Happy Friday Dear Friends,
It truly has been an eventful week. The 2 primary summer race meets completed their sessions…and now both Belmont Park and Fairplex open their individual meets. Good Luck to All!
Fairplex is a lovely ‘fair’ meet which runs on a ‘bullring’ race course. This means that the oval is a 5/8ths mile track. They do not have a grass course. All races are run on the main track. Belmont Park is beginning their fall meet and they will offer several major stakes and prep races for the Breeders’ Cup. When the Santa Anita Autumn Meet begins on September 30th…they will have the same quality for their stakes program. The fall racing action is really heating up!
Also, on Sunday, the KEENELAND SEPTEMBER YEARLING SALE begins. The sale will open with 2 evening sessions…which begin at 7 p.m. Eastern Time. These 2 sessions are offering some very fashionably bred yearlings. They are listed in BOOK ONE of the sales catalogs.
When a sale is going to take place, the sales company, Keeneland in this case, prepares a ‘SALES CATALOG’. The catalog provides you with all of the pertinent information relating to the sale and the conditions for the sale. It then lists the horses by HIP NUMBER starting with Hip #1. This way when you are reviewing the catalog, you use this number to find all of the information on a particular horse, the date it is being offered during the sale, and all of it’s detailed pedigree information.
HIP # 147 is of special interest to ME! The colt is a very close relative of mine. He is by STREET CRY (IRE)…my sire…and out of BALANCE. She is my 1/2 sister by Thunder Gulch. What makes us 1/2 sisters is that we have the same MOTHER…VERTIGINEUX.
This colt sells on Monday evening. The bidding on him will be very exciting to watch. You may also follow the activities on your computer. Go to KEENELAND.COM, then click on SALE…and select LIVE for the actual viewing of all of the action as it is taking place. This sale lasts for approximately two weeks. All sessions after the first two start in the morning at about 10 Eastern Time.
The catalogs and pedigree pages are on the web-site for you to review as well. It is really quite fascinating to see this side of our industry.
By the way, BLUSH–BLUSH, my photo is on the cover of BOOK ONE. My pal, ZAZU, has her photo on the cover of BOOK TWO. We are both ‘graduates’ of the September Keeneland Yearling Sales.
MY TEAM is coming to Kentucky for the sale…and most importantly they told ME…to SPEND TIME AND VISIT WITH ME! I can’t wait!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Diana S
@Karen Gogue: So beautiful, so tragic, so perfect.
diastu in tempe
Sally (B)
Love to see pictures of you Z!! Wish I could join your family visiting; they love you. There is something special about the beauty of Keeneland. I saw where the sales take place, where Dave found you, one absolutely perfect day for the Mosses, for John & Dottie. I was in Kentucky twice last year, once to see you at the Breeders Cup, and your farewell. I said I would not return until I could see you; but that is impossible. I am drawn to the horse country and may want to see the Keeneland races if not the Breeders Cup again. I am happy for you and Zazu making the cover for the sales! Yippee!! Have a heart warming, fun time visiting.
love with 2 kisses on your soft nose, one for baby z.
Diana S
@Google: For those interested in commemorative links and resources. On Google’s home page, there is a black ribbon and a phrase about remembering September 11, 2001. Click on that, and it opens up a page of links to 9-11 remembrances.
diastu in tempe
Max
On this historic day, God bless you Zenyatta, your family and fans. And God bless the USA.
zeina
Hi Zenny!!!!
Thanks for all the great posts!!! And more impprtantly, thank you sooo much for boosting my spirits, I was really feeling down in the dumps!!!
Reading your wonderful posts always makes me smile!
Luv u.
Doreen
It was several days after the events of 9-11 that I found out that a man (Admiral Flagg), that I had briefly met while I was in the Navy (and a fellow “Nutmegger”) was one of those who died in the crash of American Airlines Flight 77 that flew into the Pentagon. Although I did not know him well, he was a fellow shipmate. Shipmates in the Navy (and the Marine Corps) are “your second family”, so in honor of Admiral Wilson “Bud” Flagg, Capt Brian S. Letendre (who I served with at the Plainville Reserve Center in CT and who died in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom), and to all who died that fateful day, I give to them the words to “Taps”, for all were heroes, and should never be forgotten:
Day is done, gone the sun
From the lakes, from the hills, from the sky
All is well, safely rest
God is nigh.
Fading light dims the sight
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright
From afar, drawing near
Falls the night.
Thanks and praise for our days
Neath the sun, neath the stars, neath the sky
As we go, this we know
God is nigh.
Michelle
@DOREEN – Thanks so much for posting the words to Taps. I was just watching the beginning of the football games and wished I knew the words. My Dad was a military man so I have a soft spot for all things military. GOD BLESS ALL THE FAMILIES WHO HAVE SUFFERED LOSS ON 9/11 OR THEREAFTER IN OUR WAR ON TERROR AND MOST IMPORTANTLY GOD BLESS THE USA!!!! Love you Z!
DJ
To Diana: You are welcome my friend! See you tomorrow :)
Anne from Paramount, CA
Hello squeaky clean Queen Z. I know you are having (or had) a wonderful visit with YOUR FAMILY. Thanks for the update on your equine family. It has been a busy week here so I am playing catch up.
@Terry Crow, very sorry about your friend. And on the opposite side of the coin, continued thanks for the jokes. Aunt Lee in Pgh is, as before an appreciative recipient!
@all who mentioned Mine That Bird–Rod & I saw him at Santa Anita getting a bath (like you Zenyatta!)while that was his home prior to 2009 Breeders’ Cup. That was special to us. So nice to hear/see (thanks NM HotPeppers)that he is flourishing.)
@Cynthia H I agree: nice, understated but accurate description of Santa Anita. Looking forward to our return there–whenever we do, it always seems like we have come “home.” Since I am behind and probably did not “catch” everything, how is your mom?
@Debbie G -WHAT A FIND of those seven horse prints! :)
@Diana S, very,very sorry to learn of your own personal connection to 9/11. For me, I “knew” OF someone who, I learned that terrible week, lived in Paramount and would go to the same liquor store to buy her Racing Form. The store owners told us she went to Hollywood Park a lot and would call them to say, “Hold my Form for me,I’m on my way.” They described her and I think there was also a picture in the paper (may be so today–I haven’t yet opened papers)and I tried to “picture” her at the track, but could not come up with anything solid. It’s entirely possible we crossed paths at the paddock or just walking around.
@Karen Gogue, thanks for your inspiring words.
@All, am now going to “rewind” and look at links and see what I may have missed.
Thinking of everyone today of course.
@Zenyatta, you are looking GOOD!
Cynthia H.
I wish I had a pair of magic ruby slippers. I would click them and ask to return home to a pre-9/11 world. But even in the midst of horrifying images, seared forever in the national memory, wrenchingly tragic loss, and selfless heroic acts, there were moments of bittersweet joy. It also happened to be the day that a friend’s beloved grandson was born. Peace and love to you all.
Cynthia H.
@Anne from Paramount: Now you are behind me! Santa Anita is getting ready for its “welcome home” party on September 30th. I hope to meet you sometime during the course of the season! Thank you very much for inquiring about my Mom. It has been a rocky few weeks, but she is now on the way to recovery. Your thoughts are appreciated.
@Karen Gogue: Good words!
@Kari: 12th.
Anne from Paramount, CA
Hi again our Queen: before I forget: @Lil from Ky, I just re-read some posts and am so sorry for the tragedy that occurred with your doctor. I just don’t know what else to say, except I am thinking of you from across the country.
@All, hope to re-join you later.
judy berube
Dear Z,
Just want to remember all those lost on that awful day ten years ago and to remember their families and all of us that were so changed forever by the tragedy. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Doreen:
Thank you, J.B.
judy berube
Dear D.J.:
Thank you. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Karen Gogue:
Beautifully said. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Sharon in Seattle and Kari B.:
Thinking of you. Hugs, J.B.
Signofthetimes
@Doreen
Oh yes, I saw Prayer for Relief win, he is a very
Nice late bloomer, may give Stay Thirsty challenge.
AP Indy son and grandson challenging each other.
Debbie G
@Lil from KY – Yes, I live in Lexington. Do you live in Lexington too?
@Anne from Paramount – Thank you. I still can’t believe he found all these prints. And I talked to my mom earlier and she found another one of Man O War.
@Diane S – I’m so sorry about your friend Marie. I can’t imagine what it would be like to lose someone like that. It’s so heartbreaking to turn on the TV and relive that horrible day. My prayers go out to you and Marie’s family and everyone else who lost someone that day.
Alex Bowdoin
God Bless all the families and those lost on this day 10 years ago…..A very sad day today.
Especially Horses
@DJ: Based on your prayer today I’d like to recommend a little book by W. Phillip Keller – A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23. It is a very quick read and I promise you, you will never read Psalm 23 in the same way again.
Trina Nagele
On this day of remembrance, here are two “heartsongs,” as he called them, from Mattei Stepanek (July 17, 1990 – June 22, 2004), who died of a rare form of muscular dystrophy at age 13.
9 — 11 . . . 2001
It was a dark day in America.
There was no amazing grace.
Freedom did not ring.
Tragedy attacked sky-high.
Fiery terror reigned.
Structures collapsed,
Red with blood, white with ash.
And out-of-the-sky blue.
As children trust elders,
Citizens find faith in leaders.
But all were blinded,
Shocked by the blasts.
Undefiable outrage.
Undeniable outpouring
Of support, even prayer.
Or at least, moments of silence.
Church and State
Could not be separated.
A horrific blasting of events
With too few happy endings.
Can the children sleep
Safely in their beds tonight?
Can the citizens ever rest
Assured of national security again?
God, please, bless America…
And the rest of our earthly home.
— Mattei Stepanek
September 11, 2001
Facing the Future
Every journey begins
With but a small step.
And every day is a chance
For a new, small step
In the right direction.
Just follow your Heartsong.
—-Mattei Stepanek
@Doreen—Condolences to you and the families of the men you knew and served with who died on 9/11 and in Operation Iraqi Freedom. We salute these heroes.
Lil from Ky
@–Debbie G—Yes, I do live in Lexington, HI, neighbor, good communicating with another Lexingtonian. Are you a KY dumpling?
@Karen Gogue—Beautiful words
@Ann from Paramount,Ca—Thanks for your good wishes from CA, seems I have them from all around me now, how wonderful
DJ–Thank you for the Ps23, always inspiring
@–Diane S, Sharon in Seattle, Kari B–My sincerest good wishes for each of you
@–Cynthia H–Yes, if we could only have those magic slippers & wipe it all away, let’s hope & pray that our country never, ever goes thru a diaster like this again
God Bless America
Trina Nagele
@LouAnn Cingel—I meant to say earlier, how nice to see your post! Hang in there! Hugs and prayers for you.
ZENYATTALOVERAMY!!
o! zeny! your soooooo! beautiful! and so is your pal zazu! mosses always know how to pick out the best and prettiest horses! love you girl!oxoxoxoxoxo FROM YOUR BIGGEST FAN AMY.
Barbara Wood
@Karen Gigue–Amen!
@DJ–thank you for the prayer–so appropriate, as always
@Especially Horses–one of the best books I’ve ever read! I’m always recommending it.
@Doreen–thank you for sharing with us.
Trina Nagele
Good luck today to the Mosses’ Green Cat, now trained by S M Sherman, in Race 7 at 3:50 PM Pacific at Golden Gate Fields.
Kari Bussell
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3eQmzw6n3k&feature=related
Bud-Clydesdales pay tribute to 9/11
@Karen Gogue-Beauftiful-Thank you
@Trinia N- His life and words have been a source of great inspiration to me. Thank you for posting.
@Lil in KY- What a tradegy. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers as well as your Doctors family.
Diane S- You are in my thoughts.
@Doreen- thank you or words to taps.
@DJ-Perfect!
@Cynthia-12th
@Laura J- Thank you for all the info. Re: Keeneland Sales.
I will be watching.
Love to All!
donna thacker
Beautiful Zenyatta, hope you are well and having a good time with your friends. You do not know how much thinking about you and seeing your picture helps me. You are an inspiration to me and such a great joy during these troubled times. I pray you stay healthy and happy. Love, Donna T.
Debbie G
@Lil from KY – Howdy neighbor. It’s good to know there’s another Lexingtonian out there. I guess I am a KY dumpling. How many of us are there?