Happy Saturday!
This photo is absolutely TOO CUTE! A few days ago, a dear fan of mine, Judy Gadwell, and several of her friends went to BARN 55 to visit MY STALL and see my dear little sister, Eblouissante. Well, while Judy was greeting “E”, she began sniffing Judy’s purse. Lo and behold, Judy started to laugh telling Steve that she had caramel corn in her bag.
The sense of smell must be something that is very well developed in our family. Last year, when I hosted a brunch for charity (The Los Angeles Zoo), I did the same thing. My one guest, Karen, set her purse down on a chair at the end of the table. While I was out grazing and enjoying myself hosting the visit, something kept drawing ME to Karen’s purse.
I walked right over to the table and immediately started to sniff Karen’s bag…just like “E” did with Judy. Suddenly everyone started to laugh and Karen commented…”Oh, I forgot….I brought some baby carrots for Zenyatta and they are in my purse.”
Karen immediately took the carrots out of her bag…..put some on the end of the table…and I began to snack on them. It truly was BRUNCH WITH ZENYATTA!
I find this so interesting. I guess many different types of characteristics can be shared in a family. “E” and I not only have a well-developed sense of smell…but we both have a great sense of taste (loving our treats and food), hearing (wear cotton in our ears), touch (love to be pet and hugged), sight (see everything all of the time).
This family thing is very interesting to ME!
Have a great weekend! Enjoy all of the wonderful stakes races around the country and LET THE SUMMER BEGIN!
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~ (Good luck to my pals Cloud Man, Zazu, and Cozi HRosie)
Z
Linda Henderson
The “smell” pictures are so cute!
Jean M.
Beautiful Zenyatta, Nice to know that the Royal Family has so many traits in common. Would love to hear your communications with E. Have a wonderful Sunday with the baby and know you are so loved.
Linda in NJ
@Charlotte Farmer: Thank you for the video on Noor. I learned something new. I had no idea of Hollywood Park’s history. I cannot believe the state of CA would allow anything to happen to Hollywood Park and loose all that history. Now I am really interested in seeing a race at Hollywood Park just to say I was there.
Kirsten
Zenyatta, there are just not enough adjectives to describe how doggone cute you are. Love these photos and am anxiously awaiting your next video. Sweet treats, sweet dreams and sweet XOXOXO’s to you and your foal.
Cheryl
Glad to see Steve in this! Ride well Sir Willard!
Abigail from Montreal
Hi there Zenny & Dottie: Thought I’d try to squeeze this in before #283 gets posted! A great day of racing ahead: Carlton House, Cozi Rosie and the Queen’s Plate here in Canada. I’m pulling for the filly Inglorious. However, Mary Meek on FB reminded me of Canada’s sweetheart and Triple Crown winner, Dance Smartly. Here she is, winning the Queen’s Plate: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4agXXLWypk&feature=related
(tape a little fuzzy @ the start, but clears up for most of the race) I think you’ll love seeing Dance Smartly, Zenny. Like you, she was one of the greats of the last century!!!
Abigail from Montreal
WHOOPS. Dance Smartly ran in the last century, big girl. Sorry for the hiccup!!!
Linda in NJ
@Charlotte Farmer: Thank you for the video on Noor. I learned something new. I had no idea of Hollywood Park’s history. I cannot believe the state of CA would allow anything to happen to Hollywood Park and loose all that history. Now I am really interested in seeing a race at Hollywood Park. It looks beautiful.
Linda in NJ
Hey CA Z fans: Can anyone tell me when Hollywook Park closes and the Del Mar opens?
Terry Crow
@Charlotte Farmer-I had sent a note to Bill Dwyre asking if he could print the address for the donations to the Noor cause. He responded to me by indicating that it was against the paper’s policy to do such a thing and he was very sorry he couldn’t print it. He indicated that the best he could do was to refer people who contacted him to you. He was curious as to how much has been raised thus far. Bill is a good guy and it would appear that he has done as much as possible. However, the fact that he was curious about the amount raised thus far would indicate to me that he is still interested in the story. If you drop a note to him, it might help. Also, those who are planning to donate should perhaps contact him, even though you know the address for donations. Maybe, just maybe, the public response to this story might generate a follow-up. On a different note, really enjoyed the Noor link and the old Hollywood Park stuff. It is a shame that this historical place will be gone relatively soon, it looks like when the economy picks up the bulldozers will be fired up. Good to hear Joe Hernandez again.
Kathy Kimber
@Charlotte Farmer: Great article and video of Noor so glad it got out there. It was amazing to watch. Seeing Palestinian, Assault, Hill Price and Noor together in the same race. What a golden time it was. I urge everyone who can to go to Hollywood Park and just take it in. Such history and beauty about to be lost. Go before it is to late and the Park is gone. Great Champions back then and now because of our beautiful Zenyatta.
Terry Crow
@Judy Berube–Going out to the track today. Got a tip on a horse named Faith Healer.@Dawn Conrad–Glad you are enjoying the jokes. @Cynthia H-Great post.
Margaret
Hi big Z
Sunday morning and no new blog as os yet. Just wanted to congratulate Team Z on a great win yesterday. Not sure that I have seen Zazu before but she sure is pretty–although I must admit she doesn’t quite match up to you. Still I love grays.
Linda in NJ
@Terry Crow: Is Hollywood Gold Cup day a popular race? It takes place on July 9th.
LauraJ
@Peggy (N), the select portion of a sale includes those horses that, based on pedigree, conformation, and where appropriate, accomplishment, are expected to generate the most interest and bring the highest prices. Horses are nominated by the sellers/consignors and generally must pass an inspection. The level of quality depends on the overall quality of the sale. So, for example, a “Select” yearling in Ontario might not be “Select” at Keeneland’s September sale. The select portion of the sale comes first. Some sales are entirely “Select” in that they are small and the horses acepted are top quality. The Fasig-Tipton November Sale, which lasts about 4 hours and features fewer than 200 horses, is a great example. Lots of stakes horses and stakes producers.
The Kennedys in San Diego
@Linda in NJ — the Hollywood Gold Cup is Hollywood Park’s “signature race” in the spring meeting. Del Mar’s signature race is the Pacific Classic. The Santa Anita Handicap (aka The Big Cap) is SA’s for the winter/spring meet.
Terry Crow
@Linda in NJ–The Gold Cup race is Hollywood Park’s premier event, usually draws a big crowd and the best horses. Seabiscuit won the inaugural running.Cue the rimshot–A man is at the Kentucky Derby (or any big race you want to use) and says to his friend “I’m going to pull my wife’s panties down at the start of the race just so I can say their 0ff.” His friend replied “Good thing you’ve got them on today.”
The Kennedys in San Diego
@Linda in NJ — This year’s running of the Hollywood Gold Cup should include Twirling Candy, Game On Dude and Top Dude among others.
The Kennedys in San Diego
@Linda in NJ — Closing day at Hollywood Park is July 17, Opening Day at Del Mar is July 20. Opening Day at Del Mar is quite an event, similar to Ky Derby Day in many respects — the “Hats Contest” most wear them and many are quite elaborate, a large crowd. A real celebration. We try not to miss it, but then it is easy for us — we live 10 minutes away. We are so fortunate in Southern California with racing year round as the horses move among the three tracks and lovely weather in which to watch these beautiful creatures race.
The Kennedys in San Diego
Congratulations to Zazu and the Mosses on her fearless victory. And well done to John Shirreffs and Cloud Man on his close second.
Max
Laura J. As you probably know, one cannot rely on whether sales are select or otherwise or where they take place as predictors of a horse’s quality. There was one horse who went on sale on Ontario and no one would pay the reserve price of $25,000. The owner kept the little horse and he went on to win both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, and become the greatest sire of the last century. His great grandson, Treasure Beach, won the Irish Derby today.
Jackie
Good Morning Queen “Z” It is a glorious day here in SoCal. I am sure your mornings in Kentucky are quite beautiful.
Getting ready to go to Hollywood Park this morning. Looking forward to Cozi Rosie’s race today. Although a small field of horses, I think it should be a good race.
To all Z Fans have a wonderful Sunday!
Hugs and Kisses
Jackie
The Kennedys in San Diego
@Charlotte Farmer — Noor’s story and your efforts are truly heartwarming. Thank you for all you are doing to honor this great horse.
J Smith
Save the Date! Aug 28th, if you are at the Pacific Classic or anywhere in the San Diego area, Trott (Training Racehorses Off The Track) is having a fundraising party at the Polo Grounds following racing that day. Trott will be presenting it’s first Inspiration Awards, recipients are, Zenny’s own, Mike Smith, & Hall Of Fame Trainer, Jack Van Berg, who trained the great Alysheba, to name just one. Both these guys do so much for charity, and have inspired many others to do the same, inc. myself, along with you Miss Z. Other jockeys, celebrities, owners & trainers are expected. Several artists will be displaying their work, and start working out those arms for golf cart polo! We are working hard on finalizing details, and are hoping to have a wine tasting at the event, hmmm, I should try to find a sponsor for a good non alcoholic drink too, any ideas are welcome. I will keep you posted as things progress. Hope some of you who attended the KY Derby party can make it to this one too, it was a great crowd at that party, so friendly.
Talking of inspiration, I mentioned how Zenyatta’s diary had inspired the writer of Mildly Offensives facebook to create her own website and write a diary. If u have a minute, check out her latest diary entry, it is just toooooo cute. Zenyatta, I think you would be proud of Mildly’s effort to follow in your hoofprints. Good Luck to Cozie Rosie today, and that cute little Zazu ran a super race yesterday. I just love her, you can’t help but smile when u see her. If anyone missed Zazu’s race you can see it on the bloodhorse website, I’m guessing somebody has already posted a link to it above.
Cynthia H.
So many comments and great posts to which to reply! Will play catch-up later today. There are many extraordinary people on this site!
Before this entry becomes old news, I just wanted to throw my congratulations into the pot to Jerry and Ann Moss, John Shirreffs, and John Sadler for some fabulous racing yesterday at Hollywood Park! Cloud Man looked as gorgeous as ever, and was a very well-behaved boy in the post parade this time. It just goes to show what a master trainer can do. Cloud Man ran too good to lose! And Zazu’s victory was definitely not for the faint-of-heart! There is not a timid bone in this beautiful filly’s body. Were she not a pale gray, one would most certaily have seen a white rub-off streak from the rail across her left hindquarters! She was magnificent!
And, finally, a heartfelt congratulations to Jerry and Ann Moss for their induction this evening into the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame! They are two of the Crown Jewels of American racing, and glorify our sport with their grace, generosity, and class!
Librarian
Good Sunday morning to all !
@Judy Berube, thanks for the link and the info on the Equibase site. I use it to check entries and results of races at distant racetracks, but did not realize the wealth of information they supply. It was fun to go see Nosey Rosey’s record; looks like she did all of her racing out in the Southwest.
@Shari Voltz, your mention of Oglebay Park gave me such a twinge of nostalgia, I had to respond. I grew up in Weirton, WV and my family would go for Sunday afternoon rides to Oglebay, whenever we could. The first place I rode a horse, besides pony rides at the fair, was Oglebay, and I have always loved that park. Have a great day at the park and Happy Anniversary !
Jo
I was so thrilled to see the pictures of the friends who visited Barn 55! I know some of them and was elated to see the pictures here!! Congratulations to Zazu on such a big win yesterday! The gutsy move down the stretch was one that could impress the great Z. Cloud Man was fantastic, too. Good luck to Cozi Rosie today! Love to Z and Team Zenyatta.
Anne from Paramount, CA
Hi Queen Z! Really enjoyed reading your diary from Saturday about you and your little sister Eblouissante’s sense of smell–because guess what, like our friend Judy (Maass) Gadwell my husband Rod and I visted E yesterday (Saturday morning)! We gave her carrots which she eagerly and in the most friendly way accepted. She is a nibbler—liked my thumb for some reason and since it is a little sore I asked if she would help make it better! Judy, when were you there? That is a great picture of you all. We were there at 9am right smack in the middle of training time so we were on our own to visit whomever. (We had asked John earlier while having breakfast on the back stretch and he said okay to visit. Being in the partnership with Rightful Image gives us an owner’s license which is how we have backside access,for those who may wonder. Don’t know about others, though.) The Barn 55 people are so great–even in their busy time, they were friendly to us. We also saw Makoma, National and Gilila–right next to your stall, Z. YOUR JOHN was busy directing horse traffic–fascinating to watch. After petting a barn cat, we left. Did not see Dottie, but put a card on her desk- (with permission.) After 10am it would be quieter, but we stayed out of horse traffic and got some pics of YOUR stall Z, and yours truly right in front. I must say that it was great meeting your little sis—made us feel like a continuing part of history. Thanks to everyone there who were so busy working but let us do our thing (unobtrusive we hope!)– we can’t tell you how much it was appreciated. We certainly had a story to tell people during our day at the track! :) And yes, congrats to the Mosses for Zazu! I heard that they–among others–are getting an award–is it tonight? Perhaps you can fill us in, Queen Z? I will now peruse recent diaries–just wanted to let you know about our visit. Have a great Sunday everyone!! :)
@everyone, now I will go back and peruse the past couple of diaries. Just wanted to let you know of our visit.
Kathy Kimber
@TerryCrow: I want to see a picture of you in Zenyatt’s stall at Barn 55. You should go before it is no more. You’ll also honor your Mom by being there. Hugs
Anne from Paramount, CA
Oops, a little repetitive there at the end–did not proof read! :)