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
Robyn Mullhausen
Wow, Zenny, that was very interesting. This sure isn’t your Grandfather’s Race Track any more is it? Had no idea it was that involved. But Athletes like you, Zenny, deserve the very BEST!
harriett
Zenny, Thanks for keeping us informed. It is so nice to hear a horse’s perspective on things. I would love to travel to California and go to the races at Santa Anita, or Hollywood, or Del Mar!
DJ
For those who would like an Evening Prayer:
……………………………………
Come, thou almighty King,
Help us thy name to sing;
Help us to praise:
Father all glorious,
O’er all victorious,
Come, and reign over us,
Ancient of Days.
Come, thou incarnate Word,
Gird on thy mighty sword;
Our prayer attend;
Come, and thy people bless,
And give thy word success;
Spirit of holiness,
On us descend.
Come, holy Comforter,
Thy sacred witness bear
In this glad hour!
Thou who almighty art,
Now rule in ev’ry heart,
And ne’er from us depart,
Spirit of pow’r.
To the great One I shall see,
Eternal praises be
Hence evermore!
His sov’reign majesty
May we in glory see,
And to eternity
Love and adore.
……………………Anonymous, c. 1757
Vicki
Let’s pray this is the right recipe for the best track on earth at the Great Race Place.
judy berube
Dear DJ:
Thank you. Hugs, J.B.
Quarterhossgal
Queen Z…you are so right! Del Mar has perfect weather and great racing. I left the 110 heat for several days to enjoy the cool 70’s at Del Mar. Big A looked great in th Eddie Read. I was hoping to meet some of the Dumplings but instead I met several great Zenny fans that had seen most of her races. They gave me a furlong by furlong analysis of Z’s wins!
Race fans are so interesting! Keep cool Queen Z, my horses are getting a couple hosing downs per day in this extreme heat!
Sunny Boyd
Good evening Zenyatta,
wowee,
check out those palm trees :)
lotsa neat dirt.
Hope you & your pals are doing okay in the heat?!!
Have a cool restful night
DJ
To JB: Thank you!! hugs, DJ
Marshall (girl's name)
Happy Tuesday to you Zenny! Love the always interesting information you give us! Have a restful night and stay hydrated! Hugs to you, too!
@Kathryn Cogswell,thanks for the Lily Tomlin lines! I surely like Lily and all her characters, and “thath the truth”, as EdithAnne would say. Hugs!
Kathryn Cogswell
Love your ‘Marshall (girl`s name) . .. ‘, too.
Susan in TN
@Kim S: She should hear Monday, I think. I haven’t brought it up in awhile! Hooves crossed and thanks for asking!! How is William?
Kathryn Cogswell
Twice a day, mail was delivered to our grandmother`s house, always a cause for celebration, and a pause in the hours. Postcards and letters flew back and forth, with stamps about 3 cents. Finding some of them this week, stored for no particular reason — someone is straightening a drawer, or culling a closet. Someone`s getting well, or down with the flu, it was a jolt learning The United States Postal Service has made it easier to close post offices around the country. No small thing. Loving our country`s stamps led the children in our families to learn a tapestry of history, sports, government, the arts. State-by-state, some closures on the horizon. http://about.usps.com/news/electronic-press-kits/expandedaccess/statelist.htm ~ Especially, I miss the handwriting of those past correspondents.
Susan in TN
@Barbara Wood: Thank you! Chopper is somewhere between 25 and 28, according to previous owner. But he’s not ready to cash in his chips just yet!! Beth should find out next week about her test-thanks for asking! I know what you mean about so many needing help. I did send $5.00 to Old Mims but didn’t send any to DynaKing- will try to catch him next time around. Most of my “spare” is going to River’s Edge these days- I have to stop myself from spending more than I can afford.
Barbara Wood
@Deborah Richman–great idea about the Our Mims t-shirt!
@Ann Maree–great question about the sprinklers in horse barns. Anyone know why not?
@Shari Voltz–thanks for the extra info. on Jeanne. I definitely will want to go there now.
@judy berube–thanks for the story about the loose horse and the good outcome. Whew!
#DJ–love the prayer. That’s a hymn that I know.
@Quarterhossgal–lucky you! I’m so jealous, but glad you had a wonderful time and escaped the inferno we’re in this summer with seemingly no end.
And Dear Z–YOU bring us all together every day to laugh, cry, learn and appreciate YOU and your team. Good night and hugs to all in Dumplingdom, and Z, love you always.
Sally (B)
Sweet lovely Mama Z; Our weather in Wi. has cooled down somewhat. At 9p.m. it was 69 degrees and pleasant. Keep up with vitamins & minerals with your liquids!! Every state at times gets unusual weather, warmer or colder, or wetter or dryer than the norm. I am sure Lanes End people are doing everything for you Z, and the others to be comfortable as possible.
I learn so much from you loveable Z with your buddy Dottie. I just knew John would be checking out the new track; he knows it is important for the horses racing.
love you so much, with 2 kisses on your soft nose.
@Kate Wheeler; thanks so much for the info on Breeders Cup tickets. I was there last year; said I would not go back until I could go visit Z. But, I’ll let you know if my friend and I do get tickets.
@Barbara Wood; They did not really allow visiting of Z for the fans, unlike at Barn55 and the day after the 2010 Breeders Cup. Our seeing Z was accidental, but when some fella taking care of another horse tells you it is okay to go find Z, that others have, we did!! How could one not!! But those others had been given passes, photographers, owners who had their horses stabled, personal friends etc. We by all rights should not have been there.
But, we just love Zenyatta so much! In fact, I mentioned our story how we got in to see Z to a lady with a small camera just like us, but her eyes widened! She remarked to me, “The track knows me, I own and have a horse stabled here”. Once Mario began to take Z back to her stall, we started our departure and over a loud speaker, they were calling to security. I believe I helped them know where they needed to place more security. We had the best time of our lives, and perhaps actually showed security a weakness.
Marshall (girl's name)
@Amanda Gilliland, Happy Birthday (belated)!! Glad to hear from you, too!
@Susan in TN, thanks for the updates on Chopper and others at River’s Edge!
@ALL: Take care everyone and stay well!
Kathleen
Thank you so much Mr. Malloy — we love Santa Anita — it’s one of the greatest, most beautiful tracks in the country. Now maybe we can get the Breeders Cup back.. .
I would love to take Mr. Malloy to lunch on Baldwin Ave at Tien Dai Fun a great dumpling place near the track. I bet he has great stories!
Thanks Zenny for this important update!
Kathleen
Jackie
Good Evening Queen “Z” I have been completly disconnected for a few days and lost without you! Our modem at home was broken and thankgoodness it was finally delivered so I can once again connect to you.
Interesting news on the new track at Santa Anita. When the new dirt track opened on Christmas Day the times were very fast. The crew attempted to slow it down I guess doing different things. One thing I realized was how dangerous the dirt truly is. Several horses had injuries some career ending and some life ending. I saw a beautiful racehorse having to be put down right on the track at Santa Anita it was just horrifying.
I think to myself how hard you ran and fortunate never having any injuries. Thanks to a wonderful job by John, Mario and everyone that always looked in your best interst. THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
Frankel is running tomorrow morning. I believe coverage starts at 6:00 AM on TVG. Good Luck and safe trip to all. A special good wish to Frankel. May you run at the head of the pack and come home safely.
Have a wonderful evening
Hugs and Kisses
Jackie
DJ
To Barbara W: So Glad! Goodnite and God Bless..
Shema
Holly Molly MR. MALLOY, wow! what a process. I had no idea! Zenny, look what they do just so you and your friends can be safe when you run. amazing. I’m still trying to imagine seeing you in person going 40 miles an hour. wow wee!
Holly Zemba
I’m still learning from you everyday Zenyatta!!! Hugs to you too!
judy berube
Dear Barbara Wood:
You’re welcome. Whew is right. Hugs, J.B.
Jackie
Nice knowing our friends in Australia take care of their “Old Friends”
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/videos/watch/CE541646-03EF-4FEE-99B3-31341E043D1C
Susan in TN
@Kathryn Cogswell: I have a lot of letters and post cards of my mother’s and her family dating back to WWI. They are so much fun to read! My mom always said that it was amazing to her that she could drop a letter in a box in Illinois and someone would take it right to someone’s house in Alaska for the price of a stamp.
And we used to watch Lily Tomlin on Laugh-In together and just loved her!
notafanofensign
Neither Darley or Coolmore at this time are confirming any breeding between the dam of Zenyatta and Street Cry.
Vickie
Excellent info! Let us all hope this resolves the problems – the intent is for the track to BE SAFE and fair – fingers crossed
Trina Nagele
Dearest Zenny— Good news! A “forever” stamp will be issued Wednesday honoring OWNEY the POSTAL DOG:
“Owney was a fearless stray dog who wandered into the Albany, New York, post office in 1888 and began hopping on trains that carried bags of mail around the country…. As he traveled the country on mail trains, Owney became known as a good luck charm: Mail trains used to have a lot of accidents but never a train with Owney onboard. As he traveled the country, postal clerks would add tags to his collar from each stop, but eventually Owney had so many tags the clerks had to make him a special dog vest to put them on!” http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/kidspost/owney-the-postal-dog-delivers/2011/06/29/gIQATHoDZI_story.html?wprss=rss_style
I have fallen behind and haven’t read all the posts from the last two entries, so I’ll have more responses later, but what I have ready follows.
Re posts on #304:
@Gary Moulton—Great limerick for Chantal! High hoof!
@Barbara Wood—Loved the dog keeping his head bowed while his master says grace.
@Kari Bussell—Thanks for another lovely video of Zenyatta. Well worth counting to four!
@Charlotte—Hope that that nausea and those headaches leave you alone and that you feel better soon! We are all pulling for you. It sounds like the plans are progressing very nicely. Hang in there.
Re posts on # 305:
@Margaret—Very sad news about the wild horses killed by the drunk driver. I hope Cloud remains unharmed.
@JAG—Thanks for the heads up about Frankel and Canford Cliffs. I have set my DVR.
@SCOTT—I THOUGHT I saw your request a couple days ago, but scrolling back I couldn’t find it again and thought I was mixed up. I intended to reply then, but I’ll put my two cents in now. I think mail addressed to Dottie Shirreffs at Barn 55, Hollywood Park, will get to her promptly. Perhaps the better address for Barn 55 is the “mailing address” listed for Hollywood Park Racetrack on their website: Box 369, Inglewood, California 90306-0369. The “street address” on the other hand is 1050 South Prairie Avenue, Inglewood, California 90301. Good luck! There are several of us (maybe more!) who are going to send cards for Dottie’s August 10 birthday.
Diana S
@Anti-Dumpling: We get it. How many times do you have to repeat it? Did it occur to you that we don’t care one way or the other? Now buggar off.
@Dumplings: Sorry. Just had to vent. Just lurking today mostly. Hope to have name tags finished and in mail by end of week. Sorry they won’t get to you in time for this weekend’s races so you can all find each other.
@Not a Dumpling?: If you’re here, you’re a Dumpling, sorry. Dumpling up – ask for a name tag!
@Noor’s Journey: Still willing to provide ride to anyone wanting to come along in the “chase car” for all or part of trip. Your company will spare the world hearing me singing at the top of my lungs to corny country western songs on the radio!
@Terry Crow: Come out, come out where ever you are!
@DJ: You have me looking for them now. That’s scarey.
@Sistah Dumplings: Love All of You.
@Zenyatta and all of Team Z: Goodnight and good rest – YOU are THE BEST!
diastu in tempe
Snoprinz
I hope that the new surface would be safe for all the horses. Safety first before the almighty $$$. In many ways, I’m glad that you retired in good health Zen. Take care of yourself and the little one.
Trina Nagele
Dearest Zenny—I’m up really late, trying to catch up. It’s already two hours into tomorrow now. Sleep tight, sweet Z.
@Sue Noel—What a fascinating story of your little mare who gave herself the Heimlich maneuver when a carrot got stuck going down! Truly amazing! Thanks for sharing.
@Janet Cutting—Lovely story of how Jack communicated eye to eye with you—no doubt thanking you for that carrot—and you felt that special magic! High hoof to you for literally stepping out of your comfort zone! Hope you two will continue to build your friendship.
@Barbara Wood—Thanks for the link for Gifted, aka Dyna King. What a success story!
@Ann Maree—Thanks for the Breeders Cup link to vote for the 2012 calendar pictures! It’s great to see our Queen way out ahead! (You can guess how I voted!)
@Paula Higgins—Thanks for that info on “Zenyatta: Mare for the Ages.” I’ll look on eBay too.
@Kathy S—YES! I would ADORE a 2012 Zenyatta calendar!
@Kathryn Cogswell—Great Tomlin quotes! So true! I also enjoyed reading your post about the US Post Office which I hadn’t yet seen when I posted my earlier comment—I share those feelings about bygone times and the written record of daily life that was kept in cards and letters. And it pleased me to find that my post about Owney’s postage stamp made a nice sequel (if I do say so myself, BLUSH BLUSH) to yours!
@Eveline—Your post about your experience with loose horses on the track was very interesting. Thanks for sharing.
@Shari Voltz—Thanks for the info that it will be Jeanne’s birthday on Saturday. I’ll be glad to make a donation to Old Mims, and it will be in honor of YOU and the QUEEN!
@Amanda Gilliland—Belated birthday wishes for you! And best wishes for many more, sweet one! High hoof! You and your brother, sister-in-law, and niece are in my thoughts and prayers.
@eastcoastkid—Nicely said about how Z combined the hope given us by Secretariat and the beauty incarnated in Ruffian.
@Maryyette—Loved your post about Zenny’s message to us at the BCC 2010: “it is the way that you do things that matters most – not that you win.”
@Kari Bussell—Very touching posts about your mom and her affection for Secretariat and Ruffian. Please give her a big hug from Z’s Dumplings!
@The Kennedys—Thanks for the link about Penny Chenery.
@Abigail in Montreal—Thanks for the Secretariat footage.
@Jean—As I suggested to Scott above, I believe the best address would be as follows: Dottie Shirreffs, Barn 55, Hollywood Park, Box 369, Inglewood, California 90306-0369. That’s listed as the “mailing address” on the website for Hollywood Park. And I hope Dottie posts your artwork for us all to see one day!
@Cynthia Holt—Wonderful post about Zenyatta with the lovely ladies, Ann and Dottie, the artwork and the artist, and the Zenyatta friendship chain which links us all.