If I had any experience I wanted to remember it would be riding in the 2009 Breeders Cup.  Riding Cloudy's Knight to two Grade 3 wins and now getting the opportunity to ride him in one of the biggest race events in the world and actually having a chance at 8-1 odds was even more exciting.  Also, riding for hall of fame trainer Jonathan Sheppard made even extra extrodinare.  Waking up Breeders Cup morning I felt vibrant and ready to take on my day.  I had gotten a call from Jonathan Sheppard the night before to stop by the barn in the morning of the race to discuss strategy.  It was a cool morning with the sun beaming.  Driving to Santa Anita at 7:30am you could see cars already lining up to enter the race track to get a good parking spot.  Entering the stable gate Sheppard was in barn #5.  Walking down the shedrow all the horses were alert and happy with there heads sticking out of there stalls aware of the days events that were going to unfold.  Sheppard was standing at the end of the barn watching Cloudy's Knight walking after his bath.  Sheppard was in a cheerful but focused mood.  We spoke about the race and how he thought it might unfold.  He also said(with the owners approval) that if Cloudy felt like he was any kind of distress or was not handling the track to just protect him and give him a comfortable race.  There are always other races but they wanted to make sure that Cloudy would come back safe and sound.  That is the most important to them.  I agreed and said that would not be a problem.  I stayed around a little longer and took some pictures of Cloudy, Informed Decision and Forever Together.  I was quite shocked how little Forever Together was.  But what a powerful and solid frame she had and as we all know she has a big heart and determination to win.  I was surrounded by celebrity horses.

Next I went to get my license and then meet with the stewards.  My mom and my cousin Nichole were on the front side checking out all the activities going on.  We all met up and went to breakfast at a place called MiMi's.(yummy! They have the most delicious hot chocolate) After that it was time to get ready to go to the races.  I wore a beautiful long dress that I borrowed from my friend Jenny Stisted Lake.  Getting to the jocks room my valet was waiting to get me set up for my race.  The girls jocks room was quite small but had all the amenities that I would need.  I got dressed in my jockey attire and proceeded over to work on the equicizer(this a wooden horse.  The neck and body move and it helps to get warmed up and perfect your riding style)  I will do this everyday before I ride if the jocks room has one.  Then I was off to do an interview with TVG.  It was pre-taped and shown right before I went out to the paddock.

First and second races have just finished and there is 36 minutes on the clock for my(third) race.  The heart is starting to pump and the nerves are jumping.  I just sat and kept looking over the race to see how I thought it might set up and where I would like to position myself.  I would go over the race in different scenarios in my head.  Looking up at the tv, it's almost time to go out to the paddock.  I put my helmet on and took a deep breath and put a smile on my face and said let's do this!  Walking out of the jocks room with the Elite Jockeys that I will be riding with felt amazing.  Once I got into the paddock I walked directly over to Shirley Schwart and gave her a hug.  I met her husband for the first time and some other people that were with her.  Cathy Sheppard came over and also gave me a hug and brought me over to where Jonathan was waiting.  At this point I am completely focused on what I have to do.  Jonathan was very brief since we had already spoken this morning.  Cloudy was walking around the paddock with his head high and his ears pricked forward.  He was happiest here.  He loved his job and was confident in himself.  Jonathan gave me a leg up and said Good Luck.  Once I am on the horse I am my most relaxed. The energy of the crowd was amazing.  Cloudy was so relaxed during his warm up as to save his energy.  Post Time!  Were off!!!  I hustled Cloudy out of the gate as to get an early position and not get shuffled back.  I had great positioning, just behind the favorite Mastery for most of the race.  I never got to far back at any point of the race.  I probably stayed within 5-7 lengths from the front runners.  Coming to the half mile pole I saw Mastery get stuck behind and in between two horses, I angled Cloudy to the outside as not to get him stopped and lose any momentum.  He stayed a the same pace coming to the 3/8th's pole.  As I was going by the horses I looked back to make sure I was clear to drop in and wait a lil longer before I asked Cloudy for his run in the stretch.  We were edging closer to the 1/4 pole and it was time to go.  We were now getting chased on the outside by Mastery and on the inside by Man of Iron.  Cloudy fought off the surge from Mastery and now how to fight off Man of Iron.  Cloudy ran strong, hard and determined to win this race.  Last jump to the wire and he surged hard, did we win??? or did we get caught???  Ugh the agony of not knowing but still a chance we got to the wire first.  Galloping out I asked the other rider did you get up?  He was polite and yes I think I did.  I was deflated.  Galloping out I was petting Cloudy and telling me he was a good boy.  I was proud of him whatever the outcome.  Caton Bradar came up next to me on her pony and stayed with me until we heard the official result.  SECOND! UGH! What a blow.  I was so disappointed.  So close to winning a Breeders Cup race but so far.  I yelled over to the Jockey John Murtagh and congratulated him.  He said "thank you". (no matter what you always have to show good sportsmanship)  I felt bad for Cloudy because he did everything he could to win that race and was defeated by inches.  But I made him feel like he won by petting him and talking to him.  When I got to the assistant Barry and the groom for the day (Nancy Knott-she is Cloudy's massage therapist.  She travels all over with him) they were elated on how he ran and said I did a great job.  It made me feel somewhat better.  I saw Jonathan and he gave me a hug and said "well done.  You gave him a perfect ride."  As long as Jonathan was happy then I was happy.  It really was a great experience and a great race.  I have no complaints and would have rode him the same way if I had to do it all over again.