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
NorCalFan#1
Gosh, you Moss girls sure give our hearts a big adrenaline rush! Congratulations to all the connections!! Thank you both for the very informative post!
Paul
Zenyatta, I’m happy for the Jerry Moss horse that won, but feel bad for the one who lost in a nose bob. I watched plenty of horseracing this past weekend. I saw the Queen’s Plate race from Woodbine which Inglorious won. Everything you say about split seconds and luck counting for everything in the world when competing in sports is absolutely true. Horseracing is no different. It’s sometimes a simple matter of being in the right place at the right time. You win some, you lose some.
Max
@Judy (Maass) Gadwood. Thank you for the link to the Z slideshow. Great photos of a very beautiful and unique super mare. Other fillies and mares remind us of Z, but there is only one Queen Zenyatta.
Mary
This so makes me miss watching you race. Hugs and Prayers
Brenda
I got answers today on changing my car’s plates from NANA BS to something honoring YOU. I’m disappointed, it turns out that somebody, somewhere in Ontario has Zenyatta, Zenny, and Queen Z so I guess I’m stuck with the plates I’ve got. Just three weeks to wait for our drive to Blue Grass country so until then lots of HUGS and KISSES to you, lots of those will be flying through the air around LE when we visit and with luck, some will find you.
Max
@Brenda How about Zeny 019 ?
Theresa Buck
yeeeeeeehawwww zazu…GIRL POWER!!!!!!!
Joan
@ Brenda…. DO ZHOY2010 if you can use that many, or just Zhoy. That works.And anyone that knows about Z will understand perfectly.
Love ya Z
Marilu V
Hi Zeny! There should have been 2 winners! Cloud Man deserved it too. So sad but there will be another race. Zazu looks happy in the photo.How unlucky for Cozi but thank God she is OK. Thanks for all the information and explanation. Hugs and prayers going your way! Marilu
Sunny
Zenyatta, my Racing Royalty photograph just arrived and I must say that you and Secretariat make quite the wall hanging. Loved the fact that I could get the jockeys signatures as well. (www.secretariat.com) You are a dumpling and so regal.
Shannon From Cool
Bravo Zazu! Good going.
Amy K
Way to go for your friends back at Hollywood Park. With your words of wisdom Zenny, they have a solid future. I truly think that HOTY will once again go to the girls – exceptional performances and consistency. As for consistency, BLACK CAVIAR is back in training after a 5 1/2 week rest. 13 wins, undefeated, will be going for 14 (and yes, beats the best boys)! Thanks again all for the links, jokes, good times and as always Dottie/Zenny, an informative inside look at the sport of racing.
Judy (Maass) Gadwood ~ CA
Summertime Fun: Sale 2YOs and Their Names
http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/hammertime/archive/2011/06/27/The-Name-Game.aspx
Tory
this is what I want – all kinds of racing information to learn from. YOU are a good teacher, Zenny!
Mary
Wow…Zazu is a beautiful horse..it does look like she is saying…I did it!! Her ears are way up ….looks like yours Z. I have always loved that about you…those beautiful ears up and you are always so alert to everything around you. Yes…so many times life is about luck. Thanks for an interesting post…you really had Dottie typing away today on the computer. Hugs to you Z…. :)
Eveline
@ Carolyn Caswell Brown – I can’t speak about that bussiness desicion , horses shuttle all the time, but Mr. Chapman passed away and I was very touched by Mrs.Chapman comment on S.H. article. Quote ; Steve, Thanks again for all the wonderful words about Smarty. No one hurts more than I do about his early retirement and the fact we will never know just how good he really was. Your articles go a long way toward taking some of the sting out. I’m going to see him tomorrow and have a quiet visit with him. I shall thank him, one more time, for all that he did for so many of us. Pat C. 23 june 2011
Trina Nagele
@Brenda—Congratulations to you and Vic on Inglorious’s win. Hope you get to her next race too.
@Terry—Thanks for the explanation of “diminishing requests.”
@TERRY(again)AND DJ—Good one (or two)!
@Ingrid in MA—That’s so sweet of your students to make a Z cap for you—they clearly love you! And a moment of silence after the Queen’s BCC 2010—awesome! Judy Berube’s idea to get one of the students to help you post a picture on Z’s facebook is great. I just learned there are two Z facebook pages—the other one is Zenyatta California Girl. I hope you can get a picture up on both. Too cute!
@Kathy Baldwin—Happy belated birthday! Glad you had a good one.
@Ana—Z’s baby is due next spring—maybe in March.
@EVELINE—Thanks for the links to the Smarty Jones articles by Steve Haskins.
@Those who had follow-up questions about the dogs who attacked Frankie the Foal, I put a post at the end of #282.
Signofthetimes
Just watched AP Indy win BCC, what an explosive
Stretch drive. Zenny’s baby’s granddaddy in human terms.
Go Bernie’s dad !!!!
Go Zazu!!!!!
Tracey - Ottawa, ON Canada
Yes!! Girl Power, Inglorious did a fantastic job coming out of the pack to win. The largest field in a very long time. I understand her sire Hennessy stood for stud for awhile at Ashford Stud. Always love hearing about you Zenyatta, we thought we had our foot in the door to see you this summer, as we were flying in from Canada into Lexington for a couple days but I guess that dream is up in smoke. Love you anyway ..you are the best!!!
Shari Voltz
Dear Zenyatta I agree Zazu’s race was incredible. I agree about the luck part too. It seems in horse racing you need a lot of talent and luck. The clipping of heels is what happen to Animal Kingdom in the Belmont. What if it never happened would he have won? One just never knows. I love all this education you give us (Thanks Dottie :) I am getting so good at the horse racing knowledge. I am proud of the understanding I now have. So sweet Zenyatta I hope you and the girls had a good day. I worked hard in my house. It is 8:00 and I have not had dinner yet. I am going to make some popcorn. I LOVE POPCORN. Sweet dreams sweetie with Big Hugs and Big Kisses. XXXOOO
@ Susan Thank you Thank you. Rootbeer is my so beautiful. I want to adopt him. I so wish I had the money to get him :)
@ Karen thank you pretty women :)
@ Dawn I found a restaurant called Ramseys. Go on line and see what you think. Hope you had a great day :)
Lisa
Congrat’s to all definately a girls weekend!
Thanks for sharing all the news, I never get tired of reading it.
The Kennedys in San Diego
@Kari Bussell — Beautiful video and perfect soundtrack.
Mary Larson-Gutman
Thanks for the unique look into the races. Gotta love those fillies. Thanks Z
Mary
The Kennedys in San Diego
Excellent post, Zenyatta. Who should know better than you about all that can happen in the heat of competition.
LouAnn Cingel of Union, Missouri
what a fabulous girl power weekend it was for sure and congratulations to Zazu and her connections and Cloud Man for his fantastic second and to Cozie Rosie for her lucky second. And the wonderful three yr old filly Inglorious who raced the boys and took em all down, girl power is definitely alive and well this yr again in racing. Just seems a little sad to not have you Zenyatta a part of it, well though you are but only in a different capacity, more as a fan and a team member. Sure miss seeing you running down the tracks though. Love you lots dear girl and you have given me so much joy!
The Kennedys in San Diego
@Linda in NJ – Why not reserve in the Hollywood Park Turf Club? Table service, good food from with an excellent view. We call (310) 419 – 1601.
suew
@Judy, thanks so much to the link of Zenny’s retirement. My eyes fill with tears when I look at these pictures…a bit of sadness because we don’t see her on the track but tears of sheer happiness, too, because she is happy and healthy and “talking” to us still.
Brenda
@ Trina – Hooves are crossed in this house that the decision to go for the Canadian Triple Crown will bring Inglorious to Fort
Erie for the Prince of Wales. We live 10 minutes from the track and have been there for the POW every year since 2001. “The Fort” is a very pretty, small track and fans can get a much closer interaction with the horses than at Woodbine so we are hoping.
@ Joan and Max Thanks for the suggestions. Never thought of those but they’re great ideas.
@ Dawn Conrad We are really looking forward to July 21. Hope all is well with you.
Ingrid in MA
@judy b – that improv-everywhere video was HYSTERICAL!!!! LOVE it! Thanks for sharing that!
Charlotte Farmer
@Zazu – High hooves on an impressive race in the Hollywood Oaks. Yeh! As a gray you are really pretty. You definitely stand out in a race.
@Inglorious – Love that name and congratulations on beating the boys in the Queen’s Plate at Woodbine; definitely a weekend for the girls.
@Andrea from Germany – I have always wondered the same thing on tongue thing.
@Tatia and Sharon Call – Thanks for the explanation on the tongue.
@Terry Crow – You definitely have a following and I love today’s joke. Anything that makes people smile is a wonderful thing.
@Ana – Nope, Zenyatta has not had her foal and it is still a long way off before that happens.
@Ingrid in MA – You must be a very special teacher. We have all had one special teacher that meant so much to us. Mine was a gentleman by the name of Mr. Eggers. He was my U.S. History teacher my junior year of high school and then I was lucky to be his secretary my senior year. He cared so much about his students and made learning so enjoyable. He is still alive and I stay in contact with him. He calls me “kid” and “sunshine.” I’m not a kid but I enjoy it when he says that.
@Eveline – Thanks for the link to Steve Haskins. He did a book on my Kelso, which I love. He is a terrific person and wonderful writer. I will check the link out.
@Dawn Conrad – Even though I have not been there, Normandy Farm, you need to go there and see the wonderful statue of Fair Play, Man o’ War’s sire. Fair Play was owned first by August Belmont II, then when he died Joseph E. Widener purchased him. He was sent to Elmendorf, now Normandy Farm. Fair Play and the entire family are buried there. Widener had this beautiful statue erected of Fair Play.
I don’t remember where I got this from, but I was so taken by the words that I have kept it all these years.
>“The sale of Fair Play at the Belmont dispersal had an effect on a number of key players in racing history. Mr. and Mrs. Peter A. B. Widener II arrived at the sale as somewhat disinterested guests of the senior Widener. Their lives were changed. The younger Widener would later say, “The course of our lives had been changed by a “golden horse.” The horse was the grand old man of American turf, Fair Play, sire of Man o’ War. I’ll never forget him as he stood in the sale ring. The bright Kentucky sun streamed down upon him, burnishing his chestnut sides as if with gilt. He looked a king. The energy of the twenty-year-old horse, his royal impatience, got me . . .
>“He was not the only one affected by the great old sire. Many of those in attendance wept openly, and Marion du Pont, attending with her father, expanded her interest in the horse show world to the racetrack as well upon seeing Fair Play. The great steeplechaser Battleship, a son of Man o’ War, carried the colors of Mrs. Marion du Pont Scott.”
@Steve Haskins – I spoke with Steve Haskins, today. He is going to do a piece on Noor. Of course, we had to take about our mutual love of Kelso.
@Dottie Shirreffs – I don’t know how you manage to bring such wonderful information each day to Zenyatta’s site, but please keep it up. I so enjoy it and I love that you are her voice.