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
Hayley
I remember that race! Tiago ran beautifully!
Karen Gogue
@Victoria – So sorry your pony has wings so soon.
eastcoastkid
Today is the 38th anniversary of Secretariat’s incomparable win of the 1973 Belmont Stakes. The time was 2:24 flat for 1 1/2 miles, at least 31 lenghts ahead of the slowing field…incomprehensible that any creature could possibly do what was done that day! I was a young woman and I fell in love that day and I have loved him for 38 years; I have thought of him every one of the days in the years since 06/09/73. I own the official racetrack wide angle lens photo of the finish of that race that is signed by Ron Turcotte and it is my most treasured possession. He has no peers in 20th century racing…no one was better…he was the very best…not Man’o’War, Northern Dancer, Seattle Slew, Affirmed or Citation came even close to his abilities. Now there is a new century and a great phenomenon…Zenyatta is the horse of the 21st century…Her races were like Secretariat’s; faster as the race shortened to the finish line…beautiful to watch and impossible to describe. GOD has blessed me twice…I am truly grateful…Love to all on this eventful anniversary
Karen Mitchell
Hi Z and all your human and horse friends: Last night when I got home, there was this big box containing my stunningly beautiful Zenyatta bronze (#44) by Nina Kaiser. It is even bigger and heavier than I had imagined. I keep running my hands over it as if I am touching YOU, and remembering how YOU felt and looked. It is on my sideboard with a built-in mirror behind it so that I can see both sides. It is truly YOU and I am thrilled to have it. And yes, I am so excited to watch the Belmont, a classic race at a classic track at a classic distance. May all who race there and everywhere come home safe and sound. Take care, sweet one, and be well and happy.
Kim
Zenny-I used to think my racing experience wouldn’t be complete without seeing a Triple Crown won. Don’t think that anymore because I’ve seen you, and you are more than enough! Wouldn’t mind seeing a TC but if I never do, I’ll be o.k. Should be an exciting Belmont, I’m really looking forward to it. Don’t know about you, but I’m also looking forward to us losing this heat here in KY. Love you, dear Zenny.
Judy (Maass) Gadwood ~ CA
Hi Zenny!
Oh, dear, I heard about the heat wave on the news. Poor babies! I hope it cools down soon!!!
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I can’t wait to watch the Big E video on youtube!! We are blocked from this site at work, and my pc has been out of commish for over a week :-(
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To my fb friends ~ I hope to have the computer up and running this evening. I miss you guys!
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HUGS & KISSES MY QUEEN!! XOXOXOXO
Jan
Zenyatta,
Hope you are having a nice day and grazing on plenty of that Kentucky blue grass. Thanks for the pics of Tiago. He sure is a handsome guy. Best of luck to all the jockey’s. and the horses on Saturday. Stay happy and healthy Big Mama to be. xoxoxo
Darryl
Oh how I wished you ran at Belmont on Big Sandy so I could have seen you. I was lucky to see Secretariat race and he was a magnificent and handsome horse. You are magnificent and beautiful and I could only see you on TV or on that great DVD from Hollywood Park. Take care of yourself and I look forward to these daily posts.
Sarah Powell
Hey Zenny – sure hope it cools before Sat. – kind of got a feeling about Nehro – might be his time! The main thing is that everyone crosses the line safe and sound. If you’re old (like me) you always think about Secretariat and the Belmont – they will be forever linked. I have my “Racing Royalty” poster hanging over my desk so I look up and smile at the two of you often. We will never see the likes of you two again!!
@ Sally – Happy Birthday – hope you get to hug a horse! (thanks Dottie)
Karen Gogue
Dottie, great post! Love seeing these photos – one of my favorites too. Thank you!
rachel
hey i have three picks, Animal Kingdom, Nehro and Mucho Macho Man. animal kingdom has proved himself on dirt and hes shown that that he likes long distances. Nehro is a fast closer so look out for him to but i dont think hell handle the distance. Mucho Macho Man got new shoes so lets hope they work. Macho also is a large horse much like yourself zenny and i know he can handle the distance he might not look good on paper but hes just ran into some hard times like loosing his shoes in his last 3 races. to me that shows that he is one powerful runner. i hope i can win again. last year i called the superfecta with drosselmeyer and mike. i knew mike would keep him out of traffic and that they both could handle the distance. I also knew that ice box did not have the right running styles.
Roberta Smith
Yes, the Belmont is so exciting because it is the longest race in the Triple Crown. Too bad that Dialed In won’t be racing. They decided to keep him out since he was in the Derby and Preakness and it is such a long race and very hot here in NY. Good luck to all the entrants…may the fastest horse win! I love you Zenyatta!
Judy (Maass) Gadwood ~ CA
@ Dottie ~ I’m not sure if I asked this on a previous posting or not… would you please explain why the majority (if not all) of John’s horses are equipped with the shadow roll? I know the reason for them (to prevent the horse from jumping shadows), but is that the primary use for John’s horses or is there another reason? Thanks! :-D
Karen Gogue
Karen M. – Rub that bronze a little extra tonight for us! Wonderful for you!
Kristen
@eastcoastkid: I believe it was you who mentioned yesterday about the 38th anniversary of Secretariat’s Belmont. I, too, have the color strech photo with Ron’s signature, and I also have the iconic black & white photo with Ron looking back at the finish line.
I bought these pictures and had them professionally framed for my “Horse Racing Hall of Fame” I have in my family room. I got the idea after I bought the Vox Populi print with Zen & Big Red.
This is what I posted as my Facebook status today: Today is the 38th anniversary of the greatest moment in the history of horse racing when a horse named Secretariat ran a mile and a half in two minutes twenty-four seconds flat, a feat that has not been matched by any horse on any track any where in the world. Rest in Peace, Big Red!
So, thank you for calling it to my attention that is was the anniversary of the race. I still cannot watch it without crying.
I wish I could invite all of you over to see my “Hall of Fame” room (3 pics of Zenyatta, naturally!) but it wouldn’t fit all the Zenyatta fans in it! I did have about 15 or so friends over for the Kentucky Derby and that’s the room we watched it in.
I am back in to horse racing (I bet $2 to win on Shackleford in the Florida Derby, so I feel like I kind of “discovered” him LOL)and I have team Zenyatta to thank for that!!
I’m keeping my hooves crossed that all the horses finish the race safe and sound, and I know all of you are doing the same! Have a great day!
Trina Nagele
@SALLY HOPKINS–Happy birthday, and best wishes for many more!
Lorri
It will be an exciting race for sure Zenny! Do wish we would have a triple crown winner soon! Hey maybe your little one will be the triple crown winner down the road? That would be awesome! xoxo
Stella Bagwell
Dearest Zenyatta,
You always pull out the neatest pics for us to enjoy. It’s such fun to see the barns and tracks and the way the horses interract with everything. I’m certain you’ve not forgotten any of the excitement that goes on during race day and I often wonder if you miss that part of your life. But everything changes and I’m positive that motherhood will be the perfect role for you, dear Z. :)
As for the Belmont, I’m keeping my fingers crossed for Shackleford. I’ve loved him since the very beginning. The distance will be brutal for them all, especially a frontrunner such as Shackleford, but he has grit and try. Let’s just hope that all horses and jockeys have a safe trip around the Big Sandy!
Happy Thursday!
Love and hugs,
Stel
sue
Zenny: I think your John is pretty amazing–he’s had so many winners over the past decade and he has done it without ever forcing horses to train and run when they’re not ready. John is indeed one of the few true horse whisperers. I wish we had more trainers like him.
Enjoy the blue grass, Zenny. I heard that summers can be quite beautiful where you are.
eastcoastkid
@Kristen; I cannot watch any of his races without crying…both for the beauty and magnificence of his life and because I still miss him. With the only exception being Ruffian, Zenyatta has filled a void in my heart that has been empty for 38 years. Lucian Laurin would be proud of how John brought Zenyatta to the top of her form and Ron must admire Mike’s skill at the trips to the the winners’ circle. They are all wonderful men and well deserve the recognition they now enjoy!
Karen Gogue
@Kristen – Would love to see that Hall Of Fame room! We could squeeze in really, really tight, ya know! Pictures maybe? Thank you both – Big Red was one of my all time favs too. :)
Robin
Can’t wait to watch the race this weekend, I really hope it cools down for all who are running. Love you Zenny!!!
Sharon in Seattle
Safe trip to all in the Belmont. I saw Tiago at Santa Anita and got some great pictures. Here’s to the great one Secretariat on this anniversary – I wish I had been paying attention to TB racing in those days!!
Fran
Good afternoon Z! Thanks for the pictures of the Belmont stables. It is nice to see. I hope you are doing okay in the heat. Have a wonderful day Z! xxoo
Terry Crow
I liked Master of Hounds a lot better before I found out that they sent him back to Ireland after the Kentucky Derby and he had to again be in quarantine when he got back. Lack of serious works on the Belmont surface could be a problem for him, although he certainly has the ability. MY pick is sort of an odd one, Santiva.
Brenda
On Belmont day thirty eight years ago I was driving from Canada to Florida and pulled into a hotel in Virginia to watch the race on TV. No doubt in my mind who was going to win but I didn’t expect such a spectacular result. I felt it appropriate that I watched that race in Virginia where Secretariat was born. Months later I was lucky enough to see him run his last race at Woodbine and later still to see him at Claiborne. No Belmont since has been the same for me and so I’m just hoping for a safe trip for all horses and jockeys and my hopes are for Mucho Macho Man and his trainer. Love and Hugs to Zenny from Fort Erie.
Selene McCarthy
My Belmont picks are Stay Thirsty, Animal Kingdom and Shackelford..interesting post positions. Good luck to all and run safely!
I can’t wait to see a video of Eboullisante!(I have no idea if I spelled that correctly)
Happy bluegrass grazing, Zenny!
hugs,
Selene
Rosemary
Thank you for sharing the photos of Tiago. Love him!! I was fortunate enough to see him race at Santa Anita. I have many photos of him.
Karen Gogue
@Trina Nagele
Thank you Trina. I have an idea for D Day (Dottie’s birthday) Don’t know if I could pull it off though – it would take the help of all posters and non-posters on this site. Without them it wouldn’t work! I know they’d do it – but how? I haven’t figured that out yet! I need to kick it around a bit. Any way to contact you? Phone, e-mail, letter? I’m not that great on computer yet – anything you might suggest would be great. Need your ear to see if it sounds good. Can’t let “you know who” know! I know she’d love it! Thank you much Trina!
Susan
I’m lucky enough to attend the Belmont again this year. And since today is the anniversary of Secretariat’s win in the Belmont, I wanted to make sure everyone else who will be attending knows that Mrs. Chenery and Mr. Turcotte will be there at the Belmont this weekend!