Good Morning,
I want to wish all of you a very Happy Memorial Day Weekend! Please be safe as you travel and enjoy your free time! This is technically the opening day of the ‘SUMMER SEASON’. It is such a terrific time of the year!
On the West Coast, we have the Hollywood Park Meet running now. In mid-July, Del Mar opens for their summer season. On the East Coast, the Belmont Meet is in full swing now. Then those horses move upstate to Saratoga for their summer racing dates. In between, Churchill and Delaware Park, to name a few venues, will enjoy their seasons. It is a very exciting time in racing. These summer meets are FUN! I always enjoyed them! The big stake days are quite crowded and the people are always so enthusiastic!
I’ve heard many people also like to BARBEQUE on holidays. My Pals and I are very content to GRAZE! One thing for sure, we all like to be with our friends and have a GREAT TIME!
This is the view I have each day from my gorgeous paddock. My pals and I get to share time with our friends and enjoy this absolutely lovely scene each day! We have soft breezes here now and the sunshine is just perfect!
It is funny how the simple things we see so often in nature can be so special! It is really the time of the year to enjoy the outdoors and all the beauty nature provides for us!
FROM MY HOME, TO YOURS… HAVE A SAFE AND BLESSED HOLIDAY!
I’ll catch you up on ALL of the news next week! HOOVES CROSSED!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Sue Noel
I hope everyone has had a good Memorial Day and a good weekend! I am so grateful for all who have served this country in the Armed Services and always welcome this day to reflect upon what they have given to all of us. My dad was in the Navy in WWII,I remember it as though it were yesterday–before he enlisted he was a block warden in Tacoma,where we lived then. I still remember him in his white helmet and his night-stick,going out to make sure all the neighbors black-out curtains were doing their job! After he got through with basic training,he was stationed at Ottumwa Naval Air Station,in Iowa as he was a weatherman. For one year we lived on a farm outside of Ottumwa,where he and his pilot would sometimes buzz our house to say Hi!! Such an odd place to be in the Navy–the middle of Iowa!! Then he went to the Aleutian Islands,Kodiak and Adak,where we could not go!! There he adopted a blue fox as a pet–Vixie even went out on the ship!! He planned to bring her home with him after the warbut she was killed by a guard-dog on an Alaskan base–of course,we were broken-hearted!
For the past several years,I have been asked to sing the National Anthem at our local American Legion Memorial Day Services–it is a great honor for me to do this and the occasion is always very moving. We had a fly-by of A-10’s from Mountain Home Air Force Base,near Boise. Last year we had F-18’s,which was VERY exciting. Queen Z,you would not have liked the noise they made!
I hope your day today was filled with happy chats with your friends,lots of pears and other goodies and the sun on your back and a soft breeze to ruffle your mane!!!
@Amanda G.-Was so sorry to hear of your family’s heartaches and will be praying for you all.
@ Brookie-Thanks for the shout-out! I have loved reading about and from you and your classmates. I hope you have a wonderful summer and hope that you will always stay a part of the Z “family”!
@Cathie–Love the story about the hawk–surely she will fly better and higher wearing Z’s colors!
@Susan in TN–I am SO glad rusth and Rootbeer have you in their lives–they,and you,are so blessed!!
@Shari Voltz–Your students will never forget you!! What a magical year they have had!! I still remember special teachers from grade school,clear back in the 1940’s!!!!!
@ Zenny–Sweet dreams,big beautiful girl–LOVE YOU–looking forward to your news!!
Sue Noel
Goodness-my fingers do not always seem to do what I tell them!! A-Susan in TN–I was trying to say Rusty and Rootbeer!! Sorry!
Terry Crow
@J Smith–When you get to Del Mar just head for the ocean. However, you are not likely to see any at this time of the year. Probably in Late June or July when the horse are shipped down there from Hollywood Park. After that time, you are likely to see many of them having fun in the water. The trainers take them there in the morning.@Vicky B–Sorry I missed your post earlier. I always try to respond when a poster send a question my way. It will be a shame when Hollywood Park is demolished. Unfortunately, it appears to be a question of when and not if.
Joyce
Terry Crow, J Smith, Judy Berube and Vicki B, My internet has been down and so I haven’t had the opportunity to respond. I am very sad to hear Hollywood’s days may be numbered (hope it is later rather than sooner or better yet never). I watched Native Diver, whom I think was one of California’s greatest horses (although he wasn’t great outside the Great State) win his three Hollywood Gold Cups and loved every minute. We know about loving a horse. A friend of one of my friends was on a trip to Europe when the Diver passed away. My friend sent him a cable “Come home right away Native Diver just died) and he did. My caring was a little more subtle, named one of my kitties Diver.
I have been to a couple of tracks which unfortunately passed, Tropical Park and Hialeah in Florida, which were both wonderful.
Sunday Silence was a favorite of mine, also, and I was so happy to be able to see him “in person” win the Louisiana Super Derby. Still have a poster from that race.
Again, happy Memorial Day to all, and I join with all in wishing the best for our troops and their families, particularly those whose loved ones made the greatest of sacrifices.
judy berube
To Joyce:
Happy Memorial Day and I join you in remembering those that made the greatest sacrifice. Hugs, J.B.
ENSIGN
@ judy berube,
.
Assuming a breed back date on or about Arpil 2nd, she’d be about 60 days give or take. They’ll be able to do fetal sexing any time :-)
Here’s a video for you (by Rood & Riddle no less) of what the exam will look like and what they’ll be looking for.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVHfLr6it8g
judy berube
To Ensign:
This is the 3rd time I’ve posted to thank you for answering my question. For some reason, I can’t get through. Hope the third time’s a charm. Hugs, J.B.
ENSIGN
@ Judy Berube,
.
No worries! You’re always most welcome. Happy to answer what I can : )
judy berube
To Ensign:
You’re always spot on. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
To Joyce:
That’s great that you got to see Sunday Silence up close. What a thrill it would be to see Zenyatta. Did you ever see her? Hugs, J.B.
Trina Nagele
@J Smith–Sounds just like me too! I always say mechanical things don’t like me! I can’t complain about my car, though(knock on wood.
marci
Zenny- I miss you!!!
Abigail from Montreal
@ENSIGN: Great video on the ultrasound that leads to finding the sex of the foal. Thank you! I hope Zenny’s family get an ultrasound photo to keep.
signofthetimes
Here is a great video summary of Sunday Silence from his
sale at Keenland to his death in 2002, lots of racing info
and breeding info. Enjoy!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mp_l0ZcFaG8&feature=related
DJ
Dearest Sweet “Z”,
Congratulations to your friend Cloud Man and Nakatani for the great place!! It was a thrill to behold…he just gets better and better..I was worried for a moment when he reared up and I thought he was scratched!
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Also great run for Roxanne O who Showed! Well done Chantal!
………………………………..
Your “Mikey” brought it home on Artuya! Congratulations!!
“Amazombie” would have been his second win if not for a too enthusiastic lane change..because he was with him all the way.
………………………………..
Good night all and blessings!
signofthetimes
Here is link to foal development Dottie posted many post ago.
http://www.maremeadows.com/Articles/foaldev.htm
It is really great. At each stage it descibes how big the embryo/fetus is. 60 days = hamster. !!!!!!
judy berube
To Signofthetimes:
Thank you for that great link on Sunday Silence. How handsome he was. He had that beautiful white blaze (kind of reminds me of Z’s a little). Hugs, J.B.
Joyce
to Judy Berube – Yes, it was wonderful to see Sunday Silence after watching all his earlier races on TV. Unfortunately I didn’t get to see Zenyatta in person. I had looked up airline and hotel reservations to Hollywood Park for the next to last race and also to Louisville for the last one, but I was a worry-wart at the last minute and was so nervous she would get hurt while I was there. I hate to see any accidents, but by that time Zenyatta was so special to me that it was too important. A big regret I’ll have for a long time, although I don’t regret my caring that much.
My friend and I are talking about a trip to Kentucky to visit the farms, and the hope of seeing her, but the comments so far have not been too hopeful about that.
Joyce
to Sighofthetimes – Yes, thanks so much for the link on Sunday Silence. He was a wonderful horse.
DJ
p.s. Your Sire’s off-spring “Screaming Destiny” came in fourth! Very exciting and such a beautiful horse.
judy berube
To D.J.:
Thanks for the update on John’s horses and on Mickey. Hugs, J.B.
To Z Fans:
More great posts and discussions today. Nite all.
To Z:
Looking forward to hearing from you and Dottie. Love you, Judy and Russ
judy berube
Dear Joyce:
We must have been posting at the same time and I just noticed your message as I was saying goodnight. I hope you get to see her some day. Such devotion should be rewarded. Hugs, J. B.
J Smith
Terry Crow, thanks, I’ll have to come down here at that time. I’d love to see the horses in the water. Dani told me HRTV will show the Epsom Derby next Saturday, so we can all cheer for Carlton House. UK is 5 hours ahead if u r on the E coast, 8 ahead W coast, and I can never figure out the middle! I don’t know what time the race is, I’m going to guess 3 or 4 their time. If u don’t have HRTV (like me) u can A. invite yourself to somebody’s house for breakfast. B. try calling your nearest English/Irish pub, they often have live sport from UK and will open early for big events. Could be fun to get a group together to meet at the pub. Warm beer for breakfast, yum!
Quarterhossgal
Susan: Our 4-H group’s fund raiser for Hooves and Paws was a bake and craft sale.
Our members make pet snuggies for small animals i.e, cats and dogs. It is a fleece blanket that can be placed on their beds or to wrap around them. We make them as a group(yes, boys make them too). We’ve done this for 4 yeas and each year we raise more money.
Z’s magic inspires even the young children to help animals.
Anne from Paramount, CA
Hi again Queen Z! Hope you have had a very relaxing weekend grazing away! @Judy Berube and anyone else interested: we visited Rightful Image this morning at Santa Anita. He was his usual friendly self, eating carrots and posing for pictures. Appeared healthy to us. However, trainer Mike says there is an ankle problem and “we will play with it for a few days, and see what we do from there.” Kind of vague, but that’s what we know at this point. We saw some partners at Clocker’s Corner–they were going to see “Rightful”a little later. As an aside, when visiting Rightful we also go next door to see trainer Matt Chew and our former filly, Akeela. I say former, because she got claimed once and when Matt claimed her back we did not get back in with her. However, we like to keep up to date with her and see her when we can. Matt is on the production end of the upcoming HBO series “Luck.” He told us today that there are two more episodes to film and that will be enough for the first season beginning in 2012. They got behind with fiming, what with the Santa Anita track issues and the heavy rains. Dustin Hoffman is one of the stars. I read that Chantel Sutherland plays an exercise rider.
@JSmith, LOL, if we ever do meet, we can compare being technically challenged. Hope the dog is still okay:) @Kathy Kimber, thanks for the Pale Male link. Many years ago on PBS there was a story about them–so nice to get an update and now with a new mate! Watching some racing today on TVG and saw John S’s horse rear WAY WAY up with Corey N up as they were getting ready to load, at Hollywood. Sorry I am getting tired now, so the name of the horse escapes me. I e shrieked sitting on the sofa. Corey was able to handle the situation very well. They showed John standing there looking very “John like”–calm. Wow. Anyway, the horse finished second- not bad considering…sure hope no other problems ensued. So you see Queen Z, why we love all of your team, especially your JOHN. You may now continue your grazing, or perhaps at this hour in Ky. your sleeping. Goodnight to everyone–as I tell Rod, I consider you “200 of my closest friends.” It sure is great to read/ talk horses/racing! Thanks to you, our Queen and of course to Dottie. Sweet dreams.
Gary Moulton
I haven’t been able to play poker online anymore and it really cramps my style. I would kill time playing poker waiting for my plays to come up on the track. Im so bored now and I find myself betting on races I didn’t plan to play. So anyway I thought I would try my hand at some more equine poetry. This one is about my love of horses and how it can’t hurt in the “Big Guy” eyes if you own a horse considering all the gloom and doom on the horizon. It’s pretty generic.
.
.
I love horses, I love them all
Highest hands to mini small
Horses that cut the cows
Dancing greats that take the bows
.
Ones that took best in shows
To the oldest horse that barely goes
For all the ones in between
And every horse I’ve ever seen
.
Circus horses do the tricks
Chukkers play for minutes six
Thoroughbreds are built for speeds
Others meant for special needs
.
Some pull buggies round and round
Workers drag logs along the ground
Quarters run visually straight
Once they get out the gate
.
Chasers jump fences high
Across the water you stay dry
Your closest friend, your only mate
It’s time to eat, don’t be late
.
Pintos, Paints not the same
Appaloosa’s can be game
Belgians, Clydesdales, Percheron
Horses that are mighty strong
.
Unseated before you made eight
One big horse is really great
Pony rides at the fair
Start a child’s love affair
.
Haflinger, Hack, Harlequin Horse
Three barrels make up the course
Brumby, Buckskin, Wild Mustang
Sadly down with a bang
.
Trigger was a TV star
Patches rides in the car
In parade they all walk
And Mr. Ed he could talk
.
300 breeds worldwide
So many that you need a guide
No rhymes to describe them all
Apologize ones I did not call
.
God put horses on this earth
Man could fit between their girth
Horses working a long hard day
The old world was built this way
.
Fight fire with fire is your need
The power of a trusty steed
The four in the Bible are on their way
Own a horse you get away!
Kim
@ Gary Moulton
Very nice! I like it!
Trina Nagele
@Gary Moulton—Very clever! Well done!
Dona
Hi everybody,
Sorry the link doesn’t work. I’ve had it in my favorites for years and it works fine but I tried to click on thwe link I posted and it didn’t work. Like Judy said, just google it! lol
Oh, the horses are listed alphabetically on the Hertiage site, juct click on any horses’ name and enjoy!
Lisa g
Ms Zenyatta, good morning, what a lovely view. Hope you holiday weekend was wonderful. Cannot wait to hear all your news next week, or does that mean this week? I love you, have a great day. Lisa g