Happy Thursday to all!
I’d have to say, I’d be able to recognize this guy anywhere no matter what he is doing. It is MY JOHN and look what he is wearing….my Z HAT! On the back, it says… ZENYATTA…2010 HORSE OF THE YEAR! I don’t feel I’m being biased….but I really do believe it looks terrific on him.
One of our dear fans, Daniel Sigal, sent this photo to Dottie. It was taken at Del Mar last week and he thought she’d enjoy seeing it! As you may know, MY JOHN is a hat person. He wears a baseball type cap ALL OF THE TIME! As I’ve written earlier, we even played our own version of the HAT GAME when I was at Barn 55. TOO CUTE!
Thank you, Daniel, for sharing this photo!
Yesterday’s Del Mar Futurity sure had some anxious moments. Creative Cause is a wonderful 2 year old colt. He truly ended up getting the worst of it all when being crowded and bounced around from both sides during the final part of the stretch run.
As a result of all of this ‘bumping’, the inquiry sign was posted on the tote board as soon as the horses crossed the finish line. The Stewards, who are the ‘chief guardians’ to monitor our sport closely, immediately evaluated the different views of the video tapes involving this race. In slow motion, they are also able to review every angle of the action in great detail to aid them in making the proper decision.
Every race track around the country has its own set of 3 Stewards on duty each race day.
After much evaluation, they disqualified Majestic City and placed him behind Creative Cause. They felt MC was the horse who initiated the chain of events for the infractions which took place in the stretch. Drill remained the winner as they felt he just reacted to what was started by MC.
It is the official policy of racing that the horse who causes the interference MUST be placed behind the horse he or she bothered in the race. Thus, Majestic City originally went under the finish line 2nd…and Creative Cause 3rd. However, after the Stewards’ review and ruling, Creative Cause was moved up to 2nd…and MC was placed behind him in 3rd. This policy is true in every racing jurisdiction around the country. The Stewards work very hard to keep everything fair and carefully monitored for our sport!
RACING LUCK is also a very big consideration. You do need to have it. As you saw yesterday in the Futurity, a horse can inadvertently end up in a position where the opportunity to run his/her best race is definitely compromised!
With the Del Mar Meet concluding Wednesday, the balance of the horses will be leaving that track and returning to either Santa Anita or Hollywood Park to continue their training. The Santa Anita Fall Meet begins September 30th.
Starting tomorrow, on the Southern California circuit, The Los Angeles County Fair Meet at Pomona will run for the next few weeks. On the East Coast, Belmont Park opens tomorrow for their fall meet of racing!
That’s another great thing I love about our sport…it is always filled with action!
Have a wonderful day!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Elaine
I was lucky enough to see you play your hat game with YOUR JOHN at Barn 55 and have some wonderful pictures of it! Love your sense of humor and fun, Zenny!
Sue Fredrick
Hi Zenny have been playing catchup reading these diary posts…..love the one with you sniffing the kitty. I would love to come to California someday and visit all the beautiful tracks, New York too, but my favorite is Keeneland, that’s where I said goodbye to you as you left for your new career.
@TEXANS, am praying for you and doing the rain dance to put out those horrible fires. I pray for those who have lost so much already. Please know we are thinking of you everyday.
@EVElINE, I watched that race on TVG it was great. It was a legends race with all retired jockeys and as far as I know they were all Euros and men. Julie Krone won…..what an accomplishment Hoofray for girlpower.
Hope all have safe trips this weekend.
Luv you Z Kisses on your nose
Paula Higgins
The stewards ability to review tape is a good and necessary mechanism. It is one way to prevent “bumper cars” on the track for starters. You don’t want to think any jockey would deliberately crowd out another horse and rider, but I know it has happened. Most of the time I am sure it accidental, but if it prevents a horse from winning, they need to be able to rectify the issue.
Barbara Wood
Hello, Z–love the picture of YOUR John. If I recall correctly, he wore one of YOUR hats at the HOY awards dinner.
@Susan in TN–thanks, and I’ll go to their site. I’m in the middle of compiling a database of rescues all over the U.S., and Bluebonnet is listed for TX.
@Terry Crow–I agree with you about the timing. I can’t get it right either. I think I was #1 only once. Love the redneck one-liners.
JAG from California :-)
Z I believe MIKEY is riding there this weekend!
Maker takes aim at third Sunday Silence win:
http://www.drf.com/news/louisiana-downs-maker-takes-aim-third-sunday-silence-win
Trish & Mike in Colorado
As fans, it is touching to see Steinmann/Harrington have such a talented young horse. It was reported that they were offered alot to sell him, but they wanted to keep their good horse. We’re rooting for them!
sherry drish
I WISH NASCAR DIDNOT RUB AND DRAFTING. I CANNOT WATCH ALL THAT. WITH HORSES AND A RIDER, THINGS CAN GO WRONG SO FAST. I FOR ONE AM GLAD YOU ARE A BROAD MARE. HAVE GREAT FOALS BE A GOOD MOM. YOU RAN YOUR RACES, AND WERE THE BEST. WE LOVE YOU, ZENYATTA..SHERRY D. WV.
Terry Crow
@Susan in TN-Slim Whitman is an old time country singer who sells his stuff by mail order these days. I am surprised that you have not heard about him or seen one of his commercials on TV. As sort of a consolation, here is another-You might be a redneck if you ever wore shorts to a funeral parlor.
Patty Smith
Hey, Zenny – I’ve got one of those hats too and I am always VERY PROUD to wear it in your honor! In fact I have several Zenyatta baseball caps. I love them all and love that John still wears his regularly too! :-)
Eveline
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/64928/rci-drug-report-doping-not-out-of-control – Interesting article. I’m halfway trough yesterdays comments (read from bottom up) and got totally lost in the budweiser commercials. Love them, thanks for the link
Elizabeth G.
Racing provides us with action and you,Zenyatta provide us with joy. John does look rather cute in that hat!
Abigail from Montreal
Good afternoon Big Girl & Dottie:
Great photo of YOUR JOHN wearing his ZENNY cap! I do know that John always seems to wear a cap — I don’t know that I’d recognize him without one. But I will ALWAYS remember him throwing his hat into the crowd that day in November when you won the BC Classic. In fact, it’s one of my favourite Zenny memories.
WOW! @ JAG — GREAT article. I was actually invited to attend that conference but life got in the way. I do very much agree with all of the speakers & especially as concerns breeding horses for a short career @ short distances & maximum profit. Seems wrongheaded somehow. And Julie Krone still rides? Who knew? GREAT that she’s riding in the UK.
ALL: I’ve been out of touch but working hard on my newest article for THE VAULT on Secretariat & Eddie Sweat. I just posted it a couple of hours ago. ENJOY!
http://thevaulthorseracing.wordpress.com/2011/09/08/a-living-flame-eddie-sweat-and-secretariat/
mary bobolis
John looks fabulous in his cap at Del Mar. Wow, I didn’t know about the Del Mar Futurity. I am a hug fan of Dill who is by Lawyer Ron, a favorite of mine.
I see Mike E worked E today at Del Mar. We are anxiously awaiting the big announcement as to when she will start!!
judy berube
Dear Z,
Wonderful photo of John wearing his Z hat. Thanks for all the great racing info. You are so right about racing luck. Love you and love to all of you, Judy and Russ
Marilu V
Thank you Zeny and Dottie for the information on the results of the Futurity. I am relieved that Majestic City and Creative Cause are both fine. There could have been serious injuries. You know how they must have felt!Glad you retired healthy and strong.
Hugs and Kisses to you Zeny! Marilu
Sharon in Seattle
@JAG from CA – I was astonished to see how small Mine That Bird is when I was at the 09 BC. I’m wondering what happened to him? I hope he’s healthy and in a good retirement.
Mary
I just adore the “My John”. It’s precious.
judy berube
Dear Doreen:
Thanks for the workout info on E. Wonder if John’s getting her ready to start. How exciting. Hugs, J.B.
Terry Crow
@Judy Berube-Without you this site wouldn’t be what it is. I only have one thing to say-bet the horse heavy. You’ll laugh all the way to the bank. @Sue Fredrick-Kudos to Julie Krone, one of the best at her profession there ever was. @Barbara Wood-Glad you are enjoying the redneck jokes. They are somewhat easier for me as I do not have to remember so much, and these days that is getting harder and harder. Here is today’s joke–A Minister was walking down the street when he cam upon a group of about a dozen boys, all of them between 10 and 12 years of age. The group had surrounded a dog. Concerned that they boys were hurting the dog, he went over and asked “What are you doing with that dog?” One of the boys replied “This dog is just an old neighborhood stray. We all want him, but only one of us can take him home. So we’ve decided that whichever one of us can tell the biggest lie will get to keep the dog.” Of course, the reverend was taken aback. “You boys shouldn’t be having a contest telling lies!” he exclaimed. He then launched into a ten minute sermon against lying, beginning “Don’t you boys know it’s a sin to lie,” and ending with “Why, when I was your age I never told a lie.” There was dead silence for about a minute. Just as the reverend was beginning to think he’d gotten through to them, the smallest boy gave a deep sigh and said “All right, give him the dog.”
judy berube
Dear Eveline:
Thanks so much for the info on Julie Krone. Good for her. She is one of my favorites. Her little girl is adorable. Beautiful blonde ringlets. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Terry C.:
Thank you for your kind words and “Ditto” to you. Today’s joke; another gem. Love it.
Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Doreen:
I so agree with you about Sean Avery. Wonderful, beautiful horse. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Abigail in Montreal:
Thank you for the wonderful piece on Big Red and his Groom. Fabulous. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear JAG:
Great links. Thank you. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear DJ:
Where are you? Hope all is well. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Kari B.:
Hugs to you. J.B.
WILD HORSES
Hey Big Z,
ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL? I hope so. I saw you with a piece of cheese on your head, so I’m going to say your a Cheesehead. GO PACKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love you big beautiful one! Lori
Allen
Z, your John looks good in his Zenyatta cap. Thanks for all the good information.There is a good article in the DRF about you and Eblouissante. Have a great afternoon Queen Z.
jeanne from vista
Anybody know where to get a hat like John’s?
judy berube
Dear J.Smith:
Left you a link to photos of The Factors ancestors on Diary #336. Hugs, J.B.