. She didn't want to get beat.”

Neige Blanche earned a first prize of $60,000 for her efforts, pushing her winnings to $315,280. She now has six wins in 15 outings.

“We brought her here (from France) a year ago and she has been a really consistent, good horse,” said Powell. “We tried some new tactics today, going to the lead, and it worked. I could see the first time past the stands the pace wasn't that fast and I felt good. I had a moment of concern when she was headed in the stretch, but she dug in very gamely and got her head in front at the wire. I'm very proud of her.”

The Red Carpet is the first of seven graded stakes run on turf at Del Mar for its final four days of the 2021 Bing Crosby Season.

There was an early 11 a.m. first post Thursday because of the holiday, but post will move to the regular 12:30 start for the remaining three days.

The track's elusive Pick 6 Single Ticket Jackpot Wager once again slipped through the bettors hands and its carryover reached $460,113. With three days left in the meet, there is the possibility that the massive pot could go forward all the way to closing day on Sunday when there would be a mandatory payout of the entire pool.

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Envoutante Upsets Bonny South Again In Falls City

It was déjà vu all over again for Three Chimneys Farm and Walking L Thoroughbreds' Envoutante as the 4-year-old filly upset favored Bonny South by six lengths in Thursday's $500,000 Falls City (Grade 2), the traditional Thanksgiving Day fixture for fillies and mares at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., for the second year in a row.

Trained by Kenny McPeek and ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr., Envoutante ran 1 1/8 miles over a sloppy track in 1:51.52 – the slowest since Dundalk Dust's 1:53.37 under similar conditions in 2011 – to become the first back-to-back Falls City winner since Screen Prospect in 1990-91.

Last year, Envoutante also beat 4-5 favorite Bonny South by six lengths in the Falls City but it was over a fast track in 1:49.11, which was the fastest Falls City since Silent Eskimo's stakes record of 1:48.85 in 1999.

Breaking from post three in the field of six fillies and mares, Envoutante saved ground and raced along the rail throughout the two-turn race. Black-Eyed Susan (G2) and Iowa Oaks (G3) winner Army Wife had a narrow advantage over Envoutante through the first half-mile of the race (:24.82 and :49.20) but the defending race champion took over with a five furlongs to run.

Around the final turn and six furlongs in 1:13.55, Army Wife continued to chase leader Envoutante as Audrey's Time and multiple graded stakes winner Bonny South loomed boldly with wide rallies. Audrey's Time drew even with Envoutante at the top of the stretch and Bonny's South came within a length, but Envoutante had plenty of energy left and quickly opened up in the stretch for the comfortable win in the 106^th running of the Falls City.

“Even though we were battling on the front end, down the backside she was still traveling very comfortably,” Hernandez Jr. said. “I knew going into the far turn and at the quarter pole my filly would have enough kick left in her for the stretch. She ran a great effort and repeated her race from last year's Falls City.”

Envoutante was the 5-2 third betting choice and paid $7.40, $3.80 and $2.80. Bonny South, the 8-5 favorite ridden by Florent Geroux, returned $2.80 and $2.40. Audrey's Time was another 3 ½ lengths back in third at odds of 21-1 under Corey Lanerie and paid $4.20.

Army Wife, High Regard and Crystal Ball completed the order of finish. Cheetara (CHI) was scratched.

Prior to Thursday's triumph, Envoutante finished fifth in the $500,000 Spinster (G1) at Keeneland. In May, she won the $150,000 Shawnee at Churchill Downs. Overall, she's won four of seven starts at the Louisville oval.

“She definitely likes Churchill,” McPeek said. “Brian did a fantastic job with her on the front end. When I looked up at the half-mile and saw (:49.20), I knew we were in a good spot. I'm sure her owners are celebrating at home with their families for Thanksgiving, so a special congratulations goes to them. We'll have to see what happens next for her. She had a date with Gun Runner if things didn't go well today but showed today she's still got it in her.”

With the Falls City win, Envoutante improved her record to 6-2-4 in 16 starts. Thursday's lofty $305,520 first prize jumped her earnings to $931,658.

Envoutante is a dark bay or brown daughter of Uncle Mo out of the Bluegrass Cat mare Enchante. She was bred in Kentucky by Jumping Jack Racing LLC.

Racing at Churchill Downs continues Friday with the popular day-after Thanksgiving card highlighted by the 147^th running of the $750,000 Clark presented by Norton Healthcare (G1) for older horses. The Clark goes as Race 11 of 12 at approximately 5:56 p.m. (all times Eastern). The first race is 1 p.m. There is a $195,484 jackpot carryover in the 20-cent Derby City 6, which covers Races 7-12.

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Chateau Will Try To Regain Winning Form In Fall Highweight

Michael Dubb's Chateau will carry a co-field high 131 pounds in Sunday's Grade 3, $200,000 Fall Highweight, a six-furlong handicap for 3-year-olds and up at Aqueduct Racetrack.

The 108th renewal of the Fall Highweight, slated as Race 8, is one of three stakes on Sunday's card, along with the $150,000 Autumn Days at six furlongs on the outer turf for fillies and mares; and the $100,000 Tepin for 2-year-old fillies competing at 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf.

In total, the week's slate at the Big A will offer 10 stakes worth more than $1.7 million in purses. First post on Sunday's card is 11:50 a.m. Eastern.

Trained by Rob Atras, Chateau finished seventh last out in a Parx allowance sprint under returning rider Kendrick Carmouche on September 14. However, the 6-year-old Flat Out gelding boasts a tremendous record over the Big A main track with a ledger of 10-5-2-2 for purse earnings of $318,443.

“He likes to run around those turns. The turns are a little sharper at Aqueduct as opposed to Saratoga or Belmont and he really seems to relish the surface. It's the perfect distance for him,” Atras said.

Chateau has enjoyed a productive 2021 campaign, posting a record of 6-2-1-1 led by a score in the six-furlong Grade 3 Tom Fool Handicap at the Big A in March. He followed that effort with a fourth-place finish in the Grade 1 Carter Handicap in April at Aqueduct and a runner-up effort in the Grade 3 Runhappy in May at Belmont.

Chateau worked a sharp half-mile in 47.88 seconds over the Belmont dirt training track on November 14.

“We usually don't breeze him too fast, but he was really strong that day,” Atras said. “We're hoping that's an indication that he's ready to run a big race.”

Carmouche retains the mount from post 1.

Sir Alfred James, trained and co-owned by Norman Cash with Lola Cash, will also carry 131 pounds. The multiple stakes-placed son of Munnings has flourished in his 5-year-old campaign, posting a record of 9-3-2-2 for purse earnings of $310,912.

Claimed for $62,5000 out of a winning effort in an optional-claiming sprint in September at Churchill Downs, Sir Alfred James followed with a fifth in the Grade 2 Phoenix in October at Keeneland ahead of a close third, defeated a neck to Necker Island, in the six-furlong Bet On Sunshine in November at Churchill.

Sir Alfred James enters from a head score over graded-stakes winner Long Range Toddy in a seven-furlong optional-claiming sprint on November 17 at Churchill.

John McKee retains the mount from post 6.

Stronach Stables' homebred Green Light Go will look to recapture the form of his spectacular juvenile campaign for trainer Jimmy Jerkens.

The now 4-year-old Hard Spun colt won 2-of-3 juvenile starts in 2019, including a win in the Grade 2 Saratoga Special ahead of a runner-up effort to Tiz the Law in the Grade 1 Champagne at Belmont.

Green Light Go made just two sophomore starts, both at Gulfstream Park, finishing third in the Grade 3 Swale and second in the Roar. He was transferred to Hall of Famer Jerry Hollendorfer for the first four starts of his current campaign, posting an optional-claiming win in April traveling 1 1/16-miles at Oaklawn Park. The colt made his most recent effort in the care of trainer Mike Doyle when sixth in the six-furlong Grade 3 Vigil on August 1 at Woodbine.

Green Light Go has posted five consecutive bullet breezes at Belmont in preparation for the Fall Highweight, including a three-furlong blowout in 36 flat Wednesday morning over the dirt training track. Green Light Go, who adds blinkers, will carry 129 pounds when exiting post 2 under Dylan Davis.

Rounding out the field are Smooth B [post 3, Manny Franco, 126 pounds], Hopeful Treasure [post 4, Mychel Sanchez, 128 pounds], Wendell Fong [post 5, Trevor McCarthy, 129 pounds], Rough Entry [post 7, Luis Saez, 128 pounds], and War Tocsin [post 8, Dexter Haddock, 127 pounds].

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