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
ENSIGN
@ Barbara Wood,
.
Zenyatta actually WAS going to race as a 2yr old. There’s plenty of quotes online of them having had aspirations of running her in the BC Juvenile Fillies, but she came down with some slight physical issues and her 2yr old season was aborted.
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On another note….Northern Dancer didn’t have ‘soft bones’. What malarky. Having several croses of ND in a pedigree is not uncommon at all, particularly in Europe where horses routinely race over longer distances. While I’m not a huge preponent of linebreeding, when done correctly it’s often beneficial to the breed.
There is no shortage of bloodlines out there for TBs, it’s just not as accessible due to the lack of AI. It’s one reason I’m for AI in the breed, so that those breeders who did wish to use a stallion in Germany, or France, Japan, Australia etc would have access to those bloodlines. I see it as a way to expand bloodlines rather than limit them as those against AI see it. JMO of course.
Notafanofensign
Typical refuting an expert with 40 years of pedigree
Analysis and knowledge of breeding and confirmation.
It would be a good idea for you to spend some time
LISTENING TO THE EXPERTS. The link is above.
Max
@Ensign. You are right about Northern Dancer. Soft bones were not an issue with him. He was the premiere sire of the last century and a really tough and talented little horse, who was able to pass on his abilities. Let us hope that Zenyatta can do the same. Another Z would be great.
Lisa g
Congratulations to Rags To Riches, a fantatic lady.
Abigail from Montreal
Hi Zenny!
I just loved the juxtaposition between the “YIKES!” and “I better put my thinking cap on” AND the photo — where you are certainly deep in thought! I laughed & chuckled. Tell Mr. Commons that Rachel Alexandra was in post 13 and she cut across horses to get right into the race and won!
On the German bloodlines note, THE VAULT did a piece last week on Animal Kingdom and his Euro bloodlines at: http://thevaulthorseracing.wordpress.com/2011/05/10/animal-kingdom-a-beautiful-pedigree/
One of his AMAZING ancestors was the great German thoroughbred Acatenango. This boy was Germay’s Secretariat!
Lisa g
Ms Zenyatta, good morning, beautiful..I just love this pic. You are trully breaktaking. Have a good day..I love you…Lisa g.
ENSIGN
@ Notafanofme,
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Did YOU actually read the article? I’m guessing you didn’t or you don’t understand the difference between Northern Dancer and Native Dancer (much like Cindy from LA), or confirmation vs conformation for that matter.
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Of course, it wouldn’t matter if I typed that the grass is green, you’d argue I was being pompous for saying that. You contribute NOTHING to this site ever except for stabs at me. Time to take a long walk off a short pier honey.
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@ Max,
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I agree, I hope Zenyatta can pass down some of her good traits to the next generation. She didn’t race often but she’s got bone and stamina that will hopefully be a positive influence on her offspring.
Sharon Call
@Ensign. Good to see your post. I’m really curious. Where are the references to wanting to run Z in the BC Juvenile fillies. I’d love to read those. The reason I ask is that in John’s interview with 60 Minutes last October, John was asked why Z wasn’t run in any of the Triple Crown races and his reply was that she just wasn’t ready. She wasn’t mature enough and they had to be patient and wait for her to “grow up” and also that it took a really long time.
On another note, I agree with you about AI not accepted for TB’s because of a Jockey Club “rule”. I also disagree with the JC “rule” that all thoroughbreds racing be declared a certain age on January 1 regardless of their true age. If I had my “druthers”, I’d rather that the rule be modified to a cut-off of June 1 for declaring an age, i.e., the horse is 3 years old if actual birthday falls before June 1. If after June 1, then that horse has to wait until the next year. I realize there are flaws in that reasoning but there are many flaws in the current “rule”. Maybe, just maybe, it would cut down on at least some of the injuries on the track due to immaturity. Just my inexperienced thoughts on it. Would love to hear your more experienced thoughts on this.
Notafanofensign
@Sharon Call
David Ingordo mentioned there was a plan
For her to race in the BC juvenile when she
Left Mayberry. It did not materialize due to
Growth spurts and having to race her and give
Her time off between. David is soooo awesome.
Notafanofensign
@ensign
Keep making up stories. Have you heard
Of type “O”‘s ? Insensitivity is one of
Your best characteristics.
Alex
You have changed the lives of millions of people, simplying be defying the odds and showing the world your personality. I watched your last race 100 times, keep thinking you still were the fastest. I prayed they give you one more race in Dubai, as the horses there you had beaten in the past. I look forward to seeing you in a movie and possibly an educational cartoon for children to admire your grace, courage and extrodinary running abilities.
Sharon Call
@notafanofensign. Z did not race as a 2 year old so why did you say “growth spurts and having to race her and give her time off in between”. If I have a question I want you to answer, I will address it to you. Thank you.
ENSIGN
@ Sharon Call,
.
Good morning Sharon!
No, Zenyatta didn’t end up being able to race at two, but the thought was there. In other words, they’d not have been against racing her at two if not for some setbacks. Quote here from David in his BH interview : “When she left the farm, we actually thought she could be 2 year old Champion, because at the time she was so much ahead of everyone else. We thought she would win everything, crush them, win the Breeders Cup probably, Juvenile Fillies. She just kept having little setbacks, and she kept growing and growing, and having little setbacks, and growing, little baby things. We ended up being right about her winning the Breeders Cup, it was just as an older mare, and in the Classic. ”
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Re: the AI issue and others…the JC has a number of rules that are a bit antiquated now LOL. The Jan 1st birthday is certainly a convenience rule for registration and racing. I personally wouldn’t mind seeing a rule in place that disallowed racing of 2yr olds before a certain date, say Aug or Sept of their 2yr old year. There’s been a lot of studies on the racing of 2 yr olds and many actually indicate that stressing the bones (to a certain point) of a growing horse actually help to strengthen them in the long run and that horses who raced at 2 showed more starts and soundness at 3. I’m not sure I believe all of it but I do think having some 2yr old foundation on them is beneficial. I’m not a fan of the 2yr old sales and think it’s too much too fast and too soon for them.
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‘Experienced’ thoughts or ‘inexperienced’ ones, it all makes for great conversation and topics :-)
Notafanofensign
@Sharon Call
This was happening during training.
Notafanofensign
Sorry to offend you, but many people on this site answer
for others. Are you making up special rules?
"Charlie" from Delran
The great thoroughbred Rachel Alexandra won the Preakness in 2009 from Post 13 I believe, so Mr. Commons can do it too. I know it is very difficult however.
Sharon Call
@notafanofensign. Not, I’m not making up special rules. This is a personal request.
Susan in TN
Zenny-good morning! Bet you and “The Girls” are already out enjoying the day. Love you!<3
@DJ:That was so funny about the "black-eyed Susans"-and very logical.It sounds like it should be a drink!
@Lisa G: thanks-I will try to listen to the radio show
My very un-expert opinion: It's hard to really think of a good argument against A.I. (without embryo transfer to surrogate mares.)There must be or have been a reason, but I don't know what it is. Anyone?
Good luck tomorrow,Mr. Commons!
@Shari Volz'Room 215: Glad you got your Uncle Mo hats-I'll bet he can feel the love coming his way!
@Z Fans: Thank you for all (most) of the comments,info,links. PARTY AT S's AND THE KENNEDYS!! lol
Tairaterces
Good morning to the Queen Zenyatta!!!
Good racing luck to all of the horses in the Preakness, with a safe trip for all.
I know the best horse on Preakness day will win, hopefully Animal Kingdom will be the best that day.
PS:@ Abigail – thank you so much for the link. :)
Peggy One
Sharon and Ensign: I believe the one good reason for AI is that the mare and the foal at her side can stay right at home, with no trauma of hauling or boarding at a strange place or the foal being without their dam for any amount of time at all. Shipping cooled semen is done all time with Quarter Horses and also embryo (sp!) transfers. This involves harvesting and fertilizing the mare’s egg, then placing it in a donor mare, who will carry the foal to term. All kinds of things can, and are, being done, in horse breeding. Not to say they are the best things, but they are possible. Changing the January 1st date by the JC? I don’t think so. There has to be some cutoff date and that’s as good as any. Have a nice day!
Sharon Call
@Ensign. I remember that interview now that you mentioned it.
I like your idea about 2 year old racing and like you, I’m not sure I buy into the beneficial thing and soundness of running the hind end off of a 2 year old since colts don’t mature into stallions until they’re 4. I totally agree about disallowing racing a 2 year old until August or September of their 2nd year. They would still have training up to that point which should “strengthen?” bone and muscle but they wouldn’t have the stress of running full out to win a race and build their reputation. I can’t even imagine what it would take to have the JC change their rules so that pretty well leaves it up to owners and trainers. We all know that so many people are in it for the money and limelight so I don’t think that’s going to change very much either. I guess all we can do is hope for more trainers like John.
Sharon Call
@PeggyOne. I guess I didn’t put my thought very well. I just don’t believe a horse should be run as a 3 year old if it’s actual birthday falls after May 1. They’re being run against horses that can be 4 to 5 months older or more and that time can be, to my thinking, extremely important to the natural maturity of those colts.
I do agree with you that the JC isn’t going to change the date unless some apocolyptic event occurs LOL. Same thing with the JC changing their rule about AI. I think that under the right conditions, AI is a good thing to do. It’s done is so many other breeds with no backlash but I don’t think it’s going to happen with TB’s.
I enjoy these discussions and exchanging ideas without going viral with it. It’s always informative to me to get other people’s thoughts without going all up in each other’s faces about it.
Shari Voltz
Good morning Queen Zenyatta. I hope you have a sun fun filled day with the girls. We just came back from an assembly that I put together. I am glad that it is over. I get nervous in front of people. I like it better when someone else is in the spotlight. Like you sweet girl. Well it is Preakness Day in my room. We are reading a historical article about Seabiscuit beating War Admiral. I have included some history facts about the Depression. Well sweet girl I have gone on and on. We love you so much. Hugs and Kisses from Shari and Homeroom 215 XXXOOO
@ S in (San Diego) I wrote to you again on Facebook. I wish I was close I would ask if I could come to the party :)
@ Dawn How are you? Write to me if you have time. God Bless :)
DJ
Dearest Sweet “Z”,
Good morning! I hope your thinking cap did not crush your ears too much. I doubt you needed it for too long, you are privy to so much inside info :) Enjoying my morning tea and looking forward to a sunny day here in So. Cal.
……………………………………
Susan in TN – Maybe you could invent one..you have the right name :) I had just finished watching Bobby Flay make a cocktail with Tangerine Juice, Gin and Champagne for Brunch! All it needs are some black round plastic ice-cubes and it could be a yummy Preakness refreshment.
Vicki B.
@Susan in TN – I liked about your “subjecting them to my singing while I cleaned stalls”. Lol.
DJ
It wouldn’t be for me though.. as I am “notafanofgin.”
judy berube
Dear Ensign:
Thank you once again for your insight and info. It’s too bad that AI is not allowed, because I too think it would add stamina to our TB’s. I hope that more
trainers will take into account that horses are individuals and some need more time and patience than others to be ready for racing. It would be great if Z passes down her stamina and strong bones to her foal(s). Hugs, Judy B.
Terry Crow
@Jan–Unlike Gloria Swanson in Sunset Boulevard, Zenyatta represents all that is good in the sport of kings. @Ensign-Always enjoy your insights on all aspects of our favorite sport and they are insights. As far as this year’s Preakness is concerned, I like Dialed In. He is somewhat like Snow Chief. Not as far as style of running goes, but both horses were a disappointment in the Derby. Snow Chief rebounded to win the Preakness and I think Dialed In will do the same. A lot of horses do not care for the surface at Churchill. Mr. Commons is a sentimental choice as is King Congie.
Sharon Call
@Terry Crow. Great – new subject, track surfaces. How is Churchill Downs track surface different to Pimlico and are those two different from the Belmont track? I know absolutely nothing about this and would appreciate some insight about it. Also, what are your thoughts on poly vs dirt?
The Kennedys in San Diego
@DJ and Sharon Call — the Black-Eyed Susan is not only the traditional flower of the Preakness, but the very enjoyable traditional drink. I think we will probably enjoy the latter more, but we will have both.
@s(in san diego) — Have a great time at your party.
@ENSIGN — Your posts are always informative, thought-provoking and encourage a good exchange of ideas. Thanks once again for your contributions.