Timshel rebounds to break his maiden at Tampa

In his career debut at Tampa Bay Downs under Sonny Leon, Timshel stumbled out of the gate and soon found himself 12 to 15 lengths behind heading down the backstretch in the race at one mile over the turf course. But Leon shifted the 3-year-old Neolithic gelding into high gear on the turn and Timshel finished fourth with a strong stretch run.

Sharp handicappers who viewed the promising debut bet the gelding down to 5/2 for his second try and this time Leon had him in mid-pack down the backstretch, stalking the leaders. Timshel again shifted into high gear, ran over the pacesetters in deep stretch and scored by nearly two lengths. He was clocked in 1:37.58, paid $7.40 and earned a check of $17,365 for owners and breeders Dr. Tiffany A. Atteberry and Scott Brown.

Timshel is the 21st 2026 winner for Neolithic.

On the same day that Timshel broke his maiden, Venezuelan-bred Pontevecchio won the 1,600 meters, Gr. III Clasico Juan Vicente Tovar at Venezuela’s La Rinconada course in Caracas. The 3-year-old colt broke alertly, quickly dropped back five lengths, then rushed up on the inside, came out for the stretch run and drew off late to score by three lengths in 1:39.29.