SARATOGA RACE COURSE, MONDAY, JULY 20, 2009:

A rosy hello to all!

My time here at Saratoga continues to be deeply renewing. The weather is so amenable - a bit more like an early autumn than mid-summer - and soon it will be teeming with energy as the meet begins at the end of the month. I hear The Spa is the place to be for summer racing!

Mondays are some of my favorite days because I get to let loose a bit and breeze as I did today, going six furlongs in 1:13.88. As Dominic Terry, my exercise rider, guides me into place I'm doing a countdown to launch in my head, and a Tigger bounce until he finally lets me go!

I'm intensely focused right now. Mr. Jackson announced last week that I'll have the opportunity to take on the boys again for my next race, a road trip to the "The Jersey Shore" for the Haskell Invitational on August 2nd at Monmouth Park! I've never been there, but those around me remember Curlin's epic return to that track in 2007 as he romped to victory in none other than the Breeder's Cup Classic. I can't wait to try out the turns!

And speaking of fabulous romps: the August issue of Vogue with a wonderful article and photo of yours truly - taken at Churchill Downs by the talented Steven Klein - just hit the stands! I am so blessed to have such heartfelt support for not only my achievements in this historic sport, but for my femininity, as well. I look quite "glam" in the magazine (if I do say so myself!), and the story was just lovely. There was one line that struck me; the author, Kevin Conley, wrote that I seemed in my last race "to be running alone", for myself, as well as for history.

On that note, I'd like you all to know how incredibly grateful I am to have so much friendship and support, from those who are closest to me to those of you I have never met. It means the world to have so many people believing in me. I run for myself, all of you, and for all those little fillies and ladies yet to come.

I am fortunate to have so many people who encourage me to write my own rules, and I know that not everyone has so much support.

But in the end, if you truly believe in yourself, you will always have someone in your corner. And if you need an extra boost once in a while, know that, just like those of you who believe in me and yet have never met me - though I have never met you - I do believe in you.

I believe in all of us, together.

With love and respectful thanks, I wish you all a truly magical week!

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 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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