Happy Monday Everyone!
Wow, it has been a busy, but OH SO WARM WEEKEND! (At least here and on the East Coast! My Team told ME that it was fabulous weather in Del Mar… the low 70’s!)
The Saratoga Meet got off to a great start. The racing was very competitive and the stakes results were very solid. The horses seemed to handle the heat…as did the fans!
Del Mar weather and racing was terrific from all reports. Shorts, hats, and California Casual dress worked well for everyone. It was crowded over the weekend…but nothing like opening day. The entire environment was perfect for betting, enjoying the horses parading in the paddock, and having a bite to eat.
I’d like to give a special ‘shout out’ to my Barn 55 pal, CLOUD MAN, who won a very nice allowance race at Del Mar on Friday night. During the Del Mar Meet, they have a late first post each Friday, 4 o’clock, run the races, and then have a concert for the fans.
Each week, the group performing is different. These concerts are really well-attended. Last year, the performances were held in the infield, but as the Meet progressed, they thought the noise might be a bit too loud for the horses. This year, management reorganized things and relocated the stage placing it next to a huge parking lot by the beach side of the grandstand. This is a terrific location for everyone to have a great time.
Even though I love music and I truly adore DANCING…really loud music the night before a big race is not always the best thing for an athlete when he/she is trying to focus, relax and get some rest. So, changing the on-site location for these summer concerts is a fabulous thing. On behalf of my fellow horses, THANK YOU DEL MAR!
In this heat, relaxing in the barn with the cool air breezing around ME, I’ve had a moment to reflect upon so many things. Throughout the years, there have been numerous photos taken of ME that I truly enjoy. Fans often send various pictures to Dottie…ones she has never even seen before. When she saw the one above, she thought you might also enjoy it. In it…is a cartoon drawing of ME done by one of my fans…flying between the Twin Spires. Notice the intent look on my face as I’m studying this poster. I love it when I’m showing my SERIOUS SIDE!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Terry Crow
@Barbara Wood-Very interesting post about Jayne Mansfield. Do you remember The Girl Can’t Help It? @Judy Berube-Thanks for the kind words and the link to the Del Mar accident.@Karen Gogue and JAG-Good to see you posting again.@Linda in NJ-Always good to see you posting. @lil from KY-Yes, some of the jokes are corny. Yes, some of the country song titles can be considered to be racy. However, they are all real. Your position is noted.
Brenda S
@ Abigail – The video of Secretariat has brought tears to my eyes, he seemed to be in pain but still managed to put on a show for the visitors and the camera. This evening I have been looking at old photos of past visits to Claiborne, Nijinsky II, Danzig, Mr. Prospector, Easy Goer, Ferdinand and Big Red and then to see your post was too much for the emotions. Thank you, I will go to bed tonight thinking of Secretariat.
signofthetimes
Dear Zenny,
Love you really scanning that picture. So wonderful of Dottie and Ann to share it with you. You look sooo interested in watching yourself fly. Really love this photo. Hope your day was cool and relaxing. Saw a race with TT in it on HRTV yesterday. She was a mighty racing filly/mare. Hope you have a restful night.
XXXXOOOOO
judy berube
Dear Abigail in Montreal:
Thank you for the last video of Big Red. Brought tears to my eyes. Hugs, J.B.
signofthetimes
@Kari
Thanks for the lovely video of Z.
@Judy B
Love that It’s Tricky. A real character. In that picture of her and
Kirran McLaughlin she looks like she is really connected to him. She looks so focused on him while he is petting her forehead. Horses seem to really respond when that area is rubbed.
judy berube
To Terry Crow:
You’re welcome. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
To Signofthetimes:
Looking forward to seeing more of her. Hugs, J.B.
signofthetimes
@Margaret
So glad you had such a great trip. Thanks for sharing it and all of your great information. It is well appreciated.
Mary
Abigail from Montreal – thank you so much for the link to the Secretariat footage – it is just wonderful. Where did you find it?? It was so good to see that he looked so good just 3 days before his death.
signofthetimes
Here is article on Gio Ponti and his quest for a win in the Arlington Million; Good Luck Gio !!!!
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/64186/gio-ponti-working-toward-arlington-million
DJ
To DMCQ: I am glad that you unwind here. Your words of sincerity touch the heart and no matter how short or long the contribution, it’s your presence that matters, and we know that you are here! God bless!
signofthetimes
Here is Goldikova winning the 2010 BC Mile:
What a true champion. I love this race. Her turn of foot
is awesome.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UcGxPImMqA
Goldi in 2011 BC Mile !!!!
Debbie G
@Abigail in Montreal – Thank you for the link to the Secretariat footage. I finally stopped crying long enough to type! He was so beautiful and you could tell the sweet fellow was in pain. So sad. He’s my favorite male horse ever. (You can probably guess who my favorite female horse is!)
@Barbara Wood – I’m glad I could share the news about the Three Chimneys fire. I didn’t get a Bloodhorse alert either, so I was shocked when I saw it on the news. I just watched a little bit of the 10:00 news and they showed the two broodmares who were rescued, and they seem to be doing fine. Just a little smoke inhalation. The barn is a total loss, though. They are very nice people at Three Chimneys. I’m so glad this story had a happy ending.
KIMBERLY
Nitey Nite ZZZZZZZZZ. Dream of Baby Z and carrots!!!
Trish & Mike in Colorado
Enjoyed watching Cloud Man but just a shout out and not a “high hoof?” Love the shot of you checking out the creative poster. Thank you for posting so many pictures for your fans to savor.
Georgia Harper
@Barbara Wood yes we fuss about no summer but what a weekend it was beautiful, we definately live for days like this. I am waiting for high hoofs with my plate but haven’t gotten any yet but its only been a week :-)
judy berube
Dear Signofthetimes:
Thanks for the links on Gio and Goldi. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Z Fans:
The great Nijinsky. Hugs, J.B. http://tjezjen.blogspot.com/2006/10/nijinsky-cannorthen-dancer-flaming.html
Barbara Wood
@Abigail in Montreal–thank you so much for the Secretariat video. As I wrote on youtube, if I had known that we “commoners” could visit the farms, I’d have been there in a heartbeat. As it was, I ony got to see his grave. RIP, sweet boy.
DJ
To JB & Barbara W: Thank you..united with you in prayer. Good-nite!
judy berube
Dear Z:
Goodnight and Sweet Baby Dreams. Love you, Judy and Russ
Charlotte Farmer
@Karen Gogue – Thank you for giving information to Margie about Noor and thanks also to Margie. I have been a little under the weather between headaches and nausea. A final sweep with the Ground Penetrating Radar was done last Friday of the gravesite. The anomaly still reads large mass within the markers that outline the grave. The box is being assembled and I am taking care of things as they present themselves. Again Karen, thank you.
judy berube
Dear DJ:
Goodnight. Hugs, J.B.
Dear Charlotte Farmer:
Hope you feel better. Hugs, J.B.
Holly Zemba
Zenyatta, Take care of yourself and your baby in this heat it is brutal!! You look great!
Lynn ..... (nearby Hwd Park) California
Hi Zenny and baby inside,
I love YOU, and ALL your photos. You just crack me up .. lol. Hugs and carrots and pepperments to you.
Diana S
@Kate Wheeler: My New Year’s resolution for 2011 was to be at BC 2012 where ever it was held. Sadly I can’t make it to 2011 (unless I win the biggest Superfecta in history!) However – seems only fitting that an Eastern Regional Dumpling Convention take place somewhere at Churchill! Hopefully you, or one of the others in that area can do some planning? (and give hints to those of us tackling the western version?)
diastu in tempe
jean
Dear Dottie, I’ve done a fanciful water color and pen and ink painting of Zenyatta, which I call “and then came Z”.which I would like to send to you. Would I send it to Hollywood Park, addressed to you? If not, where? Jean,
Carmela Bozulich
To Lady Z, the beautiful mom-to-be–every picture is good, I don’t believe you can take a bad picture…looking forward to seeing more of that baby bump!
Diana S
@Janet Cutting: What a lovely story. But you got it backwards. Jack looked into YOUR soul and found a loving person inside who needed a horse hug. Jack is a wise old soul.
@Karen Gogue: Homework assignment almost done?
@Karen Gogue and Other Potential Western Dumpling Conventioneers: What I invision is enough joined boxes to serve as Dumpling HQ, but allow “the old and the restless” to be, well, restless, yet still have a place to rest, sit while eating, touch bases with “the old and immobile”. I also hope we can plan at least one post-race-day gathering where we can do some of the cool things suggested in previous posts.
diastu the cogitator
SassieGG
I cherish seeing all of your pictures. Your the most beautiful, elegent horse in the world, I love you Zenny!!! All my love.