Timberlake ships east to taste victory in the Champagne

Trainer Brad Cox made the right decision when he sent Timberlake to Aqueduct and won the Grade 1, $500,000 Champagne Stakes. He was also entered in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland. The victory secured the son of Into Mischief a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile along with 10 qualifying points for the 2024 Kentucky Derby.

Cox and Elliot Walden, the CEO of co-owner WinStar Farm, conferred before the decision was made to send Timberlake to New York.

“We talked about it and thought this was a good spot,” Walden explained. “The Champagne is a great race, a stallion making race. We’re excited to win it, it’s the first time we've ever won it.”

Timberlake was the favorite in his first three starts which included a sixth in his debut in June at Ellis Park, a subsequent nine-length maiden victory in July and then a second in the Hopeful (G1) at Saratoga last month. In the Champagne he was the 9-2 third choice behind the odds-on 1-2 favorite Fierceness from Todd Pletcher.

Regular rider Florent Geroux came up from Kentucky to stay on board Timberlake. They broke well from the gate and were happy to sit behind an anticipated fast pace. General Partner who was also 9-2 was the pacesetter running fractions of 22.29, 45.44 and 1:10.41 during the one-turn mile. Timberlake got the lead at the top of the stretch and extended it to a final margin of 4 ¼-lengths.

“I thought I was going to California at first, then Keeneland I was named on there and I had to take off my horses to come here but it was just the best spot today with the one-turn mile and a good setup in front of him,” Geroux explained. “He's not the quickest horse out of the gate, but he always puts himself in a good position. We knew what we had. Last time he was the favorite in the Hopeful and had a little bit of trouble and was very rank. Today, we took the blinkers off and he was way more relaxed."

Fierceness was the heavy favorite, with Irad Ortiz Jr. riding, based on his 11-length maiden victory at Saratoga. He got off to a slow start, never was in contention to win, and faded to finish seventh in the eight-horse field.

“He hopped at the start,” Ortiz explained. “He moved right when they opened the gate. After that, I just tried to give him a good trip. I sat in the clear from third or fourth trying to bide my time. I made a little run and that was it. After the break, it was hard to catch up.”

Timberlake paid $11.80 for the win. General Partner was able to hold on for second completing a $2 exacta payout of $33.40. Dancing Groom who was last in the early going rallied to complete a $1 trifecta that returned $253.50 for a $1 bet.

The Champagne victory moved Timberlake along the path to the Breeders’ Cup and the Kentucky Derby.

"You obviously turn your attention to the Breeders' Cup as it comes up first,” Cox said.  “We'll get him back to Kentucky and see how he comes out of it and let him tell us if we take a march towards Santa Anita. We'll enjoy this victory and go from there."