Kingsport, Pink Lloyd tangle again in Overskate

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Kingsport ended Pink Lloyd’s remarkable 11-race win streak in stakes when he upset the July 8 Shepperton. Pink Lloyd is coming off another rare loss, while Kingsport is in peak form, and they will clash again in Saturday’s $100,000 Overskate Stakes at Woodbine. A field of nine Ontario-sired runners was drawn for the seven-furlong Overskate, including the supplemented filly Red Cabernet.

Reigning Canadian Horse of the Year Pink Lloyd rebounded from his third-place finish in the Shepperton by capturing his next two outings, the Grade 3 Vigil and the Kenora Stakes here. Most recently, on a hot day, Pink Lloyd broke through the gate before the start of the Grade 3 Bold Venture. He was rounded up, reloaded, and then proceeded to finish a flat fifth after hopping in the air at the start.

Breaking awkwardly has become a habit that trainer Robert Tiller has had to address regarding the quirky 6-year-old.

“It was a very disturbing thing to us, obviously,” Tiller said. “It’s been six weeks since that happened, and he’s had a good rest. We’ve done an awful lot of work. We’ve adjusted his training, and he’s had a lot of gate schooling. Hopefully, it will pay off on Saturday. I’ll be very disappointed if he doesn’t behave himself. I’m very encouraged with the way he’s doing. If he behaves at the gate, he’ll run his race.”

After taking the 6 1/2-furlong Shepperton, Kingsport won the Elgin Stakes here going long, but was never a factor on the turnback to 6 1/2 furlongs in the Bold Venture. He handled yielding turf most recently when winning the one-mile Bunty Lawless Stakes by a neck over a hanging Thor’s Rocket.

Trainer Sid Attard said there were a few anxious moments soon after the Bunty Lawless.

“He tied up a little bit,” Attard said. “He’s so big and heavy, and [the ground] was very soft.”

KEY CONTENDERS

Pink Lloyd, by Old Forester

Last 3 Beyers: 87-99-101

◗ He won last year’s Overskate easily over a modest group and has three wins from four starts at seven furlongs.

“He can handle any distance up to seven-eighths,” Tiller said.

Kingsport, by Milwaukee Brew

Last 3 Beyers: 95-83-93

◗ Attard said the 6-year-old seems poised for another strong showing.

“He loves this weather,” Attard said. “I was going to wait for the next stakes, but we can’t hold him on the ground. He wants to kill us. He always runs good in the cold weather.”

Thor’s Rocket, by Old Forester

Last 3 Beyers: 94-88-94

◗ He got away slowly before closing wide to hit the front nearing the eighth pole in the Bunty Lawless, only to give way late.