SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - It was one year ago that Rachel Alexandra beat males in an electrifying Woodward Stakes at Saratoga, completing a historic 8-for-8 campaign and clinching the Horse of the Year title. Since that memorable day, the filly has looked decidedly mortal, and America's racing fans have been wondering for months: Will we ever again see the great Rachel Alexandra?

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Last year, speed was Rachel Alexandra’s most potent weapon, one she rode to eight consecutive victories and a Horse of the Year title.

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Rachel Alexandra, America’s reigning Horse of the Year, finally returns to Grade 1 company in Sunday’s Personal Ensign Stakes at Saratoga, nearly a year after the dramatic victory here in the Woodward earned her that title − and launched unrealistic expectations she has failed to meet.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Rachel Alexandra, the reigning Horse of the Year, drew post 2 and was made the 2-5 morning-line favorite for Sunday’s Grade 1, $300,000 Personal Ensign Stakes at Saratoga.

It will be Rachel Alexandra’s first start in a Grade 1 race since she won the Woodward against older males here last September. Rachel Alexandra, who has won both the Fleur de Lis and the Lady’s Secret stakes in her last two starts, will carry high weight of 122 pounds under jockey Calvin Borel. This will be her first start at 1 1/4 miles.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Despite less than ideal conditions, Rachel Alexandra got in her final workout for Sunday’s Grade 1 Personal Ensign when breezing a half mile in 48.80 seconds over a muddy and sealed Oklahoma training track on Monday morning.

Trainer Steve Asmussen sent jockey Shaun Bridgmohan out to work a maiden 2-year-old named Malibu Cougar shortly after the training track opened to get a feel for the footing. Once assured the surface was safe, Asmussen then brought Rachel Alexandra out at her usual work time shortly before 6 a.m.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Rachel Alexandra visited Saratoga’s main track Monday morning for the first time since her historic victory in last fall’s Woodward Stakes, breezing a steady six furlongs in 1:13.20, while galloping out 1 1/8 miles in 1:54.09.

It appeared to be her sharpest move to date this year as she prepares for a start in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign Stakes here on Aug. 29, her first race at 1 1/4 miles.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Twelve hours after watching the fastest colt in his barn win a Grade 1 stakes, trainer Steve Asmussen watched the fastest filly in his care continue preparations for a start in an upcoming Grade 1 race.

Rachel Alexandra, the reigning Horse of the Year, zipped through a six-furlong workout in 1:12.96 Monday morning over the Oklahoma training track. Rachel Alexandra is preparing for a start in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign Stakes here on Aug. 29.

She was described as a kind-hearted creature – exceptionally fond of her stable cat – whose public flourishes included a tendency to drop far off the pace of her races and then come with a crowd-pleasing rush.

Before the start of a race, as legend has it, she would drop her head to graze, searching for tasty daisies. She fancied only a certain brand of water, and she was described in a journal of her day as being of “fine length everywhere, is good through the heart, has great wide hips, and good muscular quarters, fine shape, and enormous power.”

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Not many of the handful of backstretch onlookers on an overcast, humid Monday morning at Saratoga had nearly as much energy just before sunrise as Rachel Alexandra displayed.

Preparing for her next start in the $300,000 Personal Ensign Stakes here on Aug. 29, Rachel Alexandra drilled five furlongs in 1:02.38 under jockey Shaun Bridgmohan on the Oklahoma training track. Daily Racing Form timed Rachel Alexandra in fractions of 13.13, 25.44, and 37.57 seconds, and caught her galloping out six furlongs in 1:15.72.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - As expected, reigning Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra will make her next start in the Grade 1, $300,000 Personal Ensign Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 29, owner Jess Jackson confirmed in a press release Friday.

"Rachel feels very much at home among the great Saratoga fans," Jackson said. "It’s an historic race, named after a great champion. The timing is right for Rachel. She’s been coming back into her stride and this will help her prepare for the rest of her campaign and the Breeders’ Cup later this year."