Happy Tuesday!
Today is an exciting day at Santa Anita. It is the first day horses will be permittedto use the ‘new dirt main track’ since the renovation has been completed. They will be able to go on the main track to jog and gallop this morning for the first time. Such terrific news!
As many of you may have read, the dirt surface on the SA main track has been completely redone. A great deal of planning, organization, and scientific study goes into this process.
The man behind the scenes responsible for orchestrating this project is Ted Malloy. John and Dottie go over to Santa Anita at night to check on the horses John has stabled there. While doing so, they take SOPHIE for a little walk and go out and check the surface. My John has visited with Mr. Malloy countless times as this renovation has been taking place…even to riding around in the golf cart with him to inspect certain sections of the track.
To explain the track renovation process “very simply”, all of the work needs to be accomplished in stages. It starts with detailed research concerning the types of materials needed…and then purchasing them. Once all of the ingredients are on-site, the crew can start work on the actual ‘track’. The old surface needs to be removed. The track is taken down to the ‘base’ and inspected along with the drainage systems etc.
The next step involves mixing the materials together to create the ‘cushion’. This ‘cushion’ is then put on the base of the track. It is approximately 6 inches of material. Part of this is a bit more compressed and becomes the PAD for the track. The remaining portion which is about 3 1/2 inches deep is the more ‘fluffy’ part of the surface. This is what you actually see when you are looking at the track.
Normal scheduled maintenance is required using harrowing and water to keep the 3 1/2 inch ‘fluffy’ part of the cushion ‘consistent’….all the way around the entire oval.
Needless to say, CONSISTENCY is extremely important! This is so significant for the horses, of course, but also for those who enjoy handicapping our sport!
Thank you so much, MR. MALLOY, for adding your great knowledge and experience to our Santa Anita dirt track!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
judy berube
Dear Z Fans:
An example of how quickly tragedy can happen in racing. In this case though, a happy ending. Hugs, J.B. http://www.drf.com/news/saratoga-morning-traffic-jams-turf-course-lead-restrictions
judy berube
Dear Brenda S:
Shows just how much the horses natural roaming range has shrunk. Who would ever think that the wild horses would be encountering careless drivers that would kill them as they move their bands looking for new grazing areas. Hugs, J.B.
Alene
Thanks both Dottie and Zenny for the info!! We must be sure of the safety of all the horses and jockeys… Looks GREAT!! Lots of big kisses to both of you today! Not just Zenny…:-)
Cynthia H.
Wow! The new track looks super, doesn’t it, Zenyatta? I am impressed by the wealth of your knowledge! It has been a beehive of activity around Santa Anita for the last two weeks, no doubt about it! We employees are very excited. I am looking forward to checking out the new surface also, tomorrow. My one regret is that it will never know you or have the honor of your hoofprints. I wish to echo the thanks expressed to Mr. Malloy for his tireless devotion to this project.
EK
Mud is the most dangerous surface and dirt tracks usually wind up being muddy or sloppy part of the time. My horses have run over grass,dirt with gravel and plain dirt in some places very humusy,sandy or mostly clay. I had a mare fall flat on her side running in the mud. Being hard boned she was ok. I had a gelding who fell running on wet grass in the rain. He hit the fence sideways hard and got a serious leg wound + other cuts. He was also hard boned and did not break any bones. My stallion back when I first got him would get a swollen ankle just about every time he ran in the mud. He won on dirt and turf but they never raced him when it was muddy. His half sister was vanned off twice racing in the mud and never raced again after the second time. Do not know if she was euthanized. My filly’s mom won on a sloppy track and my filly has raced around at home when it was wet or muddy and has no problem with it but it is dangerous for many horses. My fillys sister was vanned off (never raced again) on a sloppy track. Do not know if she lived. Any surface can be dangerous for a horse with osteoporosis aka fragile bone. I hope this new track will not be slippery when wet. Rocks on the surface were never a problem for all but one horse who picked up a stone twice.
Sharon in Seattle
@Jess – I was just reading about See You At Peelers in the latest issue of Sports Illustrated. What a fantastic story!
All hooves crossed that the BC comes back to Santa Anita. It’s a beautiful place!
Michelle
Thanks for the information. I hope this track will be even safer. California seems to go above and beyond for the horses safety.
Debbie G
@Ann Maree – Thanks for the link to the BC Calendar page. It looks like our girl is kicking some major butt! :-)
To all Zenny fans – I’ve been thinking about the Three Chimneys barn fire on Sunday and I was just wondering if anyone knew the answer to this question – Why don’t they put sprinkler systems in horse barns? I’m sure there must be some reason, but I’m just curious if anyone knows why.
Max
Zenyatta. Very interesting post. Mr. Malloy has done a lot of work to change the track. I hope that it is a success for Santa Anita.
@judy berube. Loved your post of photos of Del Mar and Saratoga. Mike and Mr. Commons looked very good winning that race. The socks on Mr. Commons are sweet reminders of the Queen. I also liked the photo of It’s Tricky. That must have been taken before she tossed her jockey. Do not mess with her.
Chris H
Our county rodeo has won the “Best Dirt” award from the WPRA (Women’s Professional Rodeo) for the best ground. Our daughter barrel races and the ground conditions are SO important. We don’t go to jackpots at certain arenas because of the ground conditions. At our rodeo Kristie Peterson and her great horse “Bozo” set an arena record in that muddy arena. The ground below was solid and just muddy on top. It was absolutely thrilling to watch that run. Hope this cures the problems that SA has had.
Kathryn Cogswell
“I have always wanted to be somebody, but I see now I should have been more specific.” [Lily Tomlin]
“The road to success is always under construction.” [Ms. Lily, too] ~ “Why isn`t there a special name for the tops of your feet?” [L.T. 3rd] . .. just needed her, looking for signs of intelligence in the universe. Hug yourselves, everybody; the notes and links are wonderful.
Sue Noel
Was SO sorry to hear about the wild horses–I have pics of Cloud in my home and have sent $$ to the group that advocates for him and his herd.
@ Margaret-I posted a moose story for you on # 304 and also a story about my TB aspirating a carrot that others may find interesting. At the time I started it,I hadn’t yet seen # 305!!
Am anxious to see if anyone else has had a similar experience!!
Everyone have a safe evening!!
Eveline
@ Judy B. – on the link about the loose horse when Get Stormy was ready to work : Nothing is as dangerous on the racetrack as a loose horse and as Ramon stated if your underneath the horn when it sounds it’s deafening, but you can hardly hear it when your galloping. First time I galloped at Saratoga me and my horse nearly had a heartattack when we heard it. Our home track got a much better system. When there is a loose horse there is a row of yellow flashing lights all the way around the track, when they are on it indicates to everyone to pull up. Big fines to all who don’t comply, you never know if there is a horse or rider down on the track. In the afternoon during the races it warns the riders that there is a loose horse running around with the field and to use extra care.
Kathryn Cogswell
“I always wondered why somebody doesn`t do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody.” [Finale: Tomlin, L.] `Night, All. ~ {Charlotte, please take care.} Kc.
Janet Cutting
@Sue Noel: I read your post from yesterday about the moose and your horse w/carrot episode– so incredible!!! Watch out for the moose–ha!!! Smiles,Janet C.
Kim S
Hi Zenny, hope you had a great Tuesday.
@Charlotte Farmer–so sorry to hear you aren’t feeling well. Hope DJ’s daily prayers help and I’ll be thinking of you as I read them.
@Margaret–sorry to hear about Admiral and Climb’s High. Such unthinking humans, are some.
@Susan in TN–good news about Chopper. I’m sure with the extra attention from you, his life will greatly improve. And yes, any news about Beth’s test scores?
@Judy Berube and Teh Kennedys–thanks for the wonderful informative links.
@JAG–glad your back, hope the wonderful memories of your sister, Mary, keep you uplifted and strong.
@Shari Voltz–thanks for update on your KY trip. I keep trying to rotate some of my donations, along with the ones that I make on a regular basis. And I’ve overlooked Our Mims, so they will be my next in line.
@Kari Bussell–great work, as always.
Zenny, thanks for the update about Santa Anita’s resurfacing. A monumental job for Mr Malloy, kudos to him.
Here’s to a safer racing surface.
Everyone have a great night and lotsa love to all.
Linda in NJ
Hi Zenny: Wow, the track looks great thanks to Mr. Malloy! Great pictures your John took, too. I bet you would recognize that track anywhere, Zenny. Lol. Lots of great racing took place on that track, right! I am sure a lot of trainers and jockeys are very happy the track will once again be a dirt surface. At the time when the track was changed, I guess it was about 3 years ago, I remember reading the many complaints about the synthetic surface. Many trainers thought the synthetic surface became too hot for the horses. Many also thought that if a jockey had a spill, the synthetic surface would be like landing on a rock. That’s what I remember reading at the time anyway. How is Sophie doing? I bet she really enjoys her evening walks! Take care Zenny! We love you.
@ Happy Harriett and @ JAG: Hopefully a get together at Santa Anita this fall.
@Brenda S: I will be at the Trevors. I was considering driving up for the Alabama Stakes. But it is too long a drive from where I live. Over 4 hours.
Any Z fans planning to be at the Haskells this weekend? Please let me know. Would love to meet other NJ Z Fans.
judy berube
Dear Eveline:
That sounds like a much better system than the blaring horn. Everybody can see the lights right away. Do you have horses entered in races this weekend? If so, where are they racing and good racing luck. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Kim S.:
You’re welcome. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Sue Noel:
Enjoyed your posts. Hugs, J.B.
Julie DuVall
I hope the “new” Santa Anita track is as good as the “old” original one was. It has been quite a while since we had a problem-free racing surface at The Great Race Place!
judy berube
Dear Max:
I thought the same thing about the photo of Mikey and Mr. Commons. Love It’s Tricky’s personality. Hugs, J.B.
suew
Zenny, this dirt track stuff is so interesting. It just shows how important a good surface is for the safety of horses.
John has always been very intent and cautious about the condition of the track and it certainly worked to your advantage. He keeps safety first and foremost in his mind…that’s why he is a superb trainer. Tell Dottie we really appreciate her help in transcribing this post for you. It was a real eyeopener for me. Love you bunches….
judy berube
Dear Chris H.:
Congrats. Guess the ground/track conditions are important in all horse events. Hugs, J.B.
tony and sue
Zenny, once again you and your Dottie provided some meaningful information for us.
Racing is quite a complicated sport…your John has been a great teacher for all of us Z fans. Thank you, Team Z for giving us such a unique look into your world.
judy berube
Dear EK:
Always get nervous when they run on a sloppy track. Saratoga was like a lake in places yesterday. Happily no incidents that I know of. Hugs, J.B .
KIMBERLY
Nitey Nite ZZZZ.
judy berube
Dear Max:
Frankel goes tomorrow. Rooting for him. Hugs, J.B. http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/jul/26/frankel-canford-cliffs-glorious-goodwood
Shari Voltz
@ I want to thank my Z family. I am so lucky to have you in my life. You make my world better.
@ Kim S thank you so much.
@ Barbara I agree about Jeanne. When I saw all she does I was just blown away. She works part time and she said she puts in around 60 hours a week with the horses. What was special was that each mare had a picture drawn on their stall door. It was a representaion of their personality. Each mare was loving and friendly. She was just so proud. Jeanne’s birthday is this Saturday. She told me the girls are asking for each person who visited Our Mims to make a $5.00 donation in honor of her birthday. That is too cute :) Money will be used for the horses.
@ Judy Berube thank you so much.
Yvonne and Maurice
Hi Zenyatta. Thank you so much for the pics and information. I was really concerned last year for the safety of the horses and jockeys. I pray this year the resurfacing of the track will be a safe ride for both our horses and jockeys. Hopefully, Santa Anita will be chosen for the Breeder’s Cup in 2012. It is such a beautiful track. Love you big girl, stay comfy and cool, eat well for two and have loads of fun with your BBFs.