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
Karen Gogue
@ Terry Crow
YES, WE MISSED YOU TOO! :)
Karen Gogue
@Jane Wade
I forgot to mention your photo of Madison you gave to Zenny’s stall – WE ALL love that photo!! :)
Trish & Mike in Colorado
We missed you yesterday at HP, Zenyatta. Lots of your fans showed up with Z hats, pins, t-shirts. They showed your Vanities on the big screen. Gone from Hollywood but never ever forgotten.
AJ from CA
Found interesting article giving credit to the geldings of racing:
http://www.drf.com/news/ruler-ices-feat-belmont-stakes-was-indeed-rare
Nola Ross
there’s something missing in the racing world…..I don’t look so forward anymore. oh wait. it’s because I’m missing Zenyatta!!! Mike Smith doesnt seem to smile as much, either, love you Zen, love you so much
hailey
You are truly amazing Z. Blind Luck, the vanity winner, runs just like you. it was nice to see St. Trinians and Switch race with her. it was you all over again
Kathy Kimber
@AJ from Ca. Thanks great article on the geldings.
@Terry Crow. Hope we can get a link up whey Bill writes his article.
@Charlotte Farmer. Great news but we need to keep praying and trying until Noor at last rests in peace at Old Friends
@Zenyatta Darling girl this is a beautiful picture of you so good to see you out side and looking to wonderful. Love you sweetheart. Hugs
Sunny
Zenyatta, how I miss your exciting races. I watch them from time to time on Youtube. But that “shot of inspiration” that you gave to so many, when we desperately needed it, lives on. Blessings to you and your foal.
Kathryn Cogswell
A wonderful story is developing around the fabled Noor. To Charlotte Farmer, T. Crow & his muse, Diana S, in reaching out to Bill Dwyre, and OF`s M. Blowen responding — it gets better & better with the telling. Plus thanks to those contributing to make this creative correction of an oversight that may have ended shamefully if it were not for their ‘ dream come true’ solution.
Jo
I thought of you all day with the Vanity yesterday. Last year, it was the first time I saw you and I’ll never forget it. It gave me such respect for St Trinians, too. I was pulling for her but also so glad to see Blind Luck run such a great race – and Switch, as well. You look amazing, Z! Love to Z and Team Zenyatta!time I saw you
Fran
Hi Z! Missed your post yesterday. Today is Sunday, Father’s Day, and a big BBQ is on tap here at the house. Lots of food, swimming, and lots of laughs. Kate spent three days with Dozey at our trainers. They had tons of fun riding, playing with each other, and grooming of course. You have a great Sunday Z! xxoo
Judy (Maass) Gadwood (CA)
Good Sunday Morning Zenny!
I was at the track yesterday to cheer on the “girls’ running in the Vanity. It sure was “different” to say the least, without you there. I’m so happy for BLIND LUCK (aka Closer), but I have to confess, I didn’t “choose” a favorite prior to the race because I respect and love them all.
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This picture of you is just beautiful! I do believe I see a small “baby on board” (wink wink) ;-)
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I want to share some exciting news on your next diary posting ~ my info is TOO CUTE! I wish I could share pics, too :-D Perhaps YOUR JOHN has something to share…:-D
Jean M.
Beautiful Zenyatta, All I can say is wow, Pretty Mother, you look outstanding with that special glow. Love the info furnished by Dottie and you, the Vanity is your race, so why don’t they change the name to The Zenyatta Vanity. Let’s work on that. Love you and miss you.
OraJean Stevenson
Dear Zenny & Team-Z,
Yesterday, watching the Vanity G-1 Handicap, I couldn’t help thinking of you and wondering if, some day, that race will be renamed the ZENYATTA G-1 Handicap. You will always own that race, in my mind.
I forgot to mention, how cute that picture is of you laughing, in the previous Diary Post. What a great picture!! Thanks for sharing it with us.
Hope you all are having a restful weekend. Fondly, OraJean
Hernan Tovar
@ Dear Lisa G, I agree 100% with you!
@ Dear Judy B, I was watching the race when Tiz Zoe fell, later I found she did died.
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY TO ALL. Hugs, Ingrid.
Brookie (From Mrs.Voltz class)
Hey Mrs. Queen Z! Im soooooooo very sorry I have not been able to talk to you in along time.I came back from Camp Ficth.
Stella Bagwell
Dearest Zenyatta,
My family and I gathered around the television yesterday to watch the Vanity. It was a wonderful and exciting race and three cheers to Blind Luck for her win! And applause to all the other ladies who ran so valiantly. They were all equally matched. We thought about you, dear Queen, the whole time. No horse ever electrified the track like you did! We miss you so much, yet are very excited to think of watching your little grow into a champion!
Hope your Sunday has been full of joy, green grass and sweet treats!
Much love and many hugs,
Stel
The Kennedys in San Diego
GREAT DAY! We visited Barn 55 and met Eblouissante for the first time. She is a beauty! Quite elegant. So dark, almost black. We did not see any white on her. And so sweet as she ate the carrots I offered her. According to John, she carries her head very erect with ears pricked like Zenyatta. He estimates her height at 16.3 hands and, of course, still growing.
The Kennedys in San Diego
While at Hollywood Park, we stopped to congratulate Blind Luck on her Vanity victory. Lovely chestnut and very sweet.
Susan in TN
Zenny-what a gorgeous picture! Sarah takes great photos, doesn’t she? My daughter and I watched last year’s Vanity and after you won and were cantering down the backstretch and then trotting brightly along, she said it looked like you were saying,”We had fun,fun,fun because we won,won,won…hmm,hmm,hmm!” You make me smile, Z :) Looks like you and your little dancing hamster are doing great!!
@Judy Berube: Thank you for asking! All is well, just busy yesterday. Lou is stable and feeling good and my daughter left a little while ago with him and her cat (20 years old and looks 10-it’s unbelievable!).Thanks for your links and race updates-much appreciated!
@Laura J: Hope you get a definitive answer on Step-I’m sure you will. I understand that a displaced palate is not uncommon and is very correctable. Keep us posted!
@Abigail in Montreal: How wonderful that THE VAULT is donating the money to OF for Noor. Also, I loved the article about the great mares. You do such a great job!
@Debbie G: How exciting that you are going to Old Friends! That’s something I really want to do. Have fun!
@Charlotte Farmer: Wow-how great that Terry Crow (by way of Diane S) contacted Bill Dwyre who has assured you that this really is going to happen! And, of course, Michael Blowen at OF and his efforts. Noor will rest at a great place.
@Terry Crow:Prayers sent for your friend <3
@Barb France: Sorry to hear about your good friend's husband-glad Zenny provided him some happiness and you have a memento of that.
@Ella Emery:I'll bet Zenyatta COULD win every flower in the world!!
@Kim S:Thank you for asking about Lou and Beth! We did have a great time-I'm glad you got to spend time with YOUR daughter! I would love to hear about any of your rescue work experiences. I'll bet it's hot-it's hot here but I think it's worse where you are-ugh!
@Eveline: Thank you for asking again about Lou! He will see a neurologist in another week for evaluation but he feels really good, thank goodness!
@Dawn Conrad: So glad you got a new computer!
@J Smith and Trina N: How fun that you got to see Barn 55 and the horses! I enjoyed your descriptions of the barn and Ebby. She seems so sweet!
@The Dumplings: I know you all must have had so much fun together!
@Brenda and Vic: Have fun at the races and on your trip! This site is a good resource for a future trainer.
@John, The Moss's and Loro: Congrats on the win!!
RESCUE AT RIVER EDGE: I finally made it out there yesterday with my daughter. We had so much fun! Chester(the older pony) is now wearing a fly mask, thanks to Sharon Call, who sent money to the rescue for him. He seems to like it and it really is needed in this area. And he looks so CUTE! He is really looking so much better. He is eating grass and feed well. He still has trouble with hay but that's not a problem right now. He has even made a new friend! There is a very nice 21-year-old gray Arabian gelding who came in a few days ago. He is confined at the moment due to injuries incurred at his previous home. Chester has been hanging out just outside his pen. He seems happy and more secure. Rootbeer and his fun-loving friend Rusty have a new red Jolly Ball, courtesy of Shari Volz. They had a lot of fun with it yesterday. Rusty, of course, grabbed it immediately and swung it around,let go and it flew thru the air and hit Rootbeer in the shoulder! It scared him at first but he soon became fascinated with it and I'll bet he's playing with it by now. Beth said if we provided Rusty with the materials, that Rusty would "sack out" Rootbeer for us! They are so funny together. Cheyenne's colt is growing like crazy and is maturing nicely. He is not afraid of anything or anybody-actually, he needs to be a LITTLE afraid of SOMETHING! Beth took a lot of photos yesterday and they are posted at:RIVER EDGE FARM HORSE RESCUE Facebook page. There is a slide show to click on to. I hope anyone who is interested gets a chance to look at them! Chester is the chestnut with white on his face and then later is wearing the fly mask. Rootbeer and Rusty are shown with their Jolly Ball-Rootbeer has the small white star on his forehead. There are some great shots of some minis on the farm-one with "Tina Turner" hair. Anyway, I could go on and on about them, as usual! Warm wishes to all my Z friends<3
@Dottie and ALL of Team Z: Thank you for everything!
sue and tony
@Brookie, it’s good to see you back posting on the diary. Have a wonderful summer with family and friends.
Kiki Sim
Zenyatta;
I am new to horse racing, and you are the one
Who taught me the most. I haven’t really fallen
In love with a horse for a long time, and I think
I have finally found one. Her name is Zenyatta,
And she is a beautiful horse with an even more
Beautiful personality. Good luck with your little
Joy! YOU are TOO CUTE!!!
-the one YOU helped:)
darlene
love ya Z there will never be another one like you
Linda in NJ
Hi Zenny: You look great! The picture of you is hilarious. You really do look like you are rushing back to the barn to catch the updates on the races. Thank you Sarah.
@Trina Nagele, The Kennedys, Karen Gogue and JSmith–Oh my goodness, I am so VERY jealous. You guys got to go back to Barn 55 and meet John and Dottie and Team Z and see Zenny ‘s stall. What a thrill that must have been!!! I think I am going to call John this week and see what other races he might be pointing his horses to and plan a trip to CA.
Congratulations to Blind Luck and Loro – What a great day at the races for you Southern CA folks. Oh, I am so envious. Take care, Zenny. We all love you!!
Paula Higgins
@the kennedys, nice to hear that E is as sweet as Zenny and still growing. Loved the bit about the ears.
Signofthetimes
@Charlotte Farmer
Great great congratulations for all your efforts
With Noor!!! These famous TB deserve to be
Honored as geriatric equines and when they pass
As all horses should be. Horses are very special animals
To let us ride them and bear their heart and soul
For us in their work.
@Judy B
Yes, Street Cry seems to sire quite a few sucessful runners.
Zenny being his most talented.
Dear Zenny
Sounds like YOUR JOHN is sharing “E” with
All of your fans. How sweet of him. Sound like
She carries her self like you and your “mom” .
The signnature carriage. Isn’t it from one of your
“moms” relatives. XXXXOOO
To all the Z fans who have been able to visit
Barn 55 and all the new crop of horses. Thanks for
Sharing experiences and videos.
Signofthetimes
Thanks for posting that lovely piece on racing
Geldings. There is a reason they are gelded mostly
For very studdish qwirky personalities that probably
Should not be bred. However, many are very very
Talented race horses. I really think today these stallions
Are not raced long enough and recouping money seems
To be the reason. For some developing a line. I wish Bernie
Had raced another year. As for Uncle Mo, he needs
A real working career for a year or two that may not
Be racing. To retire him at 3 yo is a shame. He deserves
To pour his heart into work that is recognized as an older
Horse.
judy berube
Dear Susan in Tn.:
Thank you so much for the River Edge Update. I’m definitely going to check out the slide show. It will be fun to see the “sweeties” and put the faces with the names. It’s great Chester seems to have found a friend and all of them really sound happy. So glad Lou is stable. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Hernan Tovar:
Dear Ingrid:
So sad about Tiz Zoe. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Terry Crow:
Hope your friend is doing better. We’ll have to check Horse Watch for Judy the Beauty to see when she is entered in a race. Hugs, J.B.