BELMONT PARK, SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2009:

Ladies and Gentlemen, it's Mother Goose Day!

Thursday was quite a full day. I galloped on the training track after standing in the gates - for practice - in the morning, then in the afternoon I schooled during the sixth race. Schooling is a bit like a dress rehearsal, except I don't get to run...but rest assured I wanted to!

We walked from the barn to the paddock, and I stood in the saddling stall where my assistant trainer Scott Blasi gave me a very nice saddle and walked me around just to make sure I was calm and comfortable. I did a very good job: I stood just like he wanted me too and didn't get excited or worked up about anything!


"Ears pricked and ready to go" as she completes her morning gallop with exercise rider Dominic Terry on Belmont Park's training track.

I got the sweetest good luck wishes from the racing fans at Belmont Park who watch me strut my stuff, even if just for practice. They always make me happy, and so proud to be a part of this amazing sport.

On Friday, after my last gallop before the big race, I went into my seclusion zone. Athletes have to be mentally and physically prepared for competition, so I've been resting in Curlin's old stall and keeping all those lucky wishes in mind!

I will be cloistered away until I go to the security barn this morning several hours before the race, so my next appearance will be when I make my grand entrance into the paddock for the historic Mother Goose Stakes!

I saw all of my people walking about this morning with pink bracelets with my name on them; in fact I think they even put one on the barn cat! Today will be ladies' day at Belmont Park, so all of you lovely ladies out there will get in free, and those adorable bracelets will be given out to everyone of the first $10,000 fans courtesy of the New York Racing Association in support of Mr. Jackson and Barbara's decision to let me "Race for the Cure" with the Susan G. Komen foundation to support breast cancer research.

Remember, today is a fabulous filly Saturday from coast to coast! Not only will I be squaring off against four very talented fillies in the Mother Goose - but in the completely opposite corner of the country, the phenomenal Zenyatta will be taking on seven challengers in the Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park!

My post time is around 5:17 pm Eastern, and Zenyatta will be breaking from the gates at around 5:35 pm Eastern. I want to send out a special good luck wish to her, and the best racing vibes to all the fillies running everywhere in between, from New York all the way to Southern California!

With gratitude for everyone's good wishes and to all the fillies making this Saturday sparkle with "filly power", I'll see you at the track!

Saratoga Race Course, Thursday, Septmber 10, 2009
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, 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, Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Churchill Downs, Sunday, June 21, 2009
Back to Diary Home

View Diary Video Archive