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
Barbara Wood
@To all who have expressed interest in helping Frankie–thank you so much. It just occurred to me that we have Dottie/Team Z/Zenny to thank for:
!) making us all part of the “family”
2) helping us meet so many dear like-minded horse lovers and become friends, although most of us have never met.
3) extending Zenny’s sphere of influence to help so many other needy charities/horses/animal recues.
4) keeping us from being in absolute mourning because of not getting to see Zenny race, or even see her at all.
Best wishes for a good outcome for Nehro tomorrow. I’m sure he’ll have the best of care.
Carolyn Caswell-Brown
Good Morning Zenny, Hope your enjoying a tasty breakfast & checking out all the finery at Royal Ascot. Goldikova just lost by a length in the Queen Anne to Canford Cliff’s. Not really an upset, but the first time she has lost at a mile in three years. Johnny V. will be riding Bridgetown today & I think your Mikey is riding in the next race and also later on Gentleman’s Code. Enjoy your day. It’s raining here – again. Love & Peace
Carolyn Caswell-Brown
Back Again Zen, Mikey is riding Holiday For Kitten in Race 2. Sure hope she does well for him. Mikey has “a way” with the ladies, wouldn’t you agree?
LauraJ
@Shay, thank you for the link to the story of Promethia. You needn’t worry about Zenyatta ever ending up in that situation. The Mosses will never sell her, and they provide excellent care for all their horses. They have stepped up for horses they formerly owned, on a few ocasions when it became necessary.
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@Debbie G, have you been to Old Friends? If not, you must put them on your list. They run three tours a day (and I think they are running evening tours for the summer), so getting an appointment is easy.
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@Judy B, Step has a race on Friday. It’s the second race, post time 7-something. 6.5f, $5k MCl for 3,4, and 5 year olds. He should do well if he is back to 100%. I don’t think his record up to now reflects his true abilities.
Sharon Call
@Susan in Tn. What good news about Lou. Sounds like he might have “gone around the corner” and will be getting better and better. Is your daughter back with you yet?
Sally (B)
Sweet Z! Stay Thirsty looked awesome; I bet Bernie is proud. Just think Z, what promise your baby has; with you Big Mama, and Bernie!! Horse racing is just so exciting. There is always such beauty on the track, but you are the most beautiful of them all.
love with 2 kisses on your soft nose
Astrid
Zenny, hope you have a fabulous day!
Goldikova got beaten this time but as you know, Zenny, being 2nd in a race takes nothing away from true greatness!! Goldi is an amazing mare!
http://www.paulickreport.com/news/racing/canford-cliffs-beats-goldikova-in-queen-anne/
Kendra
Continued Good Luck to Stay Thirsty. Zenyatta, I recently studied your pedigree and it is no wonder that you are a Super Star. I can see why you and Bernardini are such a good match. Wonder if I can figure out your next beau… Oh, this is so much fun. Hope you get some peppermints today. Love Ya.
Terry Crow
@Susan in TN-really good news about Lou. I gave my dog an extra hug thus morning. I have a really good story about a Louisiana track that I will share shortly. I’m not fully awake yet. Judy Berube gave you the lowdown on the “blood” story. If you are unable to find Let It Ride I will mail you my copy. @Cynthia H-Agree on how many geezers who look lost that you see on a regular basis out at the track. Maybe I should wear sun glasses.
Cynthia H.
@judy berube: So right! John Shear is an extra-ordinary man, and a blessing to all who know and work with him. Even before his heroic act, he was remarkable. Thnk you!
@kari bussell: Who needs a literary agent, when they might have you? Your videos are visual poems, and are tremendously moving.
Brenda
Good morning Zenny, another dull day here in Fort Erie but I’m sure you’re having great weather down there in Lexington. I would love to know if you are now on a special diet since you’re eating for two, perhaps Dottie could give us all a lesson on prenatal care for a very special mother to be.
@Susan in TN Thanks for your good wishes. I think the love of horses is in the genes – my father loved the TB’s too and passed his interest on to me in England before we emigrated to Canada so Vic is now the 4th generation even tho we’ve never been lucky enough to own a horse. I’m happy to Hear that Lou is improving, hooves are crossed here for him.
Barbara Wood
@Susan in TN–so thankful for the great report on Lou!
Sharon Call
@Susan in Tn. Oops! Meant “turned the corner”. Senior moment!
Cynthia H.
@Terry Crow: all of our “lost geezers” here in L.A. wear shades!
Judy (Maass) Gadwood ~ CA
Zenny! Your girlfriend, GOLDIKOVA, came in 2nd this morning in the Queen Anne Stakes :-( She fought down the lane, but CANFORD CLIFFS got to the wire first… Goldie had her ears pinned back and her head low (as usual) but couldn’t get it done today ~ we all know how that feels :-(
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On a brighter note: FRANKEL won his race, so he’s 7 for 7 ~ now THAT rings a bell :-D
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Love you, Queenie XOXOXO
Terry Crow
@Cynthia H-Wow. I will have to think of something that will set me apart. I promised a story about a Louisiana race track and here it is. I am awake now but my breakfast tasted like Zenyatta’s. Delta Downs is the track in question. About 20 years ago, there was a race run there that will ever live in infamy. It was an extremely foggy day. This race included either 8 or 9 horse, I can’t remember exactly. Delta Downs is a small track, and when mile races are run there, the horses must circle the track twice. The horses all broke from the gate, but one of the jockeys hid his horse in the fog on the back stretch and waited for the field to get near his location on the second time around. When he thought they did, he burst from his position ahead of the pack and won by 20 lengths at something like 20-1 in near track record time. The stewards immediately posted the inquiry sign and interviewed the other jockeys. They all said that they couldn’t recall being passed by this horse. The cameras were of no help because of the fog. Finally, the stewards had a vet examine the horse and he said emphatically that he had not run a mile. The result was voided and all money refunded. The jockey, whose name I can’t recall, was suspended for 10 years, the maximum allowed at that time’ The reason I recall this story at all is because of some posts regarding Lost in the Fog, a top horse. It is considered to be one of the all-time frauds in horse racing.
Cynthia H.
@Judy (Maass( Gadwood: Goldie usually does lose one, in her run-up campaign to the BC. In watching the fabulous racing from Royal Ascot, I cannot help but think of the Queen (as in OUR Queen). I always believed that might have been equally spectacular on the grass.
Cynthia H.
*she might have been equally spectacular on the grass.
Cynthia H.
@Terry Crow: Hahaha! Thank you so much for sharing this story! Can you believe? This is what I love so much about our sport. It is rife with Runyanesque characters and situations which could not poassibly exist anywhere else.
Judy (Maass) Gadwood ~ CA
@ Cynthia H: Yes, I know, but it still breaks my heart :-(
The Kennedys in San Diego
@Shay — thank you for posting the link on Alydar’s daughter, Promethia. So happy she is now receiving the care she deserves after such neglect.
LauraJ
@Terry Crow, your story reminds me of Tom Durkin’s “fog call.” I watch it on YouTube when I need a laugh, along with “Arrr! Arrr! Arrrr!” and Colmus’s “Wives” call.
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Barnes & Noble has “Let It Ride” for sale on line as a double feature with “Lucky Numbers”. Amazon probably has it also.
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@Cynthia H, I totally agree. She would have done well on the green stuff.
The Kennedys in San Diego
Great Belmont recap by Steve Haskin on BloodHorse.com. You have to love Ruler on Ice, Kelly Breen and Jose Valdivia. We remember Valdivia from his CA riding days — outgoing, approachable, articulate, good looking — but did not know of his knowledge of racing history and his intelligent “trainer in the sadle” prep.
Sheri
What a great day it was! Love you Zenny! :D
Karen Gogue
I love you Zenny!! And Dottie, John, the Mosses, and ALL Barn 55!! AND HORSE RACING!! :) Have a beautiful day all!
Pam Zacek,
Hi Zen, yes that race was so good, and I agree with everyone, you and your team are the reason so many,are back to racing, and watching. I could not believe Animal Kingdom, and what happened, I really wanted them to win again, and good ride, anyway, amazing, the Jockey stayed, on, and the Animal Kingdom got back in the race, good also for the winner..have a great day, also, I am glad all had a safe run.
Karen Gogue
@Kari B.
Blush,Blush! I thank you for the shout out way above! LOL (Lots of Love)
Barbara Wood
@the Kennedys–I was going to mention Steve Haskins’ article , but you beat me to it. It has some great tidbits of info., especially for those who were concerned that Breen was being derogatory toward ROI.
Debbie G
@LauraJ – No, I haven’t been to Old Friends, but that is a wonderful idea. I have heard such great things about the work they do. I will definitely look them up this week and let you know. :-)
Cheryl Y
SHAY Thanks for the link to the rescue of Alydar’s daughter Promethia .Very touching story,I will be sending a donation for her and the quarter horse.But what is really sad is how often storys such as these occur.Not all horses are as fortunate as our beloved Zenyatta.