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
Max
Zenyatta: Two beautiful fillies in a lovely photo. Sweet.
Here is a link to an article on Frankel. Watching him race is a gift, only equalled for me by the excitement of seeing you run. I will never forget your magnificence in your last race. Brilliant.
http://espn.go.com/horse-racing/story/_/id/6815727/raw-talent
Linda Deutsch
Thank you, Dottie, for the Frankel tribute and Z for the high hoof to him for his 8th victory. Dottie, these posts are so great in explaining the race track happenings and care that we, the average race fan, knows little about. You are all amazing!!! Special nose kisses to Z.
judy berube
Dear Laura J.:
Regarding your link to photos of Mr. Besilu on Diary #307, he is absolutely gorgeous. He looks to be 17 hands. Do you know how tall he is? Those photos are beautiful. Thanks again. Hugs, J.B.
Ingrid Arnone
YES, Frankel he is a very good horse, congratulations to him, BUT to me you still the best! Good luck to Eblouissante, and to Star Billing, have a great weekend my adorable
Zenyatta, I will love you forever, Ingrid.
Ann Maree
Hey, Z…Wow, a lot goes on in the background to keep everything running smoothly out front! Very interesting to know all this stuff.
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Wow! You now have over 1050 votes for the Breeders Cup 2012 Calendar!!! A few horses have over 100, some over 200, but most have less than 100. Some of the more popular are Sunday Silence, Tiznow, Unbridled, Skip Away, A.P. Indy, Alysheba, Ferdinand, Black Tie Affair, Curlin, Invasor, Cigar, and others. You are at the top of the heap, sweet girl. Hope the trend continues so you get to be on the cover!
–
Read recently that in 2010, ESPN had almost 2 1/2 times the number of viewers for the Breeders Cup than the prior year and you were given credit for the huge boost in the 2010 numbers! You are still very much missed and have left a big hole in the racing world!
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Big hugs. Love you, Ann Maree
Sheri
Thats so cool Z!!! You are awesome! Love you Zenyatta!!! :D
Rosemary McCauley
Star Billing and Eblouissante look very relaxed for their trip to the beach. Congratulations to you, Zenyatta, for the number of votes you have regarding the Breeders Cup calendar. When and where are they available for purchase (that is, if YOU are on the cover, I would like to buy one).
Delrene
My wish has come true! Your baby sis is on her way to Del Mar. I do hope I can get an opportunity to see her and her barn mates. Went to watch the morning workouts today. A bit overcast and cool (nice for the horses) Bought my tickets to the Pacific Classic. Thanks for this post today Ms. Zenyatta and Dottie. Hope to catch a glimpse of you at Del Mar.
Have a great weekend everyone and a safe trip for all horses and riders.
Joanna
I am sure that Frankel enjoyed all the ‘high hooves’ – he is an amazing horse. Some of you may know that I live in GB – I have seen Frankel run as a 2 year old and then in the 2000 guineas when he left the rest of the field behind. The racing press here say his next race will be on Champions Day at Ascot in October so I dont think he will make the Breeders Cup this year. They are going to keep him in training next year so who knows! He would make a great ‘date’ for Z (he is sired by Galileo, half brother to Sea the Stars and leading sire this season). I love reading Z/Dottie’s diary, racehorse life in CA is very different from life here! Love the picture of E going on her seaside holiday
as you say on here ‘Too Cute’
Roxi Cook
Your photos illustrating your diary posts are always so ADORABLE. Glad to hear Star Billing and “E” are going to Del Mar. I see that on Sunday Chantal is riding Utopian in the 3rd race and Joe Talamo is riding Death Star in the 9th race. Good luck to both of them and also to Mike on Amazombie (gosh, I just love that name and the horse too) in the Bing Crosby S.
Cara ezzell
Hi queen z, thank you for posting this cool photo and all the racing updates! You and dottie always post such interesting information regarding what’s going on in the racing world. I really love star billing! I had found out about her through a friend of mine that is also a big fan of yours. She lives in ca and has seen you race many times. She was kind and generous to send me photos she had taken of you and along with those i have 2 recent ones of star billing and your john is in one of the photos! How cool!! Frankel is really an amazing horse!! I’ll have to ask my friend if she follows him since she is originally from the the uk. I would like to take this opportunity to ask you and everybody to cheer on my buddy brilliant speed tomorrow in the jim dandy!! Have a wonderful weekend sweet girl and so glad you’re doing well! Much love, hugs and kisses to you z, cara from texas xxxooo :)
judy berube
Dear Shari Voltz:
Here’s an article on the West Virginia Derby. I posted it originally on Diary #307. Just in case you missed it, here it is again. Hugs, J.B. http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/64241/57-nominated-to-west-virginia-derby
judy berube
Dear Max:
Thanks for the link on Frankel. Hugs, J.B.
Brenda S
What lucky California girls on their way to the beach, I’m quite envious, I would love to spend the rest of the summer enjoying those Pacific breezes (the Atlantic breezes would be fine too). Your sister looks most at home in your stall with her snacks on board for the trip. How nice to hear that your Barn 55 stall has been packed away safely and will be replaced when the maintenance work is complete. Your stall should become a permanent monument so that visitors in the future will be able to see where you lived with a plaque that says “Zenyatta slept here”. Congratulations to Frankel who is going from strength to strength, just as you did. Maybe the two of you will be able to get together in the future. WINK, WINK.
Once again, YOUR DOTTIE and JOHN have combined to give us another informative and fun diary entry in what must have been an extremely busy day for them, THANK YOU.
Best wishes for safe trips to all on both coasts this weekend, there are so many races to follow and not much will be on the boob tube here in Fort Erie. You, dear Zenny, should have a quiet restful weekend enjoying the blue grass and your chats with Tasty T.
NorCalFan#1
Happy Friday, to you, too, Zenny! Yes, lots of racing on both coasts–even in our own “backyard” here. Looks like the girls are traveling in style!
Racing @ our county fair just got underway on Wednesday (like you said, it’s “hump day” for some, but the first “workday” of the week for Thoroughbreds). I love driving by the barns on the backstretch and straining to see what’s going on. It’s nothing like back home @ Barn 55, but for some little folks, they were having a ball! Someone fashioned a few seats and hung them on the hot walker, and the kids were having a ball swinging through the air! I can’t pass those barns without thinking of you! Thanks for the update on Santa Anita’s surface–hoping for safe footing for all, everywhere! Love you, sweetie! Hope everything is going well for you and your gal pals! Take care!
Mary
Love the post… love the picture … E is so pretty just like you Z … looking forward to the weekend racing … Hugs to you Z ….
Brenda S
@ Judy B and Lisa G – I’m pleased that you like my idea about old Friends. I may be right out in left field about the similarities between elderly dumplings and older equines but Old Friends can certainly use all the support we can give. My daughter is adding them to her monthly donation list after seeing what a great job they do and, as she said, every little bit helps. I’m too computer illiterate to know how the technical side would work but I’m sure somebody could figure it out.
kristen
Thank Eenyatta for the great update.
judy berube
Dear Z Fans:
Bad Day at Black Rock. Long shots came in today in the Maiden races, only not the ones I picked.
2nd Race My choices finished 7th and 8th $2.00 Excacta Paid $96.50.
6th Race My choices finished 4th and 8th $2.00 Exacta paid $204.50.
Race 9 My choices finished 8th and 9th $2.00 Exacta paid $684.00 WOW.
It’s a good thing I didn’t actually bet. Don’t know how Gary M. did today. Hugs, J.B.
Cathy Marshall
I always look forward to these posts too.Thanks for all the great information. The “girls” look so ready for their road trip! Too cute! Love ya, Zenny!
Robyn Mullhausen
I know “your John” will make sure everything removed from your stall is safe and returned to the correct spot. Thanks for all the news. Enjoy the week end and stay cool Zenny.
Nancy Colley
Thanks for all the inside information. I just love to read about what goes on. Miss Z you are just terrific and loved by so many fans. Big Congrats to Frankel; job well done. I am looking forward to the races this weekend. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
judy berube
Dear Cara Ezzell:
Wishing all the horses running tomorrow good racing luck and safe trips. But, I must admit I’m rooting for Bernie’s son, Stay Thirsty, in the Jim Dandy. Hugs, J.B.
christine cote
Another wonderful post Queen Z – so happy for Frankel – what a racehorse! I know your Dottie (and team) were cheering him on – I had the opportunity to hear Dottie’s heartfelt interview with Steve Byk on Sirius when Bobby passed. It was a great interview. I know she must be so happy for Frankel! SB & E are too cute – love all the updates. Cannot wait to see E’s first race, but wish we still had you racing and dancing. You could work the crowd into a frenzy! But now the next chapter and first foal. How exciting to follow the big event. Thanks to Dottie for all her work too! HUGS – Be Well and Stay Cool!!!!!
Linda/Maryland
Wonderful Zenny~!! Hope all of your stuff from you stall is safe until it gets back where it belongs!! We wouldn’t want to lose any of your things~!!
Love you Zenny~!!!
Daphne
Hello beautiful! I’ve been watching Secretariat over and over again on Starz. I watch that and think of you because your Bernie is a great grandson of Big Red. The fact that Bernie’s pedigree has both Big Red and Seattle Slew has me so excited to see your baby boy or girl! Your baby has been blessed to have two Triple Crown winners in his or her pedigree. Touched by two angels-Big Red and Slew! And of course, you Z!!!!
Stay cool and happy! I <3 you!
Paula Higgins
I was a Robert Frankel fan Dottie/Zenny and was thrilled to see Frankel, his namesake, win another one. There couldn’t be a better tribute to the man. I am thinking I want to come back in my next life as one of John’s horses. The horses there couldn’t get better care from him and all the staff at Barn 55.
Kathy in Studio City
E is such a leggy pretty tall girl — just like you! With a window view, she can see what’s going on. Thanks so much for the update. Hope you and your baby are doing well.
Warm regards,
Kathy, Abby and Charley (your fans in Studio City)
judy berube
Dear Brenda S:
Here’s the link on the Old Friends property, Cabin Creek
Rescue (Bobby Frankel Division) in New York. Hugs, J.B. http://www.saratogian.com/articles/2010/04/08/sports/doc4bbd4fa4aebf9707466063.txt
Debbie
hi Z! YOU have a wonderful weekend and stay cool gorgeous mama! Love YOU so much xoxoxo