Three for Three?

Tonight I Am Woman shoots for a 3-3 start to 2009 at Balmoral Park. She'll be pacing the mile with Brandon Simpson in the bike again and she remains at the same class level. How is that possible? She meets the OR conditions in the NW2 races OR $5,000 lifetime. In fact, should she win this one, she'll STILL be under the OR conditions. Not by much, but she'll still be there.

But first things first. Tonight she drew the rail as opposed to her last two starts where she left from the 7 hole. There is plenty of opportunity for her to get shuffled back and she will probably still have to utilize her closing kick to get the job done. Here is how the race shapes up:

1. I AM WOMAN

2. Screamin' Rita: beat by our girl by 5 1/4 last out - not too mention several others in here tonight as well.

3. Medusa's Conquest: hasn't been closer than 6 lengths to the winner in each of her last 5 starts.

4. Fox Valley Hooray: Led almost every step of the way last time out until caught in the stretch by I Am Woman. look for her to go to the lead again and she if she can hold on this week.

5. Go Get Satin: Another mare that has been trounced soundly in each attempt this year.

6. Bad Boys Toy: Beaten by our girl during her maiden win, she rebounded very nicely in her last to win. Her last try at this level wasn't much, but she's improving.

7. Joker's Lil Alibi: Hasn't shown much this year even after dropping in with this type last week.

8. Ms Dock Johnson II: Another one of several in this field that I Am Woman has beaten previously. The eight post does her no favors this week as well.

9. Life of Reilly: Competitive the past couple of starts, this will be her third start in a week. A little much even by Standardbred standards.

10. Free Parkin Behind: A tough trip in the snow last out, she's hit the board in each start previous to that. All those starts were from the 5 post in. The 10 post will be much tougher to overcome.

These are the kind of races that scare me the most. She looks great. She's on a roll. She has a much improved post and she's going to be the big favorite. It has the potential for an upset, but I'll be rooting for our gal - from home this week, but I'll have her on this PC keep my fingers crossed that all goes well and we see three in a row.