Patches O’Houlihan. (Michael Burns)
Chris Lomon, Woodbine
TORONTO, Ont. – Patches O’Houlihan, in his first start since November 2023, put on a dominant display in the $100,000 Pink Lloyd Stakes, Sunday at Woodbine.
Sent on his way as the 2-1 second choice in the six-furlong main track event for Ontario-sired 4-year-olds and up, got away quickly and then took his seven rivals through early splits of :22.68 and :45.23.
Sofia Vives and the 4-year-old son of Reload then powered away from his foes around the turn for home en route to a stellar six-length score. Souped Up was second, a half-length in front of Rat Portage. Mason’s Gamble was fourth.
The final time was 1:09.13.
“It was a stellar performance,” said Vives, of the bay gelding named Canada’s champion male sprinter of 2023. “Patches proved today that he came back as a champ and that is exactly what he is.”
Trained by Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee Robert Tiller, who also campaigned Pink Lloyd to enormous success, Patches O’Houlihan won six straight races last year, including victories in the Vigil Stakes (G3) and Bold Venture Stakes (G3).
Tiller was taken aback by Sunday’s performance.
“He had an issue that was very time consuming, and I wasn’t sure we should even run him in this race. He proved me wrong. He is not a horse who talks to you in the morning. He will not work good. You are really in trouble with him. You don’t where you stand with him.”
On Sunday at Woodbine, it was in the Woodbine winner’s circle.
“Coming back like that… this is amazing to win the Pink Lloyd Stakes. You can’t write this kind of script in Hollywood.”
Bred and owned by Frank Di Giulio, Jr., Patches O’Houlihan is now 8-0-0 from 10 starts.
The race, previously known as the Ontario Jockey Club Stakes, is named after one of Canada’s greatest all-time sprinters. Bred in Ontario in 2012, sprint superstar Pink Lloyd won 29 of 38 starts and earned $1.8 million (U.S.).
Bred by John Carey and owned by Entourage Stable, Jr., Pink Lloyd was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2023.
Following his retirement from the track, his connections donated him to LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society, where he continues to be a popular draw with racing fans who visit their Ontario farm.
