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
Dawn Conrad
Dearest, Zenyatta. Yes, it is hard to believe that another Triple Crown is in the record books, with no winner. I refuse to give up, however, I will be excitedly awaiting next year to come. The joy of possibilities is so wonderful! I join you in congratulating the winners, Zenny, as well as the others which gave it their best. Stay Thirsty did great, I thought he was almost going to get there. Pray Uncle Mo continues to do well. Loved all the info on Tiago, hoping I may be able to stop in and see him this summer. I am so looking forward to my first trip to Saratoga Springs, Zenny. Can’t wait to see such a beautiful and historic track as well as the Racing Hall of Fame. Wonderful!! We are heading that direction after stopping in Kentucky. TOO FUN!!! Hope you are feeling great and enjoying each new day, beautiful girl. I know that Lane’s End is taking very good care of you. Love you lots!!! Sweet dreams. Hugs and kisses. XXXOOO
@Charlotte Farmer – I admire what you are trying to do for Noor so much. God’s speed.
@Susan in TN – So glad Lou is better.
@Max – Thanks for the info on Nehro. Never like to see any horse or rider injured. So glad the Animal Kingdom was able to right himself.
@Margie – Thank you!
@Karen Gogue – Left a phone message and Shari sent me the details you e-mailed her. Also spoke to Trina. This is all TOO CUTE!!
@JSmith – Congrats on the betting results!
@Keely – Enjoyed your post.
@DJ – Thank you so much. I sure missed your posts!
@Kathy P – Your story was amazing. What we give, we receive. What a great day you had and what blessings you shared!! Penny Chenery is right, we can do anything!
@Ann from Indiana – My prayers go out to you and your husband.
@Sue Fredrick – Thank you for the warm welcome back.
@Kari Bussell – Great link to Barn 55. Thanks.
Susan in TN
@Maggie N: LOL-yes,I can picture it-and see it if I turn my head a little to the left :)
@Kim S,Barbara Wood: Thank you for thinking of Beth-that’s so nice! She is the light of my life. They don’t get results from the exam for 6-7 weeks. Long time to sweat it out!
Cynthia H.
@Max: Thank you, Max! I am sure everyone would greatly appreciate your high words of praise. Chris is wonderful and runs a lovely shop with goregeous items for the racing fan. How she handled all of those orders with such a very small staff is a small miracle! I truly do love the people and my job.
judy berube
Susan in Tn:
Trotter, played by Richard Dreyfuss, goes to find his friend “Looney” who is donating blood to get some money to bet with. Trotter slips the nurse $20.00 and tells her to give it to Looney and tell him, because his blood is rare, he gets more than the usual amount for blood donation. The nurse says to Trotter, “His blood is rare; he gets $75.00”. Trotter pulls the twenty dollar bill out of the nurse’s hand and walks away. Hugs, J.B.
Lover of Horses
My, you are a wounderful lady, Zenny! Always so cheerful and with so much to say!!! Congratulations to Ruler On Ice! What an amazing race! I was very impressed with how Animal Kngdom came up at the end! Very talented colt!
Cynthia H.
@Max: I will happily pass your kind words on to Chris. Thank you once again!
KIMBERLY
Hi Zenny, I went to Hollywood Park on Saturday and saw your beautiful face ALL OVER the gift shop. I would love to work there and admire you all day… Miss you big mamma!!!
Dawn Conrad
@Debbie G – You go girl!!! So happy that my words struck a cord with you and that you will be visiting some of the great farms. Please let me know what you think. I know what you mean about the wonders around us, people have often asked me if I ski, since I live in Colorado, but I never have. :)
Terry Crow
@cynthia h-I will let you know in plenty of time. Just look for a geezer who appears to be lost.
judy berube
Dear Cheryl Y.:
If you have any more stories about horses from your barn, would love to hear them. Hugs, J.B.
Cynthia H.
@Terry Crow: see many of these on a daily basis!
Snoprinz
Did I say Running on Ice? Ha! Ha! He was actually running on mud. I meant Ruler on Ice. Have a nice night Zenny.
judy berube
To Max and Cynthia H.:
Mr. Shear is a remarkable man. He didn’t think twice. He risked harm to himself to save somebody else. Special person. Hugs, J.B.
Debbie G
@Dawn Conrad – That is beautiful country where you live. I’ve been to Colorado once, and it was breathtaking. I’ll be sure to let you know how my visits to the farms are. I’m so excited! I see that you’re going to Sarasota Springs. That sounds like so much fun! I hope you have a wonderful time on your trip, Dawn. :-)
Kathy P.
@ Susan in TN: I have to admit, although I am still totally in the Zenyattasphere, I can’t take credit for the term. Steve Haskin had coined up the word “Zenyattasphere” after he continued to write articles about her weeks after the 2010 Breeder’s cup. I think his words were he had “not yet come down from the ZENYATTASPHERE,” which is why he continued to write.
@Kari Bussell: How did you get those videos? You are too lucky if you are in those barns!
@ Ireene Caty: Totally agree with you about long shots with the exception of the Preakness. It was the one race that you could actually look at the past race performance and pick which horses were the most likely to win. I guess you could have done that with the Belmont if you only bet on the horses who won in WET DIRT. However, most of those horses never even ran in that. It was so much fun to guess, dream, and dream some more. SUCH FUN!!!
Signofthetimes
@Kari
Thanks for the JS training video. Really like his
Little inuendos on TB horse behavior. G10 and
The horse galloping and “mouthy”. Zenny “E” is so
Cute. Her name is going to be a challenge for
The race callers. Hope all is going well with your
“hamster”. Your condition is still very delicate until
That foal hits the ground and begins to nurse so have
Fun eat heathy. I know there are plenty of people around
To make sure all is going well
Sweet dreams XXXXOOO
sue and tony
Zenny, Dottie and all, just wanted to say it’s been a pleasure to read this diary today. Such affection flowing through a thousand keyboards. And Z…it’s all because of you and your wonderful transcriber.
myrna miller
Hi, beautiful Zenny —- I definitely agree with the others who said that your great popularity and loving nature ( especially in one so talented} has helped people get excited aboout horses and racing again. I also heard someone say “that all the trouble some of the Triple Crown horses had getting thru traffic, only makes Zenyatta that much more amazing !!!! Never getting caught in traffic even once! I really believe, Zenny, that if you had been mature enough at three, you would have been the Triple Crown winner everyone has been waiting for. But yours was a different destiny; to be declared the 2010 horse of the year, the greatest racing mare that evar lived, and the catalyst to save racing from the doldrums. Several friends joined me at Hollywood park for the Derby and Belmont who had never been to a horse race before and came with me because of my unbridled passion for all things Zenyatta. And they loved it and will be back again. even if they didn’t always win. I won the Derby but lost a small bundle on the Belmont and am just glad that noone got seriously injured in the soggy mess. Love you always and two hooves up!
Myrna
Shay
Oh Zenyatta, how truly lucky you are. Lets hope you live out your days in pampered happiness and never fall victim to the neglect which faced champion producing filly Promethia. The daughter of the great stallion Alydar was rescued only days ago. Should you ever see yourself in such depressing states, let you be rescued and cared for in such a kind and loving way as her. For more info on the great mare’s recovery, visit:
http://www.examiner.com/equine-advocacy-in-national/the-rescue-of-alydar-s-daughter
I love you Z! Best wishes as a mommy <3
Linda Henderson
Dear Zenyatta, I saw you win the ’08 Ladies Classic. Wound my way through the crowd in the paddock area at Santa Anita. I saw you dance for the first time. Made my day!
Abigail from Montreal
FRANKEL races tomorrow too!!!! (At Royal Ascot, that is…)
Jackie
Good Evening Queen “Z” What an excited day of racing a Belmont. I was rooting for Bernies Babe “Stay Thirsty” Great ride. Congrats to all the horses, jockeys, trainers and owners. Best wishes to Nehro. Hope all goes well.
I agree I think the Z effect is still going strong. Great turn out and handle for the Belmont.
Looking forward to Goldikova and Frankel. Can’t forget Mikey racing in two at Ascot. Good Luck to all and a safe trip.
Kari Bussell thank you so much for sharing the Barn 55 links. So enjoyable. I can watch them for hours.
Once again, thanks to Dottie and everyone associated in keeping this diary post going. Hope your feeling good and looking forward to some pictures.
Hugs and kisses
Jackie
Erin
I often visit FB pages for fellow Zenyatta and racing fans in general. The latest hot news is trainer Larry Jones’ mare Havre De Grace who may be a contender for HOY, the third female horse to win this award. Check out Bloodhorse and other sites which have very positive comments on her. They feel this could be her year if given a chance to finally race against the boys. Larry Jones says he feels she is ready. Go Girl Power!
Holly Zemba
I felt bad for Animal Kingdom, but I really wanted Stay Thirsty to win since Uncle Mo couldn’t run for the Triple Crown due to illness. Stay Thirsty did an awesome job!!
Kari Bussell
@Kathy P- How I wish I was in those barns….The videos can all be found at Mr. John Shirreffs Youtube channel. Here is a link to his channel.
http://www.youtube.com/user/jonshfs05
Anyone interested in reading what it was like when Zenyatta returned in 2010 for a long time fan to finally get to see her. I got to see her for first time at Oaklawn…I shared what it was like for me(someone made mistake of asking-LOL) in real time..beyond full of emotion at his channel comments…You might find all comments interesting just click pages…There are a couple comments by “Nobledancer” a true poet… that will take your breath away.
Kari Bussell
Oh,I forgot to add for those who don’t know me (most of you)I am AnimalsRock4Love…on Youtube…
Charlotte Farmer
@Dottie Shirreffs – Thank you so much for Zenyatta’s site. It must make you smile to know what an impact she had AND STILL has on people both in and out of the world of racing. I cannot say thank you enough.
@John Shirreffs – As Roxann Freitas has said to me on many occasions, her father, Henry, would be so proud of you. I wish he would have lived to see it all. Someday, ask Rocky the picture of Secretariat that was shown to her father. It is a real hoot. The story was told to Roxann after the passing of her father.
@Master of the Hounds, my pick, came in third from last. Regardless, I hope that he has a brilliant future ahead.
@What a beautiful picture. That is definitely a Kodak moment.
@Myrna Miller – I agree with your post about Zenyatta keeping racing from the doldrums.
@JeanM – I agree with you regarding Zenyatta’s influence and from that sprung a fan base that should have been no surprise to anyone.
@To All Who Post – Never underestimate what influence you have. You are an extension of the lady herself, Zenyatta. Each of you do her proud and your loyalty and love is unsurpassed in the world of racing as we know it.
@Zenyatta – I have to give credit too to your counterpart Rachel Alexander. The two of you brought the heart and the spirit back into racing.
@Secretariat – the Movie – How wonderful for those that got to speak with Penny Chenery at the Belmont. One of the things that I fell in love with was the beautiful horse pin. I found it for sale on Secretariat’s website and bought the $39.95 version. What drew me was the spirit for which it represented and to quote the site, “The Secretariat pin features horse and rider in perfect stride with all four feet off the ground . . . capturing the speed and power embodied by the 1973 Triple Crown champion.”
>In reality, for me, it represents all the great ones, past and present, for their beauty and that for which they were bred, to run! To quote an old Arab saying, “The wind between a horse’s ears is the breath of God.”
@Kari Bussell – I think we all know and respect one another to realize that you love Tiago and was not putting Curlin down. I love my beloved Kelso. No debate necessary. It is what is in our hearts and what brings us to racing. Look at all the new arrivals thanks to Zenyatta and how they love her. The ripple effect goes on forever. Roxann Freitas was the person who introduced me to the lady Zenyatta and I am here to tell you I fell in love with her at first sight.
@Zenyatta DVD – There are two DVD’s on Zenyatta. The first one has all her races except the last one, I believe. The newest one, put together after she retired, just needs someone from the Team to look at it there at Hollywood Park.
@Susan in TN – I am so glad Lou is doing better. I will keep him in my prayers.
@NOOR – Received this from Michael Blowen on Sunday, June 12 after I sent him an e-mail quoting some of the cost asking if it was going to be a problem and can we remove him by this August. His reply, “It won’t be a problem and we’ll have it done by August…”
>I have really all the post with each of your wonderful suggestions. I know Old Friends are not rolling in money and I need Michael to clarify if Saratoga Racing and Hall of Fame will be helping since he mentioned something to that nature.
>I should, within the next few days, be able to share will all of you what the cost will be. The transporting is going to be the choker.
@You are all so special for caring and I hope that Dottie Shirreffs, as she reads through each day’s posting, shares with the Moss’s the impact that Zenyatta still has on those of us who love the breed. Through Zenyatta this site provides a voice that illuminates the past and blends it with the present. From that the love goes forth.
Maria K.
I love you Queen Z!!! Hugs and Kisses.
Lisa g
Ms Zenyatta, a beautiful, wonderful good morning to you. Black Cavier is to try for her 14th straight win today, good luck to her, and I hope she makes it to 18. I love you big girl, and the little one, Lisa g.
Suzen
Hey Big Girl,
Glad everyone enjoyed the racing weekend. Did you see where My Baby Baby won the Mint Julep Saturday, in foal to Curlin?
Also wasn’t Havre de Grace brilliant?
Don’t forget to watch Goldikova and Frankel today at Royal Ascot!