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
Haley
You are truly amazing Z.
Nancy
Looking good !
rachel
zenyatta i can see your gainning a little wieght ;). With you not running in the Vanity all your pals like Switch and St. Trinians are not going to have to face the greatest racehorse of all time anymore. now will see if St Trinians is good enough to step into your shoes and become the next Vanity Queen. Last Year she was the Vanity princess cause she ran second to you!
Cheryl
It is not going to be the same without you! I wish someone would name a race in your honot,you so richly deserve it! My best to all the horses racing today, safe trips to all!
Your baby is going to be one special baby! What about Zenzational for a name?
Take care of yourself and the baby!
Linda A
It would be great if one day you had a filly running & winning the Vanity. I was lucky enough to be at Hollywood Park to see your last 2 Vanity wins. As always you were your beautiful, graceful, magnificent self. Love the photo, you look like you could run the race again today. Take care,
dunie
The thrill of your Vanities will never be equalled, Zenny!
Missing Z!
Well it’s been a long time since there’s been a Vanity without the Queen! Love Blind Luck and my current fave is Switch but may have to root for St. Trinians today, she tried soooo hard to get it last year, but you wouldn’t let her have it : )
You look fantastic!
Jane in Seattle
Definitely a day to remember your accomplishments! Today for the first time ever they had an Arabian horse race at Churchill Downs. They’d look like ponies, next to you, beautiful! Enjoy the races…
ENSIGN
@ Cheryl,
.
http://www.bloodhorse.com/stallion-register/sr_sire_page.asp?refno=7756919&origin=singlesearch
.
;-)
Cathy Marshall
Best of luck, and a safe trip to all the horses in the Vanity today. Love ya, Zenny!
Tiffany
I know a lot of people are rooting for St. T and Switch and tho I like Switch..I am going for Blind Luck! A shame you are not there to kick a little whoop butt at them!
Sandy, New Jersey
Oh, Zenny, I love how you have a little bit of a baby bump starting there. You look fabulous! I truly hope to see a filly of yours running in the Vanity one day.
Nancy Colley
Dear Miss Z
I read your diary every day and this is the first time I have responded. I truly enjoy every minute of what I read as much as I enjoyed watching you race. You are truly amazing; I am new to horse racing and you are responsible for that. Horses are truly a magnificent gift from God. I have your Fred Stone print that as autographed by Fred as Well as your wonderful jockey Mike Smith. I look at it every day and smile. I miss your racing days however I am also looking forward to your new life as a Mom. In closing I never tire of watching the2009 Breeders Cup. What a girl……..TOO CUTE!!!!!!!
Debbi M
Love and Miss you Z!
Gloria
Hey Big Mama Z, don’t forget your work out pal, El Vino is running today. I see your John has several horses running today and The Mosses have a couple of those. Good luck to all of the connections’ runners. I miss you so much Zenyatta. Today’s Vanity is going to be a great race, but not nearly as great as when you ran in it. Love to you and all of Team Z.
Janine
It looks so sunny and beautiful in Lexington, hope you’re doing great.
The Kennedys in San Diego
We were fortunate to see all three of your Vanity races. And what a thrill they were! Today we will be rooting for 2010 Champion Three Year Old Filly, Blind Luck, running on her traine, Jerry Hollendorfer’s 65th birthday.
kriste
Lots of great racing today! But still haven’t felt as excited without you running Big Z. Can’t wait to root on your future baby ;-)
RuthG
You look wonderful Big Girl. Thank you for all the info on the races – you are the Info Queen too, lol. I too wish all the ladies a good and safe race. I know you will have hooves crossed for your friends. Love from NJ.
Sarah Powell
Love seeing a pic of you – so beautiful as always! Another informative post. You might not spend a lot of time reflecting on your past accomplishments but I know around 85,000 who talk about them all the time!! Thank goodness for Youtube! (thanks Dottie)
The Kennedys in San Diego
@ENSIGN — Great to see a post from you — always look for them. Your thoughts on today’s filly/mare races?
sherry drish
EVERY INTERESTING POST. WE ENJOY ALL THE FACTS ABOUT RACING. BETTING ON A HUNCH OR COLOR OF A HORSE IS HOW LOTS OF PEOPLE BET. TO KNOW MORE FACTS HELPS. NO DOUBT YOUR FOALS WILL BE GREAT, WHICH ONE WILL BE THE GREATEST WILL BE INTERESTING. THIS PHOTO HAS THE PRETTY COLORS OF GREEN, ALL SHADES OF IT AROUND YOU. ZENNIE YOU ARE AS BEAUTIFUL AS EVER. LOVE SHERRY D. WV.
Kathy B.
Would love to be at the Vanity today but have to work. It certainly was exciting last year! I love the Big Three contenders….I hope everyone comes home safe! You’re looking good Z!
Chris Balmes
Oh precious………….
Candace
I remember every Vanity Handicap you raced in Z. Last year you scared me to death-that game little St Trinians wasn’t giving up and I thought oh no! There’s no way Z is going to pull this one out! And yet, you did. Somehow there was always that extra kick and you would pull away, playing with them all along. It was another great show. Thanks for the memories Baby girl. Today, im pulling for St Trinians. Its her time!i
Nancy A Nash Coleman
It’s gonna be interesting to see who takes the Vanity now that you’ve retired! A lot of great / faves in the field! Just praying for a clean, safe race! Love your explanations on weight … I know you had to carry huge weights & still whipped the pants (so to speak) off your competition … more than once! Your attitude was kinda like “BRING IT!!!” :) Just another reason we love you sooo much! If I’m not mistaken, you’re starting to “show” a little … be grateful you don’t have to mess with maternity clothes! Take care of yourself & your little bambino! Much love to you & yours ALWAYS!!! :)<3
Nancy A Nash Coleman
And, PS … much thanks to Dottie and her helpers putting these wonderful diary posts together … I’m always sharing them with my hubby! :)
Sandy
Thanks for explaining the weights, never totally understood how they did that! I also see El Vino is running as well, I am sure he is glad not to be up against you. Wishing him a very good and safe trip!! You are looking fantastic, so happy life is so good for you!!
Paula Higgins
Beautiul picture of Zenny! Good luck to John and Jerry and Ann Moss today at the races.
Sue Fredrick
Hi Big Momma, is it my imagination or are you starting to look a little broodmarey…but still and always so beautiful. I shall be rooting for that little cutie Blind Luck because she has your fabulous come from behing style.
I haven’t posted for a few days so I would like to thank:
@Michael Bowen for the updates on Noor that he has posted. I had the pleasure of seeing Old Friends thru his eyes and shall never forget it.
@Abigail for her donation from all of us to Old Friends.
@All who have been working to save our beloved wild horses from slaughter…..Kudos to you!
Stay safe my lovely, and kisses on your nose.