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
Sunny Boyd
@ Judy Berube & Barbara Wood
it is ‘sthg’ to watch your 4-legged buddy slip away. No matter you know it’s imminent and yet when it happens, I swear it takes your breath away, too. My Ginger Legs died under the kitchen table on her bed, 14 1/2 yrs old Malamute mix, wolf- look-alike. Her cat buddies loved sleeping on top of her. They’re all still sleeping together in the back yard. My Annie Hope(American Short-hair) died of Lymphoma, on her little chair, in a quiet corner. She called me to her in the middle of the night for the last duty.
Signofthetimes
@Abigail
Thank you so much for making that donation
Katlyn’s name
@Those who have gone to Lanes End
Have you seen AP Indy? Any special stories
Told about how they are spoiling him. What
Stallions did you see? All those handsome “boys”!!!!
While the girls are “sequestered” with foals in
The oven. TOO CUTE!!!!!
Karen Gogue
Goodnite precious Zenny of my Zennyland of dreams – have I told you lately that I love you? More and more each and everyday sweet one….
Diana S
@Gary M: My shirt still on my back. Two days of racing, $50 bet at the OTB place, $54.60 won, smug smurk on face – priceless. Even my boy Lentenor won his first race back after a long time. And Euroears. How can you bet against a name like that?
@All: G’nite.
diastu in tempe (getting rain – yay!)
DJ
Congratulations to Chantal S. and Utopia! The most exciting race of the day for me. So thrilling to see the Moss’ colors come flying through and it was a brilliant ride.
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To JB: Hugs Always, my favorite starter!
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To Gary M: No, we arrived late. Just in time for the second. Good for you!
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To Diana S: Why doesn’t mine have a pepperoni stain? It has a wine stain! :) Glad you have resurfaced! Thank you again.
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Ingrid A: Yes, Amen and hugs to you too! Thank you for being my prayer partner…
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Lisa G: I will find something uplifting for you…
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Signofthetimes: Katlyn, a beautiful name for a much loved and cherished life! May you all have the rest of the Angels tonight+
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Sunny B: Such beautiful words.. :)
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Anne from Paramount: No, I do not live in the desert, I am an hour from. Rained throughout the night and all morning. Poured all the way down to Temecula! Once reached Escondido was perfect and Del Mar was simply a site! Not a cloud in the sky with lovely breezes.
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s (in San Diego)
@Anne from Paramount…driving home late this afternoon from La Crescenta to San Diego, ran into a little rain on the 71 through Chino till I got to the 91.
@signofthetimes..so sorry for your loss.
DJ
For those who would like an Evening Prayer:
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We praise you, Father, for our gifts
Of dusk and nightfall over earth,
Foreshadowing the mystery
Of death that leads to endless day.
Within your hands we rest secure;
In quiet sleep our strength renew;
Yet give your people hearts that wake
In love to you, unsleeping Lord.
Your glory may we ever seek
In rest, as in activity,
Until its fullness is revealed,
O source of life, O Unity.
———–
Protect us Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with you, and asleep, rest in your peace.
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s (in San Diego)
oops hit the enter button to soon. Congrats to Stay Thirsty…Hope he now get the respect he deserves. (after all his daddy is Bernie), Great Effort by the handsome Shackleford…wow Coil. And yea for Goldi…again. Bourbon Bay…impressive I heard, missed it. Great racing.
Hope to be back to Del Mar next Saturday. Sweet Dreams!
Sharon Passmore
Dear Z — I’m trying to remember you at Del Mar (I am 63 and memory is ridiculous). I DO remember my pony girl days at Del Mar with John Sulivan’s stable. In those days we could take the horses to the beach and it was HEAVEN! Hope you’re staying cool there in KY. Still hoping to see you soon if only Sarah would email back.
Donna
CONGRATS to everyone on UTOPIAN yesterday very impressive maiden win.
Z I am sure you are impressed with GOLDIKOVA she has 14 group 1 wins now. she is an amazing little mare, he did not hit her once she knows what she has to do/
Brenda S
Good morning all – What a great weekend of races, posts and links. Hope Dottie was able to rest up after all the moving.
@ Diana S – Glad to hear that you didn’t lose your shirt and that no bail money is needed.
@ signofthetimes We did see AP Indy, he was the last horse brought out, the grand finale. As well, Curlin and Rock Hard Ten were brought out for photos, petting and treats which we were allowed to give ourselves. The other stallions were in their stalls and so we saw them all. I really enjoyed Langfuhr, very friendly. When I asked him if he was a good Canadian boy he nodded his head several times. I thought is was just coincidence and asked him again. Same result, so I’m convinced he understood. Needless to say, he got several peppermints for being such a clever boy. The staff at LE were very good and allowed plenty of time for visiting and photos, of which I now have many. It’d s lovely farm and Zenny is in a great place.
LauraJ
@Brenda S, could you post some of your photos on Zenny’s Facebook page, please? Or put them in a Flickr album? I’d love to see them, and I bet I’m not alone.
Trisha Veazey
High hoofs to Frankel. 8 out of 8 Wow, that’s great.
Gorgeous Z , sounds like you are really enjoying the races. We miss you though. It will never be the same without you.
Love, hugs and kisses
Barbara Wood
@Sunny Boyd–so sorry for your losses. We never, never get over them. They are forever in our hearts.
@Brenda S–thanks for the info. on LE. We are going to try to make it out there later.
At the moment, we are stuck at home with 2 dead cars, so I’m thankful it didn’t happen on the trip! Always something. I may be lurking a lot today, awaiting Z’s latest post.
Delrene
I LOVE BLIND LUCK TOO!!! I was just glancing through this morning (Monday) some of the postings. Thank you for the great ride on Blind Luck at Del Mar. Fun to be there. It’s hard for me to recognize the horses in the early morning workouts. Sometimes they have the colors of the trainers, but I don’t recognize many of them. She may have passed right by me during her workout. I know she is tiny, but mighty! Being on her with the video was amazing. Thanks…. and Zenny you were easy to find the day you worked out in the morning. The biggest, most beautiful on the track and everyone’s eyes were on you.
Kari Bussell
Congratulations to Utopian. I would love more video of that gorgeous guy training…hint-hint to Mr. Shirreffs…He did post him grazing and working a long time ago…..
Cynthia H.
Whoa there, human horsies! Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita in 2012 is not a done-deal. Belmont and Churchill also have irons in the fire. Of course, I am keeping my fingers, toes, and every possible appendage crossed for Sants Anita, but there are still some issues which must be resolved.
@Charlotte Farmer: I remember seeing Sea Orbit at Hollywood Park with my dad at age 13! Of course, at the time I did not connect with the significance of his lineage. I just recall that dad thought he was an excellent wager! Very best of luck with your travel plans, and I know that there is a very special blessing lying in wait for you for all that you have done. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of help in any way with your Santa Anita plans. Godspeed on your noble journey to Kentucky.
Terry Crow
@Anne from Paramount-Del Mar is a [pleasant place to watch the races and socialize. But, even when you are betting from a satellite location, it is VERY hard to win playing its races.@Diana S-Can I be the arresting officer? @Charlotte Farmer-George sounds like my kind of guy. @Gary Moulton-Good one. I think I’ll use FedEx from now on. Today’s joke–An old guy spent his life savings to buy a house in a modest neighborhood. After he had been there about a week, he heard an awful noise coming from the street. He looked through his window and discovered that a band of local kids was going down the street banging on garbage cans. This continued for two weeks before the old man decided to take action. He went out kin the street to talk with the leader of the kids. He said “I really like what you are doing. I will give each of you a dollar a week to continue.” The kids agreed to continue their mischief, laughing behind the old man’s back. The next week the old man said to the kids “My expenses have increased. I can only afford to give each of you 50 cents per week.” The kids grumble, but agreed to accept the 50 cents, still laughing behind his back. One week later, the old man said to the kids “My social security check has been decreased to the extent that I can now only afford to give you 25 cents per week.” “You cheap old man, we are not going to do this for 25 cents per week. We are going to take a different route home from now on.” The old man went back in his house, laughing behind the backs of the kids.
SORTH
Wow at first glance I thought where are they taking you Zenny and then read to find out it was E. I am thinking to head to Delmar this weekend!
Gary Moulton
@Ruber Baby Buggie Bumpers ——————————-08-01-11 (12:30 pm est.)
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@SARATOGA – No 2 yr old races on the card. Babies getting their check-ups.
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@DEL MAR – DARK – Look forward to Graduation Day on Wed.
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-$79.80 after 2 weeks
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@Barbara Wood – Basically a Pinhooker is a “Middle Man”. He tries to identify quality young horses that can be developed, purchase them, and then try to sell them in the future for a profit. A lot of Pinhookers also work as sale consignors and a lot of the big time ones make private deals. Google “Eddie Woods”. A lot of folks can wear many hats in this business, depends on their own situation. Portland Meadows is not Del Mar. Saratoga & DM are the cream of the crop. We are spoiled right now. I’m sure you’re not dumb. Any question you don’t ask is a dumb question. So ask away, that’s the only way you will get the answer.
Maybe “Zenyatta” could explain better.
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@ Quarterhossgal – Do you know what Quarter Cracks are?
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@Terry Crow – Fedex – that’s funny! So is the old Man joke. I have a good old Man joke, I’ll put it up tomorrow, don’t have time now.
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Max
@Brenda S. Agree with LauraJ. Would love to see any photos of your trip to Lane’s End that you might share with Z fans.
@LauraJ. Enjoy your comments about Hastings and other horses.
@Zenyatta. Your team really knows what they are doing. Relocation is never easy, but John and company seem to have done a great job. E and BB look like they are just off on a luxury vacation.
Kari Bussell
This is one of Mr. Shirreffs videos. It shows Zenyatta riding over to Santa Anita in the same spot that her sister “E” is in diary photo. It also has JAG and precious footage of Z approving of Pick4guys video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bBmD7rLCuA&feature=channel_video_title
Kimberly Potter
@Gary Moulton~ That UPS joke was TOO FUNNY. I laughted out loud here at work and that is not always a good thing. Thanks for the Monday morning laugh. :) I am trying to get caught up on all the posts I missed this weekend. 500 +, WOW, what a fantastic community we have here. Oh, and I got my Dumpling name tag over the weekend. THANKS DIANA S. Super job you did on it. Thanks again.
Zenyatta’s #1 fan in Montana
Mary
I’m sad, I never got to see your stall at Barn 55 in its state as when you were there :( Now it will be repainted, etc, and not the same :(
I hope fans can see you at Lane’s End, at least from a distance soon.
Hugs and Prayers
Kari Bussell
@Terry Crow- still laughing. I love today’s joke. Thank you.
Terry Crow
@Gary Moulton-Very good explanation of pin hooking. I admire your expertise in the world of thoroughbreds. And, if you are only behind $79.80 after two weeks of Del Mar, you are an expert handicapper.
Kendra
Eblouissante, you are elegant, exquisite and WOW just simply gorgeous. If your running ability matches your looks, we are in for some exciting races.
Karen Gogue
@Kari B.
Thank you Kari for using some of my photos of our girl in your video “Nothing But Love”. They are precious as is she – and YOU! I had not seen that before and JAG posted it, thank goodness – I would have missed it! May Angels always be at your side to love and protect you with HIS glory and shine HIS light upon you….
Barbara Grimaldi
MONMOUTH PARK. Brokenhearted over Shackleford. Talked to Mr. Romans after the race and he was pleasant and said “we tried hard” which is all we can do. Met Mr. Breen giving out Fire and Ice pins before the Haskell. Read Mr Baffert’s comments today and see them as nongallant, if there is such a word. Used DRF race card for Monmouth and it was riddled with errors so I lost a bit. It was a beautiful day–nice breeze. I love to stand by the rail at the end of the races where they hose down the horses–the horses are so beautiful and love their drinks from the hose. I usually go into the everyman entry at Monmouth where there are just benches and lots of rail to lean on, but I had 5 friends with me–all newbies to the track–who insisted on getting real seats. They bought one for me, too. It was so high up I felt I was in a public building somewhere and despised them…threaded my way back down to my area and close to race ponies and horses. Heaven. Unfortunately, my friends went into the wrong area for will call tix and while walking around from valet parkiing to the main entrance, I tripped on a huge tree root that had risen up and cracked the pavement years ago. Hit head, hand, elbow, shoulder, hip and knocked woozy for a bit. Track first aiders came asap and whisked me by cart to the first aid area. So I missed the first four races. They kept on asking if I wanted an MRI, but I know that falls like that result in bruises and black and blues that don’t show until later. But, they know I fell on their property. I have never sued anyone in my lifetime and don’t plan to now, but shoulder really hurting. It will pass. Linda and I were to contact each other there by cell. I didn’t have Linda’s cell but she had mine, courtesy of Trina. I didn’t think we’d find each other, but when my cell went kablooey my friend Jerry was trying to fix it and couldn’t. Linda had called me and Jerry answered, but I didn’t know until later. So Linda, I apologize for missing the chance to meet you–sorry for the inconvenience. I’ll close this by saying I will NEVER buy actual seats again–I am a rail bird and proud of it. Lastly, my heart is broken over Shack, and I had a 1-5 exacta, but should have known that Baffert would not cross the country if he knew he didn’t have a shot at his 5th or 6th Haskell win. He had a bad trip in and so did his colt, but his colt ran a fine race, especially since he stumbled, as did Shack, coming out of the gate. Shack will be at Saratoga later this month. Had he won this he would have had a great shot at HOY, I thought, but all of you know better. Love to all–high hooves to all–and I wish it had been precious Zenyatta I was feeding peppermints to at the entry lane to the track instead of the track ponies. But, hey, I can dream, can’t I?
Jeanne from Texas
You know with all this racing talk, speaking of the plain jane 3 yr olds this year, and the Breeders Cup bearing down on us, it made me think they could just grab your saddle, take you to Churchill, and I would really put money on you you would win hands down even at 5 mos. pregnant. What’d you think about that? Just a dream I know but wow what a good one!