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
AJ from CA
Hi Big Mama! Good to see a recent pix of you looking your awesome self against the stunning blue grass background at LE.
Best of luck to all the gals running in the Vanity…should be an open field since they don’t have to compete with you.XOXO!!
suew
Zenny, yes, to reflect on this years Vanity is to consider that the BEST horse ever won it three years in a row…YOU.
I loved the lesson here today. You did carry some extra weight when you ran and still blew them away. You look wonderful, by the way. Thanks for the current photo. :-)
judy berube
Dear Z.,
You look fabulous. We hope you feel the same. There’s no horse like you, Z. Will root for your “buds” in The Vanity and would love to see your baby run in that race some day. Thank you Dottie for all you do. Love you Z and love to all of you, Judy and Russ
Barbara
You look fabulous Zenyatta! Yes great racing today I can’t wait to watch!!! Some nice fillies running at Belmont too! Thanks for this posting!!!
Barbara Grimaldi
Dearest Zenyatta: You are one of the greatest teachers I ever had! I keep learning more and more about racing from you and Dottie, and I am so grateful. Most of all, I love how you both “speak” in these messages…you are, dear Zenny, nothing short of adorable. Thank you thank you!!!!! Maybe someday you can explain the claiming race to us–I just don’t understand everything about it yet. Your photo above is GLORIOUS!!!!!!! What an elegant yet completely goodnatured horse you are…bless you and keep you, dear Zenny.
Love
Barbara
judy berube
Dear Z Fans:
Here’s a replay of Goldikova in the Queen Anne Stakes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVd3qQvghlI Hope it works. Hugs, J.B.
LauraJ
I will be rooting for St. Trinians today, as she is in my virtual stable. However, I respect the other horses and will be happy as long as everyone comes home safe. Anyone have picks for the Stephen Foster or the Ogden Phipps?
LauraJ
@Ensign, nice to see you! Are things calming down any?
judy berube
Dear Laura J.:
Left you a post on Diary #275. Hugs, J.B.
Kbuckeye
Zennie, you look great! No one is going to equal your racing accomplishments for a very long time, if ever. Your babies are going to be outstanding, I can feel it already.
Anita in CA
Happy Saturday, Zennie. I’ll be watching the Vanity on TVG. So good to see a current picture of you. You look wonderful.
Neva Rae Powers
You look fab!
Anita in CA
Oh, just wanted to say I saw you at the Vanity last year! What a thrill. Love you forever.
judy berube
Dear Laura J.:
I entered the handicapping contest on Equibase.com. today. I picked Duke of Mischief in the Stephen Foster and Awesome Maria in the Ogden Phipps. Hugs, J.B.
The Kennedys in San Diego
The subject of handicapping horses is controversial among horsemen and the betting public. I have never favored weighting horses in handicap races in an attempt to make the field “more equal.” Weight for age does make sense but I would much prefer to see the best horse that day win without having to carry the extra weight.
Victoria
Another thoughtful Diary post! Thank you.
Stephanie
I have been thinking of you all day Zenny xoxoxo
Dex
Wow what a lesson in weights and handicaps! Thanks Z! By the way it’s so amazing to realize just how tall you are when someone is walking you! Have a great day!
Elizabeth Barrow
So happy to have seen you win all 3 Vanities! To change the subject, now that you’re with child, do you have to cut out the Guinness?
Maggie
Zenny…you look GORGEOUS as always. Great to see a new picture of you. Would love to see some video of you and your pals…Love you sweety, have a fabulous week-end. Love to Dottie too!!
Jan
Zenyatta,
You look beautiful and healthy, with a bit of a belly. :)
Good luck to all in the Vanity, especially Blind Luck.
Ella Emery
Zenyatta-
can you win every flower in the world queen(from your 6 year old friend Ella!)
Zen-not sure what this means, but this is what my daughter wanted to ask…
you look fantastic…glad to see things are going well
XOXO
Lover of Horses
Your getting a little puggy!!! =) You are beautiful, mi lady!
Dawn Conrad
Dearest, Zenyatta. How very beautiful your picture is! You are truly the image of grace. Thanks to Sarah for sharing. I certainly hope she and everyone at LE is doing well and enjoying the beginning of summer! Dottie, really appreciate the great information you and Zenny shared on how the weighting is done for the races. The times that Zenny had to carry a heavier weight even adds another demention to her 19 straight. Thank you so much for the daily posts you are the best!!!!! Looking forward to the racing today. Always so special to see Team Z and the Vanity should be very exciting with three such excellent mares! Best of luck and safe trips to all who are racing. You have a wonderful Saturday Zenyatta. Love you!!! Sweet dreams. Hugs and kisses. XXXOOO
@Shari – Hello my friend. Thinking about you and sending hugs your way. (((( ))))
@Nancy Colley – WELCOME!!! So happy to see your first post! I too have the Fred Stone print. It is very special. How funny, I was just watching the Breeders Cup 2009 last night again. I espcially love John’s reaction, you could just feel the love he had for Zenny.
@Michael Blowen – It is fantastic that Old Friends is able to help Noor and Charlotte Farmer in her quest to honor him.
@Abigail – The donation to this cause was wonderful!!!
@The Dumplings – So, wish I could have been with all of you wonderful gals yesterday. Hope you had a fantastic time.
@Kari Bussell – Love your videos beyond words!!!!!! Always bring a tear and touch my heart. You have such a talent,I look forward to seeing more. Thank you for sharing Zenyatta’s spirit in such a beautiful way.
Carole
Hi Zen…cute picture of you in Kentucky, gaining a little weight I see. Good for you. I would like to see and so would your many fans if you are going to have a 2012 calender available. That would be TOO CUTE. Take care and Love you always.XOXOXO
Lynette Lucas
Zenny – You are beautiful and amazing!!! I wish your buddies all the best in the Vanity, my money is on Blind Luck!! Love you beautiful girl!!! Hugs and Kisses from Roswell,NM!!!
Sharon in Seattle
I love Blind Luck and Switch, but I have to cheer for St. Trinians. She gave it her ALL and then some in an attempt to beat you Z – it was such a gutsy effort by a gallant filly. Gotta love her. And you!! you look FABULOUS, darling!!
Dawn Conrad
Opps! Spelling alert: dimension :)
Donna from Baltimore
The Queen is still gorgeous. Thanks, Dottie for all the information about the weighting and handicapping. Love learning all this stuff.
Selene McCarthy
You are looking fabulous, Zenny! The bluegrass becomes you!