Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Z's Diary

Diary Post #268

It’s BELMONT Time! TIAGO, from MY TEAM, is going over to the paddock for the 2007 running of this race! Photo by John Shirreffs

Dear Friends,

It is almost time for this year’s Third Jewel of the Triple Crown. On Saturday, the Belmont will run in New York. I’ve heard that it is very warm there right now…but it is supposed to rain and cool off by the weekend. As a matter of fact, they DID cancel racing in NY today due to the heat! Let’s hope the weather really cooperates for a fabulous Belmont and a wonderful weekend of racing!

Belmont Park Race Course is a huge track. It is actually a mile and one-half racing oval. It is also a track that has a nickname…THE BIG SANDY….due to the surface. From everything I’ve heard, the total environment is very pretty and the barn area has lots of trees and grass for grazing. Sounds terrific to ME!

Yesterday, they had the post-position draw. Twelve horses entered the race with the Derby Winner, Animal Kingdom, drawing post 9….and the Preakness Winner, Shackleford, getting the outside draw. Right in the middle, in post 6, is Nehro. He finished 2nd in the Derby and skipped the Preakness to prepare for this race. His rider is Corey Nakatani, who we know as he also rides my pal, CLOUD MAN, whenever he runs! A few other horses who ran in the Derby are also entered….so it should be a terrific Belmont! Good Luck to All!

In 2007, MY TEAM ran my barn mate, TIAGO, in the Belmont. From what I’ve heard, they had a wonderful time in NY. Tiago ran 3rd in the race which was won by Rags to Riches in a close photo beating Curlin. Hard Spun was 4th. It really was a strong field and a very exciting race.

At that time, they had the DETENTION BARN in New York. Every horse had to go to this special area 6 hours before running. The staff from each barn would accompany their horse and sit there pre-race with their entrant. As I understand it, they have now eliminated this procedure.


In his files, John had a photo of TIAGO in the DETENTION BARN. He is looking about, checking everything out, and getting acclimated to this new stall. Tiago was post 2….and in the stall directly to his right in this picture is Curlin. All horses would get ready for their race here…and then go directly to the paddock. It was truly a very BUSY place, for sure.

John also had a cute photo of Tiago getting a bath after a morning of exercise during his time at Belmont Park. You can see a bit more of the lovely barn area in this picture! Oh, I see my friends Frank and Frankie with him! They look TOO CUTE!


I wonder who will win the Belmont this year? Have fun handicapping the race!

With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z

Reader Interactions

203 Comments

  6. / Reply

    Can’t wait to see who wins, Zenny! Today is the anniversary of my pony getting his wings a year ago, so seeing you all happy makes me smile! *wink wink*

  7. / Reply

    I don’t have a clue on the Belmont! I just hope all athletes in the race (horse and human) run safely. I will watch it and then settle in to watch the HP races since both Mikey and your dear John will be active on the track over the weekend. Good luck, John!!!!
    Hope you are cooler today. We have had some scorching weather, haven’t we, Zenny?!!! And, as I said, eat your greens because they are good for the little one.

  8. / Reply

    I hope all the horses and riders have a safe trip no matter what. I think this may be Nehro’s to win. He is the most rested of all.
    I have a personal interest in Mucho Macho Man so I am pulling for the big guy.
    Hope you are feeling good these days? We are all so Happy for you!
    Love you forever!

  9. / Reply

    THE BIG RACES ARE SO EXCITING. THE GRADE ONES TOO. WE LIKE TO FOLLOW OUR FAVORITE HORSE OR JOCKEY. WE MISS YOU ZENYATTA, BUT WE ARE SO MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR FOALS. LOVE TO ALL,SHERRY D. WV.

  10. / Reply

    Dear Zenny – Thank you for sharing the pictures of Tiago. I live near New York City and it is 99 degress here today!!! It is really warm out so I am hoping that it cools off before Saturday. I wouldn’t want the horses to be too warm before the race. Who are you rooting for Z? I like Shackleford and Animal Kingdom, but Mucho Macho Man is good also. I hope they all have safe and easy races. Have a blessed day beautiful girl.

  11. / Reply

    The 2007 Belmont was one of my favorites. I love a great stretch duel, and it was Girl Power all the way!
    —
    Today is the anniversary of Secretariat’s great Belmont victory.

  12. / Reply

    Stay Thirsty is one of my fav’s, and also a son of your Bernie’s. He is owned by Mike Repole who also owns Uncle Mo. But I do have a soft spot for Mucho Macho Man too. I think I’d like to see him win this one. I know somebody mentioned a couple of posts ago that they had donated to (I think) the ASPCA to help animals in the flood & tornado area. I thought u all might like this article I just read about a young boy who raised $ for same. Nice to know that children are growing up with a sense of giving. Well done to this young man. http://yourlife.usatoday.com/pets/pawprintpost/post/2011/06/joplin-boy-helps-making-lemonade-out-of-lemons/173525/1

  14. / Reply

    I still wish we had gotten the chance to see you on the Belmont oval. You’d have eaten up those turns!

  16. / Reply

    I loved Rags to Riches, too bad no GIRLS
    running in the Belmont this year!! Safe trips for all running on Saturday and always!!! Thanks for the photos of Tiago..
    Enjoy your day out in the Big Paddock!!!

  17. / Reply

    Ops..Zenny, that was suppose to read Southern California Thoroughbred Rescue (SCTR). I know you are so careful when you post..don’t know how you do it with those hooves.

  18. / Reply

    Hello dearest Zenyatta and Team Zenyatta!
    I am so looking forward to the third jewel of the Triple Crown of Racing!
    Well, it seems that Shackelford has a good position on the outside; so, he is my choice!!! Win or lose, I think this will be a great race.
    And, yes, it is very warm near New York…
    XXOO Susan, M.A.

  19. / Reply

    Thank you for the updates. What an exciting time for beautiful you. Motherhood becomes you. I am all for Stay Thirsty this Belmont. Hope the weather cooperates for all. Run safe always!

  20. / Reply

    those pics are beautiful!! Im love nerho to only wish he had a different jockey, but if he wins I will think of you and your California team! Love you dearly oxoxoxoxo!! From your biggest fan Amy

  21. / Reply

    Hi, Z,
    It was so exciting to watch Eblouissante do her work yesterday! She is going to do you proud, I think. Your John pronounced her name the French way and it is such a lovely name! He said it several times so we can all practice on how to say it correctly! Like her nickname, “E”, too, although I’ve been calling her Ebby.
    Loved it when they pulled up to the starting point, stopped for a few seconds, and she just looked so relaxed, looking around, checking things out, kind of like you used to do, and then, they told her to “go” and she went! Ears cocked, tail flying, down the stretch she went! She looks absolutely brilliant and I know that John is excited and happy to have her in his barn. I’ve heard he still misses you so much, though, as we all do. My throat gets tight, tears flow when I remember how you looked out there on the track and just how remarkable what you accomplished is.
    So glad you are happy and content in your new role, and even though I think you could have continued on the track for a while, we all want to see a foal of Zenyatta’s, so it was time. Still doesn’t lessen the yearning to have you back out there! Thank goodness we have so many videos of your exploits! My goodness, someone could take those and all the footage of you and make a great bio movie. Hope someone does soon. Would really be great.
    Big hugs. Your friend, Ann Maree

  23. / Reply

    hi Z! thank you for the photos of Tiago, I remember that race, it was an exciting one for sure! I’m excited about the races this Saturday and glad the weather will be cooler! love YOU gorgeous mama!!! xoxoxo

  24. / Reply

    Thanks for posting the pics. of Tiago! This years Belmont is going to be tough to pick a winner. There are so many talented horses. I hope you are enjoying the warm Kentucky weather, Zenny! Love ya!!

  25. / Reply

    Hi Zenny–can’t believe it’s actually hotter in NY than here in central Texas! We visited our horse last night when it was 98, but with the breeze, it wasn’t bad. I refuse to go if it’s over 100.
    Like some of you, I’m clueless about the Belmont. Love Shackleford but not sure he can go the distance. It’s anybody’s guess. Guess that’s why they call it gambling–lol! Seems to me the favorites rarely win (with the exception of Secretariat and YOU, of course) Praying for safe trips for all.

  26. / Reply

    We used to have a Detention Barn at Fairmount.. they did away with that too. It was a hassle taking the horses to a new barn and having them get all wound up!I remember the 2007 Belmont very well! That was certainly an exciting race. Rags To Riches had the Girl Power then!! Good luck to all the horses running Saturday.. may they all have a safe trip!

  28. / Reply

    Yes… Z…hear the weather is supposed to get better. I am also sure glad of that here in Virginia…it has been awful the last two days. I want it to be cool enough so not hard on the horses running the Belmont. We want everyone safe!!! Enjoy that grass Z….hugs to you !!!

  29. / Reply

    I would also like to give thanks for the pictures of Tiago. I also remember watching him race!

    I have been busy looking for stables to bring my horses closer to me. I think I finally found a good one, and it’s less than 20 minutes from my house! Hopefully within the next month or two I will be seeing my equines every day again!

    Have a fabulous Belmont weekend, Z!

    Love and miss you!

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