SARATOGA RACE COURSE, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2009:

RACHEL ALEXANDRA 2 - BOYS 0

Good day, ladies and gents!

Wow, what a week we've had! The Saratoga meet opened last Wednesday, July 29th, and my dearest stablemate and protégé Hot Dixie Chick gave us an explosive start with her 6-1/4 length win in the Schuylerville Stakes. And, as if that wasn't fabulous enough, Kensei, made us all terribly proud with his victory the Jim Dandy Stakes on Saturday, August 1st! Huge congratulations to each of them and to all the fine fillies and colts making this a spectacular summer of racing!

I missed seeing Kensei's stellar race because I was at Monmouth Park in New Jersey, putting on my game face for the Haskell Invitational on Sunday. The rain was so heavy earlier that day I thought I might need galoshes, but the clouds soon parted, and the rain stopped just in time. Even though the track was sloppy - and even though everyone was damp and muddy - over 37,000 lovely racing fans descended on The Shore to watch me and six exceptional colts engage one another to the wire!

It is an extraordinary honor to have followed in the hoofsteps of the legendary Serena's Song to become only the second filly to win the Haskell Invitational - and by six lengths, and just a hair off the track record [smile!]. A little girl in the winner's circle held a sign I simply adored: "…Yeah I run like a girl, try to keep up!" it said. I hope with all my heart that my young friend doesn't forget her own words as she goes forth in life, remembering on those days when she feels down, that she, like me can do whatever she dreams - and that she will always run, with joy and the strongest of legs, like a girl.

I've been pretty proud of myself since the race; I've taken to tossing my head a bit when I walk and I've got a sassy swish in my tail. I'm over the moon for winning a race, for winning a big race, for winning a big race against the boys…again. Still, I am most humbled to have given something to bring us all - all of us here at the track, and all of you watching and cheering from bleachers and living rooms - closer together.

A very special lady came to visit me when I was in Saratoga, just days before she was due to undergo major surgery. She gave me a rub for luck in her procedure, and for me in my race, and I nuzzled her back in kind. We got an email from her after my win, and although she is doing well, she had a hard night before the race (which was somewhat expected). But she said that watching the race when she returned home from the hospital made her feel so much better - to win is wonderful, but it is when the effort means something to someone that I am touched the most.

I want to end this week's missive by mentioning the recent announcement that Kendall-Jackson will be releasing a limited edition series of Rachel Alexandra wines this holiday season. How much fun is that!? What a lucky lady I am! You can learn about my wines, and follow the running auction of some of my most symbolic belongings to benefit The V Foundation for Cancer Research, at kj.com.

Until next time…Cheers to us all!

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, 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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