At Woodbine on Sunday, the $100,000 Pink Lloyd Stakes produced a compelling six-furlong sprint that unfolded as a straight duel for much of the journey before late drama reshaped the final result. The Ontario-sired contest for four-year-olds and up brought together speed, stamina, and determination in equal measure on the main track.
Pink Lloyd Stakes result
From the outset, the race developed at a strong tempo. Go Kart Mozart broke sharply from stall seven and quickly established a narrow advantage, only for Poulin In O T to stride up on the outside and ensure there would be no easy early lead. The opening quarter was carved out in a sharp :22.47, setting the tone for what became an uncompromising early pace.
As the field moved down the backstretch, the leading pair locked horns in a sustained contest of rhythm and resolve. Poulin In O T, trained by Steve Owens and ridden by Ryan Munger, travelled comfortably on the outside while Go Kart Mozart matched strides on the rail. The half-mile mark flashed in :44.77, with neither runner yielding an inch and the remainder of the field already several lengths adrift.
Behind the leading duo, Souped Up, Paynes Spirit, and Light the Lamp formed a chasing line, while Summer Commander and Awesome Bourbon were left with too much ground to recover as the leaders continued to set a demanding pace.
Turning for home, the front pair still held a commanding grip on the race, passing the five-furlong call in :56.84. It remained a two-horse battle deep into the final furlong, with Poulin In O T gradually inching forward under pressure. Inside the final sixteenth, he finally edged clear of Go Kart Mozart and began to assert control, finding just enough to seal a determined one-length victory in a final time of 1:10.08.
Awesome Bourbon closed strongly from off the pace to take second after the post-race reshuffle, with Paynes Spirit elevated to third following an inquiry.
Ryan Munger later reflected on the tactical nature of the ride, noting the early speed from Go Kart Mozart and the need to adapt in real time. He explained that once positioned alongside the leader, the plan was to allow the gelding to settle into a comfortable rhythm before asking for his finishing effort, a strategy that ultimately proved decisive.
Poulin In O T, named in honour of Canadian hockey star Marie-Philip Poulin, has long been regarded as a tough, forward-going performer with a strong will to compete. The six-year-old gelding by Reload out of Town Dance has now built a reputation for resilience, having previously captured stakes honours as a juvenile and returned in 2026 with a front-running win at Gulfstream Park earlier in the season.
Trainer Steve Owens admitted that the gelding’s preparation had not always been straightforward, but praised the turnaround in condition leading into this assignment. After a below-par effort in his previous Woodbine appearance, adjustments in training brought about a noticeably sharper performance, underlined by a series of strong morning workouts, including a standout half-mile move in :46.40.
Owens also highlighted the gelding’s recovery from past setbacks, including surgery in 2025, describing him as a competitor with remarkable durability and an unwavering competitive spirit.
Bred by Beverly Lewis-Owens and Steve Owens, Poulin In O T now holds a record of 9 wins, 2 seconds, and 6 thirds from 23 career starts, further enhancing his standing as a consistent presence in Ontario-sired stakes company.
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