Pink Lloyd scores an easy New Providence victory

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Woodbine’s top sprinter, Pink Lloyd, ($2.90) got the money again in Saturday’s $125,000 New Providence Stakes, scoring comfortably in the six-furlong race for older Ontario-sired runners.

After breaking inward, Phil in the Blank battled with Boreal Spirit through quick fractions of 21.93 and 43.94, as Pink Lloyd raced in mid-pack under Eurico Da Silva.

Pink Lloyd began to mount a powerful wide rally on the turn, and then hit the front early in the stretch before drawing clear to score by 3 1/4 lengths in a time of 1:08.59. Ted W closed widest to finish second over Sweet Grass Creek, who edged out Boreal Spirit for third in the eight-horse field.

“I was very lucky that I had a good pace to run at,” Da Silva said. “I needed to stay outside. I had a horse outside me, and I didn’t want to take any chances. He was just so relaxed. It was unbelievable how he exploded when I turned him loose in the turn.”

It was a record fourth New Providence triumph for Bob Tiller, who trains Pink Lloyd for Entourage Stable. They sent him out to win the Jacques Cartier Stakes in his season opener April 15.

“This is a fairly-tale story,” Tiller said. “He had a lot of issues as a 2-year-old - even when he was broken. He’s come a long ways. We waited and waited and waited. I knew from day one he could run. He’s a wonderful animal. He’s really turning into a rock star.”