Good Morning,
It is hard to believe how fast time flies by. The sun is now setting on another Triple Crown Series. The 2011 Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont are in the recoord books and congratulations to all 3 winners: Animal Kingdom, Shackleford, and Ruler On Ice.
The Belmont on Saturday was very exciting! I have to admit, I was like Max and Sharyn. Per their comments in the responses, they were watching Bernie’s son, Stay Thirsty, cut to the rail in the stretch and close steadily to be 2nd. So was I! I have to admit, I did cheer him on a bit. After all, he is Bernie’s son! GREAT JOB, STAY THIRSTY!
The winner ran a terrific race. My sincere congratulations to RULER ON ICE and his team. I would like to give a special SHOUT OUT to Jose Valdivia as well. He is a terrific guy! MY TEAM knows him very well as he used to ride in California. WE are so happy for him. We’d also like to thank all of the people who work so hard to make racing and these events so special!
On an industry note, it was GREAT to see the ‘handle’ for Belmont day. I’ve heard that they bet over 70 million dollars. This is so encouraging for our sport! PEOPLE DO LOVE RACING! YIPPEE!
Again, my heartfelt congratulations to all! Now we move forward to other exciting racing events. We have lots of 2 year old action beginning. This is always fun to monitor the new faces, names, and pedigrees of the adorable “babies”. The summer seasons at Del Mar and Saratoga are always highly anticipated. Several other tracks also add to this great mix. Then on November 4th and 5th, all eyes will turn to Churchill Downs who will again host this year’s Breeders’ Cup. There is always so much going on in our sport! All of this activity is so much FUN!
It is TOO CUTE that Kari mentioned in the responses that TIAGO was not only 3rd in the Belmont…he was also 3rd in the BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC. He accomplished this in 2008, the year I won the LADIES CLASSIC.
In 2008, it was the first year they made The Breeders’ Cup a 2 day event. I ran on Friday afternoon in the LADIES CLASSIC. Then TIAGO ran in the CLASSIC the next afternoon. He truly ran a terrific race! TIAGO finished a very, very competitive 3rd…closing tons of ground and flying at the finish. What a great weekend of racing it was for both TIAGO and I….and of course, MY TEAM as well! Such fond memories we have!
Enjoy your day! I hope you had fun over Belmont weekend…and picked LOTS of winners.
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Debbi M
Zenny, I really believe Team Z has influenced the upswing in tv viewership and even betting. The Zenyatta Effect continues to boost interest in the sport. Congratulations!!!
Breanna
<3 you queen Z!! i watched the race!!
Breanna
i agree with Debbi M!! you bring more fans!!
Heidi Kreizinger
So what do you do now that the Triple Crown races are over? How are you getting along with all the other mothers to be? Do you give each other advice on how to raise your babies? Do you have baby showers for each other? I’m glad you are keeping up on the industry. You would be a great ambassador for the sport.
Take care of yourself and the wee one! Love ya!
Susan Higgins
Hi Zen and her handlers: is there a Zenyatta apparel line? I want a pink Z tee!
victoria racimo
And Z — I think the reent turouts and big tickets were due to your rise to prominence in the racing world! So much joy and love and enthusiasm was generated by your work and by your Team’s extraordinary way of handling every singe issue of your incredible life. thank you.
Georgia Harper
After so much news, 60 Minutes, Oprah Magazine, Sports Illustrated and so much more about Queen Z I think the racing world certainly got a boost and people started talking about Throughbred racing. I know people in my office starting watching and some have even made trips to Emerald Downs due to all the chatter around my desk :-) My favorties didn’t do so well this weekend but there is a whole summer of racing to come for them all.
Take care of the baby Mama Z hugs and kisses
Cathy Marshall
I think that Facebook could have something to do with the rise in popularity of racing too. There are a number of horses with their own Facebook pages, of course you included, Zenny. How cute is that! I enjoy looking at all the wonderful photos, and reading what other racehorse fans have to say. Hope you are enjoying the beautiful sunny days in Kentucky. Love ya, Zenny!
Joanna
One of the really positive affects of the success that you and Rachel had on the track is solid recognition of the girls in the TB industry. I was so sick of hearing about sires and not even a mention of the dams unless her sire was somebody of note. So unfair and just plain wrong. I’ll get off my soapbox now :)))) Have a wonderful day, Z.
Sharon Call
@Kari Bussell. Loved the training video you posted from John on #270. I love to see the “behind the scenes” goings on and you’re right. John is so kind, funny and patient with horses and people alike.
@Terry Crowe and Judy Berube. I’m glad to hear your comments on the beginning of the Belmont. I thought it was just me viewing the heads on tape but I agree that it should definitely go to the stewards. That looked like a deliberate foul to me and could have hurt at least 3 horses if not more if JV hadn’t kept his seat and AK managed not to go down. I know we’ll all be watching Bloodhorse and DRF later in the week to see what comes of this.
Jean M.
Beautiful Zenyatta, I truly believe that your influence on the sport of racing has made a hugh difference in both fan base and owner/trainer attitude. Of course, we have to go back to the beginning and give credit to Mr. & Mrs. Moss, John, Dottie and your team for contributing to your incredible career and letting you be you. Who can adequately express our love, respect, admiration and gratitude for everyone involved except thank you again.
Ollie
Queen Z,
I was so so fortunate to be at SA in 2008
to see you win the LADIES CLASSIC and see
TIAGO come in 3rd in the Breeder’s Cup.
That was one very special time in my life.
Both of you were brilliant and I will never forget what you have accomplished in the racing world. Love you.
Maureen
I was at the Belmont on Saturday with my niece, a college student, who has become very interested in racing. I have been supporting Stay Thirsty throughout his campaign so naturally I bet on him in the Belmont. I won with the bet I placed, however, my real thrill was seeing him do so well in such an important race at his home track! Of course, he is a son of Bernardini so I never doubted his ability. I knew you’d be watching the race and thinking about what it would be like to have your baby with Bernardini in a triple crown race. I can’t wait!!
PS There will never be another you!!!!
Barbara C
Zenny, I was there for the Belmont, you have no ideal how exciting the entire day was, with not so perfect weather. There were a few upsets for the day and great performances by great Athletes. The crowd was great and a lot more than I expected for a less than perfect day. However, everyone was ready for racing at it’s best and that’s exactly what it was. I have to say, I truly love Belmont, it’s a beautiful facility I can only hope that I can continue going. There are many other tracks I would like to visit one day, including Hollywood Park, but for the time being I’m here on the East Coast and try to visit the tracks here. Now we can prepare for some exciting summer racing.
Hope you’re feeling well and enjoying your time. Love your postings :)
Sharon in Seattle
Wow, do I ever remember the Ladies Classic of ’08. I was in the stands at Santa Anita thinking to myself, “LOOK at that horse come off the top of the turn – she’s running down everybody!!!” Little did I know that I was about to fall in love with Zenyatta!!! that was a very happy weekend in my life – and Tiago looked great the next day!
Gloria Jeanne
Hi Zen, what a beautiful picture of Santa Anita – I enjoyed the Belmont a lot and can’t wait for Del Mar to open this summer. It’s strange not to have you on any of my calendar of events this summer :(
It’s ok, I am trying to stay focused on the new faces and always remembering what fun I have had watching you race. I am indeed looking forward to the up coming races and waiting for he Breeder’s Cup to return to Santa Anita – my first BC I got to watch live was the 2009 victory you had over the boys (what fun) I had, my boyfriend got me tickets for my birthday.
Anyway – Love and Hugs to you and your wonderful team. Until next time :)
P.S. I am in the middle of constructing my shrine to you and once it’s completed I will send it to Dottie to share with everyone. I think you will enjoy it and know just how much you mean to me.
Love always Gloria Jeanne :)
Theresa Buck
hope they all meet at the traver’s stake…I had to admit Bernie’s son did run a great race..so how is the little one doing?
Kathy
Hey Zen, I was really cheering for your baby’s daddy’s son. He
made it a very exciting race. It all runs in the family. Speaking
of the family, I would like you to consider a great family
name. How about Zenprogini? Happy Days!!
Cynthia H.
Oh, Zenyatta, I missed your splendid Breeders’ Cup race at Santa Anita, and Giacomo’s, too, even though I was right there. Stuck working in the ticket office! So near—-and yet so far.
Cynthia H.
P.S. But I turned-down the job in 2009—just so I could see YOU!
It was worth a million times more than I would have made in pay!
Sharon Call
@Susan in Tn. Re your post on 270 about Lou. I’m so very glad to hear that he’s doing better and your daughter was able to go on to her exam. Thanks for letting me know about Chester’s fly mask. I’ll look forward to pictures of him in it.
Keely
@Heidi – OMG What a fabulous mental image! A bunch of new Momma’s hanging out around the hay feeder talking about foaling and potential names! I think we should have a cyber babyshower for Zenny!!! How great would it be to share our foal and in-foal pics and stories!!!! Anyone agree? ;)
TX Lady
I agree that You & Rachel did alot to bring attention back to the sport by racing the boys – I hope that by NBC broadcasting more races this summer it will keeop the momentum going – I was happy for Uncle Mike – Thirsty’s owner – because he’s such an enthusiastic owner & fan – It was scarey their for a moment, but I’m glad that AK & Johnny made it safely across the finish line
Marilu V
Hi Zeny!
Yes, I cheered for Gio Ponti too. Coming back to try and win again for the third time is amazing. I am happy he got third place. The conditions were hard and dangerous on both tracks. Thank God Animal Kingdom and his jockey did not experience any serious injuries from the mishap and finished the race.
Hope you are well! Hugs, Marilu
Roberta Smith
Hello Pretty Girl! What an upset at Belmont! It was an exciting race but I worried that Animal Kingdom might have gotten hurt coming out of the gate! Have a wonderful day in Kentucky! I love you Zenyatta!
OraJean Stevenson
Dear Zenny & Team-Z,
It was a great weekend of racing. Thanks for your very informative entry today…to wrap it up, but guiding us to move-on to a new focus in horse racing. I love this sport. I also have DISH TV, and their shows really connect the fans to all the asspects of the racing industry. They and You do great jobs!!
Have a healthy and happy week. Hugs to you all. Fondly, OraJean
Tere Thomas
I agree with Debbie M – first response. I’ll bet the upswing in interest for racing is directly due to the love and interest the entire country has for you Miss Z and your team. The sport is indebted to you. Love as always sweet girl!!
Judy (Maass) Gadwood ~ CA
Hello Zenny!
Yes, STAY THIRSTY ran an incredible race and a close 2nd!! I’m so happy for him :-D I posted congrats on his fb wall. Bernie I’m sure is beaming with pride and joy :-D
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I got teary eyed when Jose Valdiva spoke about his win!! These jocks do that to me, ya know! I remember him when he was here in the Southern California ~ kuddos to him!! High hooves!!
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RULER ON ICE is also known as RULER ON MUD ;-D
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It’s a shame ANIMAL KINGDOM got a bad start; thank goodness he and Johnny V were not seriously hurt. When AK was that far back during the race, I had visions of you during last year’s BC Classic… you just never know! :-(
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HUGS & KISSES, MY QUEEN XOXOXO
p.s. How’s that Baby on Board doing???
Susan in TN
Zenny-never have I been so informed about the horses and their connections and never have I been more wrong! That’s what makes horse racing so exciting but I think it might be TOO exciting if you are a trainer or owner :) I was proud of Stay Thirsty-great race and great daddy! It is fun to see all the interest in racing and YOU have had a big part in that! I hope you are having a great day- it is not as hot here today, so I hope you are cooler, too. Love you!
P.S. Congrats to your John and his horses this weekend!
Paula Higgins
I was also very happy to see Stay Thirsty do so well. He was so close to the winner. Mike Repole is a nice guy and it was nice to see him have some good luck here. PLUS, Stay Thirsty is Bernie’s son! Jose Valdiva was so happy and excited after the race. Listening to him was a highlight. It is great to see someone over the moon about their win. He is young and not always on people’s radar so it was good to see. Congrats to Ruler On Ice as well. He ran a great race and he certainly didn’t mind the mud. Nice to see a longshot win and defy the odds. Great that the handle was so good Dottie/Zenny. I think sone of that is due to the fact that Zenny brought people into the sport.