2001 Turf Classic Invitational - Timboroa Video

Timboroa (GB) led at every call en route to a three-length victory in the $750,000 Turf Classic Invitational Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park on Saturday. King Cugat, the 0.65-to-1 favorite in the field of six grass specialists, made his customary late run but had to settle for second, 1¼ lengths in front of Cetewayo.

The winner, who finished tenth in this race last year, completed the 1½ miles on a good turf course in 2:29.43 with Edgar Prado in the saddle. The five-year-old son of the Topsider stallion Salse, is owned by Edmund Gann and trained by Bobby Frankel.

"This is the first time he ever went to the lead by himself," Frankel said. "He's always on the game when he's up near the lead."

Frankel said Timboroa, the 3.35-to-1 second choice, would bypass the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) at Belmont on October 27 because he would have to be supplemented. Instead, Timboroa will be pointed to the Japan Cup (Jpn-G1), the 11th of 12 races that constitute the Emirates World Series Racing Championship, at Tokyo racecourse next month, a race in which he finished 11th last year.

Bill Mott and Michael Dickinson, the trainers of King Cugat and Cetewayo, respectively, said immediately after the race that their charges would make their next starts in the Turf.

Timboroa shipped East for the Turf Classic after winning the Del Mar Handicap (G2) on August 25. A ten-time winner in 22 career starts, Timboroa has earned $1,140,428 including Saturday's winning purse of $450,000.

Bred in England by Angmering Park Stud, Timboroa was consigned to the 1997 Tattersalls November yearling sale by Ted Voute, agent, and was purchased by Panetta Bloodstock Agency for $42,613.

He is out of the Damister mare Kisumu, a half sister to Italian champion Efisio and Grade 1 winner Mountain Bear (GB).

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