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
Tonya Reems
What a GORGEOUS picture of you, Zenny!! And YES ~ let’s hope for a terrific & safe day of racing on Saturday @ the Preakness. I wish your dear friend Mr. Commons a super day, as well as the other entrants :) Hooves crossed indeed for all. Hugs & kisses to you always ♥
DJ
To the Kennedys…Thank you! And to think that I was ready to invent it :) Well, I knew it sounded like a great idea!
Apologies to Maryland and the authentic recipe IS:
http://horseracing.about.com/od/triplecrown2000/r/blackeyedsusan.htm
Caution: Deceptively strong! Black-eyes a possible side-effect :)
Notafanofensign
@Sharon Call
It will not be honored. Cliques are very childish
And not Zenyatta like.
Notafanofensign
@Sharon Call
Yes the tracks at Churchill and Pimlico are different. The later is more
Narrow so easier for horses to get from one side to the other and
Depth of dirt is usually less.
Mary
Hey ZEN ZEN
What’s up on the preg thing? Haven’t heard a thing for a spell? you preg or not?
the winner of the Preakness is in the “stars”. Astrology that is! Hope you watch and neigh on the winner..LOL
Mary
Sharon Call
@notafanofensign. I see. So I guess being rude is Jenyatta like. I’m glad you set me straight on that. Maybe now you can change your name to notafanofensignsharon.
Trina Nagele
@KARI BUSSELL–They were just playing “Dancing Queen” on the TV, and it made me think of YOU and your amazing video tributes to Z on youtube. You are in the thoughts and prayers of many posters here. Hoping we will hear from you again soon.
Terry Crow
@Sharon Call-notafanofensign is correct in his/her description of the two tracks. And, these two differ from Belmont which has more sweeping turns and probably would have been ideal for Zenyatta. The work done by the track crews, adding dirt, what type of dirt is added, etc. is important in determining track bias, that is whether the surface favors a front runner or a closer and can vary from day to day. From a gambling standpoint, it is usually better to watch a few races to determine what the bias is for that day. The selling point for artificial surfaces is that weather doesn’t affect them much and it is safer for the horses. The jury is still out on these points. To me, it did not make sense for the California Horse Racing Board to mandate the installation of artificial surfaces before the facts were really in. And, there are several types of atificial surfaces. At one time Del Mar, Hollywood Park, Golden Gare and Santa Anita all had different types of artificial tracks. The one that Santa Anita was so bad as far as drainage goes that several racing days were lost. Dirt was put back in and everyone seems to be glad about it. I am all for the safety of the horses and riders. However, I would like to see some stats on safety before I would say one is better than the other.
The Kennedys in San Diego
@ DJ — Well done! A possible side effect indeed!
The Kennedys in San Diego
Forgot to mention but you may have guessed — a blanket of Black-Eyed Susans will be draped across the shoulders of the Preakness winner.
Patricia Emery
Zen…even though Mr. Commons drew post #14, think of it as lucky #7 times 2!
Look at all of those races you “were dead last!” and came to win from behind. I am sure with all of John’s hard work, Mr. Commons has a great chance tomorrow. This would just be fabulous to keep John in the spotlight, even though he so humbly stands aside…good things happen to good people!
The Kennedys in San Diego
A nice article by Joe Drape about John and Mr.Commons in the New York Times today. And, of course, life after Zenyatta in Barn 55.
J Smith
Re: Strength & Conditioning, saw this was a discussion above & just happened across this photo. It is Hay List, the Australian horse, who is Sham to Black Caviar (he is usually 2nd when in a race with her). It’s a beautiful photo, and Hay List sure is lucky to have this ‘gym’ in his back yard for his leg strengthening workout. Hit the left arrow beside the photo a couple of times and u will find another. Really stunning photo, I think u’ll all enjoy it.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=218755918153833&set=a.215779725118119.70026.215774018452023&type=1&theater
Sharon Call
@Susan in Tn. If I’m understanding the ban on AI and embryo transfer by the JC, it’s because the JC says it would be too hard to guarantee that the mare is getting the sperm from the right stallion. I don’t believe I’ve seen anything on embryo transfer. Since so many other breeds do this, I’m sure they have something worked out to get past this. My knowledge is a little scanty so don’t chip that in a rock.
Lisa g
It is back. ;(
Sharon Call
@Lisa G. No, it’s not. I won’t reply to @notafanofensign again. I’m enjoying the synergy of the site too much to spoil it.
Sharon Call
@ J Smith. Wow, he is really beautiful and looks to be a pretty good size, as well. Interesting blinkers on him. I don’t remember see any like them before – blinkers without a hood. I think it’s a really good idea.
audreyc
I have a question for whoever might has knowledge. If I am correct, genes can be expressed in humans going back 7 generations. Is this also true for horses? Also, how would one figure out the probability of a horse inheriting the X factor for big heart – based on pedigree? Would one go back on all sides – the sire’s side – the damsire’s side? Any words to the wise would be much appreciated. I find this topic fascinating….
audreyc
oops, meant “have”, not “has”…typo
Lisa g
@Sharon Call: Good, girl. Talk about Zenny-Like behavior and then have a user name like that? I just do not get it.
Zenyen
@The Kennedys,
Cute bit of trivia but because true Black Eyed Susans don’t bloom until June, the blanket of BES in the Preakness are actually daisies painted to match. :)
Lisa g
@Zenyen: For sure? lol, that is Too, I guess Cute.
Why aren’t people interested in the Fillies come Preakness and Belmont?? Do you know Zenyen? I am so disappointed.
Zenyen
@Lisa g.
Very true! Here is a recent article from the Baltimore Sun. http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/features/gardening/2011/05/preakness_and_the_blackeyed_su.html
This was addressed a post or two back but the sad reality is that many of the top fillies have no reason to wheel back 2 weeks after the Oaks and come to the Black Eyed Susan Stakes, which is only Grade II and $250,000 purse. So the class of filly running in that race is less than what is seen in the Oaks.
Amanda Gilliland
My Sweet Lady Zenyatta I love, love love this photo of you standing so tall! I just love your head shots!
@Thanks Sharon Call-about photos being reversed. I had forgotten that.
I can tell that’s a birthday photo because of what you are eating! I remember that. I hope you have a fun time watching the race & pulling for Mr.Commons. I believe Mr.Commons will do well even if he’s in #14. Animal Kingdom with #11 will have a challenge too. I believe if he stays focus and weaves thru, he will do great! I hope he watched you to learn how you raced. I love you,Z! Sending Hugs & Kisses From Alabama With Love, Amanda G.
judy berube
Dear Audreyc:
I think I read somewhere the X Factor gene (big heart) is inherited through the dam. I think Ensign would know for sure. Hugs, Judy B.
Lisa g
@Zenyen: That was cute. The horses are real tho..lol. Thanks, I learn something everyday on this website.
Zenyen
@Judy B,
A colt can only inherit the X-Factor from his dam, as that is the only “X” involved. He gets a “Y” from his sire. A filly can inherit from either since she is “XX”.
This is part of why Secretariat is a noted broodmare sire, rather than a sire of sires. He passed his X-factor through his daughters, who then passed them to their sons.
judy berube
Dear Zenyen:
Thank you so much for the info. It seems to me that I remember reading about Secretariat inheriting the gene from his Mom and passing it on to his daughters, just as you said. So fillies can inherit from Sire or Dam; colts just from the Dam. I’m learning so many things from this wonderful diary and great fans. Hugs, J. B.
judy berube
Dear J. Smith,
Thanks for the link on Hay List. They really train them as naturally as possible don’t they. Beautiful photos. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Terry Crow:
Enjoyed your post on different track surfaces and bias. Thanks. Hugs, Judy B.