HAPPY BELMONT DAY!
Today is such a fun day of racing! There are so many quality races taking place around the country this afternoon headed by the 143rd running of the BELMONT.
From all reports, it is still rainy and wet in New York. It is supposed to rain until early afternoon and then level off to a 40-50% chance of rain until early evening. The track surface, both turf and dirt, at this time is listed as ‘good’. Of course, all of this can change at any moment….weather being weather! Let’s hope all is comfortable for everyone!
The Belmont Stakes runs at approximately 6:35 East Coast Time. The horses usually leave the barn area to walk to the paddock about 30 minutes or so prior to post time. Thus, today’s 12 entrants will be leaving their stalls around 6ish and head to the paddock for the race. It is such an exciting time for everyone! Just imagine, you are participating in a TRIPLE CROWN RACE. Then, the ANTICIPATION of the race and how it will develop is so much fun. Racing is so EXCITING! My best wishes to ALL 12 of today’s Belmont starters. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!
I’m thinking I will sit back, relax, and enjoy watching all of the great races today. In looking over the entries, I see ZAZU’S friend, Turbulent Descent, is running in the ACORN today at 2:34 NY TIME. Then at 5:39, my dear friend, Gio Ponti, is running in the Manhattan Stakes for the 3rd year in a row! I have such great memories of running with Gio Ponti in the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic. What a guy! I really want to wish him well.
If you are not going to the race track today, these events…and many other races…will be on television. I know MY TEAM at Barn 55 and my friends at Lane’s End will be checking in on the updates, races and results all afternoon.
HRTV and TVG will be showing many of the day’s activities. Then a channel named VERSUS will be showing several of the stakes starting at 2 eastern time. At 5, the programing switches to NBC for the balance of the NY Stakes and the Belmont.
VERSUS is a relatively new channel that is going to carry quite a few races today and in the future. On your computer, if you go to NBCSPORTS, then click on TV LISTINGS, they will provide you with the TV schedules for today. If you put in your zip code, they will tell you the exact channels you need to go to in order to find the races you want to see on both VERSUS and NBC. This is really good to know. We have DISH and now we know exactly what channel to program in so we are ALL SET and READY TO WATCH GREAT RACING!
Which horses do you think will win today? Have fun handicapping!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
judy berube
Dear Z,
Very exciting day today. We have Versus on TV and are enjoying all the commentary. Love you and love to all of you. Judy and Russ
Dear Susan in Tn.:
So sorry to hear about your daughter’s dog. We hope everything turns out well. We will say a prayer for her. Hugs, Judy and Russ
To Terry Crow:
Feel the same about you. Hot to Trot would face some real competition today in the Belmont. But you never know; YOU MIGHT BE LUCKY AND NOT EVEN KNOW IT. Hugs, J.B.
To Charlotte Farmer:
Hope everything works out for a final resting place for Noor. I so admire your dedication and passion to do the right thing for him. Hugs, J.B.
Sheri
Cool Zenny! I’m watching Versus right now! I love it! I watch all the big races on this channel! The track looks pretty bad and its just gonna get worse throughout the day. :/ Well, we’ll see what happens!! Maybe we’ll have a big upset or maybe Animal Kingdom will take the field!! By the way, I thought of a new name for the foal! If its a filly, then you can call her “Miss Mandatta” and if its a colt, you can call him “Mr. Mandatta!” haha! Love you Zenyatta!!! :D
jade
love you z have a good time i think animal kingdom
Susan in TN
Thank you to all who prayed for Lou. He is “okay”-they are not sure what is wrong with him. He still has paralysis on right side of face but the right-sided body weakness is gone. They (Mississippi State vet clinic) mildly sedated him and did a thorough physical and lab. No findings of any note, which leaves them thinking maybe some kind of inner ear problem (ears looked okay.) He is on steroids and can go home. If he is not better by Monday, he will need a head MRI and CSF tap (spinal fluid). Only problem is, my daughter is supposed to go to Denver tomorrow for an internal medicine (equine) board exam (to become a diplomat) and she was going to drive up here with Lou and Maggie (20-year-old cat) today so they can stay with us and she flies out of Nashville tomorrow afternoon. Well, we’ll figure it out. She may not want to go, I don’t know. She says Lou is more important than any exam. I feel like a wet noodle right now-sorry I didn’t name names, but THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts <3 Love to all-
Susan in TN
P.S. Doesn’t matter if you are a vet or whatever- when it’s your beloved pet, it’s AWFUL! I am crying with appreciation for the kindness we are receiving from you, my Zenyatta friends.
sue
I think Animal Kingdom will win the Belmont because he has the dosage for the long race and he has exhibited a Zenny-like closer ability, which, for the Belmont, is an advantage. Shackleford may peter out like most frontrunners. I don’t know about Nehro–he oculd be competitive.
Charlotte Farmer
@ Kathy Kimber – Thank you for the good wishes and prayers on Noor’s behalf.
@Carmela Bozulich – Ridgewood Ranch is not an option, private property. If he is on private property, he BELONGS to the owners. That is why he is safest at the places I listed in my earlier Post today, which really became very small due to one reason or the other. Taking nothing away from the beloved Seabiscuit, but this is Noor’s journey and Seabiscuit’s shadow still looms large to this day. I want Noor recognized for the horse that he was. Jay Hovdey of the Daily Racing Form coined this phrase, “Charles Howard’s forgotten champion.” It was a lovely idea. Thank you so much.
Noor stood at stud at Lin Howard, Sr.’s Stock Farm in Moorpark, CA. until December 1951 when he was sent to Lexington, Kentucky to stand at stud at Charles A. Kenney’s Springside Farm. He was returned to Lin’s property in 1954 where he stayed until, at the age of 19, he was moved to Loma Rica Ranch in Grass Valley, CA. where he died in 1974 at the age of 29.
@Terry Crow – “How can a normal person help?” I will give that some serious thought.
@TO ALL OF YOU – I cannot say what is in my heart after reading the Posts. I cried. I have Posted this before but Zenyatta’s John worked there at Loma Rica during Noor’s time. He was one of only 2 people to ride Noor in retirement.
PeggyOne
Not that it matters, but Master of Hounds has the cutest ears ever! they set farther up on his head and are just tipped in a bit, making him darned cute.
Abigail from Montreal
@Susan in TN: So glad to hear your news about Lou & I can’t wait to tell Jericho!
@ Charlotte Farmer: This is just stupendous, Charlotte! I really admire your dedication to Noor. He was such a great horse. Keep me posted regarding your journey to Old Friends.
Zenny: Hope you are enjoying all the racing today. The Belmont is going to be INTERESTING in all that slop, which seems to favour speed up front early on. Might be Shackleford”s race to lose. Love you, big girl!
Lover of Horses
I REALLY like Mucho Macho Man and Animal Kingdom! The Belmont is so, sooo long, I have no idea what will happen! This is my first year following racing and this is my first TC to follow! Yipppeeee!!!!!!
Mary Copelin
@Karen Gogue – am waiting for your reply re D-Day. If you are hesitant re. info., I can leave my email address for you or my phone number.
@Bonnie MacRaith- thanx so much for the Z 2010 classic picture link.
@Sharon in Seattle, thanx for the Shapiro reference
To all- truly enjoy the thoughts you share
re. the Queen and other horses
Signofthetimes
Go “guys” in the Belmont. Safe trips to all.
Love Gio Ponti. Beat by two of the best fillies and now coming
Into his own. Read Black Cavier is coming to Royal Ascot
2012. Does not want to take on Goldi, Frankel and
Canford. Should be a great Ascot this year!!!! Go
Goldi. Girl Power!!!!!
judy berube
Dear Susan in Tn.:
We have lost beloved pets; it’s very difficult. We hope Lou recovers completely. Hugs, J.B.
Eveline
@ Susan in TN – our thoughts go out for Lou, we understand how you feel about your furbaby
Roxi Cook
It is 4:25 Eastern, and the track has been downgraded to SLOPPY. I think Shackleford will be able to sustain his early speed running in the mud due to his conformation and strength. The Belmont has often favored front runners. I think Animal Kingdom and Nehro will be second-third.
Barbara Wood
@Susan in Tn–sending love, hugs, and prayers from Texas for Lou, you, and your daughter. Please keep us posted.
elizabeth Abbott
God bless the horses and riders and provide them with a safe trip.
suew
Zenny…loved today’s post and ALL the great information your Dottie provided us about various races. I hear Turbulent Decent came in second today. She is a very impressive filly but her record only reinforces, in my mind, how spectacular YOU were on the track. It really is amazing to think how you “brought it” every time you raced and won 19 in a row! A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. Since you want us to pick a favorite for the Belmont I’m goping with Animal Kingdom because I think he’s a real cool charachter with tons of talent. Happy watching with you LE friends. Here’s a shout out to your Barn 55 team cause I know they’ll be watching, too.
Lynette Lucas
Zenny – I’m on the fence with Animal Kingdom and Mucho Macho Man to win, but have bet other horses to. Love you beautiful girl!!! Hugs and Kisses from Roswell,NM!!!
judy berube
To Laura J.:
Just read your post to me on Diary #269. Hope Step gets a positive report. Hugs, J.B.
Sharon in Seattle
Charlotte – thanks for all your information on Noor. I think it’s too bad that Carmela’s idea won’t work – having a place on the West Coast to honor the great Noor would be wonderful and yet another great reason to visit Ridgewood Ranch – I’ve been there 3 times myself. anyway, good luck, keep us posted with suggestions about how to help out!
NorCalFan#1
Pulling for Master of Hounds, Zenny. His stripe is almost a mirror image of your beautiful stripe! Really sort of a combination of yours and Rachel’s! Saw his photo this morning and immediately reminded me of you–http://www.drf.com/news/belmont-favorite-worth-looking-past
Hoping they ALL come home safe & sound! Good luck to everyone and have lots of fun today!
Sharyn
Well I’d love to see Stay Thirsty win as his sire is Bernardini!! Also like Nehru and Shakleford! Just want to see a safe race for all!!
savannah
i love u zenyatta!!!!!!!
Maggie N
@ Susan in TN, I know the terror that goes with a trip to the ER. I’m sending you and Lou prayers and hugs that everything turns out ok. My Mastiff Toby is the love of my life, and my everything. ( my poor husband) My family are already afraid of the day when I lose him. ( it’s going to be bad) I have had pets my entire life, but sometime we get lucky enough to have that one in a lifetime baby.
Shari Voltz
Dear Zenyatta I am watching the races right now. I placed three bets today. Oh boy I had to go to a scary area of town to do it. I can’t believe that little school teacher me did it. It was a place behind this bar. Oh boy :0 Anyway I made it. I bet Animal Kingdom to win and Stay Thirsty for place and show. It was exciting. I am a real better (Ha-Ha). I am hoping all have a safe ride. I am sending big Hugs and Big Kisses to you Zenny. I love you, Shari XXOO
@ Susan in Tn I will keep praying for Lou. If I can do anything call me :)
@ Trina it was good talking to you. The rescue in New York is called North Shore Animal Shelter. I donate in memory of Titus my liitle beloved MinPin :)
@ Hi Dawn. Wish we were closer we could have a Belmont Party :)
@ GO THIRSTY GO !!!!!!!!
Lover of Horses
Wow! What an exciting race! Congratulations to Ruler On Ice and all the other horses! Thank you,God, Johnny Velazquez is safe!
judy berube
Dear Z Fans:
Congrats to Ruler On Ice. Thank God AK did not go down when he stumbled badly at the start of the race. Bernie’s Stay Thirsty really ran very well and the distance and stress of running in all three Triple Crown races I guess took it’s toll on Shackelford and MMM. Hugs, J.B.
Maryann
Animal Kingdom’s bad break and almost fall cost him a win. Ruler on Ice won and congratulations to him. As he is a gelding he has no breeding future I hope when they retire him he gets a nice post retirement and doesn’t end up in a can. But don’t think much of his trainer’s comments thats he’s a little crazy. Doesn’t seem to have respect or tolerance for his horse’s quirks. Too bad,leaves a bad taste in my mouth as to the kind of trainer he is. Z’s TEAM is the best and shows the rest of the trainers/owners how to realloy treat and care for their charges.
Max
Great Belmont. Good news for you, Zenyatta. Bernardini’s colt ran a strong, gutsy race for a close second. Congrats to Stay Thirsty. Hope that all of the horses came home okay.