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
judy berube
Dear Signofthetimes:
Just read your post to me on Diary #267. You’re welcome. Glad you got to order your calendar. Hugs, J.B.
LouAnn Cingel of Union, Missouri
Really enjoyed the pics along with the explanations. There isn’t a day that goes by, that I don’t think of you Zenyatta. Love you lots! Sending you hugs
Barbara Wood
Dearest Z–you brighten all our days just thinking of you. I am so thankful you came along in my lifetime. Have a good evening, sweetie. Talk to you tomorrow. Love you always.
LauraJ
@Doreen, thanks for that link. She looks exactly like her mother, doesn’t she? I hope she can run like her.
LauraJ
@Judy (Maass) Gadwood, the problem with that list is that it is (1) U.S.-centric, and (2) too slanted toward modern horses. Where’s Makybe Diva? Where is Kincsem, arguably the best Thoroughbred of either sex ever to run (54-0)?
@Dona, remember that of Secretariat’s losses, one was a DQ, in one (his first race) he was bumped and impeded several times, and twice he was ill. Records don’t tell the whole story. Also, he won at various distances on both dirt and turf; in fact, he won the Eclipse Award for Turf Male the same year he won the Triple Crown. BTW, I like Silky Sullivan too.:-) No disrespect to him.
Signofthetimes
@Doreen
Thanks for posting on R2R filly. She looks like
Her mom. Sooo cute she is marish like mom.
Hope she is able to recover and race. Thoroughbred
Legs are very delicate!!!
Cynthia H.
The best of all three (for me) of the Triple Crown races is nearly here! Sure hope that the weather cools. The past two days on the diary pages have made for some terrific reading, Thank you, Dottie, for posting the great pictures of Tiago. The year he ran, so much of the attention was focused on the Rags to Riches vs. Curlin rivalry, the other entrants pretty much got shunted to the sidelines. Tiago ran an incredible race to finish third! What a beautiful horse he is. I hope that he is thriving, wherever he is.
I would like to say a personal thank you to those who took the time to read and respond to my memories of Secretariat’s phenomenal win in the Belmont. By the time I finished reading your comments, the tears were flowing like the Trevi Fountain.
The kindness of your remarks blew me away. I will post replies to each of you at the end of Diary 267, and hope that no one is over-looked.
Does anyone else like Brilliant Speed for the Belmont? Like Nehro, too. Godspeed and safe journeys to all.
WILD HORSES
Hey Big Z
Hope your having a great day. I loved seeing the breeze of Ebby’s that someone put up a link for. She is big and regal looking like her big sis. I also was impressed by the way she ran right past her workmate. Hooves crossed for something special out of her down the line. I also am glad to see Harmonious back on the work tab. She is one of my favorites (I’m a sucker for Dynaformer fillies). I was hoping she would have a big year, so I hope she can get back on track on the turf where I think she excels. Both Harmonious and Ebbylou are in plain brown wrappers, but they sure don’t look plain to me. They both are quite beautiful, although they would have a bit of catching up to do to be in your league! But I could say that about every horse. I have never seen such a gorgeous, elegant, graceful and stunning creature as yourself Big Z. Hoping I’m not making you blush too much. Love Ya Lori
judy berube
To All Z Fans,
Thanks for the great posts and links today. Enjoyed them all. Hugs, Judy and Russ
WILD HORSES
I forgot to say I like Brilliant Speed for the Belmont. I think he can run all day and he also has Rosario.
LauraJ
My Belmont picks:
Win–Animal Kingdom
Place–Master of Hounds
Show–Nehro
Exotics: Shackleford, Monzon
Charlotte Farmer
@Dona – Taking nothing away from Secretariat but I agree with you. His win in the Belmont by 31 lengths was breathtaking and probably will never be repeated. You are right about SILKY SULLIVAN’s Santa Anita Derby. It was one for the record books. He now sleeps under the tote board at Golden Gate Fields. I am so glad to see such passion in your Dona. Never let go of it. It is a rare thing in this day and age.
@As jockey Gary Stevens has said when talking about Seabiscuit and current racing greats. It is apples and oranges. We all have our favorites and believe that only they were the best as they proved themselves time-and-time again on the tracks. John Henry, Citation, truly great horses that stand with Secretariat and others.
@For me, it is the great gelding KELSO with his five, count them five, straight wins in the 2-mile Jockey Club Gold Cup under high weight that garnered him five straight Horse of the Year honors.
@I am still rooting for Master of the Hounds on Saturday.
@Zenyatta – I am so glad you don’t have to race in that heat and humidity and can just enjoy life there at Lane’s End.
Love you Zenyatta!
Susan in TN
Zenny- another interesting post with great pictures by your John! Tiago is very handsome and I certainly remember that Belmont! “Detention Barn” sounds like a place for bad horses-glad they did away with that! Eblouissante had a training video of herself on FB- you would be proud! She is stunning- and still such a baby!
Warm wishes to all my Z friends <3
Kim S
Happy Thursday Zenny and everyone.
The last 2 days of postings have been great. Reliving the wonderful past and greeting the future. I am the same as most everyone, can’t watch Secretariat’s Belmont without crying. Also love all the posts with other “Greats” accomplishments. I have the series of books “Thoroughbred Legends”. What wonderful reading that has been, with some really interesting facts about a lot of great racers. Also good stuff about their trainers and owners.
Now to the new, E’s breezing was great to watch, thanks John for the youtube video.
As far as the Belmont, would love to see Mucho Macho Man win but I think his 4 yr old season may be the one to watch. I will yell for them all and be glad that everyone comes home safe.
Praying for relief for those with flooding, heat, tornado damage and other
disasters.
Have a wonderful Friday Zenny, Team Zs and Z fans. Lotsa love to all.
Kim S
Happy Thursday Zenny and everyone.
The last 2 days of postings have been great. Reliving the wonderful past and greeting the future. I am the same as most everyone, can’t watch Secretariat’s Belmont without crying. Also love all the posts with other “Greats” accomplishments. I have the series of books “Thoroughbred Legends”. What wonderful reading that has been, with some really interesting facts about a lot of great racers. Also good stuff about their trainers and owners.
Now to the new, E’s breezing was great to watch, thanks John for the youtube video.
As far as the Belmont, would love to see Mucho Macho Man win but I think his 4 yr old season may be the one to watch. I will yell for them all and be glad that everyone comes home safe.
Praying for relief for those with flooding, heat, tornado damage and other
disasters.
Have a wonderful Friday Zenny, Team Zs and Z fans. Lotsa love to all.
Neva Rae Powers
I am putting my money on Animal Kingdom!
Sheri
Wow that last picture is absolutely gorgeous! I can’t wait for the Belmont! I hope everyone runs safe and it is a fun and exciting race! Love you Zenny! :D
Lynette Lucas
Zenny – Love the pics of Tiago! Love you girl!!! Hugs and Kisses from Roswell,NM!!!
OraJean Stevenson
Dear Queen-Z & Team-Z,
I’m looking forward to this weekend of racing and hope it’s a safe one for all the horses and jockeys. That HEAT can really be a danger for both. The pictures of TIAGO brought back fond memories…he and LAVA MAN were my 2 favorite horses that year–’07!! Thanks for the memories. Have a great weekend.
Hugs to all. Fondly, OraJean
mars
Stephanie- thanks for the link of E’s first breeze. My oh my she is a beauty!! Did you hear the lift in John’s voice. Not quite the droll-drum tone he has sometimes when giving info about his videos. I think he is very excited about your little sis Zenyatta. He deserves this as it seems he must have missed you the most of anyone.
Doreen
@judy berube: You’re welcome. You are so correct about Zenyatta and her team. I hope that others follow in her “hoof prints”!!!
@Arlene: You’re welcome too.
@LauraJ: You’re also welcome. I hope she fully recovers and is able to make it to the track and retires on her own terms. Her mom didn’t have that opportunity. Who knows what Rags to Riches could have accomplished if she didn’t get injured.
@Signofthetimes: You’re welcome also. It’s that attitude that Rags to Riches has that made her prevail against Curlin. Hopefully her daughter takes after her in that aspect. Yes, TB legs are delicate and I hope the filly has better luck than her mom.
Sunny Boyd
Good evening Zenyatta,
hope this evening finds you all snuggled in contently in your straw, listening to all the wheehees & snorts, and such…as horse sounds go, coming from your neighbors in your barn, helping you slowly but surely drift off to dreamland, :) :) :)
I think I’ll join you <3 <3 <3 Good night Sweetie
D.Lawson
Oh Zen, Belmont… I think of it as the Talladega of horse racing without the 33 degrees of banking. I have been thinking about my superfecta MMM, Shackelford, Nehro,& Animal Kingdom. Whatever the outcome I want all to have a safe race. Thank you for sharing the pictures and the info. X & O’s for you!
nina
Watch for Brilliant Speed.
Anne from Paramount, CA
Queen Z..I keep getting zapped somehow–this is my third attempt. Thanks to you and Dottie for such great pictures of the 2007 Belmont. I remember RtoR, Tiago and Curlin fondly. @Terry Crow, I may do a Santiva/A.K. exacta box. Of course we all have our hooves crossed for a safe trip for one and all, right Z? A good group of horses in this race! @Susan, enjoy your time there! Glad to hear they (and you!) will be singing “New York, New York,” once again. @JSmith and Karen Gogue–if you are at HollyPark Sat. I’ll be at the paddock before the first local race which is at 11, so 10:30 or so. Hope to see you! Stay cool, our Queen…enjoy the Big Race! :)
jeanie langford
HOt Hot Hot in Virginia. Stay cool and comfortable. Can we get some new video of you? Miss you at the track. Hugs and Kisses.
judy berube
To Terry Crow and Z Fans:
This is hard to believe. In this 6 1/2 Furlong Race, Silky Sullivan makes up 40 lengths to win (Shades of Zenyatta) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT_YxcoDhtY He was a very handsome horse and had an incredible closing kick. Hugs, J.B.
Linda Henderson
I hope Animal Kingdom wins the Belmont. It is going to be an exciting race. I was a fan of Tiago too.
Jackie
Good Evening Queen “Z” Love the pictures of Tiago. Always nice to reminisce. Enjoyed the YouTube with “E” breezing. Thanks John for sharing.
Looking forward to the Belmont. Hope the weather cools down! Unfortuantely, no Triple Crown! Oh, well, lets hope they all run a great race and everyone hits the finish line healthy!
I would love to see Stay Thirsty win only because of his papa!
Stay cool. Hugs and kisses
Jackie
Dona
Laura J – A loss is a loss. If not for being so far behind in the Classic, Our girl would be 20 for 20, looked upon by all as the greatest ever but that’s not the case. Love her as we may, nothing will ever make-up for that loss. She will be known as one of the greatest, not The greatest. That loss cost her legacy a great deal. I have posted many times in various places that for me, Native Dancer was the Greatest because he was my first great love. Native Dancer like _enyatta lost by a nose but his loss meant no Tripple Crown. If you read the race analysis, there’s no way he should have even been close. One writer said he was pushed so far outside, he could have gone into the Club House for a drink! Native Dancer won a Division of the Gotham Stakes on April 18th and a week later won the Wood Memorial. Both races prior to the Derby. Between the Derby and his victory in the Preakness, he won the Withers Stakes. After winning the Belmont, he won the Dwyer Stakes, Arlington Classic, the Travers Stakes and the American Derby, all at the age of 3. Although he was 3 year old Champion, he lost the HOY to Tom Fool, who won ten races in a row but not in one year. Go figure.
I watched as Curlin’s jockey, in an interview before the 2008 Breeders Cup Classic, say if he had been on the outside, Rags To Riches would never have won. How bush league! If Curlin couldn’t win in any circumstance, he wasn’t a great horse and I lost what ever respect I may have had for Robbie that day.
Let history reflect the truth and not emotions. Secretariat won the Tripple Crown, retired at the age of three and he lost five races during his career.
@Charlotte – Thank you. I admit I am passionate about horses. I have been privileged to see some of the greatest champions, beloved heroes and gallant warriors, ever. I consider it a honor.