Pink Lloyd might finally get challenged in Overskate

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Pink Lloyd will put his unbeaten record on the line Saturday at Woodbine in the $125,000 Overskate Stakes, a seven-furlong sprint for Ontario-sired 3-year-olds and up.

Pink Lloyd, a 4-year-old trained by Bob Tiller, didn’t debut until Aug. 28, when he led throughout an open maiden special weight race at six furlongs. Two weeks later, he won a front-end battle in another six-furlong sprint, this one for Ontario-sired allowance stock.

Pink Lloyd rallied from sixth in a large field to win his third and most recent race, an open, seven-furlong allowance, by 3 1/2 lengths. Tiller said he wasn’t surprised to see the gelding come from off the pace.

“It wasn’t a new dimension at all,” Tiller said. “He was just so good that he made the lead easily [before]. He’s a relaxed horse. He can come from anywhere.”

KEY CONTENDERS

Pink Lloyd, by Old Forester

Beyers: 92-87-88

◗ He has breezed a fast half-mile twice since his last race, including in a bullet 46.80 seconds on Oct. 7.

“He’s in good order, and I expect him to run very well,” Tiller said.

Goodoldhockeygame, by Old Forester

Last 3 Beyers: 78-77-88

◗ Tiller’s second entrant, he won stakes at 2 and 3.

◗ He won last year’s Overskate but is winless this year and hasn’t shown much since the spring, when he finished third in the Grade 3 Vigil and second in the New Providence Stakes.

“He seems fine,” Tiller said. “He’s disappointed us this year, but we can’t find anything wrong with him. There’s no reason not to run him. He won the race last year.”

Kingsport, by Milwaukee Brew

Last 3 Beyers: 92-92-92

◗ Since capturing the 6 1/2-furlong Shepperton Stakes on Aug. 6, he has stuck to routing. After finishing third and last behind Melmich and Freitag in the Elgin Stakes, he was beaten a nose by front-runner Royal Son in the allowance prep for the Grade 2 Autumn Stakes.

Jacks Escarpment, by Old Forester

Last 3 Beyers: 90-94-92

◗ After losing the Shepperton by a head to Kingsport, he modified his speed style and took the restricted Kenora Stakes from a stalking position. Most recently, in a six-furlong optional claimer, he tracked in second and then hit the front in the stretch before getting caught late by a flying Commute.

Ted W, by Niigon

Last 3 Beyers: 90-65-77

◗ He won a recent $40,000 sprint in a quick time of 1:16.16 for 6 1/2 furlongs. That was his first race off the $32,000 claim by trainer Marty Drexler.