Happy Friday!
As you can see, I’m getting my BEAUTY REST and making sure that I am taking great care of myself these days!
Additionally, I want to get plenty of rest so I can be energized and watch all of the terrific weekend of racing on both coasts. I’m going to be spending tons of time with my guys here at LANE’S END handicapping and watching the races. The conversation around the barn is already heating up now on who likes who in which race…and why! It is great FUN!
From Saratoga, running the Travers and the King’s Bishop… to Del Mar carding the Pat O’Brien and the Pacific Classic to name a few of the quality stakes running the next few days, it will be one very sporting weekend.
Uncle Mo…is making his first start back in the King’s Bishop since ‘feeling under the weather’ around Kentucky Derby time. There are so many contentious 3 year old colts running in the Travers….that I will really have to study the FORM here.
Then in Del Mar, they are running The Pacific Classic which is their premiere race of the entire meet. My farm, Lane’s End, has a horse competing in the field…TWIRLING CANDY. So this is very, very exciting!
My friend, BLIND LUCK, and her connections decided to ‘skip’ the Pacific Classic for this year and have her compete on another path: The Lady’s Secret and if all goes well The Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic. These are both very distinguished and prestigious races….I know them quite well. All the best to her and her future plans.
Enjoy your weekend! Have a terrific time watching all of these high quality races! It is SO MUCH FUN! I can’t wait!
Hey, Matt, Charles, Mike, David and Sarah…who do you like???
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Kari Bussell
@Karen Gogue- I meant to add a heartfelt thank you for being a secret informant…and it should read I want *you* to know I love you.
Karen Gogue
Thank you Zenny for allowing the time on your beautiful site for Noor….I know you cared….
Karen Gogue
Kari
The tears are flowing, yes, for Noor…. and for you my precious friend, who will never, ever give up! Your words are too much for me as of late…your beautiful soul and the smile I have never seen, sings and shines through each and every post….God did indeed know what HE was doing when HE created you….HIS special, special Angel of Love for all of us to behold….Bless you more than ten-fold over, my precious friend….
Sharon Call
@Anyone who knows. What races are due to be run tomorrow at Saratoga? I’m trying to figure out just when Irene is going to smack NY. I know it’s going to hit full-force on the NC barrier islands early this morning and then on to Maryland, then NJ, then NY. Since it’s such a huge storm, it may affect, in some way, the whole state and I’m wondering what that might do to the racetrack at Saratoga. Thanks!
judy berube
Dear Terry Crow:
Hysterical. Ha, ha. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Sharon Call:
We’re listening to the forecast pretty much throughout the day. We’re in Rhode Island which is northeast of Saratoga (about 340 miles away). From what I’m hearing the storm will come up the East Coast hitting Long Island, N.Y. and then head up to New England. If it impacts mostly on the Coastline, it shouldn’t bring much more than rain to Saratoga as it is located inland in Upstate New York. We’ll have to wait and see. If races were being run at Belmont, then the impact would be huge. Hopefully, they’re moving horses out of that area. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Karen Gogue:
Thanks for the update on Noor. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Signofthetimes:
Have been busy today and did not know To Honor and Serve won his race. Thanks. So glad. Also, thanks for your well wishes for us on the East Coast. Hugs, J.B.
Debbie G
You look so beautiful and peaceful laying in your stall, sweet girl. I love you, Zenny! :-)
@Terry Crow – Once again, you’ve got me laughing out loud. As a southerner, I can appreciate that joke.
@Abigail from Montreal – OK, I was a little confused yesterday and had things a little messed up. Here’s the REAL story with Kisha, Will Harbut’s great-granddaughter. She used to deliver mail to a guy named Matt Goins, who is a photographer and equine artist. He knows and has interviewed Tom Harbut, who is Will Harbut’s nephew. She said as far as she knows Tom Harbut is still alive. My best friend, Jim, delivers mail to Matt Goins, so he is going to talk to him and either give him my phone number or get his number to give to me. He wasn’t home today, but he said he’s usually home on Saturday. Wouldn’t that be incredible if you could talk to Will Harbut’s nephew? I get chills down my spine thinking of the stories he could tell. I’ll keep you posted!
@Brenda S – I read your post on yesterday’s diary about Seth Hancock being less than gracious and I hate to say it but I agree, but I’d like to share with you a kind of funny story about him. In early July my mom, stepdad and I visited Claiborne. It was early on Sunday morning and no one else was around, so my stepdad, Jim, pulled over to the first building he saw to see if we were in the right place. He started to walk into the building and out walked none other than Seth Hancock! Now you have to understand that Jim is a HUGE horse lover and has been for his entire life and seeing Seth Hancock was like seeing a major celebrity. They shook hands and Jim asked if we were in the right place and Mr. Hancock said yes, someone would be with us shortly. Mr. Hancock started to walk away and I could see that Jim was tongue-tied, just trying to think of something else to say to him. Then Jim blurted out “You know, your horse broke my daughter’s heart in the Breeder’s Cup Classic”. I was thinking to myself, Oh my God, I can not believe he just said that to Seth Hancock, of all people! I just kept thinking about that angry scowl he had on his face when Zenyatta won Horse of the Year over Blame. But Mr. Hancock surprised me. He just smiled and laughed and said “Well, hopefully you’ll have a different opinion of him when you leave here”. I’ve always had the highest respect for him and was truly shocked by some of the things he said, but I’d like to think that the disappointment of losing HOY to our girl is starting to lessen and maybe he’s mellowing out a little. After all, nobody likes a sore loser.
Shari Voltz
Dear Zenyatta Yes this is a busy race weekend and I am going for Uncle Mo and Stay Thirsty. I had the Homeroom yelling GO MO GO at the end of the day. If Mo wins we will have a Mo party next Friday :) I have to tell you a cute story. I have my 4th period longer than all my other classes. At the end of class I give them 5 min of free time. Today I showed them the video of Lisa G Fly singing Zenyatta. The video that shows you racing with the music. I have to tell you that the whole class and I am not making this up watched and you could have heard a pin drop. They were mesmerized by YOU. It was amazing. Every student watched and then after were real quiet and asked me some questions about YOU. Zenny watching you race still gives me chills. What a gift that I pray gets passed on to your little one. I just had to tell you that sweet girl. I love the picture of you in your stall at the beautiful Lane’s End. Have a good night and I am sending you many Hugs and Kisses, Shari and Homeroom 215 XXXOOO
Jeanie
Dear Great One,
I just want to send out SAFE wishes to all with Hurricane Irene making her way up the eastern seabord. I hope all two- and four-legged friends have gone to safety. We don’t want anyone to be harmed by this. Please be safe!
Your humble J
judy berube
Dear Shari Voltz:
What a terrific teacher you are. Hugs, J.B.
Dear Z Fans:
Thank you to all of you for your best wishes for us on the East Coast. Hugs, J.B.
Brenda S..
@ Debbie G – Thank you for sharing that story and I’m sure you are right in thinking his remarks were impulsive and disappointment. My grand daughter and I also visited Claiborne in July and Vic told Blame, quite loudly, that she could never forgive him for beating Zenny and that another couple of furlongs would have seen a different result. She did concede that he was quite a handsome boy and then gave him a treat. All the other visitors were amused and the groom agreed with Vic that Zenny was a very fine horse.
Maggie
Good to see you looking so well. Enjoy your weekend. Best of luck to all who are racing.
Barbara Wood
@Terry Crow–lol!
@Shari Voltz–wish I could worm my way into your class.
Debbie G
@Brenda S – Your granddaughter sure sounds like a smart girl! I gave Blame a peppermint, too, and told him that I forgave him. I had the same experience there. As soon as he brought Blame out and someone mentioned Zenyatta, the groom started talking about what a wonderful horse she is.
Brenda S..
@ Sharon C – I think everyone is on storm watch and reacting already. My son-in-law has gone to Boston for the baseball and the Red Sox have rescheduled Saturday and Sunday games into a double header on Saturday starting at noon hour. I agree with Judy B, I think Saratoga will get some rain but I heard on the news that New York City will be shutting the transit system down on Saturday afternoon.
LauraJ
@Sharon Call, here is tomorrow’s Saratoga card. It will open at the King’s Bishop Stakes, but you can scroll up or down for the complete card.
http://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR082711USA-EQB.html#RACE11
Joan.
What a beautiful girl.
Love ya Z
Debbie
hi Z! YOU are just TOO CUTE getting YOUR beauty rest;) I’m sooo excited about the racing this weekend, especially Uncle Mo’s race!!! YOU stay cool and enjoy YOUR weekend gorgeous mama xoxoxo
LauraJ
Saratoga seems to be a “go” for tomorrow, but Sunday may or may not be cancelled.
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/64732/impending-hurricane-brings-cancellations
pamela manzer
Enjoy your R and R Zenny. Love the Pic. Love and Kisses.
Ingrid in MA
Oh Zenny! Doing your Life is Sweet impression in that picture! Can’t wait to see how all the races turn out this weekend – hoping Saratoga is spared by Irene. Rooting for Mo in the KB, and Luck in the LS. Glad her team isn’t going to push her to take on the boys.
Everyone on the east coast, I hope you and yours are safe this weekend – stay safe!
Love you Sweet Zen! ~Ingrid in MA
Deborah Richman
Oh what an adorable picture! I am looking forward to watching the races on TV this weekend and will be rooting for Uncle Mo, Stay Thirsty, Mr. Commons, and Twirling Candy.
Kennedys… that really was a gem of a story. Thank you! Have a wonderful trip!
Terry C…Too funny!!!
East Coast Dumplingz…prayers for your safety! Keep in touch so we know you are ok.
Uncle Mo…GO MO GO! And stay safe, sweet boy.
Brenda S..
Zenny, enjoy your weekend, racing may not be what we are all looking forward to but safe trips to everyone.
Sharon Teel
You look great! Keep taking great care of yourself and baby z, Love you!!
Robyn Mullhausen
Zenny, just prop your hooves up and watch the races. :)
Roberta Smith
Hello Pretty Girl! I love to see you relaxing in your mother-to-be condition…you must be getting a bit more tired these days….eat up and stay hydratd…I love you so much Zenyatta!
AJ from CA
What wonderful pixs we’ve had of Z lately – thanks to Dottie and everyone for that. Hope everyone stays protected what with all this ominous weather forecasts and that all the horses come home safe this weekend. I’m especially rooting for Uncle Mo and Shackleford!
Sally L. Hopkins
The picture of you, Zenyatta, is too cute! I’ll be going to Del Mar this weekend. I’ll be rooting for Mr. Commons tomorrow and Twirling Candy, Sunday. Have a great weekend and lots of xxoooxxxxoxooxo from your friend in Southern California