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
Kiki Sim
I am watching ALL of your races on the yearbook’10 app. I have to say
Zenny, each one is very unique, just like you.
Glad to see the baby bump and hope you are happy and
Healthy!! Take care, Big Girl.
-the one YOU inspired
Susan in TN
@Cynthia H: what a heartfelt story about your dad. Thank you for sharing it with us. Hugs to you <3
judy berube
To Susan in Tn.:
Hugs and Blessings back to you. J.B.
Susan in TN
@Trina N: Thank you! I’m so glad you saw the River Edge pictures on FB! The name contest has been extended until July 4th. Right now, he thinks his name is “No”! Kidding! I really enjoyed your description of Zenny’s stall and meeting Ebby. I would think Z’s stall is kind of a bitter-sweet place for those at Barn 55 who loved and cared for her. Take care!
judy berube
To Cynthis H.:
Your post brought back memories. My father loved horses and racing too. We used to go to the track together and I miss those days with him. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
To Trina Nagele:
Your description of “Ebby” makes me think she has the same sweet personality as our beloved Z. What a great experience for you and the other “Dumplings” to get to spend time with her. Hugs, J.B.
AJ from CA
@Cynthia H. – thanks for sharing your dad with us as I’m sure you are missing him especially today. My dad passed on 30 years ago but I can thank him for introducing me to the world of horse racing. He would take me with him to Hollywood Park in the ’50’s and would treat me to a hot dog or corned beef sandwich as I sat taking down taking in all the atmosphere of the crowd and enjoying the beautiful lake with all the gooses and of course the Goose Girl herself! Because of him I love the sport and of course the magnificent thoroughbreds. Thank you for helping me remember my dad today!
Sharon in Seattle
yay, way to go Pants on Fire (in the Pegasus on Sat) one of my fav horses from the Kentucky Derby in May.
Charlotte, great news from Bill Dwyre. He is such a fine writer. Everything he wrote about Z was elegant and beautiful, just like Z herself.
Librarian
To Cynthia H.
Thank you for sharing the beautiful story of you and your father at the races. What a great way to celebrate Father’s Day, remembering the great times with them, learning about horses. I too remember the wonderful afternoons spent on the lawn of Waterford Race Track, now Mountaineer, learning about racing from the most wonderful man in the world – my dad.
Jackie
Good Evening Queen “Z” It has been a hectic couple of days. My father had a stroke a few months back and he is now able to travel. I Drove 4 1 /2 hours each way just to pick him up and bring him to my home so we could celebrate Father’s Day and his 80th Birthday! Always nice having family around.
The good news is I got home just in time to watch the Vanity. It was a good race, but not the same as the last couple of years. I recall standing in the paddock last year for 2 1/2’s just to see you in person and take pictures. You were well worth the wait! You were quite a site your dancing and prancing. What a fun day, but you nearly gave everyone a heart attack!
I have been out of touch, but just finished reading the last three days of posts. As always the reading is so enjoyable and informative. I have really learned a lot more than I thought I knew about the industry. What I have discovered being part of this site is how passionate we all are! I am sometimes called crazy but in a good way.
In post # 275 I must say, you make a mighty fine “COVER GIRL” and in this post you look absoluting fantastic. You have that glow.
I was saddened to hear about Tiz Zoe. In fact I was listening to the races live on the radio when I heard the call she went down. What I heard is she suffered a heart attack. What shame. My heart goes out to her connections.
I was also shocked to hear Unrivilled Belle and her injury forcing her to retirement. Get well and good luck as a Broodmare.
You look beautiful and so glad you are happy and SAFE at Lane’s End.
Happy Fathers Day to all you fathers!
Hugs and Kisses
Jackie
Trina Nagele
@Jackie–Happy,happy Birthday to your dad, and a happy,happy Farther’s Day too!
@Cynthia H–So sweet of you to say, and I too hope to meet you at the track some day soon. Your posts are always so poetic. And no need to apologize for typo-I was sure I knew what you meant!
@Judy Berube–Yes, I believe Ebby is sweet like Z, and also very intelligent like Z. Hugs to you.
Trina Nagele
@Jackie–Oops, that was “Happy, happy Father’s Day too” to your dad!
Maria K.
You look fabulous Queen Z. I miss you so much!
sue
Very interesting information, Zenny. I love the fact that you are enlightening us about different aspects of racing.
I hope you had a great weekend–sounds like you did! :)
Love,
Sue
Karen Gogue
@Cynthia H.
WOW, powerful, impactful memories never to be lost by the daughter, who sways us towards those heavenly days of our own fathers on this Fathers Day. Remembering emotions, stired by the daughter, towards those never to be replaced memories in our hearts of Dad. Emotional because you wish you had had more time on this Earth with them, to share those times again when you had them, and to hear more stories you never got to hear because you were too young and growing up and then…gone….gone were all the stories you never shared – Dad’s WW 2 stories, his time in the Navy, and his time before that, in the Army Calvary on horse back in the mid 1930’s. His growing up with 13 brothers and sister in South River New Jersey, 1920’s thru 1930’s – what life must have been for them then, the grandparents you never knew and their lives….Yes, cherish those precious days from your parents before gone…do! And then those times as a child, not paying attention… because you were a child. Be there, be there with both parents and lock those times and memories away before…and your heart aches, savour each and every moment, time is that precious and never rewinds. Thank you Cynthia for such a beautiful reminder for us all on this Fathers Day.
Karen Gogue
@Trina
Everything about your post above is well put together and I second that from my heart to all you mentioned. Touche’! And hugs and more hugs!! You’re so adorable!
Karen Gogue
DJ
Beautiful poem on Fathers – thank you!
Karen Gogue
@Brenda
Please share your time @ Woodbine and @ The Prince of Wales with us when you return.
Charlotte Farmer
@Abigail – I wish I could help you with posting a photo of Noor, but that is above me. I have one picture in particular that is a favorite of mine that was taken at Santa Anita in 1950 with his exercise boy Louis Ewing aboard. I have e-mailed Michael Blowen asking if there is a way he could post the picture to Old Friends website. Haven’t heard back. Thanks to Karen Gogue I was brought up-to-date on what The Vault is. Checked it out and I am here to tell you I was glued to my screen reading everything. You are awesome.
@Cynthia H. – You touched the heart with the story of your father and that of others. What wonderful memories. Thank you for sharing. Life waits for no one and is so short. My dad died at the age of 73 back in 1965 just before I graduated from high school. He had been a career solider, U. S. Army – 30 years – Master Sergeant. His death was service connected. He retired in 1945 and planned on just enjoying life but I was his surprise package in 1947 and a girl too boot. I definitely was daddy’s little girl. He taught me fishing and singing, mostly “She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain.” My best memory of my dad was how tall he stood, quiet in manner, who loved to fish and tend to his vegetable garden. He built our first house, having never done anything like that before and as my mom was so found of saying, “If you ran a magnet over our roof it would fly off,” due to the many many nails he pounded into it. Thank you again Cynthia for bringing back memories.
Kari Bussell
@Cynthia Holt- I have known some of you and your father’s story a year now…You so beautiful describe the relationship, bond and love between a father & a daughter.Those of you blessed with wonderful fathers treasure that always, not everyone had great fathers….What a blessing for those who did…Cynthia- you are SO GIFTED- PLEASE WRITE THAT BOOK!!!..PLEASE!! You have so many stories to tell & you have been truly Blessed by God with a gift to tell them…Poetry!…–Love, Joy & Happiness to you Dear…Dear …Friend Always!!
Kari Bussell
@-DJ- beautiful poem!
@ Trinia N…you are a peace making angel.
I was like everyone very saddened to her about Tiz Zoe…as I am still crying over Tiz Chrome…..
@ Charlotte Farmer- You Rock!
@-Terry Crow – thank you for helping ….Noor!
Kari Bussell
@ Judy (Maas) Gadwood—-Only God knows just how much I wish I could have been there too. I am however thrilled you all had such a great time …..and a bit overwhelmed at everyone’s “kind words..etc”…..I love you guys. I’ll get there someday…you’ll see! :))!
Kari Bussell
Last Post I promise-
@Cynthia Holt- You have never-ever failed to touch my heart, bless my soul and inspire my spirit….again please write that book and share your amazing life and gift of words that could move mountains! PLEASE!
WE BOTH LOVE – LOVE – LOVE YOU ZENYATTA….
Thank you!!~~~~2010~HOTY ZENYATTA~~~~
Barbara Wood
@CYNTHIA HOLT–beautiful testimony! Thanks for sharing. I lost my own precious daddy 36 years ago on the 19th.
judy berube
To Signofthetimes:
I hope Mo does well in his return to training. I don’t know much about his condition; whether it can be totally cured or something that is chronic. I hope he can recover 100%. I agree, it would be sad if he has to retire at three years old. Hugs, J.B.
Ida Lee
You look great Little Girl!!! I didn’t watch the Vanity …I’ve lost a lot of my interest in racing since you and Rachel retired. It’s just not the same. Have a great day and hugs and kisses …
judy berube
To Z Fans:
If you get a chance, check out the video on Z’s Facebook page that someone posted of Twirling Candy winning the Californian on 6/4/11 at Hollywood. He was a little to full of run in the beginning, so Jockey J. Rosario brings him back to last and he runs his race “Zenyatta Style”. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Oops: That should be a little “too full of run”.
Samantha
Hi Zenny!! Are we going to be able to visit you like Rachel Alexandra had it? like schedualed times and everything? or do we have to pay?
mj
Did you all see “Zenyatta” the greyhound on Bernardini’s facebook page? She’s up for adoption in Ohio, and can also be found on Petfinder.com. “Too cute”!