Hello Everyone!
Well, they had the Preakness draw yesterday and my dear friend, MR. COMMONS, drew post #14. YIKES! He is way on the outside. He will really need to go over the charts and past performances of the other horses with JOHN to be sure he has a good strategy from that post.
I know the other camps will be doing the same. Animal Kingdom drew the 11 post which they felt was quite nice for him. The speed horses also drew well. It is amazing…but a good post can be a great advantage. It allows you to run your race and not have to compromise your style of running to get into the position you want.
Let’s hope for a fabulous race, great weather, and a terrific day of racing!
John commented that it was warmer in Maryland when he arrived this afternoon than Kentucky, where he was earlier in the day! They have also had some rain, but none is expected on Preakness Day! Hooves crossed!
I never raced at Pimlico, but GIACOMO did! He ran a very nice 3rd in the Preakness.
Oh, I see Charles over by the fence. I want to ask him about his selections for the Preakness. I think I’d better put on my thinking cap…study the charts…and ask the guys here at the farm what they think. It is so much fun!
We’ll keep you posted.
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
cindy from LA
@J Smith
I think the Ascot race for Frankel is on June 14. That should
be interesting with Master of Hounds, who seems fairly versatile. Isn’t he supposed to come back to the Belmont? I thought I read something by Garrett Gomez that said he was.
@Sharon Call and others who commented on breeding.
There sure must be something going on with no Triple
Crown Winner since 1978 and it has to be breeding.
Thanks for that great article critiquing this.
Amy K
FYI: This is from one of Steve Haskins’ Blogs from May 9th. Thought it very interesting and wanted to share. The blogger is “Pedigree Annie”, not sure of her credentials, but found the information interesting and logical. This is what she said:
I found the results of the Kentucky Derby highly satisfactory. Animal Kingdom was among the best bred horses in the field to handle 10f with aplomb. Several of the fancied horses had little likelihood of still being in the race after the 8th pole, even with a 48+ second half-mile, the slowest pace in quite a while.
I’ve been studying and touting German bloodlines for nearly 40 years; not only does the German breed authority ban horses who have run on drugs from having registered foals, but stallions who did not achieve a certain level of performance at 3 or older are not permitted to stand in Germany. German breeders are like the old-time American breeders August Belmont or Paul Mellon; they are still interested in improvement of the breed over short-term monetary gain. Other European countries have recognized this and have, over the last 30 years, been using German mares and stallions to fortify their stock. Arc winner Urban Sea, dam of sire sensation Galileo (a dual Derby winner) and superstar Sea the Stars, had a German dam. So did Derby winner Slip Anchor. Horse-of-the-World in 2007 was Manduro, German-bred and German on both sides of the pedigree. We Americans are late on catching on.
Lisa in Co
Zen: You are the most beautiful creature on the planet Perfection always.
SassieGG
Wow you’re so beautiful, I can not help but smile every time I see picture of you.
cindy from LA
Dear Zenny,
What an adorable picture and the healthy munchies coming out of your beautiful soft muzzle and lips. I think you always had your thinking cap on before and during a race. Too Cute !!!!
My TB was a veteran so he always seemed to know what to do in all situations; cool calm and collected, unless he wanted to play which he did often at 23, bucking and carrying on and at
times exploding. It was kind of fun when he wanted to go go go. He was a retired race horse so he had so many actions that mimicked things the TB do on the track. He was just sooo powerful and fast.
I just read about Seattle
Slew’s personality on his website (only unbeaten Triple Crown
winner) and one of his great traits was his concentration and thinking through new situations. They say he was very human like just like you and they could see his brain whirring when the certain new situations arose, which I am sure yours did on
the track.
Let us know your pics. Hope Charles has some good choices.
HRTV comentators said last night that the Preakness post positions are not as influential as the ones at Churchill Downs.
Do you know anything about the differences in the tracks, size, shape, depth of the dirt.
Sure hope no rain. Those who train in the slop will definately have an advantage and there was an individual who ran in the Derby who definately did not like it. I guess those great aluminum racing shoes help you keep your footing.
Have a wonderful day with BBF and let us know your pics since you are a fan with professional experience now.
Very cute, cute post.
cindy from LA
@Amy K
Great information and comments. Germans to seem
to hold a quality to their riding in all disciplines and they
have some great internationl very well established competitons.
They are quite a challenge for those in the equestrian olympics.
MK
A safe trip for all the horses and a magic hand behind MR. COMMONS for a win! Can’t wait for Saturday and the black eyed susans…
Sue Fredrick
Beautiful Zenny, well again your pictured with food in your mouth, are those the preggo munchies? Too Cute. I remember being pregnant and it seems like your hungry all the time, hmmmm.
Hope all the wonderful horses and jockeys have a safe trip (always say a silent prayer before the race starts) but am hoping for Mr C, Dialed In, MMM, especially Mike on Astrology….but I know gate one is the kiss of death. If anyone can pull it off its your cutey Mike.
@Dawn, pray all tests are in your favor
Luv and kisses on your nose
Lynette Lucas
Zenny – I love the photo! I’m looking at Animal Kingdom but I always have to go with my favorite jockey – your Mike!! I always bet on the horse he is riding! Love you! Hugs and Kisses from Roswell!!!
Eveline
@ DJ – It’s a flower, the state flower of Maryland, since they bloom later, the trophy garland is made of daisy’s with the middle handpainted black. The color is yellow with a black middle.
cindy from LA
Dear Zenny,
Forgot to mention on Slew’s website there was a picture of him and the Queen MUM. Maybe you will get a visit to. Queen Mum
and Queen Z hummm!!!
XXXXXOOOOO
Jean M.
Beautiful Zenyatta, Only you could pull off food hanging from your mouth and still look as elegant as ever. You bring such a smile to my face every day and I thank Dottie and you for the joy you bring into our lives. By the way, I am placing my bet on Mr. Commons, John always knows best. May all have a safe trip. Love you so much.
judy berube
To Doreen:
Thanks for the link on Mr. Commons. Hugs, J.B.
Sharon Call
@DJ. The black-eyed susan is a flower. Here is a link with lots of pic’s.
http://www.google.com/search?q=black+eyed+susan+flower&hl=en&prmd=ivns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=SpPVTZXVN8mhtweh_byhBw&ved=0CC0QsAQ&biw=1003&bih=541
Enjoy!
Brenda
Horrid news – post position 14 is SO DISAPPOINTING. As I said yesterday, I was hoping for 6,7 or 8 although there have been some winners from the outside gate. I’m sure that John will have a strategy to deal with this unfortunate draw and your thinking cap will help Zenny. Munchy treats always help when you need to think and green is always healthy. We can only hope for a safe trip for everyone. Love from Fort Erie.
judy berube
Dear Amy K,
That’s what the PBS program on TB’s mentioned, as you did, that early breeders in the US used to breed for stamina and that is no longer the case. European horses are bred for longer distances. As I mentioned in a previous post, maybe some European breeding with our TB’s like Z (Street Cry from Ireland) would be a good thing for bringing back stamina in our babies. Hugs, J.B.
Erin
I’m picturing Dottie surfing pics of “Z” and trying to find the most adorable that shows her doing just the everyday “horsey” things. It helps us visualize her daily routine.
Kirren Dolan
@ Dawn Conrad: Did I read correctly you might be coming out to SoCal and meeting with other Z fans, as well as Barn 55? If you do, please let me know! I would love to meet you and other Z fans, as well as see the Barn 55 crew again! :D
Mary Stanford
Love the picture….looks like you are doing some thinking while eating a snack. I really like John…but I am going to have to go for Animal Kingdom….just would love to see a triple crown winner. But will pull for Mr. Commons second. Hugs to you Z….
Paula Higgins
Rooting for Mr. Commons! After that Mucho Macho Man if Mr. Commons can’t win. Most importantly, let them all come home safe.
sandra gomez
Good luck to Mr. Commons; I will be watching and cheering them on as usual! I love you, Z.. take care of yourself and enjoy the Preakness Stakes on Saturday! Maybe you can curl up in the stall with your main man Bernie and watch it together! No Guiness though, you may be in foal.. you have to lay off that stuff now!! ha..ha Love You, Z..
Susan in TN
Dear Zenny:What a beautiful,funny picture of you today!I am sure that your John and Mr. Commons have a game plan by now and I am rooting for them! Of course,I always pull for your Mike,too-post#1-(ouch-unless your name rhymes with”alvin orel”!).Wishing everyone a safe trip! Have a good night,sweet girl.Love you.
@ evryone:left some messages toward the end of last post.
@Dottie and John,Ann and Jerry and ALL of Team Z: Thank you so much for sharing your girl and for all you do for us! It means alot.
There is a mare at the rescue who is due to foal any second-bless her heart! I hope it’s soon,for her sake! The shy two-year-old was MUCH braver today and took the carrot right from my hand.I was the only human there and after subjecting them to my singing while I cleaned stalls,I guess he decided I was too silly to be threat!Great fun. Warm wishes to all my fellow Z fans! <3
Amanda Kontakos
Zennyy!! I’ve loved you since I first found out about you by Animal Planet’s show, Jockeys, and I’ve followed your fabulous career ever since. Now I’m ready to follow your babies, when you have them, of course. But I was wondering: When are you going to be bred again??
Max
This discussion of stamina in North American horses is very interesting. The last horse to win the English Triple Crown was Nijinsky in 1970. He was Canadian bred. Street Cry is Irish bred, but his sire line is North American. The problem may also be that few horses are ready at 3 to face the challenges of the Triple Crown. To win you need not only talent, but also a lot of luck and very good timing. Such horses and situations do not come around all that often. The achievement of Zenyatta is also extraordinary. She is a super mare. Disappointing as this may be, we are unlikely to see any horse like Z any time soon.
Susan in TN
@ Brooke in Shari Volz’ class: I read today that Uncle Mo has gained 30 pounds just since he went to WinStar Farm. That’s good news!
Cindy from LA
@Audrey C
What a really great link. Sooo much great information.
Thanks for sharing.
Amy K
Speaking of super mares Z, you will always be the best, our friend Black Caviar 13-0 from Australia is going to be given a break from racing to relax a bit before heading to some big races down the road. Can we persuade her connections to come to Breeder’s Cup? I have to confess – I tend to go for the horses with ARG,IRE,GER,GB, (you get the idea) next to the sire/dam when evaluating a race. Buy American yes, if it hasn’t been compromised by greed. That’s why admire your connections Z – they have the patience for the real talent to manifest. Thank you to all of them for bringing us you.
Cindy from LA
@Susan in TN
Putting a horse “to pasture” is often a great cure. Maybe Mo was too
Stressed out to race at early 3 year old. Often stress is manifested
in GI distress. Wishing Mo a safe and adequate time to recover
From whatever !!!!!
Amy K
@ Susan in TN: (YOUR shy two-year-old) wouldn’t it be wonderful if we were all too silly to be a threat! Great fun. He will be nuzzling for peppermints in your pockets like our Z in no time. So happy he has you – a home is assured when good friends like you care.
Peppermint
@Dawn, praying for good test results for you.
Would love to see another Triple Crown winner so will root for Animal Kingdom, but also Mr. Commons and Mucho Macho Man. Safe trip for everyone too.
Zenny, your photo is precious! Many thanks to all who keep this wonderful site going!