Woodward Pictures (some Forgo, too)

[SuffolkGirl]

What a way to end the summer. I had to brave the traffic through the Lake George area on Labor Day weekend to make it over to Saratoga and boy was it worth it. I hung out with Steve Popyak and his brother, saw Hickory Hill Hoff and of course, Steve - who was his usual affable host.

The Woodward was just an amazing race. Poor Rachel had to carry the weight of just about everyone in the building. Since I was only looking for a single ticket, I was able to get a pretty good seat in the grandstand and was able to get some decent pictures. I am not sure if Calvin actually got dumped off of Rachel in the post parade or if it was an emergency dismount because he was going to get dumped if he didn't get off. I have a picture and it appears that he is in control and jumping off - she was full of herself coming out to the track.

After the race I hung out at the barbecue and made my way over to say goodnight to Harold Carmichael. On the walk back to the car I passed Todd Pletcher's shedrow - it looked like a movie set, everything just perfect. When I got to my car I realized that I was parked about 15 feet from Rachel's stall. Steve Haskin was there, so I introduced myself and we talked for a bit (nice meeting you Steve!) Rachel was up and eating. I took a quick picture of her area and her blanket of flowers and headed back home.

The noise from the crowd was so loud that I didn't get to hear the end of Tom Durkin's call live until Steve replayed it on the show. What a call!

This race was, without a doubt, the best race I have ever attended live, not sure if a race can top this and I am not certain if my heart could take it, anyway. Thank you Rachel Alexandra the Great.

Here are some of the pictures from the day.

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