Happy Friday!
It is always so hard for ME to believe how quickly time is literally flying by. It is already September 2nd….and the closing weekend of racing at both Del Mar and Saratoga. Labor Day is upon us…and students all over the country are returning to school.
I hope all of you enjoy your weekend and all of the great racing that is scheduled. The 2 year olds are starting to step up to stakes activity on both coasts….and then Havre de Grace is going to take on the males in The Woodward Stakes–G1. Additionally at Del Mar, the Del Mar Derby G-2 will be showcased. All the best to all of the participants and their connections.
Yesterday, a few dear friends of mine sent Dottie a link regarding an article in the September, 2011, issue of THE AMERICAN TURF MAGAZINE. The piece is written by Mark Shrager. In it, he is listing (in his opinion) the TOP 10 AMERICAN RACE HORSES EVER!
Guess who is there at #6? ME!!
Now this is very special…and I so appreciate Mark’s ranking. The list of horses and how he rated the TOP 10 are as follows:
1) DR. FAGER
2) KELSO
3) SECRETARIAT
4) SEATTLE SLEW
5) CITATION
6) ZENYATTA…….THAT’S ME! (BLUSH, BLUSH)
7) AFFIRMED
8) MAN O’ WAR
9) SPECTACULAR BID
10) JOHN HENRY
Click here for the article.
This is a list of some amazing thoroughbreds with massive racing accomplishments. I am so PROUD to be included with this elite company. Dottie was commenting to John last night that I AM THE ONLY FEMALE on the list. Also, I am the only horse to be included who ran in the last few decades. John Henry won his HOTY titles in 1981 and 1984. All of the other horses represent decades of racing before that time. This is truly significant and as I mentioned earlier, I am extremely PROUD and HONORED to be in such company.
I hope you enjoy the article, your weekend, and some great RACING! Cheers to great handicapping!
With Love,
Hugs to All~ (Thank you Camille and Jim for sharing this article with US!)
Z
judy berube
Dear Signofthetimes:
Just checked on Bernie’s full sister Bernardette. This was her fifth start MSW. Prior to today (she ran 11th) she has never finished worse than 3rd. Maybe something isn’t right with her. Hope she’s OK.
Trina Nagele
Dearest Z, Congratulations to you and Team Z on this well-deserved honor! I’m very happy for you!
Comments for the end of entry #332:
@Cynthia H—Great posts about Noor’s homecoming! High hoof!
@Darlene—Lovely words for Beautiful Pleasure.
@Cara Ezzell—–Sincere condolences to you and your friend on the sudden lost of Mercy Merci. How sweet that you gathered the mane and tail hair for keepsakes. I’m sorry that young person added insult to injury with her thoughtless remark. RIP Mercy Merci.
Trina Nagele
OOPS—I meant @Delrene, not Darlene!RIP Beautiful Pleasure.
Diana_NV
What a great honor, Z Girl! So exciting to see this kind of acknowledgement, and in such truly great company.
Karen Gogue
Hi adorable! :)
Quarterhossgal
Congratulations Queen Z. It is impossible
for racing fans to agree on the top ten race horses of all times. But we can all agree that Zenny belongs on the list, most of us would put her in the top 5. You’re in great company special Z!
So sorry to hear about Beautiful Pleasure, we need to find the answer for laminitis, it takes too many horses at a young age. My mare is currently fighting the battle caused by a medication given by our vet.
Michelle
It is so wonderful to see you recognized by people in the industry. I have always thought you were one of the best ever but I am so biased when it comes to you. You are #1 in my heart.
Vicki B.
@Terry Crow – Where would we be here, without all the equine knowledge you convey? More ignorant than we are now! Plus, jokes worth passing on… Thanks!
@LauraJ – ditto on your equine knowledge, Thanks!
@Judy Berube – Thanks for your links to horses in today’s Top 10. I look forward to the rest.
@Kari Bussell – got a little teary again, at the video, thanks.
s (in San Diego)
@signofthetimes…Heard they are giving Shack a much deserved rest. I really believe he will be back better then ever. He seems to be such an honest horse and really gives it his best everytime. I was so worried something had happened when he dropped back so quickly…Just a relief when they said he was ok.
Vicki B.
I like the idea that a number of other horses mentioned here could be thrown into the hat with these top 10, like Ruffian, Northern Dancer, etc. I also love Kincsem, from such a different time, and wonder how she would have fared against horses of our era.
judy berube
Dar (s) in San Diego:
Shackelford really deserves a rest. He’s been racing pretty much since the Kentucky Derby. It’s good that he’ll have some time off for a while. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Vicki B.:
You’re welcome. Glad you enjoyed the bios. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Quarterhoregal:
Your horse is fighting laminitis caused by medication? Is that right? So sad. Wishing her and you well. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Oops: Sorry, I spelled your name wrong.
Quarterhossgal Hugs, J.B.
Peggy (N)
@Susan from TN, Hey my friend and neighbor. I just also wanted to tell you that the streaming video from Keeneland is wonderful. One of the Saturday’s last year I couldn’t hardly tear myself away from it. Definately Addictive.
Please give all the horses a hug for me.
Love Ya Zenny, Love to all, Peggy
Trina Nagele
Sleep tight till the morning light, Z. I’ll try to catch up with all today’s comments tomorrow.
@Penny—Congratulations on your retirement!
@Leslie—Very good question.
@LauraJ—Thanks for your answer to Leslie’s question.
Barb Zylbert
Zenyatta you definitely deserved to be on the list, but so does Ruffian and she is NOT there. I think she should replace Spectacular Bid who was a spectacular failure at stud despite his racing accomplishments.
Barb Zylbert
Judy Berube = Any medication that causes constriction of blood vessels can cause laminitis. One culprit is steroids like dex.
Barbara Grimaldi
Zenyatta will be chosen for every “great” list from here to forever. I disagree with the ranking of that list and the absence of some horses I thought were spectacular for many reasons, like Seabiscuit and Ruffian. And why not War Admiral? Whirlaway? Based upon performance/talent/impact on the sport, I think Zenny should be higher on the list, like 5 or 4. There will never be another Zenyatta just like there has never been another Secretariat… Dear Zenyatta, congratulations on being in this list…but in our eyes, you are with Secretariat, who should be number one. Love you, sweet girl.
Sunny Boyd
Good morning Zetty,
hope you rested well, and are ready for oats’n hay’n that good Kentucky Blue Grass. :)
Boy, my neighbor is turning out to be a real p… Just because a squirrel was eating walnuts above his door, he had the tree mutilated. What kinda thinking is that? Nuts :(
Chuckle in the wee hours:
Anytime three New Yorkers get into a cab without an argument, a bank has just been robbed. Phyllis Diller :) :) :)
Have a great day
MK
It’s just a matter of time until you’re inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Peggy (N)
Good Morning to all. I just went into Bloodhorse and there is a picture of our Zenyatta’s half sister there. She is a beauty by Henrythenavigator. Just beautiful. If I knew how to pull that over to here I would, but I don’t know how to do it.
@Judy Berube, Hint, Hint.
If it has already been posted above (the link) I’m sorry I missed it.
Safe trips to everyone today.
@Havre De Grace, you go pretty girl and be safe.
Gloria Jeanne
Zenny – you make me so happy. Thank you!!!!
judy berube
Dear Z,
Good morning. Hope you have a great day in the paddock with your BFF TT. Love you and love to all of you,Judy and Russ
Elizabeth
Congratulations on this great honor, Lady Z!!!!! How wonderful and exciting I am so thrilled to be living during YOUR lifetime and having had the pleasure of watching you race in “real time” – never in person, unfortunately.
Congratulations again on all of your achievements and on a life very well-lived. Congratulations to your amazing TEAM Z, too!
Love,
Elizabeth
judy berube
Dear Z Fans:
Instead of an article on Secretariat, I’ve linked his Triple Crown races. Hugs, J.B.
http://wn.com/Secretariat_%28horse%29
judy berube
Oops, Forgot to tell you to click on No. 2. It’s a video of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and the unforgettable Belmont Stakes of 1973. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Z Fans:
Seattle Slew. Hugs, J.B.
http://www.spiletta.com/UTHOF/seattleslew.html
judy berube
Dear Peggy (N):
Here’s Z’s half sister. Hugs, J.B.
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/64851/zenyattas-half-sister-to-sell-in-november
Peggy (N)
@Signofthetimes, Sorry I went back and saw where you posted it above.
Sorry Judy I just saw it on bloodhorse and just wanted everyone to see it, I must read the posts closer next time.
Thanks you both.
I am having 2 trees cut down on some porperty today, so I guess I better to head out to check on it. I might have to yell TIMBER………
Everyone have a wonderful day.