Happy LET’S ENJOY GREAT RACING SATURDAY!
Today is such a fabulous racing day around the country. My MIKIE is riding at Calder in their SUMMIT OF SPEED races this afternoon. This is a program filled with all sprint stakes. The ‘quick action’ going on there today will be such fun to watch. I truly want to wish Mike and all of the horses competing in these events the very best!
My dear pal, GIO PONTI, is entered in NY in the MAN O’ WAR-G1. He is trying to win this stake for the 3rd time in a row. I know a bit about this as well. I’ve done it a few times with a couple different grade 1 races. It is an accomplishment of note!
I know they have had quite a bit of rain lately in NY…so, from what I’ve heard, they will look at how ‘soft’ the turf is at race time. If too soft, GP may not run. So, please keep up on the updates concerning Belmont’s turf condition. If all looks good with the turf, his connections are stating he will run. I truly want to wish GIO PONTI the very best today. I have such an ‘endearing spot’ in my heart for this wonderful and accomplished horse! GO GET ‘EM, GP!
At my racing home base, Hollywood Park, in addition to the Swaps Stakes for 3 year olds, they are running the G1 Gold Cup this afternoon. This is one of the hallmark races of the entire meet. I want to wish all of the horses competing on the card today great racing luck…but I do have a special connection with TWIRLING CANDY. He is racing for people I know very well. The Craigs bred TC and also raced Candy Ride, his sire, who stands here at Lane’s End Farm where I now reside. Then the 2 other partners in TC, Farish and Wygod, are also involved with Candy Ride. They all know ME very well and have spent quite a bit of time with ME! Additionally, The Wygod’s bred and own my dear, dear friends LIFE IS SWEET, AFTER MARKET, and HARMONIOUS….who as you know…I spent so much time with at BARN 55.
I know David is in California to see this race. (This is TOO CUTE! He was at Barn 55 yesterday with MY JOHN enjoying all of my friends there.) He mentioned that TWIRLING CANDY will join the stallion roster here at Lane’s End when he is ready for that stage of his career. So, I do have a number of home ties to TC….and want to wish him the very best in this prestigious race. Needless to say, I’m sending him a HIGH HOOF for good luck!
I know that ‘oval’ at HP very well. I trained there all during my athletic career, raced on it for several important races, and schooled in the paddock often. My final racing retirement celebration was also held there…and the road by BARN 55 is named ZENYATTA WAY for ME! It is a wonderful racing venue that holds so many outstanding memories not just for ME…but for so many other amazing horses who have graced our sport for so many years!
How much FUN is all of this! I know the Gold Cup is on ESPN today as is the segment they are doing updating the fans about ME. Additionally, the PINCAY AWARD is being given to my beloved owners, Ann and Jerry! All of the other races will be broadcast on the various racing channels throughout the entire afternoon. It is truly one busy and exciting racing day!
I better get back to HANDICAPPING! It truly amazes ME how there is so much to learn and review when you are ‘studying the FORM’. It is so intriguing!
Here’s to great racing luck and handicapping to ALL!
Have one terrific day…and a lovely weekend!
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~
Z
From my serious side, I’ve heard Barry is doing OK. My John spoke with one of his assistants yesterday. He came home from the hospital and will need some treatments…but he is home, on the phone, thinking about his horses, and on the mend. Blessings to HIM!
Rosie…the DRF said she is out indefinitely and the TTimes said that ALL WENT WELL with her surgery. Wishing her a healthy and speedy recovery, for sure!
IN MEMORY OF…today, July 9th, would have been Bobby Frankel’s birthday. It is so sweet to follow the 3 year old colt, FRANKEL, who was named for him! I think Bobby would have very proud of the horse’s achievements to date and very honored by the thoughtfulness of Juddmonte Farms naming this colt for him!
Shari Voltz
@ I am praying for Barry and Rosie for a speedy recovery.
@ Judy thank you for the info on Mo. I love that boy:)
@ Kathy well said about our Dottie.
@ Kathy Kimber you have my heart.
@ Kim S thank you for your kind remarks.
@ Dawn I talked to the hotel today. Ramsey’s is out. I will let you know why when I call.
@ I bought carrots and peppermints for the trip. I am getting excited. Kentucky here I come. I might not want to return to Ohio :)
for the info on Mo. I love that boy. :)
Susan in TN
@s(in San Diego): Sorry you didn’t make it up to HP but sure hope your mother is feeling better.
@Margaret:Hope everything checks out ok with you and your back is better!
@Sunny Boyd: :) :) :)
@Patricia Emery: Hugs to you <3
@Charlotte Farmer: Glad the donations are creeping up there- I'll be able to send a little more soon. I remember Alex! I don't remember a lot of the details, just that he was amazing!
@Abigail in Montreal: Really enjoyed your "Power of X" series- I learned a lot!
@Julie DuVall: That's awesome that you were able to collect that much in one day for The Second Race! I looked at their website and it looks like such a great organization. What kind of set-up did you have at HP? Did they let you set up "for free"? Were you set up near the entry (I've never been there) or where? Thank you for any info as maybe that can help the rescue where I volunteer some day.
@Kathryn Cogswell: Beautiful posts about Betty Ford-she broke a lot of ground.
@Terry Crow: At least you weren't too tired to tell another great joke!!
@DJ: Hope Hi-O-Silver has all his shoes on today!
@Judy B, Terry C and The Kennedys: Well, I've been thinking about it for awhile and I decided to go ahead and subscribe to Netflix yesterday so I have "Let It Ride" AND "On the Muscle-Thoroughbred Racing Stable" on my list to be sent! I can't wait although I may have to because they did not have a known "availability" time for "Let It Ride." I also watched "Secretariat" last night- had not seen it (!) and I really enjoyed it. Judy B- that made your link to Bold Ruler especially interesting!
@Judy B(again): Thank you for enjoying The Sweeties and thinking of Lou and Beth!
@Kathy Kimber: I am late in thanking you, but that is SO NICE of you to light a candle for Lou<3
Lou is making progress-Beth said he moved his right ear yesterday and has his cute "worry wrinkles" above his right eye again!
@Dawn Conrad: I would be happy to send you a news letter!! My email address is: carothers.susan@yahoo.com
I somehow missed the fact that you were coming to Nashville-when will that be? I would love to show you around River Edge and introduce you to everyone!
Susan in TN
@Kim S, Barbara Wood, Judy B, DJ, Sharon all and Shari V: I am sorry to say that I didn’t get out to the rescue this weekend(health issue but I’m fine now), so I don’t know how Chopper is doing. I had an email from Jane saying Azzi got off to his new home and Chopper had not come down to eat. I hope to get out in a.m. and will let you know how he is doing. Judy B-of course you are right-there is happiness and sadness in the rescue world and one can’t help but react-at least not if you are a member of Zenny’s world<3
Susan in TN
@Trina N: I meant to include you above! I did want to say that I think you must have seen a picture of Copper(no H), not Chopper on River Edge’s website. Copper is handsome, hale and hearty and quite a character! CHOPPER is not as fit and healthy, I’m afraid-of course, he is 20+ years older but still VERY handsome in his own right! I hope to get to know him better.
Susan in TN
P.S. There is a Dusty, Justy and Rusty at the rescue, too! I still don’t know every horse yet!
signofthetimes
@Laura J
How did Mr. Besilu do? Have not heard much about him.
Don’t think he broke his maiden? And Take Control a really awesome colt.
Barbara Wood
@Susan in TN–way to go, Lou! So glad you’re improving. Susan, please do update as there is news on Chopper.
Will pray for the Ford children. I know from experience it’s tough losing a mom.
Zenny– we love you so much. We are so thankful for what you mean to your team and racing, and most of all, what you mean to all of us! Hugs. Love you always, sweet girl.
Max
@The Kennedys in San Diego. Excellent pictures of E on Z’s Facebook. Love them.
signofthetimes
Here is article on Souper Spectacular third race won on Turf
Zenny’s half brother
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/editorial/journal/article.cgi?id=20390
Rosemarie Cola
Happy Birthday Bobby! Wish you were here with us cause you are sorely missed.
LauraJ
@signofthetimes, Mr. Besilu hasn’t started yet, but he is in training and has recorded a couple of official works.
IIRC, he’s in Todd Pletcher’s barn.
–
Mr. Besilu (2-Year-Old Colt)
Date: July 10, 2011
Track: BELMONT PARK
Distance: Three Furlongs
Time: 39:91 Breezing
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 17/20
Karen Gogue
Yikees!! Ouch! I just watched the ESPN coverage of the Gold Cup – thank you for the links everybody, I think! Just saw myself at the rail filimg Twirling Candy in the paddock, and BOY! do I need to visit the diet queen Jenny Craig!! Geez, you think the camera added a few pounds, or maybe pink wasn’t the choice to have made!….maybe I should just finish this Snickers and bowl of chip first….
Karen Gogue
Barbara Wood
Me thinks that the Gold Cup crowd was down the road with William and Kate at Polo!! Never have I seen it so empty at a Gold Cup day there! Things like the Will & Kate visit DO affect the races at HollyPark – seen it before with other events going on at the same time as a big race. Too bad, because it was so exciting!
Barbara Wood
@Karen Gogue–lol about the Snickers. You know they have Snickers ice cream bars now…..You may very well be right about Wills and Kate. Hadn’t thought of that. Boy, they sure missed a great race, though.
@Terry Crow–love the lawyer joke. Can’t wait to pass it on tomorrow. (My water aerobics class loves your jokes, too!)
Linda in NJ
Hi Zenny and all Z dumplings.
@ Terry Crow–I second that Terry. I had the most enjoyable day yesterday at the races. I will be flying back tonight and will catch up with everyone tomorrow. I just want to say to everyone including John and those at Barn 55: Thank you for making my trip to CA so enjoyable. It was so nice meeting all of you. I have many cherished memories to last a lifetime! Love to all, Linda
DJ
Dearest Sweet “Z”,
Just returned from an all day meeting. So good to check in and hear about all of the Good things happening in Zenny’s Kingdom! Blessings to you and little “z”.
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To Terry C: “Tire” works for me. I was just ‘Tired and feathered’ yesterday…$500 dollars later for two of them! At least ‘Silver is running again.’ Thanks for the joke…that is what is on the menu tonight :)
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Trina N: Thank you for thinking of me. Just knowing that our Sweet “Z” brought such a special group of people together is a joyful consolation! We were indeed there in Spirit.
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To Susan in TN: Yes! I had to run around him a few times to check, but he is back to ‘all-hoof drive’.
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To Kathy K: Wonderful! Never hurts to pass the basket again for a ‘second collection’ especially for a once in a lifetime cause. I’m happy to give up a salad out. Thank you for the update. We’re on our way..
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To Karen G: Which horse were you riding?:)
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Karen Gogue
@Dottie
Thank you for visiting some of the Z dumplings in the box yesterday – how thoughtful of you to thank them and to stop bye and say hello. More reason for ‘us’ to admire you even more – pure class! I’m sorry I wasn’t up there at that time, it seemed like I was at the wrong place at the wrong time yesterday! Thank you again for the nice gester on your part – I know they were thrilled!
Kathy Kimber
@Dumplings” I love all of you I’m so glad you had a gret time I love the stories. Wish I could have been there. You know now that Del-Mar is running I think maybe you should get together and caravan down there, maybe share the rides etc. You know you’re going to have fun and I personally love the drive down. Keep it coming. Hugs to all
@Susan in TN: I so admire the work you are doing at Rivers Edge. I’ll keep the candles going for the horses and for dear Lou. I’m so glad he is getting better all the time. Remember Horses or dogs love is the best medicine.
Karen Gogue
@DJ
I think I was on the one…lets see..that lost a shoe, carried too much weight, dumped- lost the rider, threw a fit in the gate, took the turns too wide, and had nothing left for the stretch!! Wheez, that’s a lot to try and win a race! Not to mention the sore ‘hooves’!
Karen Gogue
@Barbara Wood
Yeah, that’s what I meant too! :) MMMMM was it good!!! Forget the garlic fries!!!!
HappyHarriet
Dear Queen Zenyatta –
Your home for 5 years at Hollywood Park was well visited yesterday by the Z Dumplings and Terry Crow! Your home is exactly as you left it, Ms. Z, except for the addition of great art work, photos, and a perpetual bag of fresh carrots at the ready. We missed YOU, though!
.
A big thank you to John for allowing us to visit, and a large Congratulations to the Mosses for the Pincay award. We (Judy, Terry, Diana and I) were first at the rail to get good pictures of the lovely Miss Dottie, Voice of Zenyatta, alongside Pincay. Dottie looked like a Vogue model, with picture perfect style. She graciously allowed us, later in the day, to see the award up close – it’s a stunner – and oh my! I saw that beautiful “Z” pin we’ve all been longing for, right there on her right sleeve! You may be in Kentucky, dear Momma Z, but you are living in our hearts and minds as well.
.
I hope more Dumplingz can join us at Del Mar, then Santa Anita. By the way, there are some excellent handicappers in the group! Terry Crow – A+ on the knowledge of horses! Diana – right on the money for the Gold Cup! And Terry from Central California is a joy to see bet and win. I think she won every time! Who wouldn’t love the company of our lovely Judy and if you want to see a pretty lady in pink, it’s Ms. Karen Gogue. So good to meet all of you but oh, the time was too short! A happy hello to Trina whom I met briefly.
.
Diana, Judy, Linda from NJ and I had a lovely dinner and we talked ZENYATTA and horses. What else? I hope I didn’t get Linda too lost as we made our way into Santa Monica. Come back soon, Linda!
.
Dear Queen your sister Ebby tossed my hat onto the ground and nuzzled my neck. I’m in love with her! We saw every single friend of yours, two legged and four legged, including Harmonious who sends regards, El Vino who misses you mightily, Makoma, and Violet Rose who lost not one wink of sleep while we were there. Maestro was getting special treatment so he could race well today, and he did!
.
Blessings to every Zenyatta lover around the world, and a special THANK YOU to Dottie who represents the Mosses and Zenyatta with grace, class, elegance and wisdom. John, your barn is a sanctuary of peace and joy and your office reminds me of my Grandfather’s office in his barn, and brought back wonderful memories.
.
Horse Hugs to All – HH
DJ
To Karen G: That’s just TOO CRUEL!…about the garlic fries (snicker snicker!). Not to worry, next time we we’ll try Lasix and Blinkers with a Toast of Guinness! That should keep the blood pumping!
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Karen Gogue
@Diana S. and the Kennedy’s in San Diego
Thank you Diana for the darling name tags with the picture of a real, yummy dumpling on the front! Too Cute!!
The Kennedy’s – what a pleasure to meet you both and Don! And thank you for the photos! I’m going to try and visit Blind Luck too!
judy berube
Dear Karen Gogue:
So enjoy your posts and wonderful humor. Hugs, J.B.
Dear
Susan in Tn.:
You are such a special person. Hope you are feeling better. Hugs, J.B.
Dear Shari Voltz:
I love Mo too. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
To Z’s Dumplings:
Glad you had such a fun day. Hugs to all of you, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Brenda:
Sorry the link did not work out. Hope what your daughter recorded for you does the trick. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Z:
Goodnight and Sweet Baby Dreams. Love you, Judy and Russ
Karen Gogue
@DJ
We may never get ‘home’ then! May need those blinkers when the sun comes up! Give me a Snickers Ice Cream anyday! YUM!
Even with all that in the system, the blood will pump and scream for ‘fries cream’!!
Karen Gogue
@HH
How lovely that was! Thank you for putting the day so eloquently into words for us!!
sue
God Bless you Zenyatta and your team.