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
Karen Gogue
Gloria J.
I believe a horse has to be retired 5 years to be voted into HOF…anyone know for sure?
Trina Nagele
@Kim S–Blessings and hugs to you for being such a fine sister under difficult circumstances–prayers for your brother that he may have the strength to get back on the right path.
Kimberly Potter
@ALL~ I found this and thought it was pretty cool. I played both videos at the same time and WOW!
http://www.equisight.com/blind-luck-vs-havre-de-grace/
Trina Nagele
@Kim S—PS. Loved your joke about “Five Horses”!
Arlene
@Deborah Richman, When I posted my thanks to you, I saw Chris H. reply to you about the Smarty Jones book. So I went back on Amazon.com and looked it up and they have it – some new at 1 cent plust $3.99 shipping. I ordered one while I was there.
Blessings. Arlene
Barbara Wood
@Kim S–thanks so much for your faithful prayers for us here in TX.
@DJ–hope you feel better tomorrow. If you don’t feel like doing much, you can always lurk here.
@Terry Crow–lol–seriously! My husband will love it!
@All- a reunion at the BCC next year would be awesome. We will plan to be there,Lord willing. Want to get our airline tickets as soon as they go on sale for then. What would be the best day to arrive? A day before? Two days?
Precious Z– you can’t possibly know how much you mean to our online family. We are all united through our love of YOU.
Wishing you a peaceful night and sweet baby dreams. You are magic and never fail to lift our spirits in these troubled times. Love you always.
@Susan in TN–I promise to send a small donation to your rescue as soon as I cobble up a few extra dollars.
Diana S
@sharon call: Loved the flash mob and have just sent it all the way around the world. Thank you so much for sharing it! Go Canada! (Boo London!)
diastu in tempe
judy berube
Dear Karen G. and Z Fans:
Here’s the Hall of Fame site. Hugs, J.B.
http://www.racingmuseum.org/hall-of-fame/eligibility-nomination-and-induction.asp
Diana S
@ALL: Have signed up with Breeders Cup to get all sorts of special announcements and deals. As soon as they open the door for 2012 – I’m barging in and will put out some sort of flyer for everyone so you can plan ahead. I’ve kept my word – got a jar and started putting in one buck a day for BC 2012. What fun we’ll have! (Might need bail money for sure!)
diastu in tempe
Cynthia H.
Thank you for posting the beautiful pictures of Saratoga on today’s diary, dear Dottie. One can almost envision the ghosts of heroes past in the mist, and the champions whose best hopes languished in the dust at “The Graveyard of Champions” There is no place like it on earth (but maybe in heaven).
Thanks to so many for your fun comments regarding DEE.
@Barbara Wood @judy berube: I am so glad that I was able to provide a smile and a laugh. Tery Crow is a master of that!
@Terry Crow: Unfortunately, I missed the golden opportunity of seeing JAG in her jailer’s uniform! What a hoot! I agree, she MUST wear it when referring the wrestling match!
signofthetimes: I am glad you like BERNING TO DANZE!
Paula Higgins
Dottie, we think you are great. What you do for Zenyatta and her fans is very special. You make the sport come alive for those of us who are new to the sport and even for those of us who are not.
judy berube
Dear Kim S.:
Very funny. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Diana S.:
I started a BC dollar a day bank too. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Z,
Goodnight and Sweet Baby Dreams. Love you, Judy and Russ
Barbara Wood
2Diana S– that would be great–would be a big help in planning. You are so good at taking charge (I mean that in a good, not bossy way).
Cynthia H.
To Kari B., my fellow “12” and very special, dear friend: may you have the happiest of birthday’s tomorrow. Every day with you in it is a gift. You are a source of inspiration and courage to all of your many friends. You work magic with your videos, which are living poems and vibrant works of art. Your great love for Zenyatta resonates throughout everything you do. My wish for you is that the joy which you so generously share with everyone you know (and even those you don’t), be returned to you a thousand-fold. You light up our lives. Until the 12 of Never, my irreplaceable friend.
signofthetimes
@DJ
Sorry to hear you are not feeling well. Sometimes the dark days make the bright days even brighter. Hope you feel better soon.
Prayers for you tonight.
Peggy (N)
@Susan in Tn, I will keep you and your brother in my prayers. Please let me know if I can do any thing for you. God bless, Peggy
signofthetimes
@ Diana S
Thanks for connecting us up to the BCC 2012 as it evolves.
signofthetimes
Dear Zenny,
Nighty Night. I can see you all curled up with your baby bump
in your stall with lots of hay and your eyes closed sleeping sitting up. Do you every lay down and sleep? My boy slept with his
legs curled under and sitting up, too. Nothing cuter than a sleeping horse.
Sweet Dreams. XXXXOOOO
signofthetimes
@Kimberly Potter
Great Video of the two great fillies. My computer was technically challenged so could not play together. It takes HDG a little while to warm up, but boy does she go go go. And Blind Luck just goes and goes and goes. It will be great to see them race together again.
Arlene
@Kari Bussell – HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!
Love your videos – very beautiful and inspirational. YouTube is the only way I have seen Zenyatta in action. I thank God for the blessing. May your life be full of joyfullness.
Shari Voltz
@ Kimberly Potter thanks for posting the videos of the Jockey cam on the horses that is so Awesome !!
@ Linda in NJ Dawn is doing great just trying to put everything in order because she was gone for three weeks. She says she will probably post this weekend :)
Kathryn Cogswell
ClinkClink — DJ: Did I just read you are flopped under the weather? Tea & toast to taste? We peeps holding good thoughts.
Jackie
Good Evening Queen”Z. I was computer problems and could not get on line. I must say I was so moved by the beautiful post/Poem by T. Nagele. You are spot on!
Dottie, hope you enjoyed your birthday. I certainly hope all the Z Fanas and Dumplings added to your special day.
To all have a wonderful evening.
Hugs and Kisses
Jackie
Sunny Boyd
:)
Jackie
Need a laugh today. Thought I would share this funny race call!
Jackiehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEF60avsloY&feature=fvsr
Jackie
Oops let me try that again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEF60avsloY&feature=fvsr
Yvonne and Maurice
Hi Zenyatta. First, Happy Birthday to Dottie and Mike – may they have the best year and many more to come. Thanx so much for the pic of Uncle Mo. I am so glad to see that he is back in training and doing so well – I have my t-shirt and hat to wear when he runs next. Can’t wait. We were at Arlington Park last year for the Million and received a pic of Gio Ponte which I have framed on my wall. I so hope he wins the Million this year. Love you Big Girl. Stay cool and comfy, eat well for two and have a great time with BBFs. Love you, Angel in Disguise.
Karen Gogue
All
I ,too, found the Smarty Jones book at a Dollar Tree store! One dollar! What a great book! The title is SMARTY JONES – FOREVER A CHAMPION by Billy Valentine and Team Smarty. Is this the book? It was written in 2004. John Servis and Roy and Pat Chapman tell the tale of what it was like to take a ride with their horse of a lifetime…very good, easy read…you’ll love it.