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
Diana Harris
you are looking fantastic as always and looks like you have been enjoying the kentucky blue grass. you have been online and on tv today I think everyone misses you and loves to show you go. The race is going to be a great one three of the girls who worked hard and tried to get you but just couldnt. St. Trinians really dug down deep last year lets see what she has this year. for such a little thing she sure gave us a scare for a second there but then those big black ears went forward and you looked like you where on a sunday gallop on the trails you knew you had it all along. I cant wait for your baby to see if they can bring the thrills that you once did. Love you big girl.
Pam Zacek,
wow, are yu looking better and better, I think its your baby bumb , makes us women, look so different, anyway, hope one of your pickes for the race wins, and Zenny, take care, hope you can watch it on your TV… Hope one of them win, for you, what a special, day it would become, for sure,
Tory
This is what I love to hear you talk about best – RACING !!!
Bryna Dambrowski
Well don’t you look so fabulous even with the baby bump – you are still so beautiful!
Hernan Tovar
My dear Zenyatta, every horse has his own beauty, but you are the most beautiful of all! I do remember Vanity all three races like was yesterday, and I miss you more than ever. Ingrid.
@ Lisa G, left you a post on diary # 275, hugs Ingrid.
Debbie
hi Z! YOU look beautiful!!! I miss watching you race but I’m sooo happy to see that baby bump :) I’m excited about watching the Vanity, I watched you win the past 3 so I will be missing you but wish all GOOD LUCK! Love YOU gorgeous mama xoxoxo
Tairaterces
Is that a little baby poosh I see??? TOO CUTE . . . .
Love ya,
judy berube
Dear Z Fans,
Street Game, a three yr. old son of Street Cry, won the Prince Hill Stakes at Belmont this afternoon at odds of 8-1. http://www.nyra.com/Belmont/Broadcast/Video/Video.shtml I picked him to win in my Equibase.com handicapping contest. Wish I could do that when I’m actually betting. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Z Fans,
When you click on the link; then you have to click on Belmont, the Date 18 and then Race 8. Hugs, J.B.
Martha Lydick
You still have your gorgeous figure….
LauraJ
@Judy Berube, Step may have flipped his palate. He does not have a cold anymore, but there seems to be something going on. It’s like he hits a wall. So he will be checked, and we will explore options to correct the problem.
Re: the Ogden Phipps, poor Mo will be devastated if his girlfriend does not win.
Barb France
Oh Z, good to see your getting your exercise, which is good for you in your SPECIAL condition!! Another lesson well received…the weight issue is something I really don’t know much about. Thanks! Just a little note…The husband of a very good friend of mine passed away on Thursday due to cancer. His wife went with me to last years BC. She knew nothing about horses except for on the farms surrounding her in her youth, but she wanted to see you after I told her about you. Her husband, John, had recently left me a message on my cell phone to remind me to watch you on 60 minutes. I never erased that message (which normally I do) and now I can listen to his voice saying “hello, this is Zenyatta and I will be on 60 minutes”! Funny how just a little message sent awhile ago can now be worth so much to someone. Just another way ZENYATTA has brought people together. So THANK, Team Z!!!!
Rebecca
you look beautiful Zenny…motherhood ( and the sunshine) have you glowing!
Tracey Dryka, Ottawa, ON Canada
I know that with the great bloodlines on both sides, this foal that will be born will burn the track up!!
judy berube
Dear Z Fans,
Just watched the 5th race at Hollywood. John had two in the race, Loro and Death Star. As the race progressed, the announcer said “Loro’s on the move in Zenyatta’s colors”. Loro won beautifully, pulling away. Couldn’t tell where Death Star finished. El Vino ran fourth in the 3rd race. He’ll get ‘um next time, Z. Hugs, J.B.
Max
@Laura J. Looks like Mo can relax. Awesome Maria won today at Belmont.
judy berube
Dear Laura J.,
Hope Step is OK soon. Awesome Maria did win, so Mo must be thrilled. Hugs, J.B.
Meredith
You still look nice and svelte my dear.
georgia harper
You look absolutely gorgeous what a happy mom. Congratulations to Loro winning at Hollywood Park, Dottie and John look so happy!!!!They just had to have your colors in the winning circle on Vanity day
Lucie Jasuta
You look Zentasic!!! I can wait to see your foal! :)
Joan
I’m looking forward to the Vanity although I wish at least three horses could win it: Blind Luck, St. Trinians, and Switch. It will seem so strange to see it without you, Zenyatta. It’s wonderful to see your photo today, though. You look so happy and so beautiful.
Monica Horn
Too funny, Z! For ole time’s sake, I’m watching the youtube video of your 2010 Vanity and at the exact same time I’m watching Loro’s (wearing “your” colors!) win on TVG. Then after they asked John & Dottie how you’re doing. So cool how you are still so much in everyone’s minds and hearts!
Watching your Vanity replay I’m once again struck by how much you “got the game”- how much you understood the concept of the race and how did exactly what you knew it would take. I’m so happy that I was a fan of your’s for all 3 of your Vanity wins. It was a “great ride” being your fan for all those fabulous years! You gave me the most thrilling racing moments ever! For that I will be forever grateful to you!
Kimberly Potter
My Beautiful Zenyatta~ YOUR JOHN loves you so much! Even while going to the winner’s circle with Loro, he was speaking about YOU!
Thank you for the continuing education you and Dottie give us. Love this photo and you are the MOST GORGEOUS animal on this earth!
Really enjoying the races today….
I love you with all my heart…
Your #1 fan in Montana!!!!
Dylan
I’ll be watching the Vanity today, but its just not going to be the same without you Zenyatta! You became a fixture in that race for me, so it’ll be different for sure, not watching for you to sweep around the field and win. It seems like it will be a great race nonetheless though, two horses who you beat last year are there along with Blind Luck. Have a great weekend Z, and enjoy the races. You look great! . . .oh and congrats to the Mosses’ horse Loro who won at Hollywood Park today in the 5th. I saw Mrs. Ingordo-Shirreffs in the winners’ circle.
Cynthia H.
Dearest Zenyatta,
Well, it wasn’t the Vanity, but one of your Barn 55 friends, Loro, won the 5th race at Hollywood Park. He is dark, like you, and when he pulled away from the field approaching the finish line, flashing the familiar Moss silks, it sprung a flood of memories. You are no doubt greatly missed at Hollywood Park today—your home for your entire racing career —but are defintely not forgotten. Nor will you ever be!
Janet Cutting
Zenyatta, great to see a current picture of you— you are walking along very happily, head held high– enjoy your days my dear…. I think I see a little pudge too… Smiles, Janet C
Cynthia H.
P.S. The photo by Sarah Campion is beautiful!
Sue B in Indiana
Unrivaled Belle flipped in the paddock and broke her withers before the Phipps. They will breed her next year. Very sad, but glad it was not worse. Makes it even more amazing how well Team Z managed and took care of you Z.
Brenda
Dear, dear Zenny, what a beautiful photo, I have to say that Sarah is taking some awesome pictures of you. I had asked if Victoria and I could get close enough to take a picture of YOU (with Victoria if possible) when we visit Lane’s End next month but we do understand that your health and safety take priority over everything else so I, the techno challenged grandmother, will have to figure out how I can print today’s picture. Vic, who wants to be a trainer, is most grateful for the lesson today, me too. We now understand how handicapping works. Thanks Dottie for another educational post and to Sarah for her skills as a photographer. Zenny, hope you’re having a peaceful weekend, I noticed that you’re not wearing your fashionable hat in the photo, does that mean the bugs are not too bad in KY? I hope so, I got got chewed up this week when I was golfing. Hugs and kisses.
Penny in TX
Queen Z, I can see you are getting a baby bump!