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
Sunny Boyd
Good evening Zenyatta,
your buddy Zazu is a beauty, isn’t she?!
Congratulations to all, I’m glad everybody made it home okay.
Wish me luck, :) :) :)
A peaceful night and sweet dreams
Linda in NJ
@The Kennedys in San Diego: That’s idea! I’ll ask about that. I wonder if that location is close to the winner’s circle and finish line? Another thing for me to consider is I like to walk around take pictures of the horses in the paddock area, talk with the people so a table may not work.
Sarah Powell
Great post today and as usual lots of info from others! Congrats to Zazu for running (and winning ) a gutsy race. Glad everyone came home safe – could have had a very different outcome. (thanks Dottie)
@ Kathy Baldwin Happy Belated Birthday – sounds like a perfect way to celebrate!
@ Ingrid you know you’re a good teacher when 8th graders take the time to do that for you – usually 8th graders won’t even acknowledge that they know their teacher! LOL
@ Judy Gadwood thanks for sharing the link to the candles and the slidshow – never get tired of watching pics of the Queen.
MM in Wyoming
@ Sharon Call – thanks for the info about the tongues.I’ve been wondering why MY horses’ tongues never hung out! In the Churchill Downs Museum there’s a video of horses racing directly at you, and I noticed the lolling tongues right away.
ZenDottie, could you comment? Do you resist having your tongue tied like that?
Sharon Call
@Shari Voltz. Susan must be sending you pictures of Rootbeer. She’s sending me pictures of Chester. What a change in him!!! He’s filled out and you can’t see his spine or ribs anymore. Susan got a fly mask at my request for him. Her daughter took a look at him when she was in TN and said she thought he is in his early to mid-twenties. Of course, he has had a lot of teeth pulled so eating can be somewhat of a challenge but Susan has risen to the occassion beautifully.
Robyn Mullhausen
Congrats to Zazu! Love her name. She is beautiful, of course no other is as beautiful as you Zenny. :)
D.Lawson
Fabulous picture of Zazu! Congratulations to all, had her in my exacta box.:))
Michelle
I would like for someone to explain “switching leads”. Is it something horses do naturally? Is it dangerous?
DJ
To Terry C.: …..”without a five-oclock shadow!!”
Charlotte Farmer
@Kathy Kimber – Tried sending you an e-mail. It didn’t go through. You posted: tarquin_lhs57@yahoo.com
It said unable to locate.
Amy K
Yippee!!! Looks like I may get to see Zazu and the Moss’ in person at Saratoga. I wished so hard that they would bring you there Zenny to race Rachel, but at least I may get to see Zazu and take pics! http://www.drf.com/news/hollywood-oaks-winner-zazu-headed-alabama
DJ
To Amy K: Congratulations! I am sure you will take some beautiful photos of ‘zealous Zazu!’ She is simply stunning.
barbara
as alwa s, zenny and dottie, thank you for the insite of horse racing.
i just watched the ‘queen’s plate’ with luis contreras up and before inglorius even passed the finish line, he was patting her on the neck for such a great race!! you could feel the love in his voice as he gave his interview after the win.
and no whip:)
love you zenny!!
Dawn Conrad
Dearest, Zenyatta. Thank you for such a wonderful post about the great racing by all this past weekend. Zazu is gorgeous and her move was so courageous. Wow!! I love Pulpit, who is the sire of Tapit and thus Zazu’s grandsire. I have a great picture from my last visit at Claiborne with him. He is a sweety, Zenny. So glad that Cozie Rosie was not hurt. And yes, we all know the heartbreak of a head bob. But, you have been blessed in so many other ways, Zenny and we have been blessed and LUCKY to share your amazing life!! Love you!!! Sweet dreams. Hugs and kisses. XXXOOO
@Shari – I will take a look at Ramseys. I can’t believe it’s only a couple more weeks. Yea!! Hope you had a fantastic time at the park for your anniversary! The popcorn sounds yummy, I have always absolutely loved the smell of it.
@Ingrid – What an amazing gift your hat was. Your students must care for you very much.
@Karen Gogue – Loved the phone call. Thanks. I finally got to see the picture of the four of you gals at HP. You were all just TOO CUTE!
@JSmith – I couldn’t agree more!
@Kathy Baldwin – Sorry I missed your B-Day. Hope it was a happy one.
@Sue Fredrick – My best friend (actually she is more like a sister)and I travel a great deal together. We always say it’s Lucy and Ethel on vacation. I am Lucy and she is Ethel. One example (and believe me there are many) was the time we were on a cruise ship and I dropped one of my diamond earrings down the bathroom sink drain. I remember opening the bathroom door and saying, “Ethel we’ve got a problem.” and she replyed, “what did you do now Lucy?” The next half hour before we were scheduled to arrive at dinner was spent with me taking the drain apart, with her assistance and retrieving my earring. This task was made even more complicated by the tears of laughter that were blinding us both. I could just picture the real Lucy and Ethel in the exact same situation. I think they would have been proud.
@Kari Bussell – The video was fantastic and as you said the music just had to be used.
Kathryn Cogswell
To Michelle: Imagine a horse cantering a ‘Figure 8.’ She comes to the place heading counterclockwise, lifts from her rear to boost forward her inside (near) front leg, and stretches, reaching with that inside front leg as she leans into the curve of the circle, going counter-clockwise. With the change of direction — clockwise — she`ll switch to the inside (off) front leg, reaching into the next stride, heading clockwise: it is a shortened and balancing way for her to relax into the circle . . . reaching w/ whichever front leg stretches the inside of her anatomy to counter-balance the smaller/inside circle. Horses naturally ‘rest’ in their strides by switching leads — western references to ‘flying changes of leads’ is a way of saying the same thing. Naturally, if they want to change directions, they switch leads too. Anybody???
Judy (Maass) Gadwood (CA)
@ ALL HORSE LOVERS! If you don’t own this book, you’re missing out! Gorgeous photographs by the talented Barbara Livingston! :-D I envey her JOB!!!
http://www.exclusivelyequine.com/ViewProduct.aspx?productID=B11-1152(BHP)
Judy (Maass) Gadwood (CA)
@ ALL HORSE LOVERS! If you don’t own this book, you’re missing out! Gorgeous photographs by the talented Barbara Livingston! :-D I envy her JOB!!!
http://www.exclusivelyequine.com/ViewProduct.aspx?productID=B11-1152(BHP)
Elaine
Sounds like Zazu went to school on your first Breeder’s Cup Classic win when you beat the boys. They tried to pin you in, but you prevailed! I will never forget seeing you make your move….it was right in front of me!
Dawn Conrad
@Charlotte Farmer – Thank you so much for the beautiful description of the mighty Fair Play. I will certainly check out Normandy Farm. There are so many wonderful farms. I just keep checking my list and making phone calls. Of course each year the list grows as I add new and keep my old favorites and have to see. Definitely not enough time. Can’t wait to explore Zenyatta’s Roberto connection at Darby Dan and pay my respects at his grave. Abigail did such a remarkable piece. So happy you were able to get in touch with Steve Haskins, I think he is amazing and I love his writing. He and Bill Nack have to be my favorites.
@Susan in TN – How fun that you are sharing pictures of Rootbeer and Chester with Sharon and Shari. How close is the rescue to Nashville?
@Brenda – I am counting down the days until I pack up the car and head out.
Alene
Hi gorgeous!! Yes Zenny. Girl power this weekend. For sure…So glad ZAZU won. She ran a great race. Joel Rosario was awesome. He got her through. Thank God everyone made it in good shape!!! Still only one “ZENYATTA”… None like you!! Thanks Dottie…Lots of Big Hugs and Kisses Alene :-)
Judy (Maass) Gadwood ~CA
I have to post one more link this evening… sorry! A friend sent this to me. Do you want to see a 9 y.o. CLOSER?Open this link and look for 6/24 IOWA SPRINT H; watch DUCKY DRAKE (bless his heart) mow them down from the back of the pack… look familiar ;-)
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/racing/video.aspx
Jenna
Zazu’s a doll…just like Zenyatta! Congratulations to the Mr. and Mrs. Moss and the team!
kristen
Great girls weekend. The girls are putting the boys on notice!
Sue Fredrick
@Dawn Conrad, hey maybe you and your friend, Judy Berube and hers, me and my friend can get together and have a Lucy and Ethel party. We can give prizes to the two that closest resemble them! My girlfriend and I travel together a bit also and its always an adventure.
Amy K
@ Judy – Barbara surely has a mighty fine line of work indeed! So envious, what a lucky girl. Her photos and commentaries make you feel as though you’re a part of the moment. I have her other book “Saratoga” as well which is equally as beautiful.
@ Hey Dottie – can John bring Barn 55 to Saratoga so we can meet the whole Z team and cheer them to victory? Love to meet you and thank you for all you do for us!
Sue Fredrick
@Terry Crow, I used to show Afgan Hounds but not anymore. I don’t know the answer to the Basset Hound question (IRS chasing them ?) other than to say there is a lot of politics in the ring, and certain breeds rise and fall in popularity. Sorry I missed your message yesterday I just saw it now. Is this a joke?
Amy K
@ Barbara – I really enjoy seeing a jockey really connect with their mount using voice and hands, sparing the whip. Inglorious and Contreras are a team. From what I understand BLACK CAVIAR also is raced with instructions to Luke Nolen not use the whip if at all possible.
@ All the Lucy and Ethels – I’m getting the urge to watch some old shows, so many funny images dancing through my head! They don’t make ’em like they used to.
Maria K.
Congrats to Zazu. I was so happy that she won. Yes! Inglorious was fabulous. She was the only filly in the race and beat the boys. It would have been a perfect week end if Cloud Man won the race. Hopefully next time the racing luck will be in his favor. Have fun outside Queen Z. I am sending you lots of hugs and kisses.
Librarian
Dear Zenyatta, Thanks so much for today’s post as a reminder that preparation and hard work sometime need luck to succeed. Haven’t we all fallen victim to the infamous head-bob of life, at one time or another, and just missed out on something by a nose.
So many good things to read today, and I feel like I want to respond to everyone, but just keep running out of time.
@Shari Voltz, yes, I am a still an Ohio Valley girl at heart. As the old saying goes, “you can take the girl out of the valley, but you can’t take the valley out of the girl”. I still have family there, would love to visit with you.
@Charlotte Farmer, thanks for the wonderful story on Fair Play. I love the stories of the great old horses, and this one was to cherish.
@Dawn Conrad, I missed the details of your visit to Lexington. For how long will you be visiting ? I am very blessed to live close enough to visit there often and have many ideas of “must see’s and do’s”. But you might have to stay for a month or two to see everything. Enjoy !
And yes, Steve Haskin ranks right up there with my favorite authors, Bill Nack and Dick Francis.
jim
lovya Z. and little Z is awsome. big days ahead for both of you