Good Morning,
Santa Anita is such a gorgeous facility. As you can see, the mountains in the background totally add to the overall environment. When you go to Santa Anita Park in the morning for workouts, they have the ‘CLOCKERS CORNER’ experience available to you at no charge. Just park your car, walk into the grandstand area, and enjoy yourself.
Rosie, who operates the CLOCKERS CORNER CAFE, is a terrific person who will go out of her way to help all of the fans. If you are in the area, going to workouts at Santa Anita is truly a wonderful way to spend your morning.
Additionally, on race day mornings, Clockers Corner is the location where they televise FIRST CALL on HRTV from 8 to 9 Pacific Time. So, you’ll also get to see this program being televised live while you are there.
I must say, though, just looking at those beautiful mountains glistening in the morning sun and watching the horses as they train…is worth the trip!
It is now the time of year in the racing calendar where the horses are ‘moving’ back to their individual home bases from the summer seasons at Del Mar and Saratoga. The vans are arriving at all of the different barns and the horses are carefully loaded on them and sent ‘home’. The tack, the staff, the barn offices…all must be shipped as well. It is quite a job…but it is amazing how ‘in stride’ people take all of this. It is part of racing…and everyone pitches in to make the move go smoothly and to be sure the horses are healthy and happy while all of this is happening.
With my Barn 55 friends, they are en route to Hollywood Park.
The last few days horses have been shipping back to Barn 55 from Del Mar. Several more will leave tomorrow. My John likes to ship a load of 6-8 at a time so they can settle in and get acclimated to their ‘new’ environment before another group of horses arrive. Some of the horses who trained at Santa Anita for the summer will also be transitioned to Hollywood Park. The decision on which location, Santa Anita or Hollywood Park, a horse is housed is based upon their personal needs, personalities, and which environment is better for them overall…to meet their training needs. It is something that is thought out very carefully and in great detail. The horse always comes first.
Throughout my entire racing career, I stayed at BARN 55 at Hollywood Park…except when I would be shipped to Santa Anita (or other race tracks) for a race. I absolutely loved the open spaces there. I had the 2 big grass areas for grazing and I loved my stall..#85. After almost 5 years in that environment, it truly was HOME TO ME!
Have a terrific day!
With Love,
Hugs to all~ (Del Mar…have a great closing day!)
Z
Michelle
I hope to go to Santa Anita someday. It is definitely on my Bucket List of things to do. I was supposed to come see you in the 2009 Breeders’ Cup but my Mother died suddenly the Sunday before. It was devastating to lose my Mom and miss out on seeing you win the 2009 Breeders Cup. Wasn’t meant to be for some reason. Love you forever!
JAG ~ California :-)
@ Margie: I’m sure your sister and I could talk for hours about the Great JOHN HENRY… and, of course, ZENYATTA!!
harriett
I’m so glad Santa Anita is again on tap. Del Mar is a beautiful setting, but the artificial track makes me nervous. We love to watch First Call on HRTV.
Sally (B)
I would love to see Sanita Anita but also Barn 55 and your stall #85!! I know sweet Z you have such fond memories of Barn 55. You will always have your spot there, they are saving your stall for you Z; perhaps when you retire from having baby z’s. Kentucky is grand and it is closer to me, but I want the best for you, always. Anytime John needs help moving horses etc.let me know!! I need some real good stretching right now; but it will have to wait until morning. Goodnight lovely Z and sweet dreams.
love with 2 kisses on your soft nose, one for baby z.
Susan in TN
@Sue Noel: Loved hearing about your cats, especially the “STAR”! And how about that- going to highschool essentially in Arcadia- small world! Chopper has been a little better each day with Chester, so I’m hopeful! Thanks for commenting!
Susan in TN
@signofthetimes: Thank you for your comments and suggestions! I probably haven’t explained the area that Chester and Chopper are in: it’s quite large and includes the barn, a house, round pens, arena and grassy expanses, so they are not in a small enclosed area. And you’re right- order of food is important! (That’s what I tell my husband at dinner-haha) I give Chopper his first while Chester waits in the round pen for his. It is TOO CUTE! Each day is a little better- Chopper is figuring out that no one is going to get his food, least of all Chester.
Kari Bussell
MY Beautiful, Glorious Queen.
I love with a passion that continues to grow and will never fade. You continue to give me Nothing but JOY. You are a gift from God and the gift that keeps on giving & giving. I thank God everyday for your existence I am eternally grateful to YOU and your connections & for ALL the PURE JOY I have experienced because of YOU my Forever Queen! I will love you Until the 12th of Never….and then some.
@CH-12th
@Terry Crow- another great laugh!
@All-I am behind in comments if I missed you. Let the rains fall down in Texas!
Love-Peace-Health-Joy & my Gratitude for everyone’s generous kindness….Always!
@Lisa g- miss you!
Kari Bussell
*I love -YOU- with a passion.
Susan in TN
@Kim S: I just now have gotten done reading all the posts from yesterday and today. I loved your story about William and Lacey! That is so cute, how Lacey kind of wormed her way in and rested her head on you <3 I'm so glad you and your daughter share this experience! William is so funny looking for you along the rail. (I hope I don't come across as not wanting to share rescue stories because nothing could be further from the truth! I LOVE hearing your experiences and stories about all horses.) Chester and Chopper were even better today, so hooves crossed!
Susan in TN
@My Z friends: Loved all the cat stories! And I know I’ve missed responding personally to everyone who has wished Chester and Chopper well and I apologize- your comments are much appreciated!
@Kari B: Hey from middle TN! <3
@Terry Crow: LOL'd at all your redneck jokes! Also, your pal Chester has upped the ante- judging by the dirt and dust on him today, clearly he had been rolling (good news that he feels that good!)-how will you counter??
Susan in TN
@Quarterhossgal: Hope your girl is still making progress <3
Susan in TN
@Lisa G: You okay out there in Texas?
@Barbara Wood: Thoughts and prayers still going your way <3 Also, the pictures I was referring to are on the FB page called "Chester and Friends." Sorry for any confusion! If you can't access it for some reason, let me know and I can email you some.
s (in San Diego)
Del Mar ends for another year:) But some great two year old colts closed out the meet. It was bumper cars, but Majestic City, Drill and Creative Cause did some serious running. Could have been anyones race, had MC stayed in his own lane. 3 beautiful and talented colts. Will be exciting to watch them mature. Hope to see all of them in May. Looking forward to Santa Anita…one of my most favorite tracks! Beautiful. Each track has it’s own special appeal. Del Mar..my home track, Santa Anita..the incredible mountain backdrop, and even Hollywood Park, in the middle of Englewood has such history.
Congrats to Mike Mitchell and Joel Rosario. Leading trainer and Jockey for the Del Mar meet.
Sweet Dreams dear Z…and on a side note…my neice came up with a new name for your little one..Yatta Dance. too cute :)xoxo
Blessing to all.
J Smith
S in San Diego, sorry I missed you at Pac. Classic. If it was earlier in day, I was re arranging tables at party tent. Nothing like hauling 50 chairs around before lunch! Later, I snuck off to get a look at The Factor. He is so unusual looking, someone said he is probably turning grey. Will have to look up his pedigree and see if there is grey in it. Oh wait, where is the research expert, Judy B, calling Judy B, any grey in The Factor family? S, do let us know if you are coming up to Santa Anita during the meet. We are so lucky here in So Cal to have such beautiful tracks. Even people that are not really interested in horse racing enjoy the tracks here, as the scenery is lovely, and it’s a very reasonably priced day out.
judy berube
Dear J. Smith:
Here are photos of The Factors ancestors. A few grays there. Hugs, J.B.
http://www.pedigreequery.com/photos/the+factor2
judy berube
Dear Kari B.:
Hugs to you. J.B.
Becca Case
Hello Zenyatta,
I hope you are having a great week! I look forward to your posts every day!
Is Eblouissante heading back to Barn 55? Could we please have an update on her? Thank you Big Z!:)
Elizabeth
How I *love* beautiful Santa Anita! We did enjoy a few days at Del Mar last month, always great to return. We hope to attend the next Breeders’ Cup at the “Great Race Place,” but nothing could equal the jubilation when we watched our Queen Z won the Classic in 2009! It was like nothing we’ve ever experienced and a great memory.
Elizabeth in OR
Sunny Boyd
Good morning Zetty,
pretty soon those leaves on all the trees around your paddock will be turning, the north wind will have them dancing with you .
Chuckle in the am:
Boy, these French: they have a different word for everything. Steve Martin :) :) :)
Have a great way
Sunny Boyd
day Heehee
Especially Horses
@MLV: I very much delighted in your little story. Snippets like yours (as well as my need to keep on top of all things Zenyatta) keep me coming back to this site. Thank you for sharing!
Especially Horses
@MLV: Forgot to ask….what was your boy’s name?
Sally L. Hopkins
Zenyatta, have a great day! I will miss Del Mar because I live near that track but I will be looking forward to Santa Anita’s opening. Lots of xoxoxoxo from Southern California
Trina Nagele
Good morning, sweet Z!
@Kim S—Yes, cute stories are always welcome, and IMHO news about every rescue group and every rescue horse is also always welcome –I’m sure Susan in TN agrees! We love being made part of the scene at Equestrian Inc.
Trina Nagele
Sunny Boyd—Enjoyed your post of cats from both sides of the pond (or creek, as the case may be).And another great zinger!
Maureen B
@Peggy N – the song you asked about is Get Here and was sung by Oleta Adams. It is a beautiful song, and it is on you tube; ie; Get Here by Oleta Adams.
Trina Nagele
@Sue Noel—Lovely kitties.
@MLV—What an unexpected thrill your horse gave you “on the red carpet”! Thanks for sharing.
Lorri
Momma Z, that is a beautiful picture. I would love someday to visit the Cali circuit! John is certainly a great trainer! Knows his horses well keeps their needs at the top of the list! I love that! You certainly were lucky to have him!
Hope you are feeling well these days, wink wink! xoxo
Yvonne and Maurice
Hi Zenyatta. You are so right. Santa Anita is just so beautiful. We were able to visit last year – what a gorgeous place. Love you big girl. We will be going to NJ for a wedding and I will definitely miss your diaries. Cannot wait to catch up on Sunday. Stay comfy, eat well for two and have loads of fun grazing with TT and all of your friends. Love you, Angel in Disguise.
MLV
Dear Especially Horses,
My boy’s name is Rum Car. His sire is Nictrum and his dam is Carrie Me. His great great grandfather is Brokers Tip whose only victory came in the 1933 Kentucky Derby which is better known as the “fighting finish Derby” because the jockeys on the first and second place horses just battled it out down the home stretch beating each other with their whips. A couple of years ago the Kentucky Derby used that photo on their t-shirts. That could never happen today. Thank goodness.