Trainer Lloyd 'Very Relieved' to Get First Win

(from Hollywood Park notes)
Trainer Jamie Lloyd, 25, savored his first victory with Brag, a 4-year-old filly that won a $55,000 allowance race at one mile on turf Sunday.

"I'm very relieved to get that one out of the way," said the 25-year-old Lloyd of his maiden score Wednesday. "I went on my own in March. That was my tenth starter."

Lloyd grew up around horses in England, where his father, Bill, was the manager of English National Stud in Newmarket. He moved to California five years ago and worked for Jim Cassidy and Paddy Gallagher before going on his own.

"I've gotten a lot of help and support from Paddy, and am grateful to Jim Ford for giving me this chance," said Lloyd. He has eight horses in his barn, seven from Europe and one Cal-bred, all owned by Ford alone or in partnership.

Brag, an Irish-bred 4-year-old filly, made her second start for Lloyd since being turned over to him. "In her first start for me, she kind of out-broke the gate and stood on herself on her left hind, and it kind of spooked her," said Lloyd of a seventh-place finish at Santa Anita on April 22 after she pulled her way to an eight-length lead down the backstretch.

"Victor gave her a perfect ride this time," said Lloyd after Victor Epinoza was aboard for the first time.

Lloyd was also pleased with a third-place finish in an allowance race last week by Musical High, a European import making her United States debut. He said that Shermeen, third-place finisher in the Senorita Stakes (gr. III) on May 6, would be shortened to 5 ½ furlongs on turf for the Manhattan Beach Stakes on May 29.