Happy Thursday, Everyone!
Dottie is totally overwhelmed by all of the kind wishes and birthday greetings she received from all of YOU! She is deeply touched by all of your kindness and asked me to THANK YOU SO MUCH!
The poem by Trina Nagele is forever a keepsake. The countless cards with such memorable messages from all over the country a cherished surprise. Then the facebook wall filled with so many gracious wishes proved to be THE ICING ON HER CAKE! Dottie commented to John last night how all of this truly illustrates the amazing qualities of the ZENYATTA FANS….they really DO CARE ABOUT OTHERS! YOU ARE SO SPECIAL!
On a racing note, I wanted to share a few photos of the barn area at Saratoga. Above is the Phipps barn. Gotta’ love those trees! It looks beautiful!
Then here is the Steve Asmussen barn. Oh, I see David there looking at some horses.
The Oklahoma Training Track also has a turf course for the horses to use. It is really a very nice set-up for training. As I understand it, several trainers do stable horses at Saratoga from April, when it ‘officially’ opens each year…until it closes late fall…about the end of October. At this point, the weather is changing. Several trainers send their babies (2 year olds) there when they come in from the training center…to get them ready…as well as other horses in their divisions. Saratoga is a very important part of the New York Racing program for many reasons.
This weekend is packed with some great races around the country…but a major FOCUS is Arlington Park Race Course in Arlington Heights, Illinois. This venue is hosting the “International Festival” of turf races which includes the Arlington Million-G1 (my pal, Gio Ponti, is pointing for this race), the Beverly D-G1 for fillies and mares, and The Secretariat-G1 for 3 year old colts/geldings. Many top quality horses from our country participate in these races which traditionally draw several major horses from Europe as well. It really becomes an international festival of racing! Good Luck to All!
Enjoy your day…and again, on behalf of Dottie, THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR YOUR THOUGHTFULNESS!
I must say, you are all TOO CUTE!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
signofthetimes
@ Doreen
Thanks for posting the link to Old Friends in NY,
What a great organization to donate, too.
signofthetimes
@Lisa G
I also love the Slew site — What a Talent and Champion of Champions with an ordinary look and at a bargain price.
How very fortunate his connections were to have purchased
this winning driven colt.
Barbara Wood
@Abigail from Montreal–so sorry you experienced some of the same problems Susan is going through. Sending belated hugs.
Sharon Call– wow–some payout Kenny had.
I LOVE daydreaming about “our” farm. Can’t think of anything I could contribute, except maybe man the phones. I love to yak–guess you couldn’t tell–lol!
@Kari Bussell–HAPPY BIRTHDAY tomorrow! Hope it’s a great one. Looking forward to more of your videos.
Barbara Wood
@Sharon Call–I meant “layout”. The other didn’t make sense–duh! Sorry. Fried brain from heat.
judy berube
Dear Doreen:
Thanks for posting the link on Sackatoga Stable Partnership. It’s great to read about responsible horse ownership. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Sharon Call:
Fun video. Thank you. Hugs, J.B.
Gloria Jeanne
**** Does anyone know how long it will take to get Zenyatta voted into the Hall of Fame? ****
They will be doing the live broadcast here for this year.
http://www.drf.com/events/saratoga-national-museum-racing-hall-fame#live-video
judy berube
Dear DJ:
Sounds wonderful. I can contribute a home made pizza (no pepperoni) with olives, tomatoes and a little Mozzarella and Romano cheese. Hugs, J.B.
signofthetimes
From Post #316
@ CH and Terry Crow
I am a great compromiser Blue and Hot pink bow tie sounds good. However, it might be fun to get in a wrestling match with Kari just to see JAG in a prison uniform as a referee. TOOOO
FUNNY !!!
@Judy B
So glad to hear your spirits are up especially for the great racing week end. Go Gio Ponti !!!!
@CH
Really really love the name BERNING TO DANZE; That is really a great name.
@DS
Thanks for the evening prayer. For me, it settles my soul and brings peace to my sleep.
signofthetimes
@Judy B
Definately saving for the BC 2012;
How fun a Dumpling reunion.
Would love to go to Churchill Downs this year.
Sally (B)
Oh my sweet Z; You present the most wonderful posts!! My heart is lifted each time you speak. Yes, Dottie has been our friend all this time!! She is everything!
But, I can not forget about Ann Moss, whose facial expressions & brief messages thru your racing showed love for you Z, always wanted what she thought you could do, and would love you for who you became. And I love you Zenyatta! Have a wonderful week-end Z. love with 2 kisses on your soft nose
judy berube
Dear Signofthetimes:
Thank you, you’re very sweet. Would be wonderful if we could have a reunion at the 2012 BC. Hope you get to go to Churchill this year. Hugs, J.B. (working on trying to find more info on Take Control and Liberian Freighter)
Sally (B)
Z; my last post should have said, “who you became win or lose. I have never doubted one moment as I saw you come from behind at 2010 Breeers Cup that you were not still the greatest race horse mare in my lifetime!
AJ from CA
A belated but very sincere HAPPY BIRTHDAY wishes to both Dottie and Mike!!! You’ve done so much for us – Thank you!
Chris H
@Deborah Richman — I found the Smarty Jones book at the “Family Dollar” store — Don’t know if it is still in print or not. That was the best $1 I have ever spent.
Arlene
@Deborah Richman, High Hoof Deborah, Thanks for the info – I just placed an order.:-) Sounded like a bargain, too!
Linda in NJ
Hi Zenny: I am so happy to hear that Dottie enjoyed her birthday wishes. I had a card to send to her but with John moving his horses out of Barn 55 for the summer, I wasn’t sure if Dottie would get it. Now I wish I had sent it to her. Anyways, how are you doing today? I hope you are feeling good. Are you still able to run around in the paddock with Tasty Temptation or are you beginning to slow down a bit. I need to go back to the post that gave us the link to the chart that shows the different stages of your pregnancy. I wonder what little “Z” looks like about now. Also thank you for this wonderful post and for yesterday’s too. I am going to Saratoga for the Travers and after reading these 2 posts I am really getting excited. I sure do hope Uncle Mo is able to run! Wouldn’t that be something to welcome him back to the track–but only of course if he is up to it. Take care Zenny, we love you!
@Trina Nagele: Once again what a great poem!!!
@Susan in TN: My thoughts and prayers are with you.
@Shari Voltz–How is Dawn Conrad doing? I haven’t seen a post from her in quite some time. Please tell her we miss not hearing from her.
DJ
To JB: ‘Homemade?!’ (smile)…my mouth is watering!
DJ
To signofthetimes: I will be there..was a little under the weather today. Going on silent retreat the next three days. So dark days are good too! :)
Martha Kinkead
I hope that you have had a wonderful Thursday. I am so glad that I found your site. It is so nice to be able to read about such a beautiful expectant mother. As I have mentioned before, I am a Fan of Barbaro. I spent approximately 8 months hoping for his survival. A lot of good has come about because of his fight for life. But, it surely is good to read about an expectant mother and a new equine life. Thank you so much. You are awesome.
Gary Moulton
@BABY RESULTS – 08-11-11
.
SARATOGA –
Race 5 – “Ezpz Lemon Squeeze” came from last and almost won it, she got headed by the winner. “Bellamy Roadster” was up with the pace until the top of the lane and then fell back to finish 6th. “Lady Gold” was in good position but didn’t have anything at the end. The time was 33 ½ lengths behind “Fourstardave’s” track record, LOL. Granny cashed one ticket. They finished 2nd, 5th, & 6th -$6.00
.
Race 9 – “Knock Rock” had the lead and looked to be holding. He blew the turn bad at the top of the stretch and sill ran back for 3rd. “Speightscity” was up in the mix, ran a little green, didn’t show much and “Chanttoomuch” was right behind him. NOTE: There was a mistake on Chanttoomuch’s number, it should have been #7 next to his name. That’s why I always post the name and the number, you can’t get the name wrong or it’s a lot harder too. I forgot, what was that name again? LOL. The time was about a second faster then the filly’s earlier, same distance, nowhere near Dave. Another $3.90 for the Jar. They finished 3rd, 4th, & 5th. -$6.00
.
DEL MAR –
Race 5 – We had the Top Two. Jimini Christmas that “Candy and Nuts”, I thought she would fade but not off the board. That’s what I get for putting the chalk in there. The time was below average. The Dollar Tri Paid $905.10. Granny cashed two. They finished 1st, 2nd, & 6th. -$6.00
.
Race 8 – We had all three down the stretch and in the last 1/16th then the 7 horse came up the inside and passed my two for second. “So Tough” took those horses easy in a good time. Grams caught two more. Final order of finish 1st, 3rd, & 4th -$6.00
.
-$24.00 Today +$281.20 Going Into Tomorrow.
judy berube
Dear DJ:
Hope you feel better. Hugs, J.B.(Wish we lived closer. I’d make you a pizza)
judy berube
Dear Gary M.:
So close today. Better luck tomorrow. Hugs, J.B.
suew
@Martha Kinkead, WELCOME! You will like reading here. The Z family (dumplings) are the best.
DJ
Hugs JB! Tasting it here… if we lived closer, I would be in your kitchen TOO MUCH!
Kim S
Happy Thursday Zenny. So glad Dottie enjoyed all her birthday wishes. And I second what Karen Gogue put into words about Dottie.
@Charlotte Farmer–Truly magnificent words about Barn 55 too.
@Barbara Wood–praying for the rain to drop to the south for you.
@Susan in TN–Girl, you need to be careful out there. What would those horses do without you? Thinking and praying for you and your brother. I too, truly understand your situation. My brother is an alcoholic. And is now living with me since my Dad passed in April.
@Terry Crow–really LOL at the last 2. Here’s one for you…
A man asked an American Indian what was his wife’s name.
He replied, “She is called Five Horses”.
The man said, “That’s an unusual name for your wife. What does it mean?”
The Old Indian answered,
“It old Indian Name. It mean…
NAG, NAG, NAG, NAG, NAG!.
@DJ–thanks as always, for the prayers. So uplifting.
@JAG–too cool numerology.
@Kari Bussell–early birthday wishes for you. Not sure if I’ll be checking tomorrow and I don’t want to miss it.
Zenny, have a great night, you are so loved and so missed on special race days. But glad you are healthy and happy.
Lotsa love to all.
Kimberly Potter
@Trina Nagele~ Oh my Gosh! Somehow, I missed yesterdays post and your birthday poem for Dottie. Your poem ROCKs and brought tears to my eyes….so true, every word of it. Thanks for sharing it here.
@DJ~ Feel better soon Zster…I’m sipping a peach schnaups w/OJ…I’ll share it with you. :)
Love and Hugs to ALL~
Zenyatta’s #1 fan in Montana!
Kim S
@DJ–Just saw you weren’t feeling well. Prayers to you.
Trina Nagele
@SUSAN IN TN—Don’t EVER think that you have “little to offer us” at ANY time! We are always so, so grateful to you that you share your experiences with us, of whatever nature they are. We are all family. Thank you for telling us about the fainting episode—you must try to avoid that horrible heat. Clearly you have gone above and beyond with your efforts to help the horses. Please try to stay a little cooler even if it means you have to cut back on your time there. I am sure you made the right decisions for your brother. I hope and pray that the detox program will work for him. Prayers for you both. Hugs to you!
@Diana S—LOVE your ideas and your humor! What a treat you are! And I am so glad you liked the poem. Thanks.
@JAG—I’ll join the letter-writing campaign to make it the John Henry Arlington Million!
@Arlene and DJ—I too like the Dumplingz spelling.
Trina Nagele
@DJ–Prayers and hugs tonight for you.