Happy Monday Everyone!
Well, I must say, I think it was a fabulous weekend for those of us who have a name beginning with the letter Z! My dear friend, ZAZU, ran an extremely impressive race to win the Hollywood Oaks- G2 this Saturday! I was so impressed when I watched her ‘cut the corner into the stretch’ and run down the leaders. It is not an easy thing to do, get through on the rail when there is not much space…..but she did it like a CHAMP!
Needless to say, I am very, very proud of her and sending her a HIGH HOOF!
Luck is such an interesting concept. It is an extremely important part of life, our business and sports in general. As an athlete, you always need to be on top of your game and in terrific physical shape when competing. Additionally, you need to be alert and capitalize on all opportunities when they present themselves…and in our sport have a bit of racing luck.
Look at the different situations with my MOSS pals this weekend. Cloud Man ran a fabulous race, in a very good time. At the finish, there were 2 noses on the wire. He just happened to have his head in one position and the other horse, Burns, had his nose bobbing in the right place at the right time at the finish line. Cloud Man truly ran a terrific race and we are very proud of his effort…yet, the luck of the nose bobs did not favor him and he finished a very game and close 2nd.
Zazu, on the other hand, had a different type of racing experience. When turning for home in the Hollywood Oaks, she was able to squeeze through on the rail…albeit….’scraping the paint’ as they call it. This term means she was so close to the rail that it was almost as though the paint on it rubbed against her body. She then took a deep breath, settled, and went on to victory. At that moment, had that hole on the rail closed…or even got the slightest bit tighter…she never would have been able to fit through there. This would have caused her to alter course and lose her momentum. These adjustments to her run down the stretch may have cost her the victory. Her experience in this instance is an example of favorable racing luck, combined with a terrific effort by ZAZU, a very competitive race, and I must say a fabulous ride by Joel Rosario!
Then yesterday, with my friend, Cozi Rosie, in the Beverly Hills-G3, she was somewhat compromised by the way things unfolded at the start of the race. The gates opened and Cozi broke, started to settle and get into her stride, when the horse outside of her crossed over directly in front of her path. This caused Cozi to do what is called ‘clipping heels’….which means her front feet and the hind feet of the horse crossing in front of her touched. When this happens, it causes the horse in the back, in this case Cozi Rosie, to stumble. The severity of the stumble is extremely important. If not too bad, the horse can regroup and get back into the race as soon as possible. Cozi did to finish a very courageous 2nd. This is always the hope!
In racing, seconds lost mean lengths. The old racetrack saying is 1/5 of a second is equal to approximately one length. Of course, many factors may enter into this as pace etc…but this is said to be a “rough” gage. That is why these split-second incidents can be the difference between winning and losing. All of these factors combine to further illustrate, reinforce and validate the statement…. RACING LUCK IS SO IMPORTANT!
As mentioned earlier, luck is extremely important in ALL SPORTS! Timing…when hitting a baseball, catching a throw from the quarterback or as one shoots a basketball …..does matter. When you are competing in a professional sport, you not only need to be prepared and talented…you need to be LUCKY! All of these qualities blend together to make sports fun, challenging and intriguing! It also adds to the viewpoint as to why winning is so special and deeply appreciated when it happens! On so many levels, it is such an achievement!
I’d like to add my congratulations to the filly, Inglorious, who beat the boys in the Queen’s Plate at Woodbine and Buster’s Ready who won the Acorn at Belmont Park.
Overall, I’d have to say it was a fun GIRL POWER winning weekend!
Enjoy your day!
With love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Eveline
http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/horse-racing-steve-haskin/archive/2011/06/26/belmont-bird-call-destiny-denied.aspx
Margaret
Z I still have your GIRL POWER poster hanging on my staircase.
Margaret
Z I still have your GIRL POWER poster hanging on my staircase.
PeggyOne
Here it is, Ora Jean: Bloodhorse said they made a mistake about Lava Man working.
The Blood-Horse It was an error. Lava Man is employed as a pony in Doug O’Neill’s barn.
Saturday at 11:14am
Pam Zacek,
Hey High Hoofs to all the women power this weekend, and I this Zazu is beautiful, just like you, Zen, so glad all the girls, won, and even if they came in 2nd heck, they placed anyway, Keep having a good time, in your field, and this is great to know the races , as I can’t get them all, thanks for the update, and on you also Team zen everyone, have a great day…
Pam Zacek,
Hey High Hoofs to all the women power this weekend, and I this Zazu is beautiful, just like you, Zen, so glad all the girls, won, and even if they came in 2nd heck, they placed anyway, Keep having a good time, in your field, and this is great to know the races , as I can’t get them all, thanks for the update, and on you also Team zen everyone, have a great day…
Helen (Michigan)
Ah, Zenny… Love the photo of Zazu. Maybe it’s her jockeys! She did that too when Mike rode her. Must be her way of “blowing kisses”. Cloud Man was valiant and Cozi Rosie almost got there.
Oh well, there are brighter days ahead and more races to be run.
@Karen Gogue: You have given me the giggles all day.
@Everyone: Happy Monday!
Kate Wheeler
Queen Z, I join you in giving a HIGH HOOF to Zazu, to Cloud Man, to Cozi Rosie and to Inglorious. What an incredible weekend of racing. Thanks also for the insights about racing luck and the information about the dangers of clipping heals. I’m relieved that Cozi came out of the race O.K. Watching races always produces a little anxiety and hope for everyone’s safety, a huge measure of exhilaration when one’s favored wins, and a twinge of nostalgia missing seeing you at the track. Thanks to you and Dottie for keeping us all in touch. I hope you are feeling really good, Zenny, and enjoying your summer.
Jack W.
Well Dottie if anyone should know about “cutting corners”, “best strides”, “racing luck” and “head bobs” it’s your one and only! OH but not for 3 inches!!!
eastcoastkid
Love the picture…tongue placement reminds me of Zenny…gotta love girl power
@Karen gogue; just sent you an email
Lucia
Congrats to Zazu on her win! Thank goodnesss all of the other races were safe, and good races, Cozi Rosie and Cloud Man!
_______________________________
How is YOUR day Zenyatta? Are you and “Baby Zenny” doing well? Thanks for making my day better! :)
Terry Crow
@Ingrid in MA–Great story. Those kids must think you are something special. You may have a one of a kind hat there.@DJ-lets see if you like this. When the guy wakes up, the song Take Five by Dave Brubeck is playing on the radio. His wife gives him a high five for just waking up. I’ll keep working on it.
Karen Gogue
@Kathy B.
Happy YOU Day again! Sorry we missed it!
judy berube
Dear Z and Dottie:
Thank you for the wonderful post and photo of Zazu. Sweet Z, hope you are fine and happy. Love you and love to all of you, Judy and Russ
Barbara Wood
Dearest Z–yes, luck is so important–the weather, the track condition, the crowd noise, the jockey, the trainer, the health/mood of the horse–they all have to come together at the right moment. I STILL say you last Breeders’ Cup was your greatest race.
@Terry Crow–you are so right! I don’t have enough money to bet–lol!
Just finished reading Steve Haskins’ great article on Birdstone’s Belmont victory over Smarty Jones. That’s a good example of racing luck, although I love Birdstone and don’t want to take anything away from him. He showed them all what a little horse with grit can do–as did his sons. I bet we see more winners from him.
Karen Gogue
@JSmith
Atta girl! Touche’!
Patricia Emery
“too cute,” way to go Zazu! Yes, sounds like a girl power weekend for sure. You ladies are surely keeping things interesting…thanks for keeping us informed!
XOXO
judy berube
To Hernan Tovar:
Dear Ingrid:
Isn’t that always the way. Well, you’ll have another good day. Hugs, J.B.
Lisa g
@Ingrid in MA: Too Sweet, tearfully sweet.
judy berube
To Kathy Baldwin:
Happy belated birthday. Hugs, J.B.
Allen
Congrats to ZAZU. That was quite a move on the rail. Also congrats to Cloud Man and Cozie Rosie. You have a great day Queen Z.
judy berube
Dear Ingrid in Ma.:
Sweet story. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Brenda:
Hope Vic’s dream comes true. Hugs, J.B.
Ana
Haha congrats to Zazu!!!
also, can someone clue me in as to the fact- Zenyatta has not foaled yet, or has she? im late in this fact lol
judy berube
To Terry Crow:
I agree with you completely on Life at Ten situation. Enjoyed the joke too. Hugs, J.B.
Trina Nagele
Good afternoon, Queen Z! Thanks for the beautiful picture of Zazu and the tale of her racing heroics and those of other fillies over the weekend. I thought you might be interested in the liked heart-warming post about deaf horses and how they and their owners cope, and even find advantages, in their challenge. There are also darling pictures of twin foals. http://horseandman.com/
Tatia
from what I understand – the tongue hanging out thing is a sign of a relaxed and happy horse. Zenny, you danced AND wagged your tongue….there’s something to be said for it! If I’m wrong, someone please correct me.
Lisa g
@JB: I am still catching up and read you #281 post regarding 7 horses to beat your horse, it took awhile for me to stop laughing. When I went to Remington Memorial Weekend, but cousin decides we should bet $5 to win on all the horse in a particular race as we were not doing well..for fun, my cousin, her husband (I consider my cousin as well: he did not want to do it), and myself pooled the money together, we bet $5 to win on every horse but 2. A long shot came in and we each cleared $25.00. You gotta know my cousin, she is clearly a hoot.
Carolyn Caswell-Brown
@ Terry C – TOO CUTE @ Eveline – Have been reading this tribute all last week. It is written to honor SJ who is being shuttled to Uruguay very soon. I wonder what happened to all that “Chapman Love & Concern” for this horse. Traveling back & forth to South American doesnt seem to me to be in his best interests. @ PeggyOne – I thought Lava Man was at the KHP (?) To Zenny, Zazu, Inglorious, Cozie Rosy & DOTTIE – Thanks for all the information & for having a safe, succesful weekend. GIRLS ROCK!!! LOVE & PEACE
Trina Nagele
OOPS, that was “linked”, not “liked.”