HAPPY DEL MAR 2011 EVERYONE!
Today is the beginning of the WEST COAST SUMMER RACING SEASON at Del Mar. It is a race track that is also known by the phrase….”Where the turf meets the surf”.
When you are sitting in the grandstand watching the races, the Pacific Ocean is directly to your left. The ocean breezes are always surrounding you…and the environment is breathtaking. You literally get to see the waves roll into the shore and later watch the sunset while you are enjoying each race!
I remember Del Mar very well. I won the Clement Hirsch G1 there on 3 different occasions. They use the TRAKKUS system to monitor how fast the horses are moving while running…and they noted that I was closing in the 2009 Hirsch at over 40 miles per hour. NOT BAD…if I say so myself!
Dress is totally California Casual. Nice Walking Shorts, T-shirts and sandals are A-OK for most parts of the track. You do need to dress ‘up’ a bit if going to the Club House or Turf Club….but it is still summer casual and very relaxed.
MY TEAM tells Me the restaurants are fabulous down there. One can drive down to San Diego and eat on the water or stay in and around Del Mar and enjoy the local restaurants. I’ll share some of those with you as the season goes on.
Overall, it is a wonderful change in scenery and pace for all of my friends.
I truly hope that you get the opportunity to go RACING AT DEL MAR!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Lil from KY
@BRENDA——Do you think I could get on the waiting list to live at OLD FRIENDS??
SHARON CALL——Hope your back is better, I’ve gone thru that, rotator cuff therapy, AND cancer, not a lot of fun, but things could always be worse
@ Well ZEN, you’re certainly looking terrific, my, what motherhood is doing for you! I don’t remember looking that good when I was pregnant. Just like they wouldn’t allow Little Silver Charm to exert himself yesterday in the heat, I’m sure Lanes End is keeping you cool & comfortable inside with big fans.
Doreen
@Judy Berube: Thanks for the link to Barbara Livingston’s blog. I went to Akindale Farm this past weekend and saw all three of them. Evening Attire and Tac are the best of buddies. The farm did a yeoman’s job of taking great care of Tac. Line of Thunder is feeling a little blue and is trying to adjust to her new surroundings – horses, as you know are creatures of habit, but I’m 110% confident that Line of Thunder will bounce back to her normal self. Hotstufanthensome, whom Akindale took in earlier this year (and was mentioned here on a previous diary), is enjoying himself and is a little bit of a “naughty boy” – he sure is a character. Erin Pfister does a fantastic job along with the rest of her staff. It was a joy to see how well all 140 rescued/retired horses were doing. I’m sure it’s not easy to take care of all these horses without the donations that we “horse lovers” have given them. Zenny, having lived in southern California for 4 years while I was in the Navy, there’s nothing like Del Mar!!!
harriett
Hey, Zen! Sitting here in hot, dry Oklahoma, turf meeting surf and Pacific Ocean breezes sound heavenly. I remember your Del Mar races, and they were spectacular. I’m a little old lady, and you run faster than I usually drive!
Ingrid Arnone
Dear Zenyatta, I will never forget when you ran in Del Mar, like always you were great, I would love to visit Del Mar someday, I only wish you were there. Love you Ingrid.
Sharon Call
@Everyone.
I just ran across this article about Suki, an Oldenberg mare that was burned badly in a PA barn fire and her trip back to living a full life. She was treated at the same PA equine hospital where Barbaro was treated. This is one amazing horse, one amazing owner and one amazing hospital. Enjoy!
http://news.yahoo.com/recovery-burned-pa-horse-offers-hope-humans-095426089.html
Ingrid Arnone
Dear Judy B, thank you for the telling us about Mr., Commons, I did not no he was running today in Del Mar, Hugs Ingrid.
Dear D J, you are a great writer, love all your prayers, hugs, Ingrid.
Especially Horses
@Judy Berube: Thank you for re-posting the link to Evening Attire, Tacticianor and Line of Thunder. I would have missed it if you had not done so. Stunning photos by B. Livingston, just stunning.
Horses of a Different Color: One of my favorite Quarter Horses of all time was the Palomino, Kaweah Bar (Alamitos Bar out of Angie Miss). He was known as the Palomino Express and I saw him race several times. He was the World Champion Quarter Running Horse in 1968 and 1970.
@Charlotte Farmer and Diana S: Safe travels on your road trip. Take good notes, there are a lot of us who will be with you in spirit and we can’t wait to hear all the details of the next phase of this true adventure.
Zenny: I love Del Mar, so historic. It’s like going back in time. When walking the grounds and grandstand you can just imagine the likes of Bing Crosby, Desi and Lucille Arnaz, Jimmy Durante, and many more. It’s hard to believe that Bing Crosby was at the gate to personally greet the fans on opening day in 1937.
Yvonne
DelMar looks like a lovely place. I would love to be there if only for one day to watch the races, hear the ocean, feel the breeeze and see the sunset. Unfortunately I live in NJ and since I live on the east coast will not get to go there. I hope all is going well for you and that your keeping cool. The weather is getting dreadful. Take care my dear Zenyatta of yourself and your little one.
Mary
Zenyatta, Question;
What are the names of all the humans who help take care of you at Lane’s End?
Planning a visit to Lane’s End. Maybe I can ask someone about you during my tour.
Thank you!
Hugs and Prayers
Ingrid Arnone
To: Sharon Call, what a beautiful story, I wish the best to Suki, hugs, Ingrid.
Trish & Mike in Colorado
We never thought that track was big enough for your gorgeousness, though, Z. The stretch just was too short.
Sharon Call
@Judy Berube. Loved the article and pic of Sato. What really fascinates me is the dark color around the visible eye, the dark spot on the inside of the visible nostril and the pink skin on his nose. So interesting!
@Lil in KY. Whoa! You’ve been through a lot more than I have. Unfortunately, my back will never get better – only worse. I’ve been to 3 top doctors in Atlanta and they all 3 said the same thing. The only surgery they could do would be a fusion and all 3 refused to do that because of my prior health history. Even if one of them had said he would do the surgery, I probably wouldn’t have agreed to it. Fusion has a 43% national rate of relieving pain. More times than not, a second or third surgery has to be done and a lot of times all of the hardware has to be taken out because it causes more problems than it relieves. They are starting to do bone grafts in the lower back now which I’m more open to since I had one in my neck in 1983 and it was totally a success. However, that procedure is in the infant stages for the lower back. Oh well, as least I feel well enough to complain about it.
Kathryn Cogswell
Dear Sarah Powell: Unless you do want him to keep down pests, a local or state agency will humanely trap & remove him/them for you .. . [ And value their peculiar attributes]. ~ We even had rattlers prized by state agencies; they serve in a number of humane research projects in AZ & Eastern Oregon. One funny & cute officer told a relative he`d take the specimen she wanted removed ‘up the mountain,’ because “We have too many hikers up there, anyway.” He was twinkly, and didn`t mean it, but she laughed, because the hikers were a nuisance.
Irene Caty
Zenyatta, no racetrack is the same since you are not there to grace the track. You did so much and are so loved that people feel lost without your presence at the track. Queen Zenyatta is a big name at any racetrack and running over 40 miles per hour is quite impressive. Del Mar is beautiful and I will try to get out there for a race one day. I do like Hollywood Park the best. Sending my love Zenny!
Sue Noel
Del Mar looks so beautiful–I’ve been by it,but not during racing season—darn!!!
Zenny,that picture yesterday was one of the loveliest I.ve seen of you—just gorgeous!! It is just amazing tha you understand so well about posing for a camera!!
Am still trying to catch up on back postings–will be so glad when I have the rest of my place pulled back together!!Am loading up the new bookshelf now–changing books around–my bed is heaped with them so I’d better finish up tonight so I can sleep!!
Hope you’re having a wonderful day,Queen Zenny,with the sun on your back and a soft breeze to ruffle your mane—-LOVE YOU!!!!
Shannon From Cool
I also have fond memories of going to Del Mar for the races. What a great place – “Where the Surf Meets the Turf!”
Barbara Wood
@Sharon Call– thanks for the link about Suki–what a girl! You and my husband could share a lot about backs. Ortho. surgeon here told him he could make a fortune doing surgeries on his back, but non would do any good. So he takes pain pills and does what he can. So many of our friends are dying that we are just thankful for each day we can get up and get going.
@Charlotte Farmer–your head must be spinning with all the details you have to be aware of. I had not even thought about vandalism. I am glad Diana S is along for moral support, and other support as well. Be safe. This should be a documentary.
judy berube
Dear Charlotte Farmer:
It would be great if you or Diana could video the whole trip. Hugs, J.B.
Maureen in CA
Ah! Beautiful Del Mar! Almost as beautiful as YOU are, Lady Z! I’ll never forget being there for your last race at this gorgeous track! I had a funny experience that day, when a reporter from the local San Diego newspaper approached me, wanting to get my thoughts on WHY I was there that particular day! I’m afraid I gushed on & on about my love for you, until suddenly realized there really IS no way to put MAGIC into words! That’s YOU, pure magic!
Good luck today to Mr. Commons, John & Mike! Luckily, I’ll be home from work in time to see the 8th race “live!”
judy berube
Dear Sharon Call:
So glad you liked the link on Sato. He really is unique. My husband has a chronic back condition so I can relate. He uses a walker all the time now. He’s not a candidate for surgery, but he does go to Physical Therapy and also does exercises at home. Seems to alleviate the pain a little.
Some days are worse than others. Hope you feel better. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Especially Horses:
(Love that name) Glad you enjoyed the links. BL just keeps taking more and more beautiful photos of horses. Wish she would go to Lanes End and do a spread on Z. Hugs, J.B.
PS: I think I’ll e-mail her and ask if she has any plans to do that.
Marilu V
Dear Zeny: I hope you are fine despite the heat wave in your area. Hugs, Marilu
Dear DOTTIE: How is LIFE IS SWEET and her baby? I read in a previous posting that Life is Sweet is in foal again. Is this true? Thanks as always, Marilu
judy berube
To Ingrid Arnone:
Dear Ingrid:
You’re welcome. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Sharon Call:
Thanks for the link on Suki. What a story. Hugs, J.B.
Roxi Cook
Would love to visit Del Mar sometime, it looks beautiful. Lots of luck and safe races home for all horses today. Wishing Mr Commons, Mike and John the BEST in the 8th!
Guido Sanchez
del mar without you is not the same.
judy berube
Dear Doreen:
How wonderful that you got to see these Sweeties in person. I fell in love with them just from the photos. I couldn’t help wondering if Z had a period of time like Line of Thunder where she missed Cali and her Team. I’m sure she must have. But, like Z, hopefully LOT will get comfortable in a while. Hugs, J.B.
Celeste
Thank you for sharing your photo of Del Mar and telling us about your times there. It looks like a beautiful place and the thought of a cool ocean breeze sounds lovely as I sit here in hot, dusty, sweltering Texas – lol! Several of our local trainers headed out to Del Mar to race this year after Lone Star Park meet was finished. I wish all their horses well, as I do for Mr. Commons in the Oceanside stakes this afternoon. Well, by my time, it’ll be evening – lol! I hope you are having a beautiful day in KY, Zenyatta, not just today, but every day. Thank you Dottie for making this site such a great place to visit!
Barbara Wood
@Celeste–amen to the “hot, dusty, sweltering Texas”. Have you ever? I think our daughter has ridden 1 day all summer. I can’t even remember our last rain.
judy berube
Dear Sarah Powell:
You are one brave lady. I would be screaming my head off and running in the opposite direction from wherever he is. We have a little garden snake that lives under the front stairs of our house. I always check to make sure he isn’t sunbathing before I start my descent down the stairs. I’m a hopeless coward. Ha, ha. Hugs, J.B.