Little Bit Country rocks at Cal Expo

Conditioned ladies, racing for a $4,200 purse, were featured at Cal-Expo on Thursday night, in which Little Bit Country showed her class.

Prior to starting from post position seven in the field of the same number, trainer Steve Hyman had good reason to be upbeat.

"I liked the whole situation this week because she finished third last week to two good horses that weren't in the field tonight," stated Hyman. "So I thought this was a green light special."

Leaving and racing with early cover until left alone on the rim after three-sixteenths of the mile into a :28.2 first quarter, Little Bit Country didn't clear to the front until the five-sixteenths pole. Pushing the pace some before yielding to the half-mile marker to Tawny Reserve (Rich Wojcio) on the reclaim, Hyman was pleased to be in the pocket at the half-mile station, timed in :57.1.

"I liked the fact that Ritchie (Wojcio) came back to the front because my horse races better off cover. As a result, I thought my chances were real good."

Content to sit in the pocket, Little Bit County seeked racing freedom at the three-quarter pole, timed in 1:27.1. Free and on the move with just less than three-sixteenths of a mile to go, Little Bit Country raised the blood pressure of Hyman.

"She made a bobble when I came out and I was concerned, but I made a diving save," laughed Hyman.

Now pacing smoothly again and under urging to the seven-eighths pole, Little Bit Country took over the lead with less than an eighth of a mile to go. Holding on to win under wheel-disc urging, the Elleon Hyman-owned 6 year old scored ($5.60) by one length in 1:55.3, thus recording her 21st career win. Tawny Reserve tried hard while second, and Mamahaswhiskerstoo (Steve Wiseman) finished another 1 1/2 lengths farther back in third.

"I was happy with the outcome," concluded Hyman. (Cal Expo)

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