Happy Monday to All!
It’s Labor Day! It is so hard to believe that it’s technically the last day of summer.
Today at Del Mar, the race track is hosting a group who serve in our Armed Forces. MY JOHN was a Marine during his time in the service. He is going to visit with the guests today at Del Mar and participate in some of the activities with them. I gather the executive offices told MY JOHN that even if some soldiers were not really familiar with racing…they did know about ZENYATTA! (That’s ME!)
Hearing this is very special to ME! (Wink, Wink!)
MY JOHN is going to speak with the group later in the morning. We’ve heard they were going to ask him for some ‘handicapping tips’. Dottie was teasing him last night that he better start studying the FORM for the entire Monday card quickly! I’m sure he will do very well!
One of the things I remember fondly about BARN 55 is all of the YOGA type exercises we would do. My dear trainer would have ME do lots of stretches all of the time to help ME in any way possible.
Well, I gather he has his exercise riders doing the same thing. John was buying yoga mats to use at the barn the other day…so individuals could stretch any time needed. Michelle took this photo of MAX, one of the exercise riders, after he completed the daily training exercise with 3 fillies: Harmonious, Star Billing and Gelila.
From all reports, MAX agrees with ME. These stretching techniques really work!
I’d also like to send a special HIGH HOOF to Havre de Grace. Last Saturday, she ran a great race at Saratoga winning her Grade 1 with style against the boys!
Enjoy your LABOR DAY! My Team and I so appreciate all who defend our country…and those who work so hard each day to make everything in our lives better.
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~
Z
judy berube
Dear DJ:
Thank you and a Happy Labor Day to you. Hugs, J.B.
Heidi Kreizinger
Z –
I’d like to add another horse to the top 10 and this one was a filly too.
Ruffian – although her life was short, she was tough enough and ran her heart out. I think you remind me of her.
How’s everything going baby-wise? Have a great “labor” day Z!!!
DJ
Thank you JB! You too. Hugs..
Gary Moulton
BAYB PLAYS —————————————- 09-05-11 (12:30 pm est)
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Get-Away Day at the Spa. The track is muddy and the tuft is listed as soft but all the races are off the turf. We should just play Del Mar but it’s the last day so I have to play. Today they have 3 baby races 2, 6, & 9 and the big one is the G1 “Three Chimneys Hopeful Stakes”. At Del Mar they have 3 baby races also, 3, 4, & 9. The big one is the “I’m Smokin Stakes”. It just looks big if you are stoned. I know if I lived in Cal. I would have a MM Card, LOL
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SARATOGA –
Race 2 – $10.00 to WIN on #1 “McKinley Square”
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Race 6 – $10.00 to WIN on #4 “My Pal of Pals”
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Race 9 – “Three Chimneys Hopeful Stakes” #1 & 1A “Currency Swap” “Clip the Coupons”, #2 “Hunt Crossing”, #7 “I’ll Have Another”, & #9 “J C’s Pride”
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$1.00 Triple Key – 9 // 1, 2, 7 // 1, 2, 7 = $6.00
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DEL MAR –
Race 3 – $10.00 to WIN on #3 “Rousing Sermon”
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Race 4 – #4 “Wonderful Miss”, #6 “Angry Bird”, #8 “Wild Hickory”, & #12 “A Racing Delight”
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$1.00 Triple Key –12 // 4, 6, 8 // 4, 6, 8 = $6.00
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Race 9 – #4 “Written Rule”, #7 “San Sebastian”, #9 “Tropiluk”, & #10 “Getting Lucky”
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$1.00 Triple Key – 10 // 4, 7, 9 // 4, 7, 9 = $6.00
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$48.00 Bet Today +$48.20 Starting the Day. Pass win bet under 2-1. GOOG LUCK ALL
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@Special THANKS to all the service men and woman today. Everyone should be ready to have their backs in the future. “No Atheists in Fox Holes”.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TC2xTCb_GU
Dolores Pshsnychniak
Thanks for giving our troops a “high hoof” today Zenyatta! Have a wonderful day!
Ada P
Zenyatta-just watched three of your races and the video of you at the yearling sale. You were whinnying for your Mama I think! Can’t believe how big you were at one. That lady was handling you good-little did she know who she was trying to calm down-the soon to be greatest horse of the decade!! Greastest horse ever!!
"Charlie" in Delran, NJ
Zenyatta, I was so happy to see that you made the list of top ten horses in American Turf magazine, but we fans didn’t need that to tell us what we already knew. I was thinking that a horses’s place in rankings may also depend on how much she or he is loved. That could apply to a great thoroughbred or a beloved pony. I remember reading that the owners of the great Seattle Slew, Karen & Mickey Taylor, were devoted to him. In his last two years when he had serious health problems they sold their home in the West to be with him at Hill ‘N’ Dale farm in Kentucky. They sat with him for most of the two weeks before his death on May 7, 2002 & were with him in the end. That was 25 years to the day the great horse won the Kentucky Derby. He also had the love & devotion of Tom Wade his groom of more than 20 years who followed Seattle Slew when he left racing for the stud farm. Slew is, as you may know, the father of A.P. Indy who is the father of our Bernardini and so Seattle Slew is the great grandfather of Zenyatta’s foal. What great intelligence & fire may be passed down to this foal who might be named “Great Expectations”.There is a wonderful article about Slew’s death & how it was felt by his people. It’s at Bloodhorse.com & was written by Steve Haskin. A lovely tribute to a well-loved horse. I can’t help but wonder who was with the other great horses on the top ten list at the time of their deaths. Was a devoted owner sitting beside them? Was a loving groom at their sides? The Slew had a great heart & found his way into the hearts of so many. How wonderful it must have been for him to know how much he was loved as he ran in his mind the Derby again from pushing through all the other horses that day to be at the front of the pack never to give his place up again. He was the last living Triple Crown winner and is greatly missed. I’ve never been to race, I’ve never seen Seattle Slew or any other thoroughbred, but I’ve come to love him too.
Dawn Conrad
Dear Zenyatta. Hello, gorgeous girl. Happy Labor Day to you and all of my wonderful Z friends. What a fantastic site and amazing family!!!!!!! How special that John will be spending his day with members of the Armed Forces. Too Fun!! I wish them all the best of luck. They give so much to our nation and to each and every one of us. They have my undying gratitude always. My brother Duane, who was 6 years my senior served in Vietnam as did John, while my brother Lynn who is 8 years older and my sister-in-law Donna were in Thailand. I have such memories of that time, they seem like yesterday. If we talked to them on the phone, you had to say “over” as on a radio and they would send us the old reel to reel tapes as well as letters. We had pride in their service to be sure, but more so there was fear for their well being and constant longing for their return. Duane surprised us with that. He flew into the nearest airport one night and called my grandfather to come and get him without letting anyone know. My grandmother and parents were at a dinner, so my grandfather drove him to our house first to get me. I was home alone when he walked through the door. I ran into his arms and cryed and kissed and hugged and cryed and kissed and hugged and . . . well you get the idea. I never wanted to let him go. He was in his dress greens and I can still remember that smell of moth balls and musty tropics. We all jumped in the car and headed for the dinner. He walked into the room where there probably 50 people through a door behind my parents and as he walked forward all heads began to turn and conversations stop as others saw him, but my parents and grandmother still had no idea. Finally he placed a hand on my mother’s shoulder and she turned to look up into his face, oh my, I still cry just thinking about it. He was home! Lynn and Donna made it back a few months later. We were blessed to have everyone together again! Stay safe and warm in stall at Lane’s End today, Zenny. It looks like some storms are headed your way. Love you!! Sweet dreams. Hugs and kisses. XXXOOO
@Shari – So great to talk to you on the phone yesterday. Peppermint Pals sounds wonderful and Madame Mistletoe is TOO CUTE!
@Quarterhossgal – I am very sorry that your mare is dealing with laminitis. It is wonderful that she has your love and continued efforts on her side.
@RIP Burns, how tragic your loss. My condolences to your connections and especially our special Barry Abrams.
@Barbara Wood and all in TX – Thinking about you my friend! My prayers are with you.
@Peggy (N) – Hello my SIS!!!!!
@George Matkovich – What a very special memory of #19 with Zenyatta. I cannot imagine what it must have felt like to be there in person, but you description was so touching.
@Kari and Sharon – Smiles and joy, prayers and hugs from me to you!!!!
@Judy – Hi, lovely lady. Thank you again for all of the great links, I enjoy them so much!
@Karen Gogue – Hello gorgeous!! Hope everything is great with you. How are Charlotte and Kathy doing?
@Susan in TN – Thank you for sharing all the info on the Sweeties. Did you get the pictures I sent?
@Abigail – I saw Bellamy Road at Paul’s Mill, he was amazing. The stallion manager said that he was really starting to get popular with breeders looking for an old style stallion. I asked him what he meant and he said that some breeders are trying to make the horse lighter to increase speed. Bellamy Road is still heavy boned and solidly built as many of the most famous runners of the past where. His offspring are proving that the lighter concept isn’t necessarily the best. Have a great day my friend.
Christine in VA
Have a quiet LABOR DAY Zen . You have a special LABOR DAY some time in March right ?? wink wink. That will be the best day of your life. A day to see you baby and nuzzle a new warm body. I know that will be special for you and the team.
judy berube
Dear Dawn C.:
Don’t know if your post was for me or JAG, but thank you and if you meant the links I post on past Champions, I’m glad you enjoy them. Have a Happy Labor Day. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear “Charlie” in Delran, N.J.:
Loved your post. Hugs, J.B.
Kathy Kimber
@Dawn Conrad:
Char is very tired and I’m getting over being tired. It’s back to work tomorrow. Trip was great. Old Friends is a beautiful place. Michael took us around each day to see the horses. They are all beauties and so sweet
Lots of people at the ceremony. Both days very interesting. Especially when they went to put him in the ground. They dropped the box. Not to worry the box bowwed but the lining held and in he went.
Lovely ceremony lots of news coverage and he has now made the news in the UK.
Went to the horse park, My lord it is amazing. Getting to hug and touch all those champions, just hoping my pictures all come out.
sherry drish
ZENYATTA, WHAT HAVENT YOU DONE?? YOU HAVE BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT. IT NEVER FAILS TO AMAZE ME ALL THE THINGS YOU HAVE DONE. YOUR FOAL WILL HAVE THE SMARTEST MOM EVER. RACES WERE GREAT THIS WEEKEND. DEL MAR LOOKS TO ME ON TV TO BE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL TRACK EVER. HOPE THE FANS HAVE A GOOD WEEK. BLESSINGS TO ALL, SHERRY D. WV.
"Charlie" in Delran, NJ
Zenyatta fans: I have a question. In Europe & Australia females are raced against males all the time & do quite well. I’m thinking of Goldikova & Black Caviar respectively. But there are many more, such as the great Kincsem (1874-1887) who won 54 races throughout Europe & retired undefeated & honored. So my question is why aren’t females ordinarily raced against males here? Obviously they can compete quite well & have been doing so with great success & safety in Europe & Australia for years.
Mary
Yes Z …along with you I will send out a congrats to Havre de Grace. She was awesome….she made me think about you…she did beat the boys…and you know…her ears were really pricked. It was fun to watch…and it was fun to have the memory of you racing. Hugs to you Z…
Dawn Conrad
@”Charlie” in Delran, NJ – Your post was wonderful, thank you for sharing. Seattle Slew was amazing. I gratuated from high school in 1975, so I was blessed in being able to see all of the magnificent 70’s Triple Crown winners. I never got to enjoy them in person, but I was glued to the TV and read everything I could get my hands on. When you go to Three Chimneys, there is a statue in his honor in the middle of the stallion complex that is beautiful. He spent many years with them. There is a video on their web site that shows how they used to ride him all the time he was standing at stud. He was as you say actually buried at Hill and Dale. They do not allow tours there as at Three Chimneys, but they will let you drive into the farm to see his grave. He was beloved my many, including me! Secretariat is of course at Claiborne and Affirmed rests at Darley.
Dawn Conrad
@Kathy Kimber – Hello, lady. How wonderful to hear from you. I can certainly understand that Charlette and you would both be beat. But what and amazing sense of satisfaction you all must have in a job well done on behalf of beloved Noor. I am so glad you enjoyed you time at Old Friends and that your stay in Kentucky is so memorable for you. How great that the occasion received the press it deserved, all the way to the UK, amazing! All my love to you and Charlotte (and of course Noor).
Dawn Conrad
@Judy Berube – It was for you, but of course I enjoy everything from JAG also. You both give us so much fantastic information and stories to enjoy! :) :)
judy berube
Dear Kathy Kimber:
Congrats to you, Charlotte and everyone involved in getting Noor to his final resting place. Hope his spirit’s running free with Big Red and all the other horses who have passed over. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Dawn C.:
Thanks again. I always look forward to your posts. Have a Happy Labor Day. Hugs, J.B.
Joanna
@ Charlie Delran NJ
3 wonderful fillys that raced against the colts in the UK
Snow Fairy ran a fantastic race in Ireland yesterday, she very nearly beat the amazing So You Think
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ecz1WJXFJv0
Ouija Board who raced at the Breeders Cup
and my alltime favourite ‘The flying filly’ Lochsong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zxUju6oeoE
she was a real character and often boiled over before she got to post!
signofthetimes
Dear Zenny,
Streching is very very important for horses and humans.
Love the photo of Max. I can imagine stretching your long
beautiful legs was quite a job but know that you really enjoyed it, which is the best part for us humans. YOUR JOHN
was a Marine (the toughest of the tough) and is such a kind, sensitive man. I will remember this when providing care to these men. Tough outer coating, but soft inside. They are some of the most heroic and the toughest trained of all the branches. HAVE A FUN DAY TO ALL OF THE MILITARY AT DEL MAR TODAY and happy handicapping. Hope your are having a great day Z relaxing, resting under your special tree and eating healthy for two. XXXXXOOOOO
signofthetimes
@Eveline
Love the article on Rapid Redux. You would think he was eligible for other races. Not sure how that works, but at no matter what level 16 races won is WONDERFUL!!!!
KIMBERLY
WE TRULY APPRECIATE ALL THE ARMED FORCES FOR EVERYTHING THEY DO. THEY KEEP AMERICA SAFE….. LOVE YA ZENNY!!
signofthetimes
@Anne from Paramount CA
Yes, saw that HRTV Inside Information about John Shear,
what a courageous man. Especially at his age 90’s. Horses are wonderful, but HEADS UP ALL THE TIME!!!!!
Terry Crow
@Anne from Paramount-Will check out that book about Jerry Lewis. Looked in on the telethon for about 5 minutes and only one word can describe it. Bad. As I said, I am not a Lewis fan. Never could figure out why he was so popular in France. Used to say that he proved 50,000,000 Frenchmen CAN be wrong. When I saw those horses run, I made sure to be in the front of the walking ring so I could see them up close. Most impressive in person-Zenyatta. Here’s another one for your next barbeque-You might be a redneck if the Halloween pumpkin on your porch has more teeth than your spouse. @Deborah Richman-Glad you liked Let It Ride. Even when you know, you never know. @Susan in TN-Chester is definitely my kind of guy. Thanks for the update. Judy Berube has already indicated that she will mail that item to you, so I am the emergency backup. @Susan in TN and Kari Bussell-How do rednecks spell farm? EIEIO. @Trina Nagele-Thank you. @LauraJ-I have no problem with Doctor Fager being ranked number one. Then again, I would have no problem with any of the horses on the list as number one. Will say this-I doubt that any horse could have beaten Doctor Fager in a match race at distances up to seven furlongs. Here is today’s joke–For decades, two statues, one male and one female, faced each other in a city park. each represented a heroic figure. One day an angel came down from heaven and said “You have been exemplary statues. I’m going to give you a special gift. I’m going to bring you both to life for thirty minutes, in which you can do anything you want.” And, with a clap of his hands, the angel brought the statues to life. The two approached each other a bit shyly, but soon dashed for the bushes, from which shortly emerged a great deal of giggling, laughter and shaking of branches. Fifteen minutes later, the two statues emerged from the bushes, wide grins on their faces. “You still have fifteen more minutes,” said the angel, winking at them. Grinning even more widely the female statue turned to the male statue and said “You want to do it again?” He replied “Yes, very much. But this time lets switch positions. This time you hold the pigeon down and I’ll poop on its head.”
Paula Higgins
John Shirreffs thank you for your service to our country. I greatly appreciate it. Our service men and women sacrifice a great deal to protect our country. We are all indebted to them. Thanks for this post Dottie. As for Yoga, if I were EVER to get into one of those positions they would need the jaws of life to get me out of it. More power to those that can do it.
Marty
Happy Labor Day Zenny!!!!
Paula Higgins
Ingrid in MA, yes, I can see John as a Marine. He is clearly one of the nicest people on the planet BUT I think he can be tough when necessary. Case in point, was when he was answering questions from some sports writers. A certain writer asked him a not so warm and fuzzy question (can’t remember what it was) but the look and firmness in which John answered told me that this was someone you don’t mess around with. His response made me smile because he wasn’t going to take snarky questions about THE QUEEN without giving a firm response back, not rude but firm. Loved that.
signofthetimes
Comments from Post #333
@Diana S
Thanks for the info on coat development; come to think of it Z’s coat was lighter also in her yearling photos;
@ Terry Crow
Another great joke; Thought the same about HDG, but guess trainer know the horse. He mention speed as the reason why he put her in that race. The fractions were what she usually runs at and RD kept her out of the pack. Also mentioned today on HRTV by Gary Stevens, Blind Luck has a great turn of foot that HDG does not have so maybe not good to continue the competition with her and move on to the boys, where she can win. Not sure about the BCC with possible EURO invasion for her. Larrry Jones is a really great trainer.
@Eveline
Thanks for the link on the analysis of Native Dancer and bone issues. I saw that at the time of Eight Belles breakdown as a factor.
@Susan in TN
Really loved the update on Chester and his Band. Have not been able to pull up the face book page to read his progress.
Glad you are enjoying horse/human bonding.