Hello Everyone,
From Del Mar to Saratoga…which opens today….HAPPY RACING!
This is truly the DAILY DOUBLE of summer racing in our sport. It kicks into full swing today! You have Saratoga which starts the day on the East Coast…and then Del Mar on the West Coast to round out your day of thoroughbred enjoyment! During the next several weeks, there are so many options, so many great horses, an abundance of stakes races and LOTS OF FUN!
Even though it is exceptionally warm on the East Coast today, in the mid-90’s and a heat index of 100, the NYRA stated that the race meet will open on schedule. There are 2 stakes races on their program, the Sanford for 2 year olds and the James Marvin Stakes for older horses. The latter drew a field of very accomplished stakes winners going 7 furlongs. Both races will be very competitive and fun races to watch.
Each coast offers deep racing fields over the entire weekend. Have a great time handicapping, watching the races, and analyzing all of your selections! Additionally, HOOVES CROSSED for great racing luck for all of YOU!
Again, please take special care of yourself in this heat. It is really important for you to monitor your physical activities and stay properly hydrated! I know something about this. MY JOHN always monitored my hydration levels when I was at Barn 55. Due to my size and weight…and then in consideration of my physical activities as an athlete, this was a very, very important part of my overall well-being. That is why I know the great importance of monitoring one’s HYDRATION LEVELS!
Happy Weekend to all of my dear, dear FRIENDS!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
judy berube
Dear Shari Volts:
You’re a teacher. I have to correct myself. I had TWO Bucket List wishes. Ha, ha. Hugs, J.B.
Ingrid Arnone
My darling Zenyatta, thank you, yes I hope we all win in this weekend, have a great weekend to you and to everyone. Miss you always, Ingrid.
VickiS.
I watched Mr. Commons run and win the Oceanside on HRTV yesterday. Fabulous race! Congrats to all! I was just in Louisville, KY as well. “Hot” does not explain well enough where you are. Down right miserable perhaps. :) 95 with 110 heat index and mass humidity… whew. Hope the bugs aren’t too bad for you!
Mary
Happy Weekend to you Z…. try and stay cool… it is hot here in Virginia. But I am home in the cool AC….just hope the power companies can keep up. To see you at Del Mar last year…..and here you are going to be a momma this year….how fast things can change. But it is wonderful for you….so happy you can enjoy your retirement with no injuries and great health. Hugs to you Z…
Signofthetimes
Dear Zenny
Hope you are having a great day staying out
Of the heat. Good luck to the equines running
This weekend; stay hydrated and continue your
Heat aclimatation. It is a good thing you raced in CA
Always training in the heat.
XXXXOOOO
Trisha Veazey
If your fans have not visited your facebook page , please do so , we need to have at least 100,000 by end of Aug.
Love you
Donna
Just read Steve Haskins blog on Bloodhorse he was very complimentary of Mr Commons.
STAY COOL EVERYONE !!!!!
Barbara Wood
@Terry Crow–if you like Patsy Cline, you would have loved the show we saw at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville last month. It was called “Always…Patsy Cline” starring Mandy Barnett. It was awesome. Her cds are for sale on Amazon. Great story. I think the show may travel, as it is on for several weeks in the summer in Nashville.
@judy berube–the above message is for you too. Cline and Pavaortti–what a pair. No one can accuse you of not being balanced!
Sharon Call
@Judy Berube. How lucky are you to have seen the great Pavarotti! I frequently go to youtube to listen to Nessun Dorma – just breaks me out in chills.
@Terry Crow. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think most bikers would rather have heavy metal – can you say Black Sabbath? (yuk).
Sharon Call
@Trisha Veazey. Re 100,000 facebook fans by end of August. Is there some kind of contest? If there is, I can call a couple of friends and have them go to her page and “like” it.
Sharon Call
@Mary. Actually, Z won’t be a momma until March of 2012 or there abouts. Didn’t want you to think something was wrong if the baby didn’t come this year.
Sharon Call
@S (in San Diego). If you’ll e-mail me at sharon_call@att.net with your address, I can send a small donation towards getting that beautiful mare to safe hands. It won’t be much, but every little bit helps.
Sharon Call
@Anyone that knows. I just went back to look at yesterday’s picture of Z and Tasty Temptation. Wow, TT is really a looker. I know she’s Canadian bred but does anyone know how tall she is? In the photo, she looks at tall as Z.
judy berube
Dear Sharon Call:
Wow, do Z’s Dumplings think alike, or what. Nessun Dorma is my absolute favorite. Seeing him and hearing him in person brought tears to my eyes. There were quite a few of people sitting around us (my sister and I) who were crying too. I know I would have the same reaction seeing Z in person. Tears of joy. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Barbara Wood:
It’s true, I like so many different kinds of music. Hugs, J.B.
Lisa g
@JB: Cooler, Sadder, crying a little, laughing a little, thanks for the Cool Freedom Video in the Snow. I love it. HUGS GALORE TO YOU.
Lisa g
@Barbara Grimaldi: See you at Ruffian’s FB, you go girl.
Peggy One
@Barbara Grimaldi. Please. Ruffian’s owners weren’t ‘unscrupulous people who wanted/needed to make a buck’, as you wrote. I don’t know where you get this stuff. The people who wanted this match race were the “fans” who were clamoring for it, pushing the media to press for it. …could the filly outrun the colt, etc., etc. Reminds me of the idiots who wanted a Zenyatta/Rachel Alexandra match race. Ruffian’s owners gave in to public opinion. They didn’t need money and didn’t do it for money at all.
The Kennedys in San Diego
We love the photo. It sure brings back memories. How we miss seeing you race! How did YOUR JOHN monitor your hydration levels?
The Kennedys in San Diego
@Peggy One — That is our understanding as well regarding Ruffian and the match race.
judy berube
Dear Marilu V.:
Ensign posted on Diary #302 that Life is Sweet is in foal to Bernardini, just like Z. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Lisa G.:
Love that video. Especially hearing her neighing. Too Cute. Hugs back to you, J.B.
Barbara Wood
@judy berube–I’m with you on liking all kinds of music from classical to bluegrass–everything except jazz and heavy metal.
Zenny–I hope you are coping with the heat. I know your team at LE is on top of the situation and doing whatever they need to do for your comfort.
Kathy
I still get choked up when see that beautiful being. LOVE HER
Carolyn Caswell-Brown
Zenny, Just seeing a beautiful picture of you on the track again. . . .sigh. Our poor Mikey was definitely in the wrong place @ the wrong time. Article stated he was stopped as part of a special DUI “task force” out and this was an opening day operation, i.e. “set-up”. Which opening day? Del Mar or the Task Force. Went on to say he was observed “going to slow”.
Wish he had been “Driving Miss Zenny”. To slow – NEVER!
Best Wishes to Mike getting this “little mess” straightened out.
PEACE, LOVE & CHILL
Charlene Crumpton
I hate match races. I think they are extremely dangerous for the horses. Ruffian’s owners may not have “needed” the money, but a “need” & a “want” are two diofferent matters. I know nothing about them, and so they will get the benefit of the doubt from me. However, caving in to public opinion is very frightening. One would not do this with one’s child if the child could be in danger. I was very happy that no match race occurred between Rachel Alexandra & Zenyatta. We lost a wonderful thoroughbred in Ruffian. Sometimes there is no winner but only losers. I wish match races were made illegal.
Terry Crow
@Barbara Wood-I have seen that show. It was at the Laguna Playhouse a couple of years ago and it is terrific. if you close you eyes, it IS Patsy Cline singing. The friend’s part was played by the daughter in All in the Family, her name escapes me at the moment. @Sharon Call-No correction here. You are correct. Another revision to the joke.@Judy Berube-It didn’t get any better than Pavarotti. I have been a fan of Placido Domingo ever since he sang that duet with John Denver. @Kennedys in San Diego-enjoyed your story about the vet, I just didn’t understand the reaction to it.
Leslie R.
Hi Zenny, I hope you have a nice weekend! Stay cool and good luck with your handicapping!
Hugs to all,
Leslie
judy berube
Dear Barbara Wood:
Thank you for mentioning this new video of Z. Here it is for Z Fans. Hugs, J.B. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNV5T–Hf0E
Karen Mitchell
Dear Z et al., Thanks for the concern and advice re staying well hydrated, especially as I heard on the news that this terrible hot and humid weather, which has been going on for a while already, is affecting 80% of the country (40 of our 50 states) and it isn’t clear when a cooling trend will come. Our thoughts are with all of you who are dealing with this difficult situation.
@Terry Crow–loved your joke and love country music but might have chosen with the biker because Achey Breaky Heart just doesn’t appeal. I have a CD on my IPOD called Legends of Country Music; 57 songs including artists such as Patsy Cline, George Jones, Ray Price, Hank Williams, Jim Reeves, Kitty Wells, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, etc. which I listen to all the time. Guess I’m showing my age. Love your sense of humor; keep the jokes coming.