Thistledown Race 1

Starter Optional Claiming

Prize Money: $30,956

COLONEL VARGO (1) got the job done last start at this track (Dirt) over 1207m after he was in the firing line on the turn. Has a very good record over today's journey with three wins from six starts. Should be poised just off the lead. Will play a major role. ZIPPIN GIGI (7) recorded an all-the-way win last time out by 1.5 lengths over today's journey at this track (Dirt). Jose A Bracho who has scored on him two times retains the mount. Should be hard to stop. BIG PRANKSTER (3) was a dominant winner last time at this track (Dirt) over the same distance. Is in solid form this time in work, scoring three times and placing on two occasions from eight starts. Capable of going well. GO WEST (6) improved sharply last time out to score by 1.5 lengths over 1207m at this track (Dirt) six weeks ago. Solid top-three prospects.

Distance: 1106m
Track: Fast
Weather: FINE
Surface: Dirt
Class: OCLM

Racing and Sports™ Trusted form provider for 20+ years

Colonel Vargo (1) 1541642311
Trainer: Ricardo Bailey(USA)
Jockey: Jason Simpson
Weight: 56kg
Prize Money: $620,104
Win / Place: 44% / 69%

Going for the Hat-Trick

6 yo Chestnut Gelding

Sire: DISTORTED HUMOR (USA)

Dam: AMI'S MESA (CAN)

Dam's Sire: Sky Mesa

100

Rating

Stats

Career

43: 19-4-7

Distance

6: 3-1-1

Track

9: 3-1-1

Season

15: 4-2-1

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

27: 9-4-4

Turf

1: 0-0-0

Synthetic

6: 1-1-2

Dirt

36: 18-3-5

Fast

1: 0-0-0

Firm

32: 14-3-6

Anti-Clockwise

43: 19-4-7

Jockey Stats

Horse

14: 4-1-1

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

Comments

Form hard to fault. Most recently won by 2.5 len at this track on August 24 over 1207m defeating Konteekee with 56kg at $2.50. The run before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 1.3 len at this track on August 10 over 1207m defeating Mr Penny Pincher carrying 54kg at $8.50. Sure to be right there at the business end.

Expected Settling Position: Pace

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 7	24/8/26	Thistledown	1207m	ALLOW OCLM 3	6	Jason Simpson	56kg	Good	1:11.62	60.7 km/h	2.5L	1-1	$2.50f	14	$44,793	$26,876	1. Colonel Vargo 2. Konteekee 3. Mellifluous
1st of 7	10/8/26	Thistledown	1207m	CLM 3U	4	Jason Simpson	54kg	M	1:11.26	61.0 km/h	1.3L	3-3	$8.50	21	$37,518	$22,511	1. Colonel Vargo 2. Mr Penny Pincher 3. Without Objection
3rd of 5	20/7/26	Thistledown	1609m	HCP 3U	3	Jason Simpson	54kg	Fast	1:42.00	56.8 km/h	2.8L	2-2	$6.50	13	$31,495	$3,149	1. Hot Gunner 2. Reinvest 3. Colonel Vargo
2nd of 6	7/7/26	Thistledown	1207m	HCP 3U	1	Jason Simpson	55kg	Fast	1:10.92	61.3 km/h	2.5L	4-5	$5.50	13	$31,495	$6,299	1. Zippin Gigi 2. Colonel Vargo 3. Tricky Tiger
4th of 6	24/6/26	Thistledown	1609m	HCP 3U	6	Jason Simpson	54kg	Fast	1:40.08	57.9 km/h	3.0L	1-3	$18	18	$31,495	$1,575	1. Hot Gunner 2. Tricky Tiger 3. Dark Baron
6th of 6	6/6/26	Thistledown	1609m	HCP 3U	2	Jason Simpson	54kg	Fast	1:39.42	58.3 km/h	7.4L	3-5	$6.00	18	$30,265	$605	1. Dark Baron 2. Reinvest 3. Atkins

Big Prankster (2) 3x43441211
Trainer: J L Radosevich(USA)
Jockey: Luis Raul Rivera
Weight: 56kg
Prize Money: $288,318
Win / Place: 22% / 59%

Track / Distance Specialist

Dominant Win Last Start

Going for the Hat-Trick

5 yo Chestnut Gelding

Sire: PRACTICAL JOKE (USA)

Dam: BIG THRILL (USA)

Dam's Sire: Big Drama

100

Rating

Stats

Career

22: 5-3-5

Distance

6: 4-0-0

Trk/Dst

5: 3-0-0

Track

10: 3-1-2

Season

8: 3-1-1

1st Up

5: 0-1-1

2nd Up

4: 0-1-1

3rd Up

4: 1-0-2

4th Up

3: 1-0-1

Metro

9: 2-2-1

Non-Metro

13: 3-1-4

Turf

4: 0-1-0

Good

1: 0-1-0

Dirt

18: 5-2-5

Fast

3: 0-0-0

Firm

13: 4-2-1

Anti-Clockwise

22: 5-3-5

Jockey Stats

Horse

11: 2-1-4

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 - 1207m

Gear Changes

Comments

Chasing a hat-trick. Last start won by 5 len at this track on August 19 over 1106m defeating Star Entertainer carrying 56kg at $3.10. The race before that ran on from midfield and won by 0.8 len at this track on August 3 over 1106m defeating Bella Future carrying 55kg at $1.80. Racing well and can win 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 8	19/8/26	Thistledown	1106m	CLM 3U	8	Luis Raul Rivera	56kg	Fast	1:04.86	61.4 km/h	5.0L	2-1	$3.10	16	$23,680	$14,208	1. Big Prankster 2. Star Entertainer 3. Quarantino
1st of 5	3/8/26	Thistledown	1106m	CLM 3U	2	Luis Raul Rivera	55kg	Fast	1:04.50	61.7 km/h	0.8L	3-1	$1.80f	26	$20,542	$12,736	1. Big Prankster 2. Bella Future 3. Roundball Rock
2nd of 5	8/7/26	Thistledown	1207m	CLM 3U	4	Luis Raul Rivera	56kg	Fast	1:11.44	60.8 km/h	0.3L	1-2	$3.80	27	$20,900	$4,180	1. Sunset Town 2. Big Prankster 3. Doctor Wu
1st of 6	11/6/26	Thistledown	1106m	CLM 3U	1	Joshua J Radosevich	52kg	Fast	1:05.80	60.5 km/h	0.1L	2-1	$2.60	26	$19,526	$11,715	1. Big Prankster 2. Remember The Fear 3. Metaphor
4th of 9	16/5/26	Thistledown	1106m	ALLOW 3U	3	Joshua J Radosevich	51.5kg	Fast	1:04.44	61.8 km/h	6.8L	4-4	$8.80	17	$41,480	$2,074	1. Vodka N Gingerale 2. Picaro 3. Saving Heart
4th of 6	29/4/26	Thistledown	1106m	ALLOW 3U	5	Luis Raul Rivera	54kg	M	1:05.14	61.1 km/h	7.0L	1-3	$6.10	28	$43,231	$2,162	1. We Need A Favor 2. Picaro 3. Carnival Rock

Liltonytwophones (3) x57x37x323
Trainer: Manuel Vlaun()
Jockey: Chelsey Keiser
Weight: 54kg
Prize Money: $249,252
Win / Place: 9.30% / 53%

7 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: FREEDOM CHILD (USA)

Dam: G G'S DOLLY (USA)

Dam's Sire: Comic Strip

Rating

Stats

Career

43: 4-9-10

Distance

12: 0-2-7

Trk/Dst

2: 0-0-2

Track

3: 0-1-2

Season

3: 0-1-2

1st Up

6: 0-0-3

2nd Up

6: 0-1-1

3rd Up

4: 0-1-1

4th Up

3: 0-1-1

Metro

10: 1-1-3

Non-Metro

33: 3-8-7

Synthetic

5: 0-1-1

Dirt

38: 4-7-10

Firm

32: 2-6-8

Clockwise

3: 0-0-1

Anti-Clockwise

40: 4-8-10

Jockey Stats

Horse

3: 0-1-2

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

1106m - 1207m

Gear Changes

Comments

At the latest run tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 7 at this track on August 17 over 1106m, 3.5 len behind Mark My Words carrying 54kg at $5.90. The race before that came from midfield; 2nd of 7 at this track on July 22 over 1207m, 1.5 len behind Go West with 54kg at $12.10. Wait until he shows more.

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 7	17/8/26	Thistledown	1106m	ALLOW 3U	5	C Keiser	54kg	Fast	1:04.24	62.0 km/h	3.5L	2-2	$5.90	26	$39,943	$3,994	1. Mark My Words 2. Trouble In Motown 3. Liltonytwophones
2nd of 7	22/7/26	Thistledown	1207m	HCP 3U	7	C Keiser	54kg	Fast	1:11.82	60.5 km/h	1.5L	3-1	$12	20	$29,028	$5,806	1. Go West 2. Liltonytwophones 3. Zippin Gigi
3rd of 7	2/7/26	Thistledown	1106m	CLM 3U	5	C Keiser	56kg	Fast	1:05.66	60.6 km/h	3.5L	5-3	$20	187	$24,093	$2,409	1. Charleston 2. Simply Valid 3. Liltonytwophones
187 Day Spell
7th of 12	27/12/25	Turfway Park	1207m	ALLOW 3U	2	Brooke Bays	51.5kg	Fast	1:10.68	61.5 km/h	5.4L	9-5	$31	21	$43,032	$417	1. Empire's Best 2. Noble Jon 3. Looking Good Lewis
3rd of 12	6/12/25	Turfway Park	1106m	CLM 3U	1	Brooke Bays	51.5kg	Fast	1:04.02	62.2 km/h	2.1L	4-1	$32	70	$33,231	$2,455	1. Zoombie 2. Wauhatchie 3. Liltonytwophones
70 Day Spell
7th of 7	27/9/25	Churchill Downs	1207m	CLM 3U	7	Emmanuel Esquivel	55kg	Fast	1:10.35	61.8 km/h	25.0L	4-7	$49	30	$84,098	$1,096	1. Top Gun Tommy 2. Five O' Somewhere 3. American Outlaw

Aye Aye Sir (4) 5134x51377
Trainer: Loren Huepenbecker(USA)
Jockey: Erik Barbaran
Weight: 54kg
Prize Money: $420,102
Win / Place: 23% / 42%

9 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: MIDSHIPMAN (USA)

Dam: STILL SEARCHING (CAN)

Dam's Sire: Seeking The Best

Rating

Stats

Career

56: 13-6-5

Distance

14: 6-2-1

Trk/Dst

6: 3-0-0

Track

33: 6-4-3

Season

5: 1-0-1

1st Up

12: 2-1-0

2nd Up

9: 2-1-1

3rd Up

7: 1-0-2

4th Up

7: 2-0-0

Metro

10: 2-0-1

Non-Metro

46: 11-6-4

Turf

8: 2-0-1

Soft

1: 0-0-0

Synthetic

2: 0-0-0

Dirt

46: 11-6-4

Fast

7: 2-0-1

Firm

45: 9-5-4

Clockwise

3: 1-1-0

Anti-Clockwise

53: 12-5-5

Jockey Stats

Horse

4: 1-2-0

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

Comments

Most recently ran second last of 8 at this track on August 26 over 1609m, 16 len behind Patriarchal carrying 54kg at $41.30. Before that ran second last of 8 at this track on August 19 over 1106m, 16 len behind Big Prankster with 56kg at $17. Others look better placed.

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
7th of 8	26/8/26	Thistledown	1609m	HCP 3U	1	T Houghton	54kg	Fast	1:39.80	58.0 km/h	16.3L	1-4	$41	7	$28,531	$285	1. Patriarchal 2. Puff'smagicdragon 3. Hilarious Affair
7th of 8	19/8/26	Thistledown	1106m	CLM 3U	7	T Houghton	56kg	Fast	1:04.86	61.4 km/h	16.4L	1-3	$17	35	$23,680	$237	1. Big Prankster 2. Star Entertainer 3. Quarantino
35 Day Freshen-Up
3rd of 7	15/7/26	Thistledown	1609m	HCP 3U	5	Anthony Rodriguez	54kg	Fast	1:40.94	57.4 km/h	4.3L	1-1	$13	14	$29,028	$2,903	1. Strike Appeal 2. Dr Schuster 3. Aye Aye Sir
1st of 8	1/7/26	Thistledown	1207m	CLM 3U	3	B Tapara	56kg	Fast	1:12.30	60.1 km/h	1.0L	2-1	$4.50	20	$17,707	$10,624	1. Aye Aye Sir 2. Thanks Frank 3. Bourbon On Fire
5th of 6	11/6/26	Thistledown	1207m	CLM 3U	4	B Tapara	56kg	Fast	1:12.24	60.1 km/h	26.8L	2-5	$7.40	191	$23,152	$695	1. Doctor Wu 2. Charleston 3. Bella Future
191 Day Spell
4th of 4	2/12/25	Mahoning Valley	1106m	CLM 3U	2	Becerra Fernando Salazar	56kg	SP	1:05.56	60.7 km/h	5.8L	4-4	$1.90f	35	$31,240	$1,562	1. Morethanreadyeddie 2. Powerful Moon 3. Tonight
35 Day Freshen-Up

Go West (5) 4235671251
Trainer: Kim Puhl()
Jockey: Luis Antonio Gonzalez
Weight: 55kg
Prize Money: $581,458
Win / Place: 18% / 48%

Jockey / Horse Combo

8 yo Bay Gelding

Sire: STREET SENSE (USA)

Dam: SUSHI EMPIRE (USA)

Dam's Sire: Empire Maker

Rating

Stats

Career

43: 8-6-7

Distance

5: 1-2-2

Trk/Dst

1: 0-1-0

Track

4: 2-1-0

Season

9: 2-2-1

1st Up

7: 1-1-2

2nd Up

7: 1-1-1

3rd Up

6: 0-1-1

4th Up

5: 2-1-0

Metro

33: 4-4-6

Non-Metro

10: 4-2-1

Dirt

43: 8-6-7

Firm

32: 6-4-5

Anti-Clockwise

43: 8-6-7

Jockey Stats

Horse

4: 2-1-0

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 - 1207m

Gear Changes

Comments

Comes here off a 43-day let-up. At the latest run won by 1.5 len at this track on July 22 over 1207m defeating Liltonytwophones with 54kg at $2.20. The run before that ran second last in a small field at this track on July 7 over 1207m, 3.5 len behind Zippin Gigi with 55kg at $2.80. Impressed last start and can go on with it.

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
1st of 7	22/7/26	Thistledown	1207m	HCP 3U	3	Luis A Gonzalez	54kg	Fast	1:11.82	60.5 km/h	1.5L	6-3	$2.20f	15	$29,028	$17,417	1. Go West 2. Liltonytwophones 3. Zippin Gigi
5th of 6	7/7/26	Thistledown	1207m	HCP 3U	2	Luis A Gonzalez	55kg	Fast	1:10.92	61.3 km/h	3.7L	5-3	$2.80f	27	$31,495	$945	1. Zippin Gigi 2. Colonel Vargo 3. Tricky Tiger
2nd of 6	10/6/26	Thistledown	1106m	HCP 3U	6	Luis A Gonzalez	56kg	Fast	1:05.00	61.3 km/h	0.5L	5-3	$3.60	21	$27,894	$5,579	1. More Love 2. Go West 3. Wauhatchie
1st of 7	20/5/26	Thistledown	1207m	HCP 3U	3	Luis A Gonzalez	54kg	M	1:11.64	60.7 km/h	1.3L	6-2	$5.40	40	$27,933	$16,760	1. Go West 2. Wauhatchie 3. Don't Stop
40 Day Freshen-Up
7th of 10	10/4/26	Oaklawn Park	1207m	CLM 4U	10	Israel Hernandez	55.5kg	Fast	1:10.53	61.6 km/h	4.5L	3-4	$26	19	$69,869	$607	1. Payne 2. Juilliard 3. Innova
6th of 7	22/3/26	Oaklawn Park	1207m	CLM 4U	7	Walter De La Cruz	53.5kg	Fast	1:10.75	61.4 km/h	2.3L	3-3	$8.10	15	$49,157	$819	1. Plausible Denile 2. I'm Wide Awake 3. Got Thunder

Zippin Gigi (6) 8613175131
Trainer: Rey Juarez-Mendoza(USA)
Jockey: Jose A. Bracho
Weight: 55kg
Prize Money: $360,228
Win / Place: 21% / 46%

Jockey / Horse Combo

7 yo Chestnut Gelding

Sire: RUN AWAY AND HIDE (USA)

Dam: LA PEQUENA GIGI (USA)

Dam's Sire: Sky Mesa

100

Rating

Stats

Career

47: 10-5-7

Distance

12: 4-2-0

Trk/Dst

4: 2-0-0

Track

8: 3-0-2

Season

10: 4-0-2

1st Up

6: 0-1-0

2nd Up

6: 2-0-2

3rd Up

6: 1-1-2

4th Up

5: 0-0-1

Metro

28: 4-4-3

Non-Metro

19: 6-1-4

Turf

4: 1-1-0

Good

1: 1-0-0

Synthetic

2: 0-0-0

Dirt

41: 9-4-7

Fast

3: 0-1-0

Firm

34: 8-3-5

Anti-Clockwise

47: 10-5-7

Jockey Stats

Horse

3: 2-0-1

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 - 1207m

Gear Changes

Comments

Form hard to fault. Comes here off a 31-day let-up. Last start won by 1.5 len at this track on August 3 over 1106m defeating Phreddie Mac carrying 56kg at $2.10. The race before that held ground to the line 3rd of 7 at this track on July 22 over 1207m, 3.5 len behind Go West carrying 56kg at $5.80. Can get the job done 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	3/8/26	Thistledown	1106m	ALLOW 3U	6	Jose A Bracho	56kg	Fast	1:04.82	61.4 km/h	1.5L	1-1	$2.10f	12	$39,943	$23,966	1. Zippin Gigi 2. Phreddie Mac 3. Trouble In Motown
3rd of 7	22/7/26	Thistledown	1207m	HCP 3U	5	Jose A Bracho	56kg	Fast	1:11.82	60.5 km/h	3.5L	2-2	$5.80	15	$29,028	$2,903	1. Go West 2. Liltonytwophones 3. Zippin Gigi
1st of 6	7/7/26	Thistledown	1207m	HCP 3U	6	Jose A Bracho	54.5kg	Fast	1:10.92	61.3 km/h	2.5L	1-1	$9.20	27	$31,495	$18,897	1. Zippin Gigi 2. Colonel Vargo 3. Tricky Tiger
5th of 6	10/6/26	Thistledown	1106m	HCP 3U	1	Victor R Fernandez	55kg	Fast	1:05.00	61.3 km/h	8.8L	2-4	$6.50	21	$27,894	$837	1. More Love 2. Go West 3. Wauhatchie
7th of 7	20/5/26	Thistledown	1207m	HCP 3U	1	Victor R Fernandez	56kg	M	1:11.64	60.7 km/h	9.8L	5-5	$2.70f	16	$27,933	$279	1. Go West 2. Wauhatchie 3. Don't Stop
1st of 8	4/5/26	Thistledown	1106m	CLM 3U	7	Victor R Fernandez	55kg	Fast	1:04.76	61.5 km/h	4.5L	1-1	$1.20f	13	$20,112	$12,067	1. Zippin Gigi 2. Oleg 3. Coalminer's Kitten

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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