Pink Lloyd ends incredible racing career with Kennedy Road triumph

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Nine-year-old Pink Lloyd, perhaps the greatest sprinter in Canadian racing history, won his final career start in dramatic fashion on Saturday at Woodbine in the $200,550 Kennedy Road, his third victory in that Grade 2 stakes.

Pink Lloyd ($9.40) broke alertly and raced in fifth on the backstretch in the six-furlong event, as Clayton set a quick pace with Richiesinthehouse in close proximity.

Rafael Hernandez asked Pink Lloyd for run midway on the turn to establish position between rivals, and they took aim at the leaders entering the stretch.

Pink Lloyd got up in the final strides to prevail by a half-length over Richiesinthehouse, who edged Clayton for second. Tap It to Win, Red River Rebel, favored Souper Stonehenge, Lenny K, and Smokin’ Jay completed the order of finish.

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The final time was 1:08.84.

Trained by Robert Tiller, Pink Lloyd was coming off back-to-back narrow stakes scores in front-running style under Hernandez.

“He’s the kind of horse who can do anything,” Hernandez said. “His last two races, there was no speed, so he was the tactical speed of the race. Today, there was a lot of speed in the race, and he’s the kind of horse you can take him back and he’s going to come running. He’s always going to give you 100 percent.”

The victory was Pink Lloyd’s 26th stakes win and 29th victory from 37 starts. Tiller marveled at the six-time Canadian champion’s accomplishments.

“I think it’s amazing,” Tiller said. “He proved today he’s a legend. The good Lord looked after him. I didn’t think he’d win. It looked awful tough to me. The only thing I liked is all the speed in the race, because I’ve been saying all along that he loves to run at horses. I was just hoping Rafael would get room. We were blessed to win this race. It’s a tremendous way to go out.”

Pink Lloyd earned $126,000 for Entourage Stable, which boosted his bankroll to $2,445,430 Canadian. The gelded son of Old Forester retires to LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society northwest of Toronto.