Happy Preakness Day to All!
From all reports, it is absolutely GORGEOUS in Maryland this morning. The high will be about 80 with a slight breeze. The wind is blowing softly and the chance of rain is really non-existent. This sounds like the perfect weather for wonderful racing. All the best to each of the participants! My BARN 55 friend, MR. COMMONS, is a very happy guy. He is enjoying his time there…and from what I’m hearing, they have TONS OF LUSH GRASS to graze on right by the Stakes Barn. He must feel perfectly at home!
Steve Haskin of The BLOODHORSE did an interview with Dottie and John yesterday…and several questions were asked about ME! If you have a moment, I thought you might enjoy viewing it. Here it is!
All else is fine. I’m really feeling TERRIFIC and my guys at the barn are quite excited. There is so much going on now, not just with the last few months of the breeding season, but with the Preakness, and all of the Basketball Play-offs. Dialed In, one of the Preakness contenders, is by Mineshaft. He is a wonderful, well-bred stallion who resides at Lane’s End in our Stallion Barn. Astrology is by A.P.Indy. As you know, he has been a long-time favorite who lives here as well. He just recently retired from his Breeding Duties…but his accomplishments both on and off the racetrack are totally amazing.
So, I’m hoping this is really a fun, safe, and terrific race for all! It runs a bit after 6 Eastern Time! It’s getting EXCITING!
Enjoy your weekend!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Trina Nagele
@Abigail in Montreal—Thank you for your great post on the two faces of Northern Dancer. Isn’t it amazing? And congratulations to you on Shackleford’s victory.
@LYNN (nearby Hwd Park)—I too love Shackleford’s face with that big wide white blaze.
@Max—Thanks for the info about Bernardini’s blood link to Northern Dancer.
@Signofthetimes —Thanks for the news about Awesome Maria’a win. Uncle Mo will be so proud!
News from DRF: “Paddy O’Prado digs deep in comeback to win Dixie” — “The …turf star Paddy O’Prado went to expectations Saturday at Pimlico, as the heavily favored gray 4-year-old colt rallied from last under Kent Desormeaux to win …by 1 1/2 lengths over Baryshnikov.” http://www.drf.com/news/pimlico-paddy-o%E2%80%99prado-digs-deep-comeback-win-dixie
Barbara Wood
@Ensign–thanks for the report on LAT.
Mary Jane
OK gorgeous Zenny.
Here’s what we know.
Mr. Commons and the rest did their best.
No Triple Crown this year.
The reason Dottie and John keep fielding
questions about YOU is that Zenyatta is still the best ambassador the horseracing world has going fo it. When Mike Smith said there is no other horse like you, he wasn’t kidding – and he’s ridden – and is still riding some of the best.
But, Z, the others come and go. How many athletes inspire the wsay you do? None on the track today, and I suspect, none at the Belmont either.
One of a kind. The Queen. Zenyatta.
Long may you reign.
Max
@Ensign. Same type of link to Northern Dancer can be seen in Frankel.
Although the Dancer link is not as prevalent in Bernardini, I only hope that the strong personality traits of independence and being rather ornery do not come out in Z’s foal. Maybe her sweet nature will dominate and she will have a cooperative little colt or filly. She does seem to be able to handle all situations with ease, so that there is probably no need to worry on that score.
Barbara Grimaldi
Dearest Zenny: today is the first day I’ve been at an actual track since I fell madly in love with you!!!!!! And I look at every horse (I’m a railbird) and marvel at its beauty, and each and every one of them reminds me of you–and I wish and wish that one of them WAS you, so I could have the pleasure of seeing you in person. I was lucky at the track today and had a chance to bet on the Preakness as well. I did put money on Mr. Commons, in your honor, but I did an across the board on Shackleford and that was a wonderful win for me. Sure was tough getting several of the horses, including Shackleford, into the gate, and Shackleford was all sweaty and nervous when he was pushed into the gate, so I had little hope he would run a good race. But bingo! The minute he left the gate he took the lead and never looked back. Now that’s a horse who could be a great father to your foal!!! Between your speed and his speed, the horse would be a rocket!!!!! Love you Zenny and so happy you are happy!
Kathleen Marsh
Beautiful picture of you Zenyatta, as usual. The interview was great! Dottie, you are so humble! But Steve was right–you are one of the most popular people in racing because you share so much with the fans! I hope you know how much we all appreciate that. Zenyatta is incomparable!
nancy o.
Congratulations to Shackleford and Team on the Preakness win over Animal Kingdom. So much for being too HOT! Loved the group of 14 … all beautiful strong contenders in this great race.
Its always sobering to think about all of the baby T”breds that don’t make it to this level of racing. Hopefully most of them are well cared for and guided into other area where they compete and show off there many qualities….jumping, dressage,etc. They are ALL incredible…and then there is Zenyatta.
Sweet dreams lovely lady Z….
Quarterhossgal
Zenny…you look like you are enjoying the lush blue grass! I was surprised to see Shackleford hang on after all the pre race antics and washing out so badly! He is one talented horse! I just loved Astrology, I think he has a great future. And Animal Kingdom ran his heart out, It was a good Preakness! We always hoping for a Triple crown winner but reality is that it takes a great horse and a lot of luck both on the track and off(in regard to their health). Zenny was one in a million and landed in the right hands at the right time.
Terry Crow
@Ensign–What do you think about the situation surrounding Life at Ten’s race in the last Breeders Cup?
judy berube
Dear Laura J.,
Just watched Step in his first MSW race. He is very handsome. He entered the gate with no problem and I thought he broke well. Seems like it was a positive experience for him. Hugs, Judy B.
Jane Wade
Love the picture and can’t wait to hear your “announcement”!
KIMBERLY
NITEY NIGHT ZZZZZZZZZZ!
Jane C
WHAT A GREAT RACE THE PREAKNESS WAS! I WAS SO WANTING AK TO BE THE WINNER, YOU KNOW – MAYBE HAVING THE CHANCE TO BE THE TRIPLE CROWN WINNER AFTER ALL THESE YEARS. HE HAS WHAT IT TAKES FOR SURE. BUT I TOLD MY FRIEND, THAT IF AK AND SHACKLEFORD WERE GOING AT IT AGAIN DOWN THE STRETCH AND IF AK COULD JUST NOT DO IT – THEN SHACKLEFORD WAS THE ONE FOR ME. HE RUNS HIS HEART OUT EVERY TIME HE RACES AND I JUST LOVE HIM. BUT PLEASE….DON’T PUT HIM IN THE BELMONT. NOT HIS RACE. ALL THE HORSES LOOKED SO BEAUTIFUL. MR. COMMONS WAS SPECTACULAR!! I SAW JOHN TALKING ABOUT HIM AND HE SOUNDED SO PROUD OF HIM. ON TO THE BELMONT. LONG RACE – WHO DO YOU THINK IS READY, Z? I AM THINKING AK COULD DO IT. HUGS TO YOU.
Celeste
Thank you for the wonderful photo of grazing happily in the bluegrass – I love it! It was definitely an exciting Preakness today and while I am disappointed that Animal Kingdom did not win it, I’m happy for Shackleford as I have liked him for a while also. For being lightly raced, I thought Mr. Commons did very well, too, so I hope John and his connections are not too disappointed. There are always so many comments on here that I’d like to respond to, but most of the time I just don’t have the time to go through all of them. So many of you have a way of putting things and are able to express very well how I think most of us here might feel. For that, I thank you all.
Kristie
Happy Saturday Zenyatta!!! XOXO
judy berube
To Audreyc:
Left you a post at the end of Diary #253. Hugs, J. B.
judy berube
Dear Abigail from Montreal:
Really enjoyed your post on Northern Dancer. Hugs, J. B.
Sunny Boyd
:) :) :)
Linda Henderson
I feel sad Animal Kingdom didn’t win. How exciting to have a contender for the Triple Crown but he tried very hard. Mr. Commons looked gorgeous.
Sue and Tony
For Dottie…your John was great about not spilling the beans today. He sure wanted to tell us something but knew he shouldn’t. ;-) And Zenny, maybe THIS week we’ll get the news…WINK! WINK!
Paula Higgins
AJ from CA you are right that Zenyatta came from further back to close the distance and that Animal Kingdom did run a nice race, but there was no comparison to what Zenny did in the Breeders Cup. Zenny whizzed by and picked off horses like they were standing still.
LovesRacingHorses
HUMM!!!!
No mention on news or TV of Paddy O Prada
Being “vanned off” after the race as he was in the
Winners circle after race. Also his trainer who won
The Preakness talked about him and did not mention
An injury. Injuries are very out in the open and talked about
By commentators and by the press. VERY STRANGE
@Zenyen
What do you think about Barry Irwin discussion on NBC about
Enhanced security at FairHill for AK? Guess Inside Information
Was not correct and The Telegraph was right!!!!!
Anne from Paramount, CA
Hi Queen Z and everyone else…exciting Preakness as has been said. Hope you and Dottie and everyone enjoyed it. Too bad Animal Kingdom ran out of real estate. Made me sad…..would have been nice to go to the Belmont with a Triple Crown on the line, but such was not to be. Great racing by Shackleford and Astrology, right, Queen Z? I, too am happy everyone came home safely. Moving on, for now, I wanted to let you all know that tomorrow, Sunday, our horse, Rightful Image is in the sixth race at Hollywood Park! Wish us luck! It’s a lower level than his previous race so he may have a chance. A.Quinonez is the jockey. Sweet dreams, Queen Z…zzzz…
Mary Copelin
Some people may try to compare horses that are closers to Queen Z,but each of those horses pale in comparison. There is only one Zenyatta and always will be. The comparisons are misguided, at best.
Kari Bussell
Sweet Dreams My Queen. I love you!
Tell Mr.Commons we are very proud of him.
@-Cynthia Holt- write that book!!! Please?!
LovesRacingHorses
Lots of talk about AK and Shackelford to meet in Belmont. That would
Be great. I guess depth of dirt and speed of track helps determine
A winner. AK a closer won on a slow track that took a toll on speed
Horses like Shackelford. Today faster track AK did not break as well
Got dirt in his face and “had too much to make up”. He sure made a
Good effort.
Let’s hope we have a great BELMONT!!!!!
Sunny Boyd
Good Night Zenyatta,
had a tornado comming my way, or so they thought, batten down the hatches.
Just watched the video w John & Dottie,
how gracious Dottie is. And I was tickled to see Mr. Shirreffs being interviewed as he was walking along Mr. Commons. Mr. Commons came in 9th. Shakelford had a time with getting into the gate, it looked like he didn’t want to have athg to do with the race. Congrats to all his connections.
Mr. Commons kinda looks like you, his blaze is almost like yours, but he does not look as big as you. May be next time Mr. Commons. :) :) :)
Have a restful night, I’m hoping for a quiet one. And sweet dreams
signofthetimes
@Trina
Yes, Mo will be proud. I was just watching the video the other
day of Mo going crazy when Maria walked by at Pletchers barn.
He is such a cute boy. Last I read Todd thinks if vets don’t find
anything just some turn out time may make him better. We always talk about that at our barn. It kind of clears their head and body. It would be great if it was just that and not anything serious.
GET HEALTHY MO !!!!
judy berube
To Anne from Paramount, CA:
Taking nothing away from Shackleford’s great win, I was also hoping for AK’s chance at the Triple Crown. Good luck tomorrow with Rightful Image. I’ll log on to Cali Live Racing and watch the race. Hugs, Judy B.
LovesRaceHorses
FYI
Those of us who live in the south and are involved in competitions and racing always have lathered up hot emotionally and or physically. We learn to adjust water, electrolyes and salt
so they are safe from heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
If we did not we could not ride in the hot weather which is over half the year. We also worry when they do not sweat, which is a whole additional problem.
Our horses acclimatize to the hot weather and are very perky even though it is hot and they are sweaty and hot emotionally.
If this is Shacklefords style, it seems his trainer probably tanks him up with electrolytes so he is not depleted and the horse can control his emotional hotness and direct it once he gets into the gate or starts the race. Horses are unique animals that do a great job of taking care of themselves.
I thought it was quite interesing when Flashpoints trainer, although disappointed, found out he is a sprinter. He ran his heart out for a mile and then just galloped the rest of the race.
The horse knew he could not go the extra 1/8 and did not try to expend energy to do it. VERY SMART HORSE !!! I bet he will expend a lot of energy in a sprint.
Dear Zenny,
I just love horses. They are sooo very smart and can really talk to you in various ways to tell you a lot about themselves and how they feel etc…. You are truely a GEM!!!!
Sweet Dreams !!!!