A Visit, A Fade & A Change

Three of the five of us in Fizzy Pop's (Slew Gin Fizz-Pop Pop BB Gun-Red Ryder) ownership group took a ride down to Canterbury yesterday to check up on how our boy is doing. Sure, we could have just called our trainer, Bernell Rhone, and asked, but what fun is that? Besides, Laura needed to get her license anyhow in case our race filled this weekend and none of the rest of us that picked up our badges were around. So we worked hard in the office for an hour or two to get a bit ahead of the game and took an early lunch to go see our boy.

A trip to the backside when you only have one horse in training can be a bit anticlimactic. It ends up being a grand total of an hour and a half of drive time back and forth and you spend maybe 10 minutes with your horse. It's still 10 minutes very well spent, in my opinion. I'm sure Fizzy was disappointed as well because the last couple of times I've been by I brought peppermints and this time I had my wife's car so I didn't have any with me. I know he enjoys them, but better yet, I knew that Laura and Josh would have enjoyed feeding him a couple. A definite opportunity missed there.

The dogs were still up on the back side when we got there so we parked just inside the security gate and started to walk over to the Rhone barn. On the way we ran into Lianne Rhone (maybe Butler? I'm not sure if she uses Butler or not, mental note to ask next time) who rides Fiz from time to time in the morning and is basically an assistant trainer in the barn. She remarked at how well Fizzy worked Tuesday and how strong he is. She mentioned that Dean (jockey Butler) said he was striding great. Then the bad-ish news. When Bernell pulled up he said it didn't look like the race we were targeting was going to fill. He was right. It didn't and so we wait. In the interim we had a nice visit with Fizzy. I promised Laura I wouldn't put her picture up, but I made no such promise to Josh, so there he and Fiz are up on the the top of the page.

I Am Woman Fades to Fifth

I Am Woman tried to get off the snide at Pocono last night and all did not go well. It actually was hauntingly familiar. She came off the gate really well but got beat to the turn by Allamerican Excel who was dropping in from $7000. It was a change in tactic for Andrew McCarthy driving Allamerican Excel as she's been trying to come off the pace from the outside posts she's been saddled with. The change in tactics worked as once she got the lead from our gal, she wired the field and won drawing off by 7 3/4 lengths in 1:53.3. Fifth, where I Am Woman finished, was clocked at 1:55.2, or .1 out of second. If you were a glass half empty person, she was also only .2 out of 8th.

The positive here is that she paced faster then she ever has and her last quarter was :30 flat, better than her previous efforts. A few big negatives: she once again was passed in the stretch, which is disheartening; and while it may have been her fastest mile to date, it was only by a tenth of a second. I don't call the shots with her, so I'm not sure what's next. While the purse money in PA is great, it's not that great if you never win any of it. That said, shipping her all over creation is expensive and counter-productive as well. Her pedigree is nice enough (Blissful Hall-Wild Proposition-Laag) but without much of anything distinguishing her on the racetrack, it's tough to make a case for breeding her.

Borel Off of Mine That Bird. Period.

After learning that Clavin Borel may opt off Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird in the West Virginia Derby (Gr. II) for a ride in the Jim Dandy (Gr. II) on the same day, trainer Chip Woolley asked Calvin to commit to his horse for the season. Borel apparently could not do that and that sent Woolley looking for a new rider. I can understand Woolley's point. I have a Derby winner and Triple Crown contender and you only want to ride him when you have nothing better going on? You'd think the Kentucky Derby winner - and the only horse to hit the board in all three Triple Crown races - would get a little more respect than that.

I kind of look at it this way: I understand the Rachel Alexandra deal. She is a special, once in a lifetime kind of horse. Mine That Bird is not. That said, I don't believe he is the flash in the pan that I thought he was after the Derby either. The fact that he is a gelding and could race in the major handicap races over the next two to three years should be a factor in Borel's decision. Sure, one bad step and that's that, but I'm not sure if he has to "live for the moment" in this spot. Again, I can understand taking the ride on Rachel, but to leave the Derby winner for Warrior's Reward? I don't see it.

A Week Off, Then She Tries Again

After failing to get in last week as Also Eligible 1, I Am Woman will be taking on a full field of $5000 pacers back at Pocono Downs tomorrow evening. She comes in having lost to three of these last time out, but she did it while looking better than she had in a month. She's back in on the rail with another new driver, Kevin Sizer (UDR .238), in the bike. Here is the rundown for the 8th race Wednesday night.

1. I AM WOMAN

2. Lightning Pegasus: One of the three who overtook I Am Woman in the stretch last out to finish second. She moves inside for the first time in a long time and is a threat in here.

3. Cajun Angel: Has been last or second to last in her last five starts. Same level tonight, no reason to expect an improvement.

4. Dig Alittle Deeper: She likes to come from the back of the pack and should get that opportunity again. Don't know if she can win, but probably useful in an exotic.

5. Corky's Baylor: Has not been close since dropping to this level.

6. Live Wire's Cammy: This old veteran has seen sharper days.

7. Asian Express: Was flat last out. Maybe needed the experience back over the PcD track. Post 7 won't be helpful, though.

8. Allamerican Excel: Didn't bounce back well after being scratched due to illness. Claimed at $7000 and dropping immediately after one start. Not a good sign.

9. Call Me Roo: Two for two since dropping in at this level beating all but Allamerican Excel in the last race. She won from the 5 and from the 2 and from behind and on the engine. Definitely the on to beat in here - though odd that she doesn't get moved back up in class.

Our girl has her work cut out for her Wednesday evening. Given the disastrous performance two starts back where I think she was a little under the weather, she came back nicely in her last. If she still wasn't 100%, then I think that we have a shot in here. If that was as good as she gets, however, then we have a longer term problem that VIP will have to sort out going forward.

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.

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.

Rock Bottom - Take 2

I Am Woman is going to give it another go this evening at Mohegan Pocono Downs. She's taken on $5000 Claimers again, pacing a mile. Here is the run down of the field:

1 Sydney Hanover - Dropping in from $10,000 claimers and takes the rail. Prior she's been racing against much better.

2 Corkey's Baylor - Shifts back to the inside tonight after two disappointing starts.

3 Todd's Charmer - Been racing slightly better and coming so close. Likes to leave and should get the rail this trip.

4 Outten Front - Our nostriled I Am Woman last out for fourth.

5 Huge Success N - Another dropping in from higher claiming ranks ($7000) and the ML favorite.

6 Jovial Charm - Been consistently just off the board against these.

7 I AM WOMAN

8 Peaches and Cream - After some promise early in May, last two have been terrible.

9 Nights Fancy Girl - Has not been competitive yet and still a maiden.

I really don't know what to say anymore. I would be concerned about the move out to the seven spot, but she's done her best work from there when she has the opportunity to fan three wide in the stretch. This race may set up to give her that opportunity. She did show some signs of life last out while encountering some stretch traffic and only losing 3.25 lengths. Hopefully she's rounding back into form and we'll see her take that next step tonight.

Not As Bad As It Seems - Mostly

At first blush, a 5th place finish is discouraging. Actually it's downright disappointing, especially when you're racing at the bottom. It's tough to make any money that way, never mind break even.

Today's fourth at Pocono was hardly a flaming mile. The race was won in 1:58.3, not exactly a world record pace. I Am Woman got off well and found room inside first time past the stands in 3rd. Then the trouble started down the backside. As the outside lined filled, she slowly got shuffled back in the pack. As they entered the far turn she had slid to 5th and then 6th at the top of the stretch. As they straightened for home, I Am Woman tried to find space, but there was none to be had. As she moved outside, the leader, Commissioned N, started to weaken and drifted from the rail and stayed in front of our gal. By the time she was ducked back inside, she had company on the rail as Outten Front had slid through as the action unfolded in front of driver Sean Bier. Between Commissioned N backing up on her and not getting clear sailing on the rail, she still managed to come within a whisker of 4th.

A few encouraging signs:

- She never gave up. She tried hard throughout and even when boxed in through the stretch, she still had finish to her. If she was able to go first over, she may have been better positioned to finish;

- She closed up the inside. Not her favorite place in the world, this is the first time she's showed she can close when hemmed in a bit.

Not so encouraging:

- It's rock bottom and she kind of looked like she belonged with these. She certainly didn't outclass anyone;

- The final time for the race was only 1:58.3 and her final time was over 1:59. My fear that she's just not that fast may indeed be correct, though I'll reserve judgement until she goes again next week and see what happens with a clear trip.

A final word to Mitchell who commented on the preview post yesterday and has his own piece of a Standardbred: Best of luck in the Hoosier Cup on Saturday. River Shark will be racing for a share of $500,000! I don't care where you're racing - that's real money! Good luck and travel safe!

Looking for a Win/Out of the Blue

Looking For A Win

I Am Woman drops deep tonight looking to get off the snide and back into the winning column. She's going in the 4th tonight at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. As always it's a mile pace but she's dropping way down to the $5,000 claiming level. She's never been that low and it is rock bottom at Pocono. At least she's racing for $4400 as opposed to only $3200 at the $8000 level in Chicago. She may get claimed down here, but if she does, she does. While she's been perfectly placed two races in a row, she's completely failed to fire and finished at the back of the pack. She was competitive in Chicago, but so far she's been a disappointment in NY/PA.

I appreciate that the folks at VIP are shooting for the win and willing to cut our losses if she does get claimed. Yes, she's a career money loser for us even if she wins and gets claimed, but at some point you have to cut your losses and move on. She's healthy and can be competitive at a certain level - but Late Closing company is not that level. Before she develops a habit of losing, she needs to get back where she can win and then she can try to be brought up the ladder from there.

Here is the run down of the field:

1 Fire Me: after breaking two back, came back weakly in last.

2 Lilly Valle N: Been flat since dropping into this level.

3 I AM WOMAN

4 Outten Front: Showed nothing against lesser.

5 Cajun Angel: Has not shown anything since return.

6 Commissioned N: Sharp at this level, but from more inner posts.

7 Jovial Charm: Been a bit flat at this level, but has posted some quick miles.

8 Intimate Hall: Two nice efforts at this level, but from much closer to the rail.

9 Corky's Baylor: Posted a nice second here two starts back.

I Am Woman is the second choice in the morning line behind Commissioned N. It makes sense to me, though I am concerned that she hasn't traveled as quickly as many of these. She's coming down in class pretty steeply and her speed rating is in line with these. She should get some money here and has a good chance at winning. Anything can happen, which is why they run the race, but she should do pretty well in with these.

Out of the Blue

Sometimes I go a few days and just feel like I have nothing to blog about. I hit a block or nothing really strikes my fancy. Today we have I Am Woman racing and last night a potential opportunity fell into my lap. That's why we have a two-fer today!

To back-up a bit, earlier this year I tried to get folks together to perhaps race at Running Aces Harness Park here in Minnesota. There were really no takers and I could not get a trainer dialed in to save my life. I didn't even put this on the back burner, I dismissed it altogether!

Out of the blue last night I received an e-mail from a long time harness racing fan/promoter asking me simply: have you thought of racing at Running Aces? I responded with my standard: Yes, but not a lot of interest and I can't get a trainer's attention. Turns out this fellow is connected to a trainer at Running Aces and there is some mid-range stock for sale: complete with trainer (who is winning at a 20% clip no less!). The idea is to buy into the horses with two separate groups (two horses each) and race them at Running Aces through the summer, Prairie Meadows in the fall and sell them off at the sale in Ohio in November. Short term, plenty of action and an end date. There are some kinks to work out, but there has been some response to the rough outline already.

It may not come to fruition, but it's amazing what comes your way when you're not looking for it!

Working For the Weekend

At least that's how it works for most folks. This weekend, it's working all weekend! Of course when you;re in the racing business, that's how it has to be. And if you're a trainer, groom or rider...well, then it's part of the fabric of your life.

This weekend is a busy one. We're finally opened up at Canterbury Park and live racing begins tonight at 7 PM CDT. The threat of some thundershowers are hanging over us a bit, but hopefully they'll stay away and the bright sunshine that greeted me when I rolled out of bed this morning will stick around all day.

My plan this weekend: live Tweeting (click to start following me on Twitter) from Opening Night tonight with a Blog to follow complete with photos; I Am Woman goes again tomorrow afternoon right before; the Preakness Stakes; live Tweeting from the Upper Midwest Two Year Olds in Training sale with a Blog follow up; a brief preview of Fizzy Pop's race on Sunday; live Tweeting from the races on Sunday; a final follow-up Blog recapping a very busy weekend.

Unfortunately some coverage is going to suffer and, because this blog is Owning Racehorses not Picking Stakes Winners, it's going to be coverage of the Preakness. That said, click on the TBA logo above and you'll be swept off to the Thoroughbred Blogger's Alliance homepage where opinions and analysis abound!

My two cents: another intriguing race. I love the filly and think, if she's good as she seemed in the Oaks, the boys'll wish they blocked her out but there are some sound reasons why she might not be the choice in here. There is the threat of rain at Pimlico (well, word is it poured all last night in Baltimore) and maybe the stars are aligning for Mine That Bird. I think this is a race to watch rather than wager unless you have sound reasons for bouncing out the favorite. To me, Pioneerof the Nile showed me something on the dirt. Sure, it was sloppy dirt, but dirt none the less. He's my pick in here followed by Rachel Alexandra and I'd have to wheel the tri here with Papa Clem, Musket Man, Friesan Fire and yes, the speedster Big Drama to perhaps hold on for a piece. That said, this is too chalky a tri for me and I'll just be enjoying this one at Canterbury Park.

The other story getting the short shift this weekend will be I Am Woman's race. She's in the 10th at Pocono Downs tomorrow a NW$4250 in Last 5 Starts or NW3 Lifetime. She qualifies under the money condition and, with a purse of $8500, she's theoretically stepping up a bit in class from her Late Closer last weekend where she finished a dismal 6th. With Tim Tetrick in the bike, she has a shot, but if she can do it, it'll be at a price. I'm hoping to catch her race live before I head down to Shakopee to cover the sale.

It's going to be a very busy weekend, but we're racing again and that never feels like work!