Good Morning dear Friends,
Today is the beginning of ROYAL ASCOT! This is a week long historic race meet that takes place in England each year at this time! It is filled with tradition and pageantry. The races are extremely contentious and the runners are of the finest quality. If a horse competes and wins at ROYAL ASCOT, it is a huge honor and considered to be quite an achievement!
Today is especially exciting for ME as MY MIKIE is competing there! He is riding a 2 year old named GENTLEMANS CODE in the ‘Windsor Castle’. It is a Listed Stakes Race going 5 furlongs on the turf. I truly want to wish him ALL THE BEST! Let’s go, MIKE!
Additionally, on today’s Royal Ascot Racing Program, Goldikova is running in the QUEEN ANNE STAKES—G 1. It is one mile on the turf. Later this afternoon their time, Frankel (who is currently undefeated) will be running in the ST. JAMES PALACE STAKES—G 1 for 3 year old colts. This race is also one mile on the turf.
There are many other exciting races taking place today…and all week at Royal Ascot! Dottie mentioned to ME that TVG and HRTV will both be carrying the events live each day. My best wishes to ALL of the entrants and their connections! How exciting!
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~
Z
judy berube
Dear Laura J.
Thank you for the info on Step. I think you’re right; we haven’t seen him at his best yet. Hope he is 100% recovered and does well on Friday. Hugs, J.B.
sherry drish
I JUST LOVE HOW ZENYATTA REFERS TO JOCKEY MIKE SMITH AS MY MIKIE. I KNOW THERE IS A STRONG BOND BETWEEN THEM, EVEN NOW. THERE ARE SO MANY GREAT HORSES EVERYWHERE. I HOPE THEY ARE TAKEN CARE OF JUST AS OUR DEAR ZENYATTA. GOOD LUCK SAFE TRIP. LOVE TO ALL, SHERRY D. WV.
Dawn Conrad
Dearest, Zenyatta. Love the picture of all of you in front of Barn 55. How great that Mike is enjoying some time in England for Royal Ascot. What an experience that must be. To bad on the 4th place finish. Really sorry Goldikova just missed for 2nd, she is so remarkable. Watched Frankel’s run. Amazing!! I know how much it means to Dottie to have her beloved Bobby’s name associated with such an outstanding colt. Thanks for the update, Zenny. Hope the sun is shining on your dappled back and you are enjoying quality paddock time. Love you! Sweet dreams. Hugs and kisses. XXXOOO
@Judy and Judy – Thank you both for the great links!!
@Cynthia H – I agree, wouldn’t Zenyatta and Team Z have looked fantastic at Ascot!
@Shari – Loved talking with you yesterday. Hope you are having a fantastic day and that you do get in touch with Sarah concerning LE!!
Sharon Call
@LauraJ. Thanks for the tips on “fog call” and “Arrrrrrr” on 271. I watched those today and really had a good laugh! I had already seen “wives”. That one was really good and it sounded like the race caller was having a good time with it.
Hernan Tovar
Congratulations to Krankel!
Mike Smith lost…
Goldikova lost…
Love you Zenyatta, Ingrid.
judy berube
Dear Dawn Conrad:
You’re welcome. So glad you’re back and well. Hugs, J.B.
Kathy Baldwin
Thanks for the reminder about ROYAL ASCOT
Zenny and Dottie! Wish I was home from work
today watching TVG and HRTV. I have both of
those channels and go back and forth with
the remote control. hee! hee!
GODSPEED to your MIKIE and GENTLEMENS CODE!
Peace & Blessings,
Kathy from SoCal :)
Terry Crow
@Cynthia H-I could never understand why Zenyatta was not tried on the turf. Seems like she would have been a natural with her closing kick.@LauraJ-The fog calls were very funny, although no one was laughing that day at Delta Downs. Hollywood Park hosted harness racing at night many years ago and when the fog rolled in all you could see was the start and finish line. I imagine those drivers had a good laugh among themselves.@Judy Berube-always glad to read your posts.
Cathleen
Congratulations to OUR MIKIE
Cathleen
Congratulations to OUR MIKIE for taking third on Gentlemans Code! Woo hoo!!
Terry Crow
Just heard that the Breeder’s Cup is adding another race to the schedule, a juvenile sprint. I would like to hear other opinions, but I think that there are too many 2-year-old races already.
Kathy Baldwin
Oh, and thanks so much JUDY BERUBE for the
link on YouTube and to everyone else with
their links.
Blessings,
Kathy from SoCal :)
Amy K
What a dream – to go to Ascot for a week of superb racing and people watching! So happy Mike is getting an opportunity to expand his horizons and enjoy what I expect is a slightly different atmosphere from the US.
Looking forward to seeing Goldikova back at the Breeder’s Cup for a win and possibly HOTY. Wouldn’t it be great to see the mares asserting their dominance in quality racing. That being said, Frankel seems to be a deserving namesake to Bobby.
@ Cynthia H. – envisioning your description and loving it! Some good articles on race day medication summit on Bloodhorse today and another great article by Steve Haskins. Have a wonderful day with the girls Zenny!
Judy (Maass) Gadwood ~ CA
@ Cynthia H ~ I’m sure Zenny would have done great on the grass… however, why mess with “perfection” :-D Big Z would have had a smile on her face IMO with the feeling of grass under those beautiful hooves LOL
Stella Bagwell
Dearest Queen,
The first day of Royal Ascot was truly exciting—I hope you got to watch! I was cheering for your Mikey. His horse made a valiant try and made a wonderful showing! Yippee!
It’s terribly hot here in Texas—I’m hoping it’s more pleasant for you, dear Z. Maybe if the weather gets too hot, Charles will give you a nice cool bath. :)
Have fun with the girls today!
Much love,
Stel
Allen
Good Luck Mike! Have a great day Queen Z.
Mary
Yes….we do wish Mike good luck….we know he is the best jockey out there…I think you will agree with me Z. You two were quite the team…perfect match!! It is a beautiful day here in Virginia…76 degrees …just wonderful…hope it is there for you in KY!! Hugs to you Z…
judy berube
To Terry Crow:
Look forward to your posts too. I think you are right about races for two year olds.
To Terry Crow and Laura J.:
Have seen those Fog videos. They are very funny. Tom Durkin is my favorite.
To Kathy Baldwin:
You’re welcome. I love that colt and I think Bobby Frankel is smiling.
Hugs to all of you, J.B.
judy berube
To the Kennedys in San Diego:
Thanks for the reference to Steve Haskin’s “Wrap Up of the Belmont”. He always writes a great blog, but this particular one is really wonderful. He covers all the horses and shares info on some of them I have never read before. Hugs, J.B.
Gloria Jeanne
Miss you Zen- I hope we can get a video of you in the summer sunshine soon.
Hope you are doing well – Too Cute!!
Dona
Morning Miss Wonderful.
I jumped up at 6:30 this a.m., turned the tv on, there was Race #1 at Ascott on Tvg. Whew, made it. Unfortunately, Goldikova lost but she ran her eyeballs off. Loved the effort. Mikey came in 4th with Gentlemens Code. Ken Ramsey was a hoot, Simeon asked what were his chances and he said slim and none, the rain did Gentlemens Code in. American horses do not like a soft turf and it really makes a difference.
6:30 was a reach for me because I didn’t get to bed until around 2:00 a.m.
Here’s what hapened;
I started to think about Charlotte Farmer’s task of getting Noor’s remains secured in a place where he could be remembered by all. I worked on a draft for an idea about all of us pulling our resources and doing charity good in the name of our Queen. Lo, and behold, Charlie Rose had some guests on and were talking about a book called “Give Smart”. Honest, I had already put my thoughts to paper and it goes something like this:
There are many Rescue and Rehab organi_ations that are barely holding on. Donations are hard earned and a lot of resources are expended to obtain the meager funds that are available. We, as a group, could make a big difference out there and all in the name of _enyatta. We would be honoring Mr and Mrs Moss, John and Dottie, Mikey, Barn-55, etc. There’s a dire need to help the homeless and helpess equine population. If we could somehow come together, come up with an idea on how to pool our monies and make a regular donation to those gallant operations, we could really make an impact. Say we have a nomination period where everyone submitted names that they’ve come across, some one mentioned Heart of Ari_ona needs hay. Especially hard hit because of the wild fires, they are desperate to keep their charges in good hands. Some one sends their name in. We have several Rescue ranches scattered in Northern Ca., someone could submit their names. Maybe we could impose on Dottie to be the source of collection for these names. Maybe someone could reach in and draw a card (Dottie, John, Ann, whoever), Dottie could post the winning card and we could all make a commitment to send our donations in a timely manner. A windfall donation from us would be incredible! We would need to come up with a name for our “_enyatta One and Done Fan Club”, come up with an agreed amount. Something every one could handle and how often this plan would be repeated. I know some of you are more comfortable than others but if we could agree on an amount that would be comfortable for everyone, then all of the fans would be equal in giving. Maxami_e the funds. That’s what we could be doing and that’s the theme of the book “Give Smart”. What better way to give back to The Moss family and Barn-55. Ideas please! Let’s do this, let’s make a difference and let’s have fun!
J Smith
Goldi & Frankel looked great. I read that the bookmakers there take bets on what colour the Queens dress will be that day! 2 Todd Pletcher trained horses will also be running during the meet. More Than Real is in the Coronation on Friday, and I’m not sure what race Bridgetown is in but I think it tells u in this video. It’s a nice video which shows both horses settling in at Ascot and the Asst Trainer talking about them. Zenny, have u been watching the Stanley Cup Finals? Game 7 on Wednesday. Wonder if Ruler On Ice is watching! http://www.dubairacenight.com/pletcher-horses-settled-sweet-sanette-ready/
J Smith
@Dona, Mike Smith features a ‘charity of the month’ every month on his FB page and encourages all fans to make $5. donation each month. That’s a good idea as 12 charities a year benefit.
Rosanne Glynn
How is Zenyatta feeling? Any changes from pregnancy? Any cravings? :) Weight gain? Names picked out? Love you sweet girl!!!oxoxox
judy berube
Dear Z Fans,
Terrific video of Mikey. The interviewer asks him about Our Queen (of course) http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/videos/watch/01A927DF-7931-43E1-890D-9F35B48341FA Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Dona:
Sounds like a plan. Hugs, J.B.
Dona
@J. Smith, Thank you but i don’t do facebook and I know many friends that won’t either. Besides, that’s Mike’s charity and bless him for it. What I’m talking about is, a lot of fans on this site, have mentioned someplace that needs assistance and asks for help. Be it Rescue, Rehab, Adoption or Auction saves, it would be for horses and all in the name of Fans of the Big Girl.
Lisa g
Ms Zenyatta, even tho I now know the outcome of the races, I will be watching them tonight. Frankel is no surprise, Goldikova..that is a surprise. She is a strong lady, not unlike you in alot of ways. She will be here for the Breeders Cup and win and win and win and win one mor time. It will be her 4th, right? Mike, I do not know how he does it all the time…Japan, England, back home for a nap..he is incredible. I love you, Big Girl..Lisa g.
Kim
Good luck across the pond Mike! Love to you Zenny. xoxo
Dona
@Judy, Thanks. I need the hugs. I think a local business has lost my golf cart they had on consignment. I feel a headache coming on. :(