Happy Friday, Everyone!
Wow, it has been a very busy week in our industry. There is so much going on that I want to share with you.
First of all, I’d love to congratulate FRANKEL (GB) on his success in winning the SUSSEX S. (G1). He is now undefeated and has a race record of 8 for 8. FRANKEL (GB) is truly a sentimental favorite in my camp as he is named for a very dear friend. Jay Hovdey, in the DRF, wrote a special piece on all of this in a recent article. Dottie and Bobby were very close friends for years. Ruben Loza, who now works as one of MY JOHN’S assistant trainers, held the same position for Bobby for 25 years. Jose Luis….who currently grooms MR. COMMONS and STAR BILLING for My John…was a long-time groom for Bobby. “Chuma” (as he is known around the barn) is also such a hard-working gentleman. He has groomed so many other wonderful horses during his career as Medaglia D’Oro, Sightseek, and Intercontinential to name a few.
So, it was with great joy and pride that MY TEAM watched FRANKEL(GB) win #8 on Wednesday. A heartfelt congratulations to his owner and breeder, Juddmonte Farms, his trainer, Mr. Cecil, and the entire team who works with this exciting colt!
I’m sending him a special HIGH HOOF for a job well-done!
Both of the SUMMER MEETS on each coast are in full-swing….and this weekend, Monmouth Park has a wonderful stakes program including the HASKELL. This should be a very exciting race!
Then at Saratoga, several big stakes races are taking place including the JIM DANDY and THE THE RUFFIAN. These should be great to handicap and enjoy. At Del Mar, we have some very accomplished sprinters competing in the BING CROSBY. So much action!
From all reports, the dirt surface at Santa Anita is terrific! This is fabulous news. In California, they now have Santa Anita open for training in addition to Del Mar. Hollywood Park closes for the next 5-6 weeks to allow the maintenance crews to completely clean out the barn area and freshen up everything that needs to be repaired and painted. The track crew, headed by Dennis Moore, is given the opportunity to work on the track and the surface to get it freshened up for the upcoming year. This is traditionally done in CA each summer…one year Santa Anita is closed to accomplish these maintenance needs and the next Hollywood Park. This alternating system works out quite well for everyone and it really helps to keep everything in the best possible shape.
Thus, since nothing can be left out at Hollywood Park for this big clean-up process to take place…everyone and everything needs to be out of Barn 55. My John and his crew did a great job getting this organized and properly storing everything that was in MY STALL. It was all safely packed for the future!
So all of my horse BARN 55 friends had to relocate as well for the summer. They were split between Santa Anita and Del Mar. In the photo above, you see STAR BILLING on the left and EBLOUISSANTE on the right getting ready to travel. They are loaded on the van and on their way to Del Mar. They are comfy, cozy, the windows are open just right…and these girls are READY TO GO TO THE BEACH!
I gather “E” wanted to snack along the way.
The TOO CUTE part of all of this is that “E” is in the same exact stall on the van I always used. In California, I shipped on Vida and David Randall’s Ranch Runner’s van. That was MY STALL! They even put a plaque on the side of this stall with MY NAME on it. So, I guess for all practical purposes, I still get to travel right with them…..in spirit!
Have a FUN weekend…and enjoy RACING!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Eveline
@ LauraJ – Who trains Margano? MM has no more Lael Stable horses. Lentenor running today for Leigh Delacour, I see most Lael horses with Barclay Tagg.
Brenda S
@ Charlotte – I met Dawn at Lane’s End on the 21st when we both visited and she said that she and her Mom would be on vacation for three weeks.
Deborah Richman
Hi Z and Z Dumplings! I love the photo of E and SB going to the beach, complete with traveling snacks! All that’s missing is their surf boards :)
Z, Frankel must have really appreciated your high hoof to him, after all, you are the Queen of racing :) He is one awesome boy!
Diana S…received my darling Z Dumpling Tag and literally jumped for joy! It is TOTALLY TOO CUTE!! (can you tell I am a valley girl?) I will wear it with pride! Now it is on my frig so that everyone who comes into my kitchen can see it and ask me about it :) Thank you!!!!!! You are awesome for doing this for all of us!!!!!!
Gary and all of you experienced bettors and handicappers…. please don’t laugh at my ignorance (I am completely new at this), but what is a box? I think I know what an exacta is and what a trifecta is, but where does the box come in? I hope to learn more about “the game”, and am enjoying reading your posts about who you are betting on and why, etc. Thanks for all the info, and if you have any helpful hints for beginners, let me know :)
Michelle and the Kennedy’s…loved the you tube of Blind Luck. What a mighty little girl she is, and her snorts in reply to her rider’s petting and compliments were so cute!
Signofthetimes…my heart goes out to you and your dear greyhound.
Shari…glad your dad is doing ok. Will send lots of good wishes his way.
All who post comments and stories about horses, jockeys, trainers, etc. of today and the past, a big thank you! Before Z, I never dreamed that horse racing was a sport that was so rich with history and so fascinating. Now I can’t get enough, thanks to all of you.
Well, I think it is time to turn on the TV. My indoor cat enjoys watching the races with me….the ferals are outside having their own kitten derby :)
Sharon in Seattle
go, Goldie, go!!!!
judy berube
Dear Deborah Richman:
An Exacta: You pick the horses to finish exactly 1st and 2nd. Usually a $2.00 bet. Some tracks have $1.00 Exacta bets, but you only collect half of what it pays.
An Exacta Box: Your horses come in either way as long as they are 1st or 2nd. Cost $4.00 or if $2.00 bet, you only collect half of what it pays. Hope I explained it clearly. Hugs, J.B.
Maryyette
Hugs and kisses, Beautiful Zenny and precious little Baby Z! Sweet dreams tonight, both of you, and hope your week ahead is peaceful and lovely –
Love you forever and always!!!!
judy berube
Dear Eveline:
Here’s an article on Margano. Hugs, J.B. http://familyofbarbaro.blogspot.com/2011/05/margano-joins-new-trainer.html
Sharon in Seattle
to LauraJ, with all due respect, Seabiscuit’s progeny weren’t notable as racers, but then he stayed in CA to be bred and was not “connected” with some of the more successful broodmares.
I’ll always wonder if horses like War Admiral and Seabiscuit – especially The Biscuit” – were so mean-tempered partly because of how they were mishandled – Seabiscuit ran some phenomenal number of races before he was even 4 years old, a number in the 30s if I remember correctly.
Max
@Abigail from Montreal. Great video of Goldikova’s win. No wonder her trainer says that he likes Deauville. Interesting to see the outfits on the pony riders. Tres chic (sorry but this computer does not do accents). Goldi seems to have some very enthusiastic fans. Good for them to be so happy. She is a great racer and it is nice to see her win again.
Lisa g
Ms Zenyatta, please let us know when Star Billing and your beautiful baby sister have arrived safely at the beach. I love you, Big Girl..Lisa g.
My Z’s Dumpling Badge is on your large photo, I plan to wear it at Remington and Lone Star Park..hopefully, someday again, at HP and Santa Anita…Thank you again, so very, very much Diana S.
Lisa g
Waiting to see who win The Ruffian.
Diana S
@Happy Sunday, Zenny! I’m glad you let Dottie take a day or two off from writing for you. She deserves it!
@signofthetimes: My heart is breaking for you. She did indeed have a good life if she has made it to 15 in your keep. I know from that automatically that YOU are a wonderful person.
@Chocolate Farmer (I love it!): The boxes at Breeders Cup are very reasonable – but here’s my deal. I want you there. Your seat will be on me.
@All: Not hiding or lurking for past 24 hours. Went to some friends’ little spread out in the desert and intentionally left electronic gear behind. Drank wine, ate pizza, and watched Harry Potter 1 (haven’t seen any and want to catch up before seeing 7 and 8).
@Dumplings: Glad the name tags are getting there! Surely Monday for those not there yet.
@Karen Kimber Gogue: What? You want one with red wine splotches now? Better not see your ORIGINAL one on eBay!
@Abigail and Kari: Need your mailing addresses.
@On way to friends yesterday, I stopped at my local OTB to see if I could out-do Gary. Um. Not quite. Spent total of $24 on DMR Race 1 and 8 and Spa Race 9 and 10. Won $41.80 in DMR Race 1. Had right horses, but wrong combos in other races.
@LauraJ: YAY on Margano at Spa. Maybe a 2YO start for this hunky B-Brother! Sentimental bet on Lentenor in PARX 8th today.
@Today’s races:
SAR Race 8: 1-Beau Choix to win; 3-5 Quinella; 3-7 Quinella
SAR Race 9: 6-Dynazapper to win; 2-3 Quinella; 3-5 Quinella
DMR Race 8: 4-Euroears to win; 3-5 Quinella; 5-6 Quinella
MTH Race 12: 7-J J’s Lucky Train to win; 3-5 Quinella; 5-6 Quinella
@All: If you hear about naked lady running down street, it’s me after losing my shirt!
@All: See what happens when you ask me to come out of the woodwork???
diastu back in saddle
Doreen
Star Billing and E look very relaxed and so cute. I have a great fondness for the babies (both the 2 year-olds and the 3 year-olds). They’re so precious and still growing into themselves – both physically and emotionally.
@Gary Moulton: Giant Surprise (owned by Mike Repole), who won race #2 yesterday at Saratoga, will have surgery tomorrow on a condylar fracture of his left front cannon bone according to Claire Novak’s tweet on espn.go.com/horse-racing. In another baby race (race #6), Furman Bisher (named after a sportswriter who wrote about the Kentucky Derby since 1950 and whom retired last year at age 91) was also vanned off. According to another of Claire Novak’s tweets, she believes that the 2 year-old colt should retire like his name sake.
I went to the “Spa” (Saratoga) yesterday to see Ruthenia (a 3 year-old full sister to 1.298 million G1 winner Rutherienne – one of my favorites). She finished a game 2nd and looks a lot like her sire Pulpit and grandsire A.P. Indy. She’s on the smallish side, but she’s quite the speed ball when asked. I got to see Stay Thirsty, he too, is on the small side, but also has a great turn-of-foot. I guess we all know where they inherited those traits from. Will’s Wildcat, who also ran in the Jim Dandy, looks like Shackleford’s twin brother. He’s a front runner too. Speaking of Shackleford, I want to wish everyone good luck in the Haskell today. In fact, safe trips for everybody in all of the day’s races. I also want to wish good luck to Lisa’s Booby Trap in the Rachel Alexandra Stakes and To Honor and Serve in the Amsterdam tomorrow at Saratoga and congratulations to Goldikova, another “little horse with a big turn-of-foot.”
Shari Voltz
Dear Zenyatta boy is it a hot day. Beautiful but really warm. I hope you and Tasty T had a great afternoon. I am sure that at LE they have you in a cool area. Have a restful night and sweet peppermint dreams. I love you sweet girl. Just know that your beautiful face gets me through my little trials in life. Also I sing that song almost everyday. I am sending you many Hugs and Kisses my sweet sweet girl. Love, Shari XXXOOO
@ Thank you Z family for thoughts and prayers. Judy, Karen. Trina, Barbara and Deborah. I am lucky to have you ALL>
@ Signofthetimes my heart goes out to you for your loss. I know how hard it is. May God comfort you at this time.
@ As for Dawn she is on vacation until August 3, I believe.
@ Stay Thirsty Rocked the World. YEA!!!!!
Brenda S
Sorry for Shackleford, he really tried, but congratulations to Coil and Bob Baffert, he clearly likes the Haskell.
Brenda S
@ Diana S – If you do lose your shirt you’ll be a little cooler in your cell after running down the street!!!! Where should we send the bail money??
Abigail from Montreal
@ Diana S. I STILL DON’T KNOW WHAT I FORGOT TO DO so will be pleased to hear from you. E-address: abigail.anderson1849@gmail.com
Christine in VA
@SIGNOFTHETIMES
I am so sorry to hear of your Grey. Our Harley is now 7 yo and a retired racer. I can see he is getting tired now, We hug him lots and tell him he is a GOOD BOY. We talk to him about ZENYATTA and what a good retired racer she is also. All I can say is you gave your beloved dog the best years of his life and that is what counts. God bless.
Ingrid Arnone
Dear DJ, amen, hugs Ingrid.
#1 New England Fan
Good afternoon, Queen Z!
Hope you’re cool and comfortable on this hot summer day. Congatulations to all the winners in this weekend’s big races!
I have a question and hope to hear from people in the know. I just watched the 3rd at DelMar, and there was Chantal riding for Mr. and Mrs. Moss and OUR JOHN, while OUR MIKE was riding a first-time starter in the same race. What’s up with that? That picture just didn’t feel right.
I know Mike rides Mr. Commons for John, but now that I think back,it seems as though he hasn’t ridden for the Mosses since the Breeders Cup.
I hope everything is OK with all members of Team Z — each has a special place in my heart.
Comments?
Cynthia H.
Congratulations to John Shirreffs and team for a very nice win by UTOPIAN in the third race at Del Mar today, for the owners of our hearts, Jerry and Ann Moss. Barn 55 now has three wins out of five starts at the meet! Way to go!
Maggie N
Ok, I need someone to answer a question for me. I just watched the Haskell race and they were talking about stalkers. What are stalkers? By the way, Coil won.
They are all so beautiful.
Max
@Cynthia H. Thank you for the news of Utopian’s win at Del Mar. The Moss horses all have such incredibly and consistently inspired names. It will be interesting to see the name for Z’s foal. I do not have to bet that it will be a good one.
Cynthia H.
@Max: Agree, Max! The Moss’ horses always have very carefully-chosen and interesting names, often beautiful. I cannot wait to learn what they will eventually name Zenyatta’s foal!
signofthetimes
To: Judy B, Terry Crow, Trish and Mike in Colorado, Marshall (girls name), DJ, Sue Fredrick, Kari Bissell, Barbara Wood, Christine from VA and anyone I have forgotten;
Thanks so much for the comforting, kind words for my dear girl Katlyn, the vet was so very nice and she was at home with my Zenyatta bronze on the mantel looking over her. She is now over the Rainbow Bridge with all her friends and mine.
I love the prayer for a Happy Death DJ. So very appropriate and comforting.
signofthetimes
Oh so disappointed Shackelford did not win the Haskell, but close. He did run well after all three Triple Crown races.
Bob Baffert said he had some late bloomers, I guess they will be challenging now for the Eclipse award.
Go Shakelford I am still your fan.
Here is the video:
http://www.ntra.com/schedule/race/display/ODE4
signofthetimes
Sooooo very glad Goldi won. Extra two lbs at Ascot may be the culprit. Thanks for posting the french link Abigail. I also found it. Beat Canford Cliffs !!!!!!
Go Go Go Goldi !!!!!!
Sally (B)
Sweet Z, the horse of my lifetime; just got back as out of town. I looked at your past posts and always love them so. This one is awesome too. Perhaps “E” has a special feeling that she is in her “great” sis’s spot. And Frankle is exciting. You share so much with us, that is why I love all of you. You will always be the greatest in my eyes; but I do love other beautiful thoroughbred race horses to achieve, as I know you do.
I don’t know how many responses you can possibly read, as there are other personal conversations going on, that perhaps were once talking on facebook, but I just hope that once in a while you can read mine and know how much I care and love you. And don’t get me wrong, there are some that really share some excellent links etc. It is only that my first goal is to reach you, special Big Mama! love with 2 kisses on your soft nose, one for baby Z. God Bless you both
judy berube
Dear Signofthetimes:
Just watched your link. So close. You gotta love Shackelford; he always tries. Coil ran a big race. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Maggie N.
A Stalker is a horse who likes to stay behind the leaders (stalking them) before he makes his run. Hugs, J.B.