It Was Better...

If that's the best I can say about a 4th place finish in a rock bottom claiming race, it's not much at all. That said, I Am Woman was clearly a different horse tonight than she was two weeks ago. Tonight's race was another $5000 Claiming race at Pocono Downs.

Leaving from the one hole, I Am Woman left the gate well and settled in the pocket early. Driver Andrew McCarthy pulled her the first time past the stands and sent her to the lead which she took from Cajun Angel easily. She led through a breather second quarter in 30.4, but the pace was to quicken with a :29 even third quarter. She stayed game to the top of the stretch when 1-2 favorite Call Me Roo went on by her. She paced tough, but was overtaken by Lightning Pegasus and then Dig a Little Deeper midstretch. At the wire she was able to nose out Asian Express for fourth.

A nice takeaway from this race was her willingness to go to the lead and the burst of tactical speed she showed was solid. Not so great: her caving in the stretch again. If we could find a harness race to go 6 furlongs, we'd have a champion!

I don't know what VIP Stables is going to do with I Am Woman next. She may stay at Pocono or she may move to another, less competitive track. We'll have to wait and see what trainer John Butenschoen has to say and go from there.