Vigil belongs to Pink Lloyd – again

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The mighty Pink Lloyd seemed to have some obstacles to overcome in Sunday’s $146,000 Vigil Stakes, but he had no problem capturing the Grade 3 event for the third year in a row under Eurico Da Silva.

After being loaded last, Pink Lloyd – carrying top-weight of 127 pounds – broke alertly from the tricky one-hole. He immediately assumed a stalking position behind the dueling front-runners Wyatt’s Town and Sable Island in the six-furlong sprint.

Pink Lloyd ($3.40) blew by the leaders in midstretch, and then coasted home on top by 4 1/2 lengths over Sable Island, who nosed out Wyatt’s Town for second in the seven-horse field.

The final time of 1:08.68 was .63 off Pink Lloyd’s own synthetic track record.

Da Silva said a different version of the quirky Old Forester gelding was on display.

“He just broke so sharp, and I’m glad there was speed to go,” Da Silva explained. “I was just sitting behind the speed. He was running so different today – way more relaxed than usual. When I asked him, he just exploded, and responded so fast turning for home. He’s an unbelievable horse.”

A 7-year-old trained by Robert Tiller, Pink Lloyd earned $90,000 for Entourage Stable.

“He’s the greatest sprinter there ever was in Canada,” Tiller said. “He’s never been better.”