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
Sue Fredrick
Hey Big Moma, wow, we have Zazu, Cozi Rosie, Inglorious,and Blind Luck, and soon Ebby, there’s hope for all of us fillie lovers to help fill the void left from losing you to motherhood! Just let them say fillies don’t matter, it’s the colts that count!
@Trisha Veazey- how about Zingular Zensation for Z’s baby?
@Terry Crow- tooooo funnnnny! Where do you get these or do you make them up?
Luv and kisses on Z’s nose
Irene Caty
Zenny, yes I agree that this week-end was a good winning time and the girls did real good. When I watch those close races I think of you and wish I could see you race again. I dont think that the Moss’ are as happy at the track as they were when you were raceing. You were a big fast running to catch up comeing from behind Girl and you were one big thrilling beauty to watch each and every time. Love you Zen and thanks for the week-end race up date both you and Dottie.
dunie
GIRL POWER!
And love to the #1 girl, ZENNY!
dunie
GIRL POWER!
And love to the #1 girl, ZENNY!
Karen Gogue
@Trina and JSmith
Thank you Trina. It seems everyday there is a worthy rescue – wish I could ‘fund’ them all! :(
JSmith
That was very cute – too cute with the ‘beauty contest’ for the mares! What a lovely thing to do! (#282 close to end)
Lauren
Dear Zenny – Congratulations to Zazu – I am sure she learned a lot from you. You are truly a champion. Lots of hugs and love today beautiful girl. Say hi to Dottie.
Tatia
@Barbara – My honey and I were just talking about Zenny’s last BC race and he made the statement – “Her place in that race impressed me more than ALL of her other wins.” I’m so glad we were able to see it in person. Such class!
judy berube
Dear Lisa G.:
What a great story. Sounds like something my sister and I would do. She is a so funny too; we’re kind of like Lucy and Ethel when we are together. Lots of laughing. Hugs, J.B.
Lisa g
@JB: That is how my cousin and I are…Lucy and Ethel. too cute.
Lisa g
@JB: That is how my cousin and I are…Lucy and Ethel. too cute.
Debbie G
@Ingrid – That is such a sweet story! Those kids must think the world of you to do something so special. You’re one lucky lady! :-)
Deneen
Zazu is strikingly beautiful just like you Z — Wow!! Her alertness and the way she looks towards the camera and poses reminds me of YOU!!!! Congrats Zazu — so happy for you sweetie!!!! Thanks Dottie and Z for the detailed race information – helps me understand everything better. Cloud Man and Cozi Rosie are winners in my book!! Great efforts by both horses!!!!
Paula Higgins
Congrats to Zazu and Jerry and Ann Moss! Very happy for them. Great blog Zenny/Dottie! Yes, racing luck is very important in many races. Zenny often overcame less than lucky circumstances in her 19 races. Zenny made her own luck through sheer ability in spite of all the obstacles. The last race, Blame is the one who got lucky. Luck was the only reason he was ahead by a nose in my opinion. He got very, very lucky. Eveline, I saw the Smarty Jones piece, another great blog by Steve Haskins. He is a major Zenny fan too.
Delrene
I just LOVED READING YOUR POST TODAY. THANK YOU DOTTIE AND ZENYATTA & CONGRATS TO ZAZU AND ALL THE OTHERS WHO WON AND CAME HOME HEALTHY AND A CLOSE 2ND! SO MUCH IS TRUE ABOUT LUCK. WE ARE ALL SO BLESSED AND LUCKY TOO TO HAVE YOU AND YOUR WEBSITE ( THANKS TO ALL YOUR HUMAN CONNECTIONS) AVAILABLE TO READ AND LEARN ABOUT THE WORLD OF THOROUGHBRED HORSERACING.
IF ALL OF YOU CAN ALSO GET THE TIME TO READ STEVE HASKINS POSTS ON SMARTY in the Bloodhorse.com websie , THEY ARE SO BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN AND HE WAS SUCH AN INSPIRATION AND BOON TO HORSERACING. They should get that statue of him at the Philadelphia Race Course.
Have a great day with your friends in Kentucky.
Delrene
Of course I’m referring to the statue of Smarty Jones, not the author, Steve Haskins! Sorry, not too clearly written.
Lynette Lucas
Zenny – I love the photo of ZaZu! I’m so happy that she won on Sat.! I was cheering her on!!! I still think that Cloud Man should have won!!! I’m glad Cozi finished good and there was no major accident after the clipping of the heels! Love you beautiful girl!!! Hugs and Kisses from Roswell,NM!!!
Paula Higgins
Ingrid in Ma, a wonderful story about the hat. It sounds like you are a special teacher with a wonderful group of kids. You have a one of a kind hat with special meaning.
Leslie R.
Hi Zenny, a big high hoof to Zazu! She ran a very brave race and she’s very pretty! Cloud Man definitely lost a heart breaker. That is too bad. I hope Cozi Rosie comes out of her race A-Okay! Thanks for the update on the other Moss horses! The Moss’ do seem to have good luck with names beginning with Z. Maybe they’ll name your foal with a Z name too.
I hope you are having a beautiful day sweet girl!
Love to all,
Leslie
Lisa B
Hi Zenny and Miss Dottie,
I do believe the GIRLS are doing much better than the Boys this racing year. Thank you for all the info you post in your diary. It has been so helpful in understanding all the going ons in the racing world. Love YOU oooxxx
Max
Congrats to your pals, Zazu, Cozi and Cloud Man. These are very good results in only one weekend. Very happy especially that Cozi is okay. Z, your fans are lucky to have you. You are a great example to horses and people, beautiful inside and out, and courageous too.
judy berube
Dear Tatia:
I’m also “still alive” in Monmouth’s Survival at the Shore. Don’t have a lifeline anymore though. Hugs, J.B.
Linda Deutsch
I thought Mike Smith was Zazu’s regular rider – I think he rode Cozi Rosie this weekend. Either way, both fillies were fabulous as were both jockeys. Speaking of racing luck, the nose bob was why you lost to Blame – in our hearts and minds, you won!!!!! Love you Z and all your wonderful teams.
Sue Fredrick
@Judy Berube, ha, ha, they always say that about my girlfriend and I. There must be a lot of us Lucy and Ethels around!
Kathy Baldwin
Duh…should have been clipped “heels” in
my last post. hee! hee! ;) Anyway, think
Cozi Rosie would have won, had this not
happened.
Peace,
Kathy from SoCal :)
Kathy Kimber
Before I get to todays blog.
@Dianah S. you said 112 on your porch yesterday where on earth do you live girl I’m wilting at the thought.
@Terry Corw: No dimishing of fans for the jokes here. Keep them coming dear friend:
Sharyn
It was a great weekend for the girls!! Zazu was spectacular – she ran a great race! Cloud Man was great too – lost only with that bobbing of the head as you described. Your posts are always so informative, I love how much I have learned about your sport!!
Sharon Call
@Tatia and Andrea from Germany. You’ll see this most commonly done by horses that have their tongues tied. The tongue is usually tied to make sure the horse doesn’t slip their tongue over the bit and block their airway and/or cause the jockey to lose a certain amount of control over the horse. Hope I don’t get blasted for saying this.
@Terry Crow. I, too, am with you 100% on the situation surrounding Life at Ten. What are these people thinking???
@Ingrid in MA. What a wonderful thing your class did. I don’t blame you, I would be so proud of that hat, too!
Got to see if I can find tape of Zazu’s race. Sounds scary and great at the same time. Congrats to Cozi Rosi for coming through that “clipping” situation without being hurt.
sherry drish
ZAZU JUST ABOUT TOOK MY BREATH AWAY IN HER BOLD MOVE ON THE RAIL. THAT WAS SO SCARY. CAN YOU IMAGINE CARS DODGING LIKE THAT. OH THEY DO IT IS CALLED NASCAR. GIVE US HORSE RACING ANY DAY. PER SMARTY JONES LEAVING KY. IN JULY COMING BACK HERE IN DEC. I PRAY ALL WILL GO WELL. HIS TRAINER JOHN SERVIS,LIVE IN THE SAME TOWN. LOVE TO ALL. SHERRY D. WV.
Kathy Kimber
@Judy Mass Gadwood: Thanks for the candle reminder I do so appreciate it got to keep them lit. You do so much for all of us thanks. Hugs
Kathy Kimber
@Terry Crow: they just get better and better Hugs.