Pink Lloyd extends streak to six in Kenora
ETOBICOKE, Ontario - The unbeatable Pink Lloyd won what might be an unprecedented sixth consecutive Woodbine stakes in the $125,000 Kenora, which was the last of six stakes for graduates of local yearling sales on Wednesday night.
Pink Lloyd ($2.30) gave jockey Eurico Da Silva his third stakes score on the evening, and the son of Old Forester was the second winner on the card for trainer Robert Tiller. Da Silva and Tiller also combined to take the $125,400 Algoma for fillies and mares with Sweater Weather ($8.60).
Pink Lloyd pressed Phil in the Blank through moderate fractions, and then gamely held off last year’s Kenora winner, Jacks Escarpment, to prevail by three-quarters of a length in 1:09.29 for the six furlongs.
“He was running so relaxed today," Da Silva said. "He was a little distracted by the lights, but I knew I had horse. When the other horse came to him, he kicked on. I knew it would be very hard for another horse to pass him. He galloped out really strong."
Johnny Bear ($11.40) closed along the rail under Luis Contreras to capture the $125,000 Halton, a turf marathon, over English Illusion. A 6-year-old trained by Ashlee Brnjas, Johnny Bear was the 2012 Canadian premier yearling sale topper.
Melmich ($2.40) rallied wide from off slow fractions under Da Silva to land the $125,000 Elgin by three-quarters of a length over Field of Courage. Trained by Kevin Attard, Melmich won the Elgin for the second straight year.
Summer Sunday ($4.30) led throughout the $201,200 Muskoka for 2-year-old fillies, scoring by four lengths over 29-1 outsider Loopety Loo. Trainer Stuart Simon gave Jesse Campbell a leg up on the unbeaten daughter of Silent Name.
Eskiminzin ($8.90) saved ground before Patrick Husbands angled him wide for the drive, and he outran Cooler Mike in the final furlong to take the $200,000 Simcoe for male 2-year-olds. Analisa Delmas was the winning trainer.