Pink Lloyd gets back in the winner's circle

ETOBICOKE, Ontario — Pink Lloyd rebounded from a rare loss at Woodbine on Sunday when he won the Grade 3 Vigil Stakes for the second year in a row under Eurico Da Silva.

Pink Lloyd took a more laid-back approach than usual in the six-furlong sprint. He tracked the leaders on the outside through the turn, and then mounted a wide bid to prevail by two lengths over pacesetter Yorkton, who held off Jacks Escarpment for third in the six-horse field.

Reigning Canadian Horse of the Year Pink Lloyd ($2.80) covered the distance in 1:09.26. The son of Old Forester earned $90,000 of the $150,000 purse for Entourage Stable and trainer Robert Tiller.

Da Silva took full blame for Pink Lloyd’s loss in the July 8 Shepperton, in which he weakened to third after getting softened up in a speed duel. It snapped his 11-race win streak in Woodbine stakes.

“Last time, I made a bad decision," Da Silva explained. “He broke so sharp, and I was very confused, if he broke through the door, or not. I made the wrong decision, and went to the lead with a speedball. Today, he was running relaxed. In the turn, it was over. When you need him, he’s there for you. He’s a super horse.”