by Karsten Bonsdorf, USTA web newsroom correspondent

The 6-year-old Timoko became Europe’s fastest trotter so far in 2013, winning the prestigious Grand Criterium de la Vitesse de Cote d’Azur in 1:53 at the Cagnes sur Mer track in Southern France on Sunday afternoon (March 10).

Timoko is trained and owned by Dutch-born Richard Westerink, who after Prix d’Amerique handed the reins to top international driver Jos Verbeeck.

Gerard Forni photo

Timoko was a 1:53 winner on Sunday.

Timoko has always been at the top of his game and has won all the big classic races for his crop. However, the driving style of Westerink wasn’t well suited racing against top international trotters, therefore it has been very wise to choose the service of Jos Verbeeck.

Timoko is lightning fast off the gate and was in command on Sunday after the first quarter. The Best Madrik with Jean Etienne Dubois took over, but not for long.

Timoko and Verbeeck were in command the rest of the race and the win was very easy by a length, followed by The Best Madrik from the two hole and Reve de Beylev. The judges had call to for a photo, before The Best Madrik was declared the second place finisher.

The purse for the winner was $130,000.

Timoko has Bonefish as his great-great-grandfather, while on the maternal line we find the great Italian sire Sharif de Jesolo.

Timoko has now raced 40 times and has won 13 races and a total of $1.7 million. He will be aimed for the Elitlopp in Stockholm and with Verbeeck in the bike, he is sure to be one of the favorites.