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
Lisa g
@Judy Berube: I watched the race online and it did not show anything. But when they were in the winners circle I saw the ambulance go by behind them. I finally found something that said she passed away, a heart attack. It is so sad. I have not heard anything on Always a Princess’ progress. Unvivled Belle was injured in the paddock today, and is now retired. Too many.
judy berube
Dear Lisa G.,
It’s a part of racing that is really hard to deal with. I didn’t know anything about Always a Princess either. What happened to her? How in the world did Unrivaled Belle fall on her back. Did she rear up, I guess. Thank God her trainer, Bill Mott said she will be alright. You’re right, too many. Hugs, J.B.
Leslie R.
Zenny, you look beautiful! You are going to be a wonderful mother. I hope some day one of your daughters wins The Vanity! That would be too cute!
Have a good night, sweet girl.
Love to all,
Leslie
Lynn Baer
Hey, Z-
I watched the Vanity on tv today. It was a terrific race with some top quality fillies running, and won by the wonderful Blind Luck. Last year I was lucky enough to see you win the Vanity in person. The energy and vibe in the stands was incredible; all of us willing you to the finish line. It’s now one of my cherished memories. Love you always…Lynn
myrna miller
Hi Zenny and Dottie, No matter how tired or blue I sometimes feel, I always feel happy when I read your diaries. They are wonderful and I am addicted to them and hope they never stop. I’m glad “Blind Luck” won today as I really like her owner. I remember at the Eclipse awards when he accepted “Blind Lucks” award he said thet she was a great horse but had been overshadowed all year by,in my opinion,”the geatest racehorse that ever lived, Zenyatta”. I thought that was very classy and generous of him to say (and, of course,I agreed). So now that you are retired, and with child, I’m glad that “Blind LUck” is doing well. Stay healthy and looking so good,Zenny, (I think the extra weight looks lovely on you). Two Hooves up, with hugs, Myrna
myrna miller
Uh,Oh, a correction to my last blog. He said, “You are the greatest racing mare that ever lived” thought to me you are the greatest, period.
s (in San Diego)
Congrats John, Dottie, Jerry and Ann.
Vivian
The Vanity was exciting this year…Congrats to Blind Luck….But not near as exciting as the past three years with Queen Z as the winner. We love you and miss you….
(-:
s (in San Diego)
Just read sad news regarding Tiz Zoe in the 8th today. So sorry to all of her connections.
Charlotte Farmer
@Tiz Zoe – I found this on the DRF site by Steve Andersen, “The last race was marred by the collapse of Tiz Zoe, the 4-1 third choice. She was pulled up by jockey Brice Blanc in the final sixteenth and fell, suffering an apparent internal injury. She did not appear to rise and was placed on a horse ambulance.”
Sandy
Oh boy…love you forever, like you for always, forever you will always be, My favorite horse!
judy berube
Dear Z,
Goodnight and sweet baby dreams. Love you, Judy and Russ
To the “Dumpling Gang”,
Looking forward to hearing all about your day at Hollywood Park Saturday. Hugs, J.B.
J Smith
Had a really fun day at H.P. today. So nice to meet Karen, Trina, Robyn, Judy, and a certain other young lady whose name begins with an E! All the ‘girls’ in the Vanity were well pampered, & looked fabulous, in the paddock. It was Too Cute to see their trainers, grooms, and connections, fussing over them, an ear scratch here, a nose rub there. We must say a big thank you to the connections of Switch, who gave away 4000 purple t’shirts with Go Switch on the front. She ran well, but I think Blind Luck had the extra incentive as it was her trainers bday. He may have bribed her with the promise of extra carrot cake! Col. Mustard (I just love that name, Clue is still my fav game) was very vocal in the paddock. I don’t know what he was announcing, but it must have been interesting as several other horses answered him, or perhaps they were just telling him to be quiet! Loro looked great on the track, and very handsome in the winners circle. Peaked in at the barn later, but had to tip toe as some residents were already tucked in for the night. Those still up were somewhat annoyed that we showed up empty handed. What were we thinking? I’m sure Mr Commons was telepathically conveying the directions to the nearest market, because all I could think about was carrots. HUGE THANK YOU TO MR. S. you are the best. It was really a treat to visit at that time, when it’s really quiet, just to stand still, smell the hay, hear the horses shifting and getting comfortable, very relaxing. I was ready to curl up in a pile of hay myself!
Trina Nagele
Dearest Zenny, Your SoCal fans had a great day at Hollywood Park. The only thing that could have made it better would have been if YOU and ALL your fans nationwide and worldwide could have been there too! Your John was so sweet as to let J Smith and me visit Barn 55 after the races, and we met many of your human and equine friends there. It was marvelous! THANK YOU, JOHN!
Zenny, it’s already tomorrow, so to speak, so I’ll say goodnight and sleep tight till morning.
@Karen Gogue, J Smith, Judy Maas Gadwood, Jane and James Wade, Madison, and Robyn Henderson—It was so nice to meet you in person and share the day with you.
@Terry Crow—Missed meeting you, but it was admirable of you to spend the day with your ailing friend. “A friend in need is a friend indeed.” I’ll say a prayer for your friend.
@Anne from Paramount—I was sorry not to meet you, but J Smith did point out your usual seat, and maybe I’ll be able to find you there another time. Good luck to your friend’s horse tomorrow (Sun), and to you and Rightful Image always.
@DJ, Kathy Baldwin, Lynn near HP, and other Z fans—Hope to meet you in the future.
@Nancy Colley—Nice to hear from you!
@Dawn—Yes, I did get to meet Ebby! She is so beautiful, kind, and generous with her hand licks, and has such a lovely deep dark eye. She steals your heart right away, doesn’t she?
@Switch and her owners Lee and Susan Searing—Yours was a great race effort though it didn’t get you to the winner’s circle as hoped. Better luck next time, and THANK YOU so much for the gorgeous T-shirts!
@Ann Marie—I’ve noticed too that the “date stamp” changes early, sometimes (always??) even before midnight Eastern Time. I also wonder why.
HappyHarriet
Dear Queen Zenyatta –
.
You look so sassy and sweet with your Momma swagger. Last year on this day we saw you win at Hollywood Park, once again showing who the best really is! It’s not the same without you, but our lovely Voice of Zenyatta, Dottie, makes sure we feel as close to you as possible through the magic of this site.
.
ENSIGN – it’s always a pleasure to see your name here, and more importantly to read your precise, timely, appropriate posts that have meat and meaning. You elevate this meeting place with your focus on what’s important and the elimination of what is not.
.
Congratulations to Loro, Blind Luck, Awesome Maria. What a pleasure to see John, Dottie, Ann and Jerry in the Winner’s Circle where they so deserve to be. One of the TVG personalities interviewed John and of course asked about YOU, Dear Queen, and John deferred to Dottie who exclaimed, “She’s FABULOUS!” That sums it up!
.
See you all at Sunday Pear Brunch :)
HH
Elizabeth
What a wonderful photo of you, dear Zenyatta! Thanks to Dottie for all the info in this post. We had the privilege of watching both you and Life Is Sweet win the BC Ladies’ Classic races though nothing could compare with being there to see your 2009 BC victory! Congrats to your team on Loro’s nice win today.
>>
Elizabeth in Oregon
Brenda
Happy Sunday morning Zenny. I am liking Sunday very much lately – next Sunday Vic and I get to go to the Queen’s Plate at Woodbine and three weeks after we have the 2nd leg, The Prince of Wales, right here in Fort Erie and we always go to that. Best of all, the day after that race we leave for Kentucky where we’ll visit all those wonderful horses and HOPE, hooves crossed, for a glimpse of YOU as we drive to Lane’s End for our visit. Maybe, LE will have some of Sarah’s wonderful photos of YOU SWEET MOMMA on sale in the office. Take great care and have a serene day.
Theresa Buck
silly girl lmao everyone here are waiting for that day and i am sure you and bernadini will be glued to the television cheering him/her on and so will we hugs to you and eat a proper diet…i am sure you will teach the little one well
Barbara Wood
Dearest Z–what a gorgeous picture of YOU! Can you get any more beautiful? I think animals become more beautiful when they are loved and they know it. I know that’s the case with our horse and dogs.
And that gorgeous green grass as a backdrop! You are one lucky girl, and we are all so lucky to share a part of you!
Our prayers for Unrivaled Belle–I had never heard of that particular injury and pray she will be a wonderful mom.
Love you always, Z.
Sue Fredrick
Hi big momma, just had to add another message and say congrats to the Mosses and Sheriffs on LORO’S big win, he is absolutely beautiful!!
And congrats to the connections of BLIND LUCK, she’s is my “little cutie”. I love her big heart she is always trying, and her come from behind style reminds me of you. We have some great fillies running to watch after losing you to motherhood.
My sympathies go out to those that got injured and especially those that owned TIZ ZOE. How incredibly sad. Glad your safe and sound at Lane’s End.
Luv and kisses on your nose
evy
Pregnancy becomes you, Ms.Z. You look gorgeous!!!
mary bobolis
A great race yesterday in the Vanity. It was so close. I felt so sorry for St. Trinians not getting in the money and being dqd in the last ace that she won. I am also glad you don’t have to cary 129 pounds any more. Seeing you round the last turn with 129 lbs was just too much. I bet the other mares in yesterday’s race are happy that you are retired, as they could only hope for a second the past 3 years! The TVG folks kept sayng how much they would have liked to have seen you run against Blind Luck. But we all know you would have dusted he. Racing is still not the same without you and Mike!
Kendra
Zenyatta, you are beautiful. Judging by your heart, personality and past performances, I believe you are the greatest horse that ever graced this planet. Stay healthy and so cute.
Robyn Mullhausen
Hi Zenny. You look as beautiful and regal as ever, after all you are still the reigning “Queen”. Don’t see a “baby bump” from the side yet, but you have plenty of time to go. You have that “glow” that expectant mothers get. :D
mj
Hi Z-you’re looking fabulous as always! Thank you Sarah for all of your pictures-a real treat. Condolences to the connections of Unrivaled Belle for the injury she sustained in the paddock and the untimely end to her career(see DRF for the story). Hopefully, she will have a great life as a broodmare. The races at Ascot came to a close Saturday-what a great meet with georgeous horses groomed to the teeth like our Z always was. Frankie Dettori got days for excessive whipping!! I wish we had rules like that in this country. We see whipping of horses that are hopelessly beaten and those several lengths in front at the 1/16th pole. Some horses do lose focus, but… Anyway, racing in Great Britain is always enjoyable. I would love to see it in person, as well as Barn 55!! One must always dream… Have a great day Z and friends!!
judy berube
To the “Dumplings”:
Sounds like you all had a great time and so lucky you got to see E. Hugs, J.B.
Karen Gogue
@HappyHarriet
Touche’, I agree with all you said!
Max
Here is a great story of a victory in the Stephen Foster by Canadian bred, Pool Play. Rated at 36-1, Pool Play, who is owned by Lane’s End’s Bill Farish, rallied Zenyatta style to take it. Bravo Pool Play.
http://www.kentucky.com/2011/06/19/1780516/pool-play-delivers-on-dirt-to.html
Terry Crow
@Karen Gogue and all the dumplings–Hope you had a great day yesterday. I envy you for being able to visit barn 55. Have not been in the barn area since my mother quit racing horses. @Judy Berube and Judy Maass Gadwood-I hope Judy the Beauty runs soon.@Trina Nagele-Thank you. I hope to meet all of you soon. @Charlotte Farmer–I am pleased that Bill Dwyre contacted you so soon. Didn’t expect anything until next week as he is in the east covering the US Open golf tournament for the LA Times. Knew he liked the story when he got back to me the first time. Diana S was the one who originally thought of contacting media people. However, you are the real hero. Bless you.@all-I am still going back and forth to the hospital so will probably not be posting as often for a few days. When I get home at night, I do read all of the posts.
Karen Gogue
“Adorable Groupies”
Trina, JSmith, Judy MG, Jane W., James, Robyn, and Too Cute, Madison! What a bunch of pure joy you all are! I was so excited, my heart was jumping all over the place meeting you Zenny lovers! Although a bit stressful for me regarding my sisters health issues (long story) her knees and ankle, I thank her for unselfishly allowing me to enjoy the day with you! She’ll be fine, a day of rest will fix her up! I ditto everything that JSmith and Trina said. One thing, you did not mention seeing Zenny’s stall! I’m sure you did! Would love to hear your impressions of that heavenly place too! Did you see Judy’s beautiful poster there (and mine)? I’ll have to go back and see where Mario hung Judy’s. And her huge bag of carrots – sitting so lonely by the inside stall door! That made me chock up more than anything on John’s birthday – knowing she’d not enjoy dear Mario’s carrots for her! And the sweet gentleman John, going home and stopping for us to ask about seeing the barn! (Dottie too) What marvelous human dumplins’ they are! Too Cute! At least my sister came home big winner yesterday -total $40.00 dollars!! Good for her! :) I’m sure I’ll see Ann out there one day too, and I hope many more of you too! oxxooxoxxoo