Turning Point or Turning Out?

I think this is what the 1st race at Pocono will be tonight for I Am Woman. She was beaten 23 lengths last out in a very poor performance and makes her return to the $5000 claiming ranks tonight. Another awful performance without a physical excuse could mean a change in venue or a change in career for her. You can't keep racing a horse if she can't compete. It's not only financially wasteful, but you'll break their spirit and they'll simply stop trying.

Here is the line up tonight:

1 I AM WOMAN

2 Jovial Charm: Mare hasn't shown much since dropping into the claiming ranks but shifts inside for the first time in a while.

3 Intimate Hall: Three consecutive 3rds from the outside and the inside before scratching sick last week.

4 Cajun Angel: Also having a rough go of it late with back of the pack finishes the past month.

5 Call Me Roo: Beat most of these last out and appears to be the class of the field and the one to beat.

6 Lightning Pegasus: Drops in from $7000 where she couldn't quite get it done. Prior she ripped off consecutive wins in the $6000 CL HCP group. Definitely a threat.

7 Asian Express: Hasn't hit the board in a non-qualifier since Frehold back in March.

8 Dig A Little Deeper: Not a bad 5th only a length and a half behind choice last out, but shifts far outward tonight.

9 Cork's Baylor: 20-1 ML v. 4-1 for our girl though she finished two spots ahead of her in their last race.

Honestly I can't even predict how she'll do tonight. She's shown a steady decline since her late closer race at Tioga and has given us no sign that she's ready to improve. I don't envy VIP's decision making process if this race proves a failure with no excuse as well. Maybe she returns to Chicago? Maybe she gets turned out for a while? Maybe she needs to be retired and move on to a new career? If she doesn't step up, it's hard to make a case of throwing good money after bad.