Tiller has starters for both weekend stakes, including Pink Lloyd in the Shepperton

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Trainer Bob Tiller will be looking to have a big impact in a pair of stakes races this weekend at Woodbine, with starters for both the $100,000 Duchess Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on Saturday and the $100,000 Shepperton Stakes for Ontario-sired 3-year-olds and upward Sunday.

In the 6 1/2-furlong Shepperton, Tiller will send out top Canadian sprinter Pink Lloyd in search of his fourth consecutive stakes win to the start the meet. Pink Lloyd spent the winter at Buttigieg Training Centre in Egbert, Ontario, before returning to the track in the spring to resume his regular pre-season routine. However, Tiller acknowledged there was a possibility Pink Lloyd could have been retired following a pair of off-the-board finishes in the Grade 3 Bold Venture Stakes and the Overskate Stakes to close out his 2018 campaign.

“Last fall he had some issues that looked like it might be the end of the ballgame with the respiratory issues and the gate issues that we had with him,” Tiller said. “So far this year, it’s all gone away. He was at Paul Buttigieg’s farm all winter and we had the same routine as the year before. We’ve made a lot of adjustments and so far it’s worked for us.”

Pink Lloyd began the year with a one-length victory in the Grade 3 Jacques Cartier Stakes in April, before capturing the Greenwood Stakes on June 1. His most recent start in the Grade 3 Vigil Stakes on July 14 was his best of the year, as he drew away from the field to win by 4 1/2 lengths, earning a 100 Beyer Speed Figure. Tiller said Pink Lloyd has done well since the Vigil.

“I don’t make predictions but we’re very, very pleased with him right now,” he said. “He’s very sharp and in good order.”

Following the Shepperton, Tiller said, Pink Lloyd could run back in the $100,000 Kenora Stakes, a six-furlong sprint restricted to local sales graduates. Pink Lloyd has won the Kenora each of the last two years.

“That would be part of the plan,” Tiller said. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, but we take it one race at a time with him. I think you have to. He’s on – what do you call it? – load management. We’ll take one race at a time, and hopefully we can keep playing ball.”

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On Saturday, Tiller will send out Ciuri in the Duchess Stakes, a seven-furlong sprint on Tapeta. Ciuri, who debuted in April, has won three of her first four starts, including her first stakes victory in the Lady Angela Stakes in her most recent start June 28.

Ciuri will face open company for the first time in the Duchess, but Tiller said there are no other options for the daughter of Souper Speedy.

“They’re going to be a little tough and she’ll get tested, but we’re going to have to run in there and hope for the best,” Tiller said. “She’s doing okay. There really is nowhere else to run her.”

Tiller said he would likely try Ciuri on turf at some point. Ciuri is out of the Mt. Livermore mare Our Mariah and is a half-sister to multiple graded-stakes-winning turf sprinter Something Extra.

“I’d love to be able to run her on the turf course, especially the outer turf course,” he said.

Ari Gold Speedwagn could target sales stakes

A lot of buzz surrounded the career debut of Ari Gold Speedwagn in April. The 3-year-old son of Souper Speedy is a half-brother to Pink Lloyd and was a $65,000 purchase at the 2017 Canadian premier yearling sale by Tiller and owner Entourage Stable, the same connections as Pink Lloyd.

Ari Gold Speedwagn finished second in his career debut, but won his next start by five lengths against open maiden special weight company. While Pink Lloyd has excelled sprinting, Ari Gold Speedwagn won his most recent start around two turns on the Tapeta on June 23.

“He’s a totally different horse,” Tiller said of Ari Gold Speedwagn. “He’s more of a laid-back horse. We’re pleased with him.”

Ari Gold Speedwagn returned to the work tab on July 14, breezing five furlongs in 59.40 seconds. He also worked four furlongs in 50.60 seconds July 24. Tiller also said the connections had considered a start in the Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie, but a mucus issue prevented Ari Gold Speedwagn from making the trip.

A stakes start could be coming for Ari Gold Speedwagn. Tiller said he was looking at an upcoming allowance race for him, but a start in the yearling sales stakes at the end of August is not out of the question.

“I think he’ll be nominated,” he said. “He worked a good five-eighths the other day and we hope to run him in an allowance race real soon. He’s doing well.”