Happy Friday to All~
I can’t believe another week has gone by…and so quickly! Lots of different things have happened during the course of this week and I’ve heard lots of good news. We’ve certainly had fabulous health updates for several people including our friend, Dawn Conrad! All of this news is so, so special!
Remember the HAT GAME I used to play with MY JOHN? Well, apparently it is still going strong at Barn 55. I guess because MY JOHN always wears a baseball type cap (and I do mean always) that the horses he works with each day just love to play with these hats.
Yesterday afternoon, while Mr. Commons was outside grazing, relaxing and enjoying the California sun, he decided it was his turn to play my game. Bruce was there with him! He let Bruce sit on the saw horse bench, scratch his neck, hug him and play with him. In return, Mr. Commons decided he would ‘tease Bruce’ and started playing with his cap! Within moments, Mr. C was playing the HAT GAME with him…and totally took off his cap and handed it back to Bruce!
It was all TOO CUTE! Everyone at Barn 55 was laughing…and Mr. Commons was really proud of himself for getting Bruce’s cap. I know this feeling. I loved to play this game with MY JOHN.
There are so many FUN THINGS like this one that happen each day in our lives. The experiences are so sweet, yet extraordinary, and most importantly they make us LAUGH! I’ve been told that there is a very famous saying which describes what I’m trying to say…..TAKE TIME TO SMELL THE ROSES! It is really so much fun to truly appreciate the joy and beauty of these special moments.
Lucky US!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Barbara Wood
Mr. Commons is TOO cute.
Dawn, your comments about Claiborne reminded me of our visit there. We met Pulpit, Monarchos, Eddington, etc. I thought they were all lovely. Eddington was huge and beautiful and stared into the distance for the longest time. I enjoyed watching the replay of his Belmont run this afternon on Versus.
Our groom told the story about Nasrullah (Secretariat’s forbear and our horse’s as well) that he used to stand on his hind legs in his stall and poke out the light bulb above. The ceilings are VERY tall!
Good night, sweet Z. We’ll pray for safe trips for all running tomorrow, and not just in the Belmont.
judy berube
Dear Terry Crow:
Thank you for your kind words. Hugs, J.B.
Robyn Mullhausen
Awwww. Thanks for posting these photos by John. That Hat Trick is just TOO CUTE. ;) :)
Sharon in Seattle
correction – it might have been the CBC, not NPR – anyway, Julie Shapiro is with Third Coast Festival.
Sharon in Seattle
I entered “Julie Shapiro, Zenyatta” in Google and it came up – the “love letter” reference. Check it out – it’s very sweet!
judy berube
Dear Bonnie MacRaith:
Thank you so much for that photo link of Z. You can clearly see that her eyes are closed. Wow. And Mike seems to be talking to her, maybe trying to sooth her, as he knew she was uncomfortable with the mud in her face. Hugs, J.B.
LauraJ
@Terry Crow and @Judy Berube, I totally agree that it is difficult to compare horses and say Horse X is better than Horse Y. This is especially true of horses that ran in different eras, in different places, or on different surfaces. No one really knows what would happen if we were magically able to pit Man O’War against Secretariat, or who would win if Kincsem met Eclipse on the track. Could Ta Wee beat Black Caviar? Who knows? Maybe that is why we appreciate the great rivalries so much—we can sometimes get an answer.
–
Part of the problem is terminology. “Great” is such an imprecise word. We recognize greatness when we see it, but it means different things to different people. We can only make valid comparisons by measuring the same quantities at the same conditions. And some components of greatness can’t be quantified. So many things go into making a great race horse. How does one measure the will to win? How does one quantify inspiration? And even observable qualities vary in importance depending on the observer. For example, some might esteem horses that consistently finished by daylight, whereas others might hold those horses that won great stretch battles in highest regard.
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Nevertheless, I think debating the relative merits of various horses can be entertaining and valuable as long as the discussion doesn’t get personal. I’ve been inspired to look again at Silky Sullivan’s great comebacks (thank you, YouTube!), and I assume others have as well. (When these questions arise I bring up Kincsem not just because she was a great race mare, but to get people to consider that maybe the “greatest” racehorse (a) might not have been born in their lifetimes and (b) might have been female.)
—
BTW, I will definitely get myself a copy of Let It Ride. :-)
Trina Nagele
Good luck to John and the horses he has running tomorrow at Hollywood Park: Tiz Gianni (son of Giacomo) with Mike Smith up, and the filly Star Billing with Tyler Baze up.
@NEVA RAE POWERS—LOL, I love being a groupie too!
Sharon Call
@Bonnie MacRaith. I hadn’t seen that picture either. Mike’s goggles were just covered but what I thought about as well was how much of that was being drawn into her nostrils. She was running strictly off of Mike’s hands – what an amazing show of trust on her part. BTW, Z had run on dirt before but it was a shorter race and very dry.
@Cheryl Y. Loved your story about Foiled Again. I can just see him dragging the chair and person backwards into his stall. What a hoot!
Sheri
That is just to cute Zenny! Love you!! :D
Debbie
hi Z! oh what fun Mr. Commons is having playing the hat game, and yes, we should stop and smell the roses for sure, I do try to every day enjoying time with my equines, canines… YOU are very wise;)
love you gorgeous mama xoxoxo
Kirren
It’s always delightful to have personal fun time with a horse! I bet Bruce and Mr. Commons had a great time!
I received my #47 bronze from Nina. It is an exquisite rendition of you, Z! It has found a prominant spot next to my Breyers of you and Secretariat. I can’t stop looking at it, and more than once I have reached up to stroke it’s neck and give it a pat!
Have a good Belmont weekend, Z! Love and miss you!
judy berube
Dear Laura J.
I think you have made an eloquent comment regarding comparing one horse to another. I’m glad you’re getting a copy of “Let It Ride”. Please let us know what you think of it. How is Step doing? Hugs, J.B.
Julie DuVall
I love to see horses having fun and getting out of their stalls! Any horse who lives in Barn 55 is lucky, as I’m sure YOU are aware. :)
Sally L. Hopkins
Too Cute, Zenyatta. I loved it! Lots of xoxoxooxxooxoxo
LauraJ
@Signofthetimes, I think Zenny has an excellent chance of becoming a fine broodmare. Her close female relatives have been quite successful. As for La Ville Rouge’s brood, it’s true that Nicanor and Lentenor aren’t in the same class as Barbaro. Nevertheless, they are honest race horses and I wouldn’t kick either one of them out of my barn if I had one. I hope we will see Margano on the track this year or early next year. He is 2. They are lucky boys to have caring owners. LOL-the Jacksons do keep trying for a filly, don’t they? Apparently they’ve decided to hedge their bets, as the old crank Dynaformer is getting up in years. They bought a Dynaformer filly last September at Keeneland.
–
@Judy Berube, I haven’t had an update on Step since his race. I should check. I hope he is taking it easy and recovering from his throat ailment. I’m wondering how long he has had it, and if he may have been coming down with it at the time of his first race. That would explain the poor performance. One can start to feel lousy before clear symptoms appear.
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@Bonnie McRaith, thanks for that link. The whole series is fascinating! She is just coated with gunk. Poor Mike. He was devastated.
jeanie langford
How is your health Z and how are your friends at Lane’s End. Miss you at the track. It is not the same without you. Hugs and Kisses and a little kiss for the foal.
After Hours
I tool like to play with MY Kerri’s hat. We have the same grandfather, we must get it from him :)
judy berube
To Laura J.:
That’s true. He may have been ill for longer than was known. Hope he is improving. Hugs, J.B.
AJ from CA
@Bonnie MacRaith – thanks for sharing that link of the pix with Z racing with her eyes shut…made me appreciate her even more and Mikey as well. I heard stories of people who saw her with so much mud and dirt that her eyes were shut but never really saw the pix til now – WOW!
Megan S
TOO CUTE!
Abigail from Montreal
Hi there Zenny! Love Mr. Commons’ hat game — absolutely TOO CUTE! Well, here in Montreal we have the weekend of street fairs — all the merchants come out of their stores with great sales, plus we have great food and crafty types with handmade jewelry and paper and even ceramics. Everyone comes out to shop, eat and people-watch…a favourite activity of your big girl. It’s food from around the world: Greek, Italian, Asian, and Indian, plus “street meat” and HUGE pitchers of sangria. It’s Montreal celebrating summer and a great time to learn all about “living in the moment.” Until tomorrow, your buddy Abigail & Jericho (in his Canadiens’ t-shirt) are watching the Stanley Cup, Game 5 — Bruins vs. the Vancouver Canucks. VERY TENSE!!!!! Jericho’s been knawing nervously on his rawhide bone and Abigail is armed with Twizzlers and lemonade. Second period, 0-0. GEEZ… this is gonna be a heartbreaking gut-wrencher!!!! Jericho & Abigail are thinking of taking up “grab the cap” as a more relaxing sport!!!!! Love you, Zenyatta.
Shannon From Cool
Lucky horses in Barn 55.
Kathy Kimber
@Judy berube, I don’t like comparing horses either. I hope I don’t sound like I do. Each horse has his or her own personality and style, they have good and bad days just like we do. I have lots of horse heros. Again I am so thankful for people like you on this site. I’m not that great at finding things on the computer and it is wonderful to be kept abreast of racing be it past or present. I have always followed horseracing but I came back fully because of our dear Zenyatta. I had a bad go round in December health wise it was a scary time. I had this site to cheer me up. I’m fine now. This site and the knowledge people share is so wonderful. I so appreciate Dottie who makes it all possible what a wonderful selfless thing to do. I don’t have a favorite in the Belmont tomorrow. I’ll be watching and I’ll say a prayer for them all before the starting gate opens like I always do with every race I get to watch. One of our churches here in KC is having a special Blessing of the Animals on Sunday I am putting in a special petition for our dear lady Zenyatta. Thanks for your kind words Judy I so enjoy your posts. Hugs back at you.
Maggie N
There is nothing more beautiful than seeing a horse at play. A couple of weeks ago I was taking one of my Mastiffs ( the closest thing I’ll ever have to a pony or horse) to the vet, when I saw two beautiful horses playing up a storm. One was running in the paddoc and the other was wiggling in the grass on it’s back kicking all of those feet high in the air. I just smiled and imagined Zenny enjoying days like this
Kathy Kimber
Again if it weren’t for this wonderful site I might never have known of Kincsem which to me is such a remarkable story.
Well it is getting late. Good night to all and to you dear Lady Zeny. Hooves crossed for a great Belmont horses and jockeys home safe and sound. Hugs to all
Kim S
Happy Friday Zenny and everyone.
Mr Commons is just Too Adorable and what a handsome guy!!!
Went to do my afternoon of vounteering at Equestrian Inc today. It started to sprinkle a little while the horses were turned out. They seemed to like it and kept running around the pasture. It was beautiful and whimsical watching them. On a sad note, several horses are laminitic and the owner said when the vet comes this Sunday, a decision will have to be made about one of the horses and one of the minis with this dreaded disease. Keeping my fingers and hooves crossed for those girls.
@Dawn Conrad–loved your guided tour of Claiborne. I felt as if I was there. And about the Thoroughbred Legends books, not sure where you are looking but hope this helps. I ordered mine from the website ExclusivelyEquine.com and they came as a set about 2 years ago, I think. I checked out the site but they don’t seem to be available like that right now. Also, they don’t seem to have all of the books in the set, not sure if they all are still in print or not.
@Alexandra Bowdoin & Bonnie MacRaith–loved the photos of Zenny’s 2010 BC Classic. Photo 83 tells a good story. Mike has at least 3 pairs of mud covered goggles around his neck.
@Trina Nagele–I’m in for D-Day. Let me know how to get you my email, whether here or elsewhere.
Here’s to an exciting and safe Belmont tomorrow.
Hope you’re getting enough rest, Mama Z!
Lotsa love to all.
Signofthetimes
@Theresa E
Actually Z was bred to her mom’s ” guy Bernie” as
E is Bernies daughter through V (Z ‘s mom)
and she is 2 years old.
LauraJ
@Maggie N, LOL! Some of the Mastiffs I’ve seen are pretty darn close to pony size. Heck, I thinks some are bigger than some minmiature horses.
Sunny Boyd
Good evening, oh Funny Girl,
that is funny :) :) :), horses and people w caps. Good one.
Yep, time flies when you’re havin’ fun/ or fun time is when you’re havin’ flies, depends on who you’re askin’.
Good luck to everybody @ the Belmont. Hope all come home safe :) :) :)
Time for 40 winks w dreams of mints