ELMONT, N.Y. -- Timberoa, who shipped to New York from California off a win in last month's Del Mar Handicap, went wire-to-wire to take the Grade 1, $750,000 Turf Classic Invitational Saturday at Belmont Park for trainer Bobby Frankel.

	Timberoa was ridden for the first time by jockey Edgar Prado.

Timberoa was allowed to set slow fractions of :50.99, 1:16.54, and 1:41.39 under moderate pressure from Mutafaweq in the 1 1/2-mile race. He then had plenty left in the stretch to hold off the late challenge of favored King Cugat to win by three lengths in a time of 2:29.43 on a course labeled "good."

Timberoa was ridden for the first time by Edgar Prado, and paid $8.70 to win in the field of seven.

King Cugat, who sat well behind the slow pace, rallied wide on the turn under Jerry Bailey, but was too late and settled for second. It was another 1 1/4-lengths back to Cetewayo in third. Late runner Blazing Fury was fourth.

The Turf Classic victory was the first Grade 1 win in the United States for Timberoa, who has now earned in excess of $1 million.

The win gives Frankel, who has never won a Breeders' Cup race in 36 prior tries, another serious contender for next month's championship. Frankel also trains Flute (Distaff), Senure (Turf), You (Juvenile Fillies), Starine (Filly and Mare Turf), Squirtle Squirt (Sprint), Thady Quill (Mile), Lido Palace (Classic), and Skimming (Classic). However, Frankel said Timberoa, who would need to be supplemented into the Breeders' Cup, is more likely to ship to the Japan Cup for his next start.