SARATOGA RACE COURSE, MONDAY, JULY 27, 2009:

The excitement is building at The Spa!

The local meet begins here at Saratoga on Wednesday, so the backside has risen from its off-meet slumber, and is sparking with energy. How wonderful it feels to have so many friends and fans here, and to be part of the magical Saratoga story! Even though I will be heading to the Garden State for my next race this weekend, I will be pulling hard for my esteemed stable mates opening week. I even noticed that the course has honored my colt-crush, the one and only Curlin, with the Curlin Café - an upscale (quite befitting such a star!) dining area near the winner's circle…and with a clear finish-line view!

While I get up early every morning, I was quite flattered that so many fans and reporters pulled themselves out of bed to watch me skip over to my final Monday morning breeze before the big race.

Although I took my regular exercise rider Dominic Terry for a spin today, my jockey Calvin Borel was on hand to watch! It was so nice to see him again - we have such sparkling chemistry. And of course, he takes very good care of me on race day.

I covered a half-mile in 49.26 with a gallop out in 1:02.78 for five furlongs, just what the boss wanted me to do. I cooled out nicely back at the barn in front of a pleasant gallery of onlookers, keeping my composure the whole time. I'm hoping that my ease with the shutter clicks and murmurs from the crowd means that I'm doing something right!

I'm thrilled to report that I'll be leaving early this Friday for my road trip to New Jersey. I am so excited to run in the Haskell on August 2nd at Monmouth Park, and I'm deeply honored to have the opportunity to represent the ladies once again in a contest against the boys. There has been only been one winning filly in the Haskell, the glorious Serena's Song in 1995, who ended that season as the champion three-year old filly. Ms. Song, ever the sportswoman, returned for a four-year old campaign the next year, and retired happily as a successful broodmare - a filly who did it all.

Remember, the second round of the Rachel Alexandra Running Auction benefiting the V Foundation for Cancer Research begins this Wednesday with a new item: the saddle towel with my name and post number that I was wearing as I crossed the finish line in my historic Mother Goose victory. The current total for proceeds going to the V Foundation, after the close of the auction for the halter I wore during my pre-Preakness workouts, is - hold your applause - $3859.99! You can follow the auction at kj.com.

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 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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