Thistledown Race 4

Starter Optional Claiming

Prize Money: $30,265

TRICKY TIGER (3) showed good early muster and fought on to finish second last start over 1207m at this track (Dirt). Enjoys a drop in grade so he is one of the main contenders. DARK BARON (4) was far too good first up last start when he scored by 9 lengths over 1609m at this track (Dirt). Will be better for that latest run and is expected to run well again. HOT GUNNER (6) hit the frame two starts ago at Oaklawn Park but ran below par last time when sixth and beaten 5 lengths over 1609m at this track (Dirt). Finds a nice race and can atone. ATKINS (1) registered a strong win two runs ago then turned in a nice run last time out when second over 1207m at this track, beaten 0.1 lengths. Finds a suitable race and can figure prominently.

Distance: 1609m
Track: Firm
Weather: FINE
Surface: Dirt
Class: OCLM

Rail Position: True

Racing and Sports™ Trusted form provider for 20+ years

Atkins (1) 4256451412
Trainer: Caryn Vecchio(USA)
Jockey: Fernando Salazar Becerra
Weight: 54kg
Prize Money: $413,450
Win / Place: 20% / 58%

6 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: INCLUDE (USA)

Dam: YOUNG AND LOVELY (USA)

Dam's Sire: Istan

Rating

Stats

Career

48: 10-10-8

Distance

16: 2-2-4

Trk/Dst

3: 1-1-1

Track

10: 4-4-2

Season

7: 2-1-0

1st Up

2: 0-0-1

2nd Up

2: 0-0-1

3rd Up

2: 1-0-0

4th Up

2: 0-0-0

Metro

14: 3-2-1

Non-Metro

34: 7-8-7

Turf

1: 0-0-0

Synthetic

3: 0-0-1

Dirt

44: 10-10-7

Fast

1: 0-0-0

Firm

31: 2-8-7

Anti-Clockwise

46: 9-10-7

Jockey Stats

Horse

4: 0-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1207m - 1609m

Gear Changes

Lasix

Comments

Recent form sound. At the latest run 2nd in a small field at this track on May 19 over 1207m, 0.1 len behind Colonel Vargo with 56kg at $6.60. Before that won by 1.5 len at this track May 2 over 1207m in heavy going defeating Simply Valid with 56kg at $3.30. Don't underestimate.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
2nd of 6	19/5/26	Thistledown	1207m	HCP 3U	4	Alexander Chavez	56kg	Fast	1:11.58	60.7 km/h	0.1L	3-3	$6.60	17	$30,307	$6,061	1. Colonel Vargo 2. Atkins 3. El Muchacho Alegre
1st of 8	2/5/26	Thistledown	1207m	CLM 3U	5	Alexander Chavez	56kg	Heavy	1:11.58	60.7 km/h	1.5L	5-4	$3.30	22	$23,184	$13,911	1. Atkins 2. Simply Valid 3. Star Entertainer
4th of 7	10/4/26	Mahoning Valley	1207m	ALLOW 3U	2	Becerra Fernando Salazar	57kg	Heavy	1:12.30	60.1 km/h	7.9L	3-5	$4.30	9	$34,934	$1,747	1. Colonel Vargo 2. Dream On Baby 3. Doctor Wu
1st of 4	1/4/26	Mahoning Valley	1207m	CLM 3U	4	Erik Barbaran	56kg	SP	1:12.23	60.2 km/h	0.8L	1-2	$1.60f	13	$29,694	$19,301	1. Atkins 2. Stormin'unclejack 3. Morethanreadyeddie
5th of 5	19/3/26	Mahoning Valley	1609m	CLM 3U	1	L A Batista	56kg	Fast	1:40.17	57.8 km/h	10.3L	2-5	$2.60f	24	$30,899	$927	1. Patriarchal 2. Sunset Town 3. Colonel Poppy
4th of 5	23/2/26	Mahoning Valley	1207m	CLM 3U	4	Becerra Fernando Salazar	56kg	M	1:13.79	58.9 km/h	2.6L	1-5	$4.30	18	$31,384	$1,569	1. Trigger Point 2. Colonel Vargo 3. John's Rock

Colonel Vargo (2) 3442441541
Trainer: Ricardo Bailey(USA)
Jockey: Jason Simpson
Weight: 54kg
Prize Money: $559,089
Win / Place: 45% / 70%

6 yo Chestnut Gelding

Sire: DISTORTED HUMOR (USA)

Dam: AMI'S MESA (CAN)

Dam's Sire: Sky Mesa

Rating

Stats

Career

37: 17-3-6

Distance

3: 0-0-0

Trk/Dst

1: 0-0-0

Track

3: 1-0-0

Season

9: 2-1-0

1st Up

3: 0-0-2

2nd Up

2: 0-0-1

3rd Up

2: 2-0-0

4th Up

2: 1-1-0

Metro

16: 10-0-3

Non-Metro

21: 7-3-3

Turf

1: 0-0-0

Synthetic

6: 1-1-2

Dirt

30: 16-2-4

Fast

1: 0-0-0

Firm

28: 14-2-5

Anti-Clockwise

37: 17-3-6

Jockey Stats

Horse

8: 2-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1207m - 1609m

Gear Changes

Lasix

Comments

Recent form sound. At the latest run won by a 0.1 len at this track May 19 over 1207m defeating Atkins with 55kg at $3.40. The run before that 4th of 9 at this track on May 11 over 1609m, 2.5 len behind John's Rock carrying 54kg at $31.70. Won last start and is well-placed again.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
1st of 6	19/5/26	Thistledown	1207m	HCP 3U	1	Jason Simpson	55kg	Fast	1:11.58	60.7 km/h	0.1L	6-2	$3.40	8	$30,307	$18,184	1. Colonel Vargo 2. Atkins 3. El Muchacho Alegre
4th of 9	11/5/26	Thistledown	1609m	HCP 3U	6	Jason Simpson	54kg	Fast	1:38.92	58.6 km/h	2.5L	4-1	$32	20	$30,307	$1,515	1. John's Rock 2. Puff'smagicdragon 3. Reinvest
5th of 7	21/4/26	Thistledown	1207m	HCP 3U	7	Jason Simpson	56kg	Fast	1:11.00	61.2 km/h	4.2L	1-5	$5.90	11	$31,587	$948	1. Tricky Tiger 2. El Muchacho Alegre 3. Zippin Gigi
1st of 7	10/4/26	Mahoning Valley	1207m	ALLOW 3U	6	Jason Simpson	56kg	Heavy	1:12.30	60.1 km/h	0.3L	1-2	$4.00	22	$34,934	$20,961	1. Colonel Vargo 2. Dream On Baby 3. Doctor Wu
4th of 5	19/3/26	Mahoning Valley	1609m	CLM 3U	5	Jason Simpson	56kg	Fast	1:40.17	57.8 km/h	9.5L	1-3	$3.60	7	$30,899	$1,545	1. Patriarchal 2. Sunset Town 3. Colonel Poppy
4th of 4	12/3/26	Mahoning Valley	1207m	CLM 3U	1	Jason Simpson	56kg	Good	1:13.40	59.2 km/h	2.5L	1-3	$2.40f	17	$30,899	$1,545	1. Thunderian 2. John's Rock 3. Altobelli

Tricky Tiger (3) 5611314152
Trainer: Nestor Rivera(North America)
Jockey: Alexander Chavez
Weight: 54kg
Prize Money: $206,716
Win / Place: 16% / 50%

Distance Specialist

5 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: MENDELSSOHN (USA)

Dam: TILLIE THE TIGRESS (USA)

Dam's Sire: Tiger Ridge

Rating

Stats

Career

30: 5-6-4

Distance

3: 2-0-0

Trk/Dst

1: 0-0-0

Track

3: 1-1-0

Season

9: 4-1-1

1st Up

2: 0-1-0

2nd Up

1: 0-1-0

3rd Up

1: 0-0-0

4th Up

1: 0-0-0

Metro

22: 1-5-3

Non-Metro

8: 4-1-1

Turf

1: 0-0-0

Synthetic

21: 1-5-3

Dirt

8: 4-1-1

Fast

1: 0-0-0

Firm

26: 3-6-2

Anti-Clockwise

30: 5-6-4

Jockey Stats

Horse

3: 1-1-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1106m - 1609m

Gear Changes

Lasix

Comments

Most recently 2nd of 7 at this track on May 19 over 1207m, 1.3 len behind Mr Penny Pincher with 56kg at $4.10. Before that 5th of 9 at this track on May 11 over 1609m, 2.75 len behind John's Rock carrying 54kg at $3.70. Worth following up.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
2nd of 7	19/5/26	Thistledown	1207m	ALLOW OCLM 3	7	Alexander Chavez	56kg	Fast	1:11.48	60.8 km/h	1.3L	1-2	$4.10	8	$43,855	$8,771	1. Mr Penny Pincher 2. Tricky Tiger 3. Handsome Pants
5th of 9	11/5/26	Thistledown	1609m	HCP 3U	4	Alexander Chavez	54kg	Fast	1:38.92	58.6 km/h	2.8L	1-2	$3.70	20	$30,307	$303	1. John's Rock 2. Puff'smagicdragon 3. Reinvest
1st of 7	21/4/26	Thistledown	1207m	HCP 3U	5	Alexander Chavez	55kg	Fast	1:11.00	61.2 km/h	0.1L	4-3	$3.40f	12	$31,587	$18,952	1. Tricky Tiger 2. El Muchacho Alegre 3. Zippin Gigi
4th of 6	9/4/26	Mahoning Valley	1207m	ALLOW OCLM 3	1	Angel I Diaz	57kg	Fast	1:12.29	60.1 km/h	1.8L	4-5	$2.70	29	$40,029	$2,001	1. Trigger Point 2. Thru The Vine 3. Reinvest
1st of 5	11/3/26	Mahoning Valley	1609m	ALLOW 3U	5	Angel I Diaz	57kg	M	1:40.94	57.4 km/h	2.8L	1-1	$3.40	13	$37,079	$22,989	1. Tricky Tiger 2. More Than Five 3. Patriarchal
3rd of 5	26/2/26	Mahoning Valley	1106m	ALLOW 3U	4	Angel I Diaz	57kg	M	1:05.29	61.0 km/h	2.3L	2-4	$5.80	7	$39,230	$3,923	1. Defending Albert 2. Rebel Invasion 3. Tricky Tiger

Dark Baron (4) 32233151x1
Trainer: Kristina M Tumblin()
Jockey: Noel Vigil
Weight: 55kg
Prize Money: $151,729
Win / Place: 20% / 44%

Going for the Hat-Trick

6 yo Dark Bay/Brown Gelding

Sire: OUTWORK (USA)

Dam: BARONESS JULIETTE (USA)

Dam's Sire: Speightstown

100

Rating

Stats

Career

29: 6-4-3

Distance

18: 6-2-3

Trk/Dst

9: 1-2-1

Track

9: 1-2-1

Season

3: 2-0-0

1st Up

5: 1-0-0

2nd Up

4: 0-1-0

3rd Up

4: 1-0-0

4th Up

2: 0-0-1

Metro

5: 0-1-0

Non-Metro

24: 6-3-3

Dirt

29: 6-4-3

Firm

19: 3-3-3

Anti-Clockwise

29: 6-4-3

Jockey Stats

Horse

9: 3-2-2

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1609m

Gear Changes

Lasix

Comments

Second-up. First-up after three months ran on from midfield and won by 9 len at this track May 5 over 1609m defeating Coastertothemoon with 56kg at $4.80. Previously second-up didn't finish the race at this track May 22 2025 over 1609m. No reason he cannot salute once again. Improver with winning prospects.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
1st of 5	5/5/26	Thistledown	1609m	CLM 3U	2	N Vigil	56kg	Fast	1:38.40	58.9 km/h	9.5L	3-1	$4.80	75	$23,184	$14,374	1. Dark Baron 2. Coastertothemoon 3. Ice Blast
75 Day Spell
1st of 7	19/2/26	Mahoning Valley	1609m	CLM 3U	3	Laureano Sosa	56kg	M	1:41.58	57.0 km/h	0.1L	1-1	$4.70	44	$29,101	$17,461	1. Dark Baron 2. Coastertothemoon 3. More Than Five
44 Day Freshen-Up
5th of 7	6/1/26	Mahoning Valley	1609m	CLM 3U	7	Laureano Sosa	56kg	SP	1:40.07	57.9 km/h	5.1L	2-2	$2.00f	29	$26,308	$789	1. Only Get'n Better 2. Colonel Poppy 3. Sudden Shift
1st of 10	8/12/25	Mahoning Valley	1609m	CLM 3U	6	N Vigil	56kg	Fast	1:39.72	58.1 km/h	12.0L	1-1	$3.80f	20	$22,818	$13,691	1. Dark Baron 2. Kykeon 3. Pace
3rd of 7	18/11/25	Mahoning Valley	1609m	CLM 3U	5	N Vigil	56kg	Fast	1:42.08	56.7 km/h	3.5L	2-3	$2.50f	15	$22,748	$2,275	1. Colonel Poppy 2. Kykeon 3. Dark Baron
3rd of 8	3/11/25	Mahoning Valley	1609m	CLM 3U	3	N Vigil	56kg	Fast	1:40.51	57.6 km/h	4.4L	2-2	$4.30	33	$22,748	$2,275	1. Master Of The Nite 2. Roundball Rock 3. Dark Baron
33 Day Freshen-Up

Reinvest (5) 2321645343
Trainer: Gary L Johnson()
Jockey: Anthony Rodriguez
Weight: 54kg
Prize Money: $222,158
Win / Place: 23% / 52%

6 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: QUALITY ROAD (USA)

Dam: RULE ONE (USA)

Dam's Sire: Street Cry

Rating

Stats

Career

34: 8-3-7

Distance

15: 2-1-4

Trk/Dst

7: 1-0-3

Track

11: 4-0-3

Season

7: 1-0-2

1st Up

4: 2-1-0

2nd Up

3: 1-0-1

3rd Up

3: 0-0-1

4th Up

3: 0-0-0

Metro

6: 0-0-1

Non-Metro

28: 8-3-6

Turf

1: 0-0-0

Synthetic

4: 0-0-1

Dirt

29: 8-3-6

Fast

1: 0-0-0

Firm

21: 5-0-5

Anti-Clockwise

34: 8-3-7

Jockey Stats

Horse

9: 3-1-3

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1207m - 1609m

Gear Changes

Lasix

Comments

At the latest run 3rd of 9 at this track on May 11 over 1609m, 1.5 len behind John's Rock with 54kg at $13. The race before that eased back early on 4th of 7 at this track on April 21 over 1207m, 4 len behind Tricky Tiger carrying 54kg at $5.70. Needs to lift.

Expected Settling Position: Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
3rd of 9	11/5/26	Thistledown	1609m	HCP 3U	3	Anthony Rodriguez	54kg	Fast	1:38.92	58.6 km/h	1.5L	9-5	$13	20	$30,307	$3,031	1. John's Rock 2. Puff'smagicdragon 3. Reinvest
4th of 7	21/4/26	Thistledown	1207m	HCP 3U	2	Anthony Rodriguez	54kg	Fast	1:11.00	61.2 km/h	4.1L	7-6	$5.70	12	$31,587	$1,579	1. Tricky Tiger 2. El Muchacho Alegre 3. Zippin Gigi
3rd of 6	9/4/26	Mahoning Valley	1207m	ALLOW OCLM 3	6	Anthony Rodriguez	56kg	Fast	1:12.29	60.1 km/h	0.5L	2-1	$15	17	$40,029	$4,003	1. Trigger Point 2. Thru The Vine 3. Reinvest
5th of 7	23/3/26	Mahoning Valley	1207m	ALLOW 3U	3	Mauro Cedillo	56kg	M	1:12.82	59.7 km/h	5.3L	7-5	$15	19	$27,809	$834	1. Stomping Moon 2. El Muchacho Alegre 3. Doctor Wu
4th of 5	4/3/26	Mahoning Valley	1207m	HCP 3U	2	Anthony Rodriguez	56kg	M	1:12.70	59.8 km/h	9.3L	5-4	$5.30	20	$35,112	$1,756	1. Fivefive Six Champ 2. Trigger Point 3. Thru The Vine
6th of 6	12/2/26	Mahoning Valley	1207m	CLM 3U	6	Mauro Cedillo	56kg	M	1:12.79	59.7 km/h	10.3L	4-6	$8.40	38	$36,519	$730	1. Thru The Vine 2. Fivefive Six Champ 3. Willie Bird
38 Day Freshen-Up

Hot Gunner (6) 4514x16726
Trainer: Kim Puhl()
Jockey: Luis Antonio Gonzalez
Weight: 54kg
Prize Money: $280,445
Win / Place: 17% / 39%

4 yo Dark Bay/Brown Gelding

Sire: EXAGGERATOR (USA)

Dam: YOU FLATTER ME (USA)

Dam's Sire: Flatter

Rating

Stats

Career

23: 4-2-3

Distance

8: 2-0-1

Trk/Dst

1: 0-0-0

Track

1: 0-0-0

Season

5: 1-1-0

1st Up

3: 2-0-0

2nd Up

3: 0-0-1

3rd Up

3: 1-0-0

4th Up

3: 0-1-0

Metro

17: 2-1-2

Non-Metro

6: 2-1-1

Dirt

23: 4-2-3

Firm

19: 2-2-3

Anti-Clockwise

23: 4-2-3

Jockey Stats

Horse

1: 0-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1609m - 1811m

Gear Changes

Lasix

Comments

Most recently 6th of 9 at this track on May 11 over 1609m, 5 len behind John's Rock carrying 54kg at $2.60. The start before that sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 11 at Oaklawn Park on April 19 over 1710m, 0.3 len behind Unload carrying 56kg at $55.50. Deserves another chance.

Expected Settling Position: Off Midfield

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
6th of 9	11/5/26	Thistledown	1609m	HCP 3U	8	Luis A Gonzalez	54kg	Fast	1:38.92	58.6 km/h	5.0L	8-7	$2.60f	22	$30,307	$303	1. John's Rock 2. Puff'smagicdragon 3. Reinvest
2nd of 11	19/4/26	Oaklawn Park	1710m	ALLOW 4U	3	Walter De La Cruz	56kg	Fast	1:44.21	59.1 km/h	0.3L	3-2	$56	17	$49,491	$11,063	1. Unload 2. Hot Gunner 3. Excel Calculator
7th of 10	2/4/26	Oaklawn Park	1710m	CLM 4U	4	David Cabrera	56kg	Fast	1:47.46	57.3 km/h	15.4L	9-7	$5.50	20	$43,668	$389	1. Winter's Ghost 2. Frost Alert 3. Little Steven
6th of 9	13/3/26	Oaklawn Park	1609m	ALLOW 4U	5	David Cabrera	56kg	Fast	1:37.02	59.7 km/h	11.5L	8-7	$15	27	$44,944	$449	1. Unload 2. Italian Symphony 3. Beyond Best
1st of 12	14/2/26	Oaklawn Park	1811m	CLM 4U	8	David Cabrera	55kg	SP	1:52.33	58.0 km/h	0.1L	2-1	$25	91	$45,649	$27,389	1. Hot Gunner 2. Ultimate Strike 3. Global Empire
91 Day Spell
4th of 6	15/11/25	Remington Park	1710m	ALLOW 3U	5	F Wethey Jr	54.5kg	Fast	1:44.70	58.8 km/h	14.8L	5-5	$13	21	$50,382	$3,012	1. Mandolin Wind 2. Mazuma 3. Mackinnon

Race Review Abbreviations

3WNC: Three wide no cover, Awk: Awkwardly away, Bk: Back, Blkd: Blocked, Btld: Battled, Chal: Challenged, Chkd: Checked, Cvr: Cover, Fdd: Faded, Fght: Fought, Fin: Finish, Hdd: Headed, Hld up: Held up, Hmprd: Hampered, Hndy: Handy, Kikd: Kicked, Kn: Keen, Ld: Led/Lead, Midf: Midfield, Mod pc: Moderate pace, Otf: On the Fence, ROS: Ran on strongly, Slow: Slow away, Snagd: Snagged, Stld: Settled, Tn: Turn, Trld: Trailed, Under pres: Under pressure, Under rd: Under riding, Urgd: Urged, Wd: Wide, Wdr: Wider, Weavd: Weaved, Wknd: Weakened, Wrkd: Worked

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