Rachel Rests

Somehow, she looks pensive. Those with an overactive imagination might think she was pondering her future, perhaps. Alexander the Great, it was said, sat down and wept when there were no more worlds to conquer. But Rachel Alexandra the Great has the world at her feet! Along the bottom of the photo you can make out the pink carnations that adorned her Woodward winner's blanket. And check out nyra.com for a great fisheye photo of the finish of the Woodward Stakes. The only thing that's missing is that incredible wall of noise from the grandstand, which was literally shaking from start to finish -- and beyond.

WOOF.

Fall is in the air and the final stretch is upon us. While the focus at Saratoga Insider is usually on horses, the backstretch is filled with all kinds of other great animals and today's post is dedicated to all of our canine friends. Also, it's an exuse to post cute pictures of dogs -- and who doesn't love cute pictures of dogs?

She hardly needs an introduction, but the lead photo there is Frannie, the french bulldog, queen of the backstretch, beloved by all. Especially us.



This is Bounce, who belongs to D. Wayne Lukas. His registered name is "Cover Me I'm Going In" and his daughter is a war hero who saved injured soldiers in the Middle East. Good bloodlines, obviously.




This is Olivia, who belongs to a farrier. She's very sweet and gentle, but Saratoga Insider recommends that you always ask before approaching a dog in a truck (or approaching a strange dog at all).



Here's Honey - can you believe she's ten? We love a lab.


Here's the puppy from the red fruit truck - we think his name is Pancho. The one time we saw him sitting in back of the truck with the fruit, we went a little crazy with the camera.




This poodle - name unknown - lives around Jonathan Sheppard's barn. It's been so chilly these last few mornings, we wish we had a cool (by which we mean warm) sweater like he does.

Up next: CATS.

Splish Splash ...

...she was taking a bath. Rachel, that is.

Rachel Breezes at Oklahoma for Woodward

Monday morning dawned cool and crisp as Rachel Alexandra took to the track for her final workout prior to Saturday's Woodward under a pink-streaked sky. The fine weather added to the anticipation surrnounding the leggy bay filly's attempt to make history by becoming the first of her sex to win the Woodward. Watching her this morning, it was hard not to think you were already bearing witness to something very special.

Summer Bird and His Canoe

The most famous Travers tradition is the canoe in the infield lake. Here we get to see it paintd in the colors of the winner of the 140th Shadwell Travers -- Summer Bird!!

Bird Ball

Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird spends a quiet afternoon in his stall at Saratoga Race Course.

Handsome is as handsome does

Quality Road, favored in Saturday's Shadwell Travers, gets in some quality time schooling in the paddock before the start of racing on Thursday. He may not have any distinguishing markings, but he's so handsome he's easy to pick out anyway!!