Hello Everyone!
I am so excited! Today there are so many wonderful races running around the country…but one in particular, The Vanity G-1 at Hollywood Park, really captivates ME! I LOVE THIS RACE! As a matter of fact, I WON IT 3 years in a row. The last 2 times I carried 129 pounds when recording my victories! In all circles, this is considered to be quite a bit of weight.
The Vanity is a HANDICAP RACE. In this type of stakes race, the racing office reviews the nominations and then ‘weight the horses’ according to their individual current accomplishments. This is done to try and make the fields ‘more equal’ and enable all horses entered in the race to have the opportunity to run competitively.
If a stakes race is not a ‘HANDICAP’, then the weights are allocated by age and set forth in advance when the race is being programmed. For example, in the Kentucky Derby, all horses carry 126 pounds. They do allow a few pounds for a female when running against male horses. This can range from 3 to 5 pounds depending upon the age of the female horse and the race.
In races as the BREEDERS’ CUP, weights are established in advance by age and sex. For instance, in the LADIES CLASSIC which I won in 2008 and my friend, LIFE IS SWEET, won in 2009…the established weights are 121 pounds for 3 year old fillies and 124 pounds for 4 year olds and up. (A 3 year old filly born in the Southern Hemisphere carries 116 pounds due to the age differential as to when they are born in that Hemisphere.) Thus, both Life Is Sweet and I carried 124 pounds in this race as we each won it at age 4.
Weights for the BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC are set forth in advance as well. No matter what one has accomplished, the weights are as follows: 3 year olds are assigned 122 pounds (Southern Hemisphere 117) and 4 year olds and older 126. They DO allow 3 pounds for all fillies or mares who may run in this race. Thus, I carried 123 pounds both times I ran in the B.C. CLASSIC.
Often, I do not think about what I have accomplished….but when races as The Vanity are scheduled, it is so much FUN TO REFLECT upon my achievements. Today is one of those days!
My racing pals, SWITCH, BLIND LUCK, and ST. TRINIANS are all competing in this year’s edition of THE VANITY. The weights they will carry range from 123 (Blind Luck) 120 (Switch) and 119 (St. Trinians). I know all of these horses very well…and truly want to wish each of them ALL THE BEST!
Perhaps one day I’ll have a baby of my own run in and WIN the VANITY! Now, wouldn’t that just be TOO CUTE!
Enjoy your weekend!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
DJ
Good morning Sweet “Z”,
The Sun is shining and the birds are singing their hymns of praise for the gift of Today! I wonder if you feel the gentle presence of another life in you.. whispering the inexplicable joys and mysteries of motherhood to be.
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To Cynthia H. and others who shared their memories of the first special “Man” in their life..thank you! I was also taken back in time to reflect and relive a ‘Fun Father’ who took an occasional Saturday off from the duties and responsibilities of a family of seven, to take me to the baseball games,(Oakland A’s) on bat day, hat day, and supplied me with a fondness of the Sport to which I played as a young girl. Later, it was a trip to Golden Gate Fields Race Track, where he bought me my first Program and we sat outside and shared a hand-carved sandwich and enjoyed a cold beer. A treat as a “grown-up” daughter with her Dad. He simply advised, never bet until you see the horses come out. Look at them well, make sure they are not having any difficulty walking, then follow your hunch! It wasn’t until a few years ago that he explained the art of handicapping; his favorite jockeys, trainers and stats, but only because I asked. I am hoping to have a second visit to the race track with him this summer..God willing. This time, it will be Santa Anita, where he has always wanted to go. A follow-up to our first and only Race Day together, 25 years ago. Thank goodness some memories last a lifetime. It was Zenyatta that brought us close again. For when I discovered our Sweet “Z”, I discovered Racing!! I was captured, and we were once again close through the love of this Sport, but most especially through this Horse of Horses.
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Terry Crow
@all who are interested in the Noor story-Bill Dwyre has sent me a message that the article will be in the paper on Tuesday. His only comment was that he hopes he does the story justice. If ANYONE can, it is he.@Cynthia H-I only hope my daughter feels the same way about me as you do your dad. I would consider my life a success if that were so. I guess you were destined to work at a race track.@Susan in TN-Good news about Lou.@signofthetimes-horse are sometime gelded, as you are well aware, because of personality problems. Sometimes they calm down, sometimes they don’t Native Diver never did. Thanks to all of you that sent prayers for my friend. He is an old race track pal and it looks like he has turned the corner. I am going back to visit again today. It reminds me of an old joke. Some race track pals were concerned that one of their brethren had not been around for awhile so they decided to go to the morgue to check. There were four bodies there. The first one wasn’t him. The second one wasn’t him. The third one wasn’t him. But, the fourth one was. One of them then said “Poor Louie. Even here he is out of the money.”
Terry Crow
@Charlotte Farmer–When Noor crosses the finish line, we’ll all be winners. However, the kudos belong to you. What you have done is truly remarkable.
Cynthia H.
To all of you who responded to my Fathers’ Day post with such kind words and beautiful reminiscences of your own dear dads, I would like to say that your posts brought comfort and more than a few tears. We are truly blessed to be the children of “The Greatest Generation.”
@Susan in TN: Thank you, Susan. And thank you for always sharing, too. Hugs in return.
@judy berube: Our dads gave us a wonderful inheritance—a love of racing, which will last a lifetime. Hugs to you.
AJ from CA: Thank you so much for sharing your remembrances of racetrack days with your dad. We might have passed each other somewhere back in the 50s! I haven’t thought of the Goose Girl for years—what memories! Bless you and your dear dad.
Librarian: Thank you so much. You live in a lovely part of the country. Those wonderful afternoons with your dad are now your treasure. Bless you and him always.
@Karen Grogue: Thank you for your heartfelt post, which I know would have made your father so proud. His accomplishments aside, he must have been a remarkable man to have raised such a wise daughter.
@Charlotte Farmer: Your post was beautiful, and brought tears to my eyes. Your words drew a vivid portrait of your father, whom I would have loved to have known. You are an extraordinary person, of whom your dad wold be bursting his buttons (a 1947 surprise, too!).
@Kari Bussell: Thank you for your never-failing words of encouragement and joy. The book is already written in my heart. You bless us with your presence. You are an inspiration to many, and are the most loyal of friends. Until the 12th of Never.
@Trina Nagele: Thank you, Trina. I know we will meet at the track very soon!
@Barbara Wood: Thank you, Barbara, for your kind words on Fathers’ Day and the anniversary of your dear dad’s passing. I hope your precious memories wil sustain you. Blessings on you both.
I hope I did not miss anyone, because each of your comments was read and deeply appreciated. The rich family heritge which has come to light in so many of these posts is awesome!
Maggie
You look FABULOUS!!! Keep up the good work. Stay happy, healthy and enjoy your time with your friends.
Cynthia H.
@DJ:Your post fills me with joy! Joy, because through the magic of our magnificent Zenyatta, you have re-cconnected to racing and your great dad; and joy, because you will have that second chance for which so many of us long. I am thrilled to think that your dad’s dream is to visit Sant Anita! I hope that you will post the date of your intended visit, when you are ready.
@Terry Crow:Through your posts, the cut of the man is revealed. Rest assured, your life is a success. And I would book any odds, that your daughter feels exactly about you as I do my own beloved father. The Santa Anita fall meeting is only a little over three months away!
Ollie
Queen Z,
You look so good in this picture.I sure wd love to have a copy of it.I miss you lots and always will.
Sharon Call
@Cynthia H. How touching is the story of your Dad. My Dad was also in the Navy during WWII on a US supply ship named “Shasta”. I remember Daddy telling me that the crew would not wear shoes with nails in the soles because they were afraid a spark would be struck on the metal deck plates. The ship was loaded to the hilt with ammunition. I have many pictures of him and my mom in San Francisco. I also still have a picture of the ship he was on and a certificate of crossing the international dateline which they gave back then. He was such a wise man and taught me things like “don’t ever lose the ability to laugh at yourself and your mistakes. When you do that, you lose your perspective on life”. I wish he had lived long enough so that I could have told him how very true that was. My Dad died in 1967 after having both legs amputated, staph infection and a rare blood disorder. My mom died 9 years later from a recurrence of breast cancer. They were both so young, my Dad was 52 and my Mom was 56. They left me a wonderful legacy and I still miss them even though it’s been so long.
DJ
To Cynthia: Thank you! It was the good ‘prompting’ that I followed from your story. We almost lost ‘Dad’ twice a couple of years ago, so I decided to celebrate his 77th Birthday at Santa Anita. Why wait until 80 to plan a big ta da!? What is there to “wait” for? A number? So my husband and I are planning to reserve a window room and have all of his daughters and grand children around him for the day. They will all be flying down so it will be a joyful surprise! Blessings to you for a beautiful Today!
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To Terry C. I SO loved the racing joke! Already passed it on to my husband, father and sister :)
Kathryn Cogswell
Oh, rare!! ‘Poor Louie. Even here he is out of the money!!” — Mr. Terry Crow, this ^ is one for the ages!! . .. thank you for a hearty chortle.
Cynthia H.
@Sharon Call:Where are there words, after having read your incredibly moving story? Your dad—what a man! What immense bravery, and what an extraordinary attiude towards life! It is so sad that you also lost your mother at such a young age. You are indeed the recipient of a wonderful legacy. Deepest thanks for so generously sharing your story with us. I wish you well with all of my heart.
@DJ:I can sense your excitement from here! You are so right—there is no time like the present to celebrate life. Why wait for a “significant” birthday? I know that you will truly have a day to
remember forever at Santa Anita! Blessings on you and your family for a wonderful reunion! (I would give anything to see the look on your dad’s face!)
judy berube
To Terry Crow:Very, very funny. Glad your friend is doing better. Hugs, J.B.
Marilu V
@Judy Berube: Thanks for the info on Twirling Candy. I saw him at Santa Anita. He is beautiful! Hope to see him race again. I can’t wait to watch the video. Marilu
judy berube
Dear Marilu:
You’re welcome. He ran an incredible race in the Californian. Very exciting. Hugs, J.B.
Marilu V
Dear Judy Berube: I just watched the exciting Californian race. I am so thrilled he won. Yes, I saw him get bumped on both sides in that race at Santa Anita. It was scary. Thank God there were no serious injuries. Thanks again! Marilu
Paul
Zenyatta, I saw the Vanity race this past Saturday and I was happy to see that some of your barn 55 buddies were running in it. I am also happy that they did well. It is not the same without you, however. A different race on that day, at Hollywood Park, however, had a horse-I think its name is Loro-John Shirreffs trained, and it won that race. I was happy to see one of his horses-one of your old buddies-win a race. However, I am confused by how they do the weight/age/hemisphere/ handicap-race that is not a handicap kind of thing. I will understand it better one day.