SARATOGA RACE COURSE, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2009:

Ladies and Gents…we set the Spa a'sparkling!

I'm still glowing from my win by a head in the prestigious Woodward Stakes this weekend, and while that win is marked by my being the first female to ever win that race, that I did it as a 3-year-old filly against older males, and that my hero-crush Curlin won the same race last year, I deeply believe that most of my blissful glow comes from the incredible love and energy I've received from fans both here at Saratoga and around the world.

I will never forget the scene as I made my way down the path just before the race amidst a pulsing, deafening wave of cheers that rolled and crescendoed from the holding barn to the paddock. I remember seeing all of you, standing 10 deep astride the path, cheering and waving, yelling my name and sweet "you go girl!" and "you can do it!" words of support.

I felt all of your energy as I walked up to the gate as a younger girl standing toe to toe against all those older guys. I knew this would be my toughest test so far - and it was. Those boys made me run my heart out, but I dug down to places in my heart that I could never have known until I needed to know them, and I refused to let them pass by. One by one they tested me, and one by one I showed up, saying, "not today, boys!"

When the race was over, a woman with tears in her eyes mused about how overcome she had been by the love and spirit of the crowd on this most remarkable of days. She said that, though her family is gone, she felt that wonderful sense of "family" after the race in the very real, very emotional hugs shared between strangers bound together only by an unending love for this amazing sport.

After a day of historic competition and rewriting the books, this simple statement - a statement of love for sport and for one another - was the sweetest thing that I had ever heard. What an honor it is to play my part, and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the chance to make you smile, to make you laugh and cry, to make you cheer and to clap and to fall into each other's arms as family.

And speaking of family and the best of friends: My 2-year-old protégée, Hot Dixie Chick, won her first Grade 1 on Sunday in the Spinaway here at Saratoga, and I am so incredibly proud of her! We both had to forgo our favorite treats before the races (peppermints for me and apple cookies for her) but we celebrated the weekend together with a bit of indulging. She offered me one of her apple treats, and I must say: I now believe the hype. Heaven comes in the form of apple cookies!

I told 'Dixie' as we munched our cookies that my victory in the Woodward, even by a head, means more to me than a race won by six, or 19, or even 20 lengths. I am deeply grateful for my caring and competitive connections, and I am thankful that they continue to give me chances to see how deep I can dig. You'll never learn about yourself when everything comes easy, and the most important moments - those that truly show you what you're made of - come as you look your competition in the eye and run hard and fast to the wire. I can be proud of who I am, because I now know just how tough I can be.

A toast to us all very soon with a glass of the fabulous new Rachel Alexandra wine from Kendall-Jackson. We've earned it!

Saratoga Race Course, Friday, September 4, 2009
Saratoga Race Course, Monday, August 24, 2009
Saratoga Race Course, Friday, August 14, 2009
Saratoga Race Course, Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Saratoga Race Course, Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Saratoga Race Course, Monday, July 27, 2009
Saratoga Race Course, Monday, July 20, 2009
Saratoga Race Course, Monday, July 13, 2009
Saratoga Race Course, Monday, July 6, 2009
Saratoga Race Course, Monday, June 29, 2009
Belmont, Saturday, June 27, 2009
Belmont, Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Churchill Downs, Sunday, June 21, 2009

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