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
judy berube
Dear Amy K:
Barbara L. does an amazing job writing and, of course, her photos are wonderful. So true what you said about the “old shows”. I miss them too. Hugs, J.B.
Karen Gogue
@Charlotte Farmer
I e-mailed you Kathy’s info. :)
judy berube
Sue Fredrick:
You got me laughing. That would be something; a Lucy and Ethel look alike contest. Hugs, J.B.
jeanie langford
Zimply Zenzational Zazu. Zo Zerrific, Zizzling and Zazzy too. Gives us Zomething to Zelebrate on the track. Miss you Queen Z. Do you think we could have some video of you? Hugs and Kisses and a little peck for the foal
Valeria Cannon
Hi Lady Z, woooo hoooo to ‘The Dumplings’! And a special high hoove to Inglorious and Buster’s Ready for keeping that ‘Girl Power’ going strong! Little z the blue jean queen, made you and us proud, gotta keep the Vanity in the family, yes! Love you much, peppermint kisses and carrot dreams…
Valeria
judy berube
Dear Judy (Maass) Garwood:
Thanks for the link on Ducky Drake. Sure did look familiar. Did some research on him. He’s by Benchmark out of Alice May by Pleasant Colony. Racing record: 47 Starts – 20 Wins, 11 Place, 6 Show. Not too shabby. Hugs, J.B.
Cathleen
Girl Power and Z Power! Watched both Zazu and Cloud Man on TVG. Great races. That Zazu is so cute I just want to hug her. :) You make such interesting points in your post Zenyatta, and I think it also shows how impressive your record was and what you achieved — 19 straight victories (and just one loss by a nose) is beyond remarkable, given all that can alter a race in a split second. Miss seeing you race Zenyatta, but can’t wait to meet your foal! XOXO Cathleen
judy berube
Dear Amy K:
I hope you do get to see Zazu and the Moss’ at Saratoga. I’ll be rooting for her. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Ingrid in Ma:
You’re welcome. Wasn’t that little boy adorable! Hugs, J.B.
signofthetimes
Dear Zenny
What a lovely blog today and a gorgeous photo of Zazu. I must say she is very photogenic and very talented. Loved your analysis of all the other filly’s as well. Great to hear it from the horses perspective. Just got sooo caught up in that BCC 1992 of AP Indy win. Here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3nLTrp3nIM
It is very fun to see him as a young 3 year old with all the promise in the world and know how he has fulfilled it with so many lovely colts and filly’s especially your Bernardini.
@ Michelle
Horses are taught to change leads when they turn corners to stay balanced when they are ridden. The right lead is the inside leg going forward first around a turn. This change is initiated with a weight shift and it takes lots and lots and lots of practice to get it perfect. Young horses sometimes switch to the wrong lead (outside) leg going first around a corner. The lead switch is done usually by weight shift. Sometimes veterans will make their riders look real good when the riders don’t give a cue or the right cue with weight shift or head turn, they will switch on their own. Babies don’t do that. Sometimes they switch back and forth. If on the wrong lead, they movement is less efficient and they then will have less speed.
Hope this makes sense.
signofthetimes
Here is a tribute to Z from DRF:
http://www.drf.com/news/zenyatta-career-highlights-and-video-replays
What great support you are giving you BBF on the track
Zenny/Dottie!!! Really love all these updates and in the know
analysis.
judy berube
Signofthetimes:
Thank you for that explanation of lead changes and for the links. Hugs, J.B.
Anne from Paramount, CA
Hi Queen Z…thanks for the wonderful picture of beautiful Zazu and your “tutorial.” You have such great insight! Saw Zazu’s race in person–wow!! @Kathy Baldwin, belated happy b/d to you! What a great way to celebrate. We may have passed by each other on Saturday.
@ Cynthia H (from previous post), yep that’s me on the radio, Anne from Paramount, or used to be. The shows don’t take much time for callers anymore. One recent time (during Santa Anita meet) I was on hold for half an hour (Jason’s show) and heard it all with my ear to the phone! I think they forgot about me! (Good for the ego. :)
@Judy Berube, we MAY visit Rightful Image on the farm, not sure. And yes, I cannot get over the friendliness and generosity of Barn 55. (Hey Terry Crow, there are two more “fives.”!)There are almost not proper words to describe everyone there, although friends say they are a “happy barn.” :)
@JSmith, enjoyed the beauty contest. Ha–what a concept. That would be sure to put smiles on everyone’s faces, including the equines–especially the equines.
@Everyone: love your stories–they make me smile, laugh, feel sad or even make
me think. But since it is getting late (still 6/27 here), I cannot think anymore.
Everyone have a great week, especially you QUEEN Z!
Victoria
Love her tongue sticking out!
And yes, luck is very important in events, especially rodeo events and racing events in general!
((hugs))
judy berube
Dear Signofthetimes:
As I watched A P Indy’s classic win in the Classic, I was thinking to myself that Jockey ED never used his whip. At the end of the video, the interviewer remarks to ED that he never used the whip and he wished there were more jockeys like that. What a super horse. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Anne from Paramount, CA.:
Hope you find Rightful Image improved if/when you visit. Hugs, J.B.
signofthetimes
@ Sue Fredrick
From post 282; your comments about breeding and showing are
so correct. I was fortunate to ride a veteran TB that had been showing in his younger years and the judges just loved him so we of course won. I guess showing is a lot more subjective than racing. In racing their is only one winner, second and third etc… It is just as possible for a small unknown horse (Mine That Bird) to win as an AP Indy, Curlin, Zenyatta, Rachel, Rags etc…. . I guess that is what this blog is about racing luck. Of course pedigree, talent, athleticism etc…. also are big factors along with genetics.
Sweet Dreams Zenny !!!!
judy berube
Dear Z:
Goodnight and Sweet Baby Dreams. Love you, Judy and Russ
signofthetimes
@ Judy B
I loved that comment too. Indy just dug in and that was that, ED was on for the ride. What an awesome TB race horse, AP Indy.
Hope everyone who goes to Lanes End this summer gets a visit with him. He is very special.
candi cartier
zazu is a beauty just like you zenny we love you always xoxo
signofthetimes
@ Judy B
How lucky to see Zazu win her race this weekend. Hope her hip is OK. No burn from the fence. So impressive that she just regrouped and headed for the wire without much thought/upset.
Her talent is really becoming evident. She is really moving forward
in her racing ability. Good Luck Zazu!!!!
Karen Gogue
Zenny
Have I told you lately that you are the dream of everything in my heart? I dream you are the happiest you can be, I dream of seeing you again someday too, I dream of the foal too – somehow becoming greater than you, that will be the ‘hearts’ desire, but know that may not come true. I dream for all to see you soon, that dream is most special too. I dream for the best Heaven has in store for you as a horse that loves being just that. I dream…I dream…I dream of you in Zennyland of my dreams…I dream of you in Zennyland of our dreams…I dream.
oxxooxoox I dream I love you more and more in my heart of dreams.
Jane Wade
What an athlete Zazu is! To squeeze in on the rail like that and continue on to win the race is awesome! She made my heart skip a beat but not as often as you did Z! wink-wink!
Have a wonderful day! :-)
Barb Zylbert
Nice wrap up of the recent races. Thank you and keep it coming!
OraJean Stevenson
Dear Zenny & Team-Z,
“RACING LUCK” came my way the first time I
saw you, at Hollywood Park’s Paddock…and
continues right here in these Updates!!
Thanks, Zenny and Dottie.
Thanks, also, to Jeff for sharing his great picture of ZAZU.
Have a wonderful, summer week. Hugs to you all. Fondly, OraJean
J Smith
Awwwwwwe, OraJean, that is so sweet. How right you are.
The Kennedys in San Diego
@Linda in NJ – You have the Turf Club table and seat of course for the entire day. The Turf Club overlooks the finish line and winner’s circle and is a short walk from the saddling paddock.
Charlotte Farmer
@Librarian – You are welcome. I consider it just one big family album that belongs to Zenyatta.
@Amy K – I too love Lucy. My favorite all-time episode of “I Love Lucy” was when she stole John Wayne’s footprints. Does anyone remember the very last episode with Betty Grable and Harry James? Part of the story was about their ownership of racing thoroughbreds. During the ‘50’s they raced their horses at Santa Anita and I am not sure if they ever made it north to Tanforan or Golden Gate. Over the years I have had many episodes, with my friends that would remind one of Lucy and Ethel.
@Zenyatta – Do you have someone like that? I doubt that you could ever be that silly.
Trina Nagele
Dearest Zenny, Time to say goodnight to you again, and sleep tight. (Thank you, Dottie.)
@Judy Maass Gadwood — Thanks for the link to the closer Ducky Drake.
@ Judy Berube — Thanks for the stats about the aforementioned Ducky Drake, and the link to the improv group at the carousel—too cute!
@Librarian —–I’m a big Dick Francis fan too! As a matter of fact, I’m reading (OK—re-reading) one of his right now. So sad that he is gone now.
J Smith
Here’s somebody who needs some racing luck. Some of u may have looked at photo’s of the Australian horse, Hay List, working out on the beach, that I posted a month or so ago. They are spectacular pix, on his wall photo’s on fb. Poor Hay List has been side lined by a leg injury, and now it has a serious infection, his career is in jeopardy. I’m wishing some good luck to him for a full recovery. In case u don’t know of him, he is a great horse, and also got a little unlucky being born in the Black Caviar era, he usually comes in 2nd to her. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/superracing/hay-list-at-risk-from-leg-infection/story-fn67siys-1226082298484