Happy Friday,
Today is a very memorable day in our industry. The CLASS of 2011 is being inducted into the Hall of Fame which is located at the National Museum of Racing in Saratoga Springs, New York.
The induction ceremonies will be shown this morning on HRTV. They are taking place at 10:30 Eastern Time in the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion. Bobby Flay is hosting the presentation along with broadcaster, Randy Moss. The festivities are open to the public.
Congratulations to all of the 2011 inductees:
Jerry Hollendorfer and Matthew Byrnes, Trainers
Shelby “Pike” Barnes, a Jockey who starred in the 1880’s
Duke of Magenta, Open Mind, Safely Kept, and Sky Beauty, Horses
Sarah was so sweet and took some other photos for us to share of the Museum. I hope you enjoy them.
I wanted to show you ROBERT FRANKEL’S plaque on the wall…as Dottie actually wrote the script for it for Bobby.
Have a wonderful weekend! Enjoy all of the fabulous racing taking place around the country during the next few days and HAVE FUN!
Perhaps we’ll see some future Hall of Famers in action and running this weekend! HOOVES CROSSED!
With Love,
Hugs to All~ (Congratulations to HOF Class of 2011)
Z
Lil from KY
@Shari Voltz—I think it is a great idea to take a corner of your classroom for a horse activity center.
DMCQ——Well said
Kimberly Potter—prayers & good wishes
I agree with you we should be thankful for what we get from Dottie
Kathy Kimber—-What a thing to say to Barbara Wood, how rude! And if you weren’t slamming Lanes End, Dottie, & all the wonderful people caring for Z, THEN, what do you call it??
S in San Diego—–I totally agree with you—Thank God, Z is living the life of a HORSE, & not cooped up in a box stall all day, but now has the freedom to run & enjoy herself. Remember the video when she was first turned out at Lanes End, she ran, kicked up her heels, bucked & neighed like she was finally having the time of her life! Didn’t look like she was lonely , or missing people or whatever. I agree if she could tell you, she would take her life theremunching her blue grass over racing.She deserves her life of leisure after working sooo hard.
To all the people who are whining on this site, I think it’s very possible that our wonderful Dottie will get SICK & Tired of all this complaining, (I know I do), and may not want to continue the site. This is not something we want! I don’t know hoe Dottie does all she does for us with her busy life, I enjoy everything she posts, & I don’t feel “neurotic” about not receiving Z news EVERY day, I appreciate what & when she can send things.
No, Z will NEVER be forgotten, just as Secretariat has not been forgotten. I hear a lot about Secretariat these days.
Sign of the Times—-I like your posts, you are RIGHT ON!!
Eveline
@ DMCQ – thanks for responding . I work with a mac-book. The highlighting and copy part works well, but then when I paste it in documents I get the whole diary. I’ll play with it for a while, maybe one day I figure it out. @ Trina N – thanks to you as well! @ Cynthia H. – the 17th is my birthday, I’ll start thinking about a personal Z-story.
Signofthetimes
@The Kennedy SD
Thanks so much for posting the pics if Take Control,
“E” and Blind Luck. Also love your comments.
It is great to have some folks who go to Del Mar
Regularly share with those of us who live far away.
The Kennedys in San Diego
A few more Mario gems about Zenyatta:
*****
When her connections made a trip back to Lane’s End to witness Zenyatta let off the lead for the first time in years, they expected she would immediately kick up her heels and run the fence line — which she did much to our delight in the “Freedom” video. However, first she looked to the fence line where several small groups of people were gathered in anticipation of what was to come. Mario was standing between the groups. Zenyatta spotted him and first ran to him before her joyful run accompanied by bucking and squeals of delight with her tail flagged.
*****
For all who have observed two horses standing parallel to each other facing in opposite directions and scratching each others’ withers with their teeth, Mario would stand next to Zenyatta facing her rear scratching her withers. She in turn would gently scratch his neck and upper back with her teeth.
*****
On one occasion, as Mario was leading her toward the training track, Zenyatta stopped suddenly and would go no farther. As he followed her gaze, he saw an opossum on the wall 100 feet away. She kept her sights trained on the animal until it could no longer be seen. Only then would she agree to continue toward the track.
*****
On one occasion when we visited her in Barn 55, she nodded her head vigorously up and down and then pointed her nose toward a bag of carrots laying on the ground about 10 feet away. She did this repeatedly as if asking, “What is it you don’t understand? Carrots and I would like some.” We felt badly that we could not fulfill the demands of The Queen. However, she was being tacked for her morning gallop and could not have any at that time.
*****
According to Mario, “If a horse loves you, he/she will die for you.”
*****
Signofthetimes
Commentators on HRTV are saying soft turf
Did not lend itself to Gio Ponti’s closing kick.
Which he did not have.
When the saw the rain they felt Cape Blanco
Would out perform.
Charlotte Farmer
@Kennedys in San Diego: What beautiful Zenyatta moments this is what we want to hear. How wonderful and how gracious of you to share.
Kathy Kimber
Ditto
Max
Impossible Time, a 6 year old mare, just won the $125K Victoriana at Woodbine in Toronto. She also won the race last year. The difference this year is that she is in foal. She has been described as “tough” and “professional.” How is that for girl power?
Kathy Kimber
@Lil in Kentucky: First of all Barbara Wood reffered to herself as naive I simply agreed. No one attached Dottie at any time you need to learn to understand what it is you are reading
Brenda S..
I have just watched the running of the Victoriana from Woodbine and thought I was in need of a hearing aid when I heard that one of the horses was in foal. Well, guess what, she won, handily. She’s It’s Impossible, trained by Roger Atfield, who was interviewed after the race and said that some mares run better when in foal. I’m wondering how often this happens, is it usual to run a mare when she’s in foal and how harmful to the mare could it be.
Signofthetimes
@The Kennedy’s SD
Mario was her horse/human friend. To keep a horse
Happy and sound on the track without their beloved
Herd mates one must be horse and human. The groom
Is such an important influence on the racehorses mind and
Body. Lovely
Tidbits. Mario is right a TB will lay down their
Body/life for the ones they love. It was a great Idea
To have Mario there to help her make her transition to
A being a real horse as he was her “herd” mate on
The track. Such a lovely video of her getting her freedom
For the first time.
Shari Voltz
@ Lil from KY thank you :)
@ The Kennedys in San Diego loved the info on Zenyatta and Mario.
@ Kate Wheeler loved your post. I feel the same way. I found Our Mims on this site.
Signofthetimes
Really look forward to Abigail’s blog on famous horses
And their grooms. Grooms are so very important
For the horse and they are truely the most wonderful
People.
Louise Castello
TO ALL: Yesterday on here I agreed the site seemed different. I realize I don’t say much here, as someone said I do feel hesitant. Just want to make clear that I love, love, love coming here numerous times, every day, reading ALL the wonderful comments and learning so much more about horses, people, racing, etc. Never realized what I didn’t know. I love to read everything on here and I NEVER meant to attack Dottie or anyone. I would be lost without this site. Please forgive me if I offended anyone or sounded whiney. I also agree in the coming months when foaling time gets closer, things will pick up considerably. How fun all that will be. As someone who rarely, rarely comments, thank you for letting me apologize to you. I do read all your comments and enjoy them so much!
judy berube
Dear Louise Castello:
Loved your post; hope you keep commenting. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Signofthetimes:
Me too. Hugs, J.B.
Brenda S..
Just realised that It’s Impossible is really Impossible Time. Thanks Max for posting the correct name. I’m still totally mixed up about a mare in foal racing. I guess it’s me that thinks it’s impossible.
Barbara Wood
@the Kennedys–thank you so much for these new Zenny insights. They mean a lot of those of us not in CA.
@Lil in KY–well said!
@Kathy Kimber–no one is forcing you to read my posts. Enough already. We can agree to disagree civilly.
@Louise Castello– I don’t recall your ever offending anyone.
judy berube
Dear Brenda S.:
I remember at Saratoga one year a mare in foal was in a turf race. I was surprised too. Didn’t know they ran in races while in foal. Good for It’s Impossible. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Brenda S.:
Good for Impossible Time. Thanks Max. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Kennedy’s in San Diego:
Thank you so much. Love hearing stories about Z and her Team. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
To Ingrid Arnone:
Dear Ingrid:
Thanks; sometimes. Yes, hope we hear from Dawn soon. Hugs, J.B.
The Kennedys in San Diego
More on Uncle Mo.
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/64537/uncle-mo-zips-bullet-for-kings-bishop
judy berube
Dear Kennedy’s in San Diego:
That film of Z running free, flag tail and whinnying is absolutely beautiful. Gives me goosebumps every time I watch it. (and I watch it often). Hugs, J.B.
JAG ~ California :-)
Happy Sunday, ZENNY!
—-
I was at Del Mar yesterday (my first trip since I was there last year for your CLEMENT HIRSCH win).
—–
I was able to wave “hello” to YOUR JOHN, who was schooling HARMONIOUS :-D I couldn’t help but notice those cotton ball ears ;-) I took some great pics, too.
—–
I was a guest in the paddock for race 2. My friends Lewis and Donna Cenicola asked me to join them. Their horse SHE’SAWONTONTOMATO won her last race, but poor girl came in last yesterday :-(
—–
I said “hello” to Dottie and wish her a Happy Belated Birthday. She was thee for DEATH STAR/John/Mikey. I have a photo of them with their heads together. I imagine “going over the plans” ;-)
——
I ended the evening watching the JOHN HENRY movie on the screen situated in the paddock. I imagine John was sitting on that full moon over us. If I know JH, he is happy with the 90 minutes dedicated to HIS amazing career! :-D
——
If you would like to order the movie, please go to http://WWW.JOHNHENRY.MOVIE.COM.
——
Got to get back to streaming and TV for the Del Mar races!
——
Kisses & Hugs Queen Z and Baby z XOXOXOXO
Signofthetimes
@Max
Thanks for the update and a pregnant mare won!!! I had read a couple of Months ago another mare raced in foal. Maybe the same
Goes for pregnant horses as pregnant humans. ” what ever
Exercise you are used to before pregnancy you may continue” until
You are off balance with a large baby.
I guess they would only be able to run in foal early on. Such a
Great fun piece of information!!!
Lil from KY
Louise Castello—-I was not referring to you when I mentioned “whiners”, but the people who were very insulting to Dottie for not sending pics & information “THEY” wanted, also Lanes End, insinuating that Zen was not getting the proper care! Thank you for your post, it was very gracious of you.
Brenda S..
@ The Kennedys in S.D. – Your stories about Zenyatta and Mario are absolutely priceless, please share all your gems with us. How fortunate you are that you were able to have such close encounters and now you have those memories.
Max
@ BrendaS, judy berube and signofthetimes. Impossible Time’s trainer, Roger Attfield, explained that some mares run better when they are pregnant, but this always has to be assessed on a case by case basis. There are also rules in certain jurisdictions about far along in a pregnancy a mare can be raced. Attfield mentioned that he would not run any mare if the pregnancy was advanced or if the conditions were not right. IT apparently did not race in July because he thought that it was too hot. Still it is impressive that she won today and won well.
Kathy Kimber
@Barbara Wood: You addressed your post at me so I read it. Duhhhhhhhhhhhhhh