During the thirty-six starts Imbros compiled in his three seasons of racing, he proved to be a horse capable of sprinting and routing. But make no mistake, he was a much more prolific sprinter. Ten of those fifteen victories were in contests under a mile, and he put together that tally across a few racetracks in California.

That included Santa Anita, where Imbros enjoyed his share of visits to the winners' circle. And the first one brought forth something big and long lasting.

Imbros turned four years old on January 1, 1954. The very next day saw him make his sophomore debut in the seven furlong Malibu Stakes (known in those days as the Malibu Sequet Stakes). Coming off a defeat in his Santa Anita debut on December 26, the Malibu gave Imbros the opportunity to atone for that defeat while also checking off Santa Anita as a venue he had a win over. By this time, Imbros had pictures taken at Tanforan, Hollywood Park and Bay Meadows, and had left the latter two tracks with stakes wins.

Part of a field of seven for the third running of the Malibu Stakes, Imbros had the respect of the handicappers due to being the second choice in the wagering behind the favored Berseem. With rider Ray York aboard, Imbros set out to make his first start of 1954 a successful one.

Along with being a noted sprinter, Imbros also counted being on or near the lead as one of his calling cards. That also went for the Malibu, as he set the early tempo. After initially leading, the chestnut colt would see a challenge from Berseem, who produced a small advantage during a couple of splits. But on that day, Imbros was not going to lose. He would beat Berseem to the wire by a head to take his first Santa Anita victory. It gave York his second Malibu victory, and trainer William Molter and owner A.J. Crevolin their first.

After decent fractions, the final time was 1:20 3/5, the fastest in the very young history of the Malibu. But Imbros did more than run the race faster than his two predecessors. On top of that achivement, the California-bred also set a new track and world record for seven furlongs to give his second season at the races a perfect start.

Though still a young horse, Imbros had crafted a time in the Malibu that would stand well after his passing in 1972.

For the next twenty-one years, no horse would touch the standard set by the son of Polynesian. When the first division of the 1975 Malibu had been run, Lightning Mandate managed to equal the clocking (the race was run in two divisions that year). Still the co-owner of the record, Imbros held on to it for five more years before Spectacular Bid ran the 1980 Malibu in 1:20.00.

But just as his time stood for decades, Imbros continues to hold one of the fastest times in the Malibu's history. Though several horses have run the race faster than he did, Imbros still ranks among the quickest horses in terms of final clockings for the event.

And that just shows how the speed of Imbros has carried him into California racing history after being retired all those years ago.