Good Morning Everyone!
What an amazing photo! I just had to share it with you. I’ve flown several times on horse planes, H.E.Tex Sutton, but those planes do not have windows. Ann was on a plane recently and took this photo from her window. It is so unique to see the reflection of the plane in the clouds! In my opinion, this is truly a WOW moment!
There were other WOW moments over the weekend in racing. The results to the 3 Year Old Derby Preps left the entire Kentucky Derby picture wide open. My friend, MR.COMMONS, ran very well and was 3rd in the Santa Anita Derby. Bernardini’s son, ARTHUR’S TALE, was a closing 2nd in the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct. The Illinois Derby winner, JOE VANN, ran a very good race…but is not nominated to the Kentucky Derby. To run, his owners would have to supplement him to the race and that is extremely expensive. His team will have to make this decision for themselves as to what they want to do!
What happens in stakes races is the owner/trainer have certain dates they are to comply with in order to nominate a horse to a particular race. With the Triple Crown Series, there are 2 definite times when this opportunity is offered. In mid-January, you can do the ‘EARLY NOMINATION’. This is at a cost of $600 per horse.
During the final week of March, the ‘LATE NOMINATION’ option is offered. This time the fee is $6000. Sometimes, your horse is a late developer so this provides you with a 2nd chance to be sure your horse is nominated.
After this, it is very, very expensive to nominate a horse to the Triple Crown Races. That is why most people try to do the $600 early nomination process. This gives you an opportunity to ‘watch your horse and see how he matures and advances through the early part of his 3 year old year’. If all goes well, you are nominated and ready to move forward.
On a day-to-day basis, the nomination of horses to STAKES RACES is a very interesting process. ALL stakes races have deadlines for nomination purposes before the race. Once closed…(meaning the day after the nomination deadline)… the Racing Office publishes the names of the horses who are considering running. At times, supplemental nominations may be taken for a particular race if you missed the initial nomination date, but that is for a much higher fee.
Thus, when a horse runs in a STAKES RACE, there are normally 3 fees to be paid by the owner: a nomination fee, an entry fee, and a starting fee. When you are at the track in the future, you will see this information detailed at the top of the PROGRAM PAGE or RACING FORM CHART. It will tell you exactly what the fees are to run in that particular STAKES RACE.
Some stakes races are BY INVITATION only. This means that the Racing Office invites the most promising horses to run in that STAKE. When this happens, there are NO nomination, entry or starting fees…the horse is INVITED to run! The SANTA MARGARITA (Grade 1)…which I won last year at Santa Anita…is an Invitational Stakes. I was one of the horses who received an INVITATION to participate in this Grade 1 event. I must say, that was sure a FUN RACE TO WIN!
This is all part of the BUSINESS OF HORSERACING. Thank goodness, I had MY TEAM to take care of ALL of this FOR ME! Have a great day!
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~
Z
PS…The ZENYATTA BRONZE contest is moving along. Barn 55 is drawing the names of the SWEET SIXTEEN today. We will print this list of 16 in tomorrow’s Diary. GOOD LUCK TO ALL!
Robyn Mullhausen
Thank for all the information on racing. That sure is a once-in-a-lifetime photo that Ann took. Thanks for posting it.
Christine Coleman
Hi Zenny! Thank you for explaining to us how “nominating” a horse works, and the difference between invitational races, etc. As usual you are doing so much for the sport! Make sure you enjoy every day with your pals at Lane’s End! You deserve it my beautiful Thoroughbred! Love you Zenny!
Margaret
Hay Z I learned more today about racing. I knew the nomination part, but didn’t know the others. I think nominations for the Derby are like 100 THOUSAND dollars now to nominate. You have to be very sure of your horse to spend those kind of dollars.
Good luck to all this afternoon as they draw our names. Hooves crossed for me but only 16 advanced. I’m nervous…
Brenda
As you say, a very interesting weekend for race results. Here in Canada I watched the English Grand National on TV. What a dreadful thing to see, thank goodness you didn’t have to do that Zenyatta! My grand daughter is watching Uncle Mo and wishing the very best for him in the Derby. I’m still keeping everything crossed for the next draw. Much love to you and all at Barn 55 and Lane’s End.
Hernan Tovar
My dear Zenyatta, you are awesome! your team is awesome! Wonderful photo… Thank you for sharing with us all the information about horse racing. Good luck to me, and every one in the sweet sixteen!
Love you, Ingrid from SoBe.
harold
GREAT PICTURE,SEEMS LIKE A DIFFERENT PLANE OUT THERE.
MLV
To Katherine Nieman, I flew my horse from California to Amsterdam. It is much different than flying locally because he had to be in quarantine for 30 days. He flew on my flight and I got to go back and visit him several times during the flight. He was with two other horses and the airline provided two grooms. The flight attendants were great and gave me my food right away so that I could finish and spend time with my boy.
To Sue Fredrick, when you’re at Old Friends say hello to Creator and Sunshine Forever. They were the two horses that my sister and I worked very hard to bring back to the US before Old Friends was barely off the ground.
Margaret
Some thing to think about for Zenyatta.
I see numerous postings asking about when Z will be visiting Bernie again. I’ll try to be as thoughtful as I can but please understand I’m no Dottie much less Z when it comes to being tactful.
Horses DON’T breed unless the mare is in heat (in horse language this is referred to as season). The mare will fight tooth and nail. It just isn’t done. Plus with todays knowledge about when the mare is at her peak of the cycle its important to only breed as few times as possible. They use to do breed backs until the mare no longer cycled. But that was years ago back in…years! Plus with Bernie visiting X number of mares each spring its exhausting to the stud. Top studs will breed 2/3 times A DAY. Many lose condition during the spring. So you can see the fewer trips to the barn for the stud the better. Mares come into heat about every 28 days. Z lost her baby about 2 weeks ago. Let her have a chance to cycle through. This is all very biological stuff.
I would love to be able to go in depth with some here. Ask questions and learn. But I know we need to be circumspect with regards to young ears. How far indepth can we go without offending someone that is a huge question.
@LauraJ my friend from ABR how nice to read you over here. You are always so clear with your writings. And so giving with experience. It is truly a pleasure to read your posts.
@DawnC thanks for mentioning me!
Susan Edwards
I have a few suggestion for the next time you get pregnant. First, not so much Guiness for you (or the foal). Next, see if your people can find the right food. There is a company called Southern States that produces the best horse food-called Triple Crown(what else would ther best be called?) You deserve it! Next, you might want ssome supplement called Source-from seaweed.
Gloria
Great blog, Big Mama Z! I was there last year when you won the Santa Margarita. Practically blew my vocal chords and lungs out screaming for you! Good memories. Thanks for the picture Ann took. That is very cool. Hope you’re enjoying your time in Kentucky. Miss you!
Janet Cutting
@JEAN– I SEE THE HORSE TOO IN THE PICTURE.WOW, I WENT BACK TO LOOK AGAIN AFTER READING YOUR COMMENT— VERY COOL INDEED– THAT IS REMARKABLE. THANKS FOR THE PIC MRS MOSS.
Cindy from LA
Dear Zenny
What a beautiful photo Ann Moss took. Hope you
Had a great day in the paddock with the girls.
Great diary post. I remember hearing that an owner
Put up $90,000 to have a horse in the Breeders Cup
Last year. Amazing!!!!! The money that flows in racing.
Wishing all the Triple Crown condensers speed safety
And Heath this weekend
Sweet Dreams XXXXOOO
Charlotte A. Farmer
That is truly an amazing picture. Never have saw something like before. Yes, it was a weekend of upsets. Hooves cross that Mr. Commons will be going to the Derby. I would love to see John, once again, in the winner’s circle.
Love you Zenyatta!
Sug Gragg
Zenny, Thank you for sharing this racing information. I’m not informed about this side of the sport, and learn something from you each and every diary post.
racehorseartist
Dear Zenyatta, I went to Aqueduct on Saturday and bet on Arthur’s Tale–he ran a terrific race. He’s a beautiful fellow, too, and I hope he goes to the Derby! I love your posts, Zen, and look forward to them each day. Be well, and continue to enjoy life! You’ve been an inspiration, lovely Zenyatta.
Nancy
Thanks Zen, for all the racing information. Ilearned a lot. And yes, it’s good your team took care of all that nominating business, so that you could concentrate on just running fast and winning. Not that you had to concentrate all that much.
Lynette Lucas
Zenny – What a awesome picture!! Love your posts I look forward to reading your posts everyday. Love you Zenny! Hugs and Kisses from Roswell,NM!!
Sharyn Priester
Amazing photo!
I have always loved the horse races but, the knowledge I have gained in these past months of all your “teams” work is has brought me to a whole new level of understanding it all. Thank you so much!
Deneen
Very cool picture — the clouds and colors are magnificent!! What a moment in time!! Thank you for explaining the processes of stakes races — so informative!!! Best of luck to everyone who is still in the race for Z’s Bronze!! Z, wishing you and your family blessings and happiness!!! Enjoy your day sweet girl!!!!!!!
Sue Fredrick
@MLV
@Dawn Conrad
@Laura J Thank you ladies for your tips and suggestions, as this is my first trip to Old Friends. I’m taking lots of carrots and mints and plenty of pats and rubs. I will definitely say hi to Creator and Sunshine Forever as I read about the efforts made to get them back home. Thank you MLV for making that possible. I shall take with me all your love and best wishes. Luv Z and kisses on your nose
Cindy from LA
@Judy Massas
Thanks for sharing the Zenyatta HOY jacket. Really
Love it and will order one.
Marilu V
@Margaret said: Something to think about for Zenyatta – posted earlier. Thanks again Margaret for your input on the subject matter. Hope the others read it too. Marilu
Trina Nagele
I think that’s CLOUD MAN in the clouds—the three-year–old colt owned by the Mosses and being trained by John! He came in first in a race at Santa Anita (on March 12, if I’m not mistaken).
jeanie langford
I am starting to believe that you are not going back to see Bernadini. Is something wrong? Maybe they will wait until next year to try again.
Kim S
Extremely interesting photo!
@Jean–had to go back to the see the horse you were talking about. Found it :)
@ Arlene–found the black horse you were referring to first. Amazing!
Also amazing the great things we can “see” when we look hard enough.
And the great things that we just know are there, without being seen every day–Team Z, Zenyatta and the wonderful things they do.
Good luck to the “16”. Can’t wait to see the list.
Everyone have a great rest of the week.
Lotsa love to all.
Cynthia A. Holt
The photo of the “ghost image’ of the plane is mystical and beautiful. Th world is more than we know.
Cecile
Beautiful photo – thanks for sharing!
Barbara Grimaldi
Dear Z–I have always wondered how that worked–entering horses in races, fees, requirements, etc., and you have educated me once again. Thank you thank you! THAT PHOTOGRAPH IS SO OUTSTANDING IT SHOULD BE ENTERED INTO A CONTEST AS BEST PHOTO OF THE YEAR for Newsweek, Time, etc. Outstanding!!!!!!!!!!!
Love, Barbara from NJ
Roxi Cook
What a beautiful photograph! Thanks to Ann Moss for sharing it with all your fans. About the racing fees, I’m wondering if any of the fees, in whole or partial, are refunded if the horse who is nominated does not run in the particular race? It would seem that racing is truly a sport of kings!
Dawn Conrad
@Sharon Call – Well, I am not too sure how I’m doing with the memory thing. I was thinking Ann in relation to the picture, but I typed something about Dottie. Jeez.
@MLV – You would think that horses would not take to flying well at all, but I have heard that just the opposite is usually true. Has that been your experience? How fantastic that you were involved with bringing Creator and Sunshine Forever back. As a horse lover, I want to thank you for your efforts. They are both so beautiful. I have a head shot that I took of Creator on one visit that turned out amazing.
@Jean and Trina – I definitely see the horse head in the picture, isn’t that remarkable. CLOUD MAN, how perfect, Trina!