Happy Friday, Everyone!
Suddenly it has become a bit chilly in Lexington. I need to have MY cozy blanket on for my early morning grazing fun with Matt! It is pretty out, though! The fall leaves will start to change soon…and the added color will really make the trees look amazing! This is MY first ‘fall’ in this regard for many years. In California, the seasons do not change as prominently as they do in Kentucky!
I am so pleased that YOU really like the idea of MY PARTY. So many fans have already responded and purchased tickets. If you have done so already…you are definitely in the first 500…so do not worry. The computer people are getting this refined for you so the people purchasing tickets in the future will know this information right away. This should all be completed today. Thank you for your patience!
I am also so excited about the incredible weekend of racing we are all going to be able to enjoy. From the East Coast to West Coast, it is one contentious stakes race after another with so many of the results having Breeders’ Cup ramifications. I love the fact that Havre de Grace and Blind Luck are each performing at such a high level. Their races are going to be so exciting! (I have a special fondness for the LADY’S SECRET which runs this weekend.) Then to see all of the other possibilities…whether turf or dirt for so many other terrific horses…will make handicapping GREAT FUN this weekend!
I can’t wait!
All the best to each of the horses competing during the next few days! All of my pals at Lane’s End and I will be watching!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Andrea
Great job Zazu! Blind Luck, I am afraid for! When will they retire Life At Ten! She is ready for a different job. I would let her hang out with my 23 year old pensioner, I think she would get bored, but, clearly I think she is ready for a quiet life!
Marty R
What an exciting day of racing! I had some oh, yaaays, hoofrays and a few ah shucks, gosh darnnits.
Then there were the puzzlements like Blind Luck. Her trainer said she will have a nuclear scan to see if anything can be detected, especially in an early stage. Then the decisions regarding Shackleford’s races…big questions to me.
But, I guess there were some answers today for the Breeders Cup Races and probably still some head scratching going on as well.
I feel very badly about Banned, early on it looked promising for him. RIP
I suppose most will have thundering hooves in their dreams tonight.
Andrea
Thank You Trina! It has been in the back of my mind, I know Barbaro’s parents have met in the breeding shed quite a few times. I think there is something unknown in our beloved TB’s. Heart cannot be defined, genetics are key, but there is something else in the creation of the champions we love. There is only one Z. I will admit to being curious about her weanling half sis to sell at Nov Keeneland, it will be something to see!
Susan in TN
I sure hope Blind Luck is okay- she didn’t look like herself today.
Congrats, Ann and Jerry M!
HDG looked awesome!
Bob Baffert is on a roll!
@Alex Bowdoin: You saw some great horses- what fun!
@Arlene: My thoughts are with you as you continue to come back from the flooding.
@Kathy Kimber: Thanks for the OF update- glad Skip Away is getting his due.
@Terry C: Wow- you were flat-out right!
@Trina N: What a wonderful poem- so thoughtful.<3
@Marilu V: Belated Happy Birthday!
@Cynthia H: Hope your pain eases. <3
Isn't it wonderful to see Uncle Mo healthy and RACING?
@quarterhossgal: Glad Bailey is doing better!
ALL: Thank you for posts and links! I need to catch up from yesterday.
Susan in TN
RIP, Banned<3
Debbie G
@Susan in TN – I can totally relate to what you said about being a painfully shy person. That’s why I probably won’t go to Zenny’s party at the BC. I don’t have anyone to go with me, as none of my friends are horse fanatics like me, and the thought of going to such a big event by myself is pretty scary for a shy person. I hope you get to go and have a fantastic time. You can tell the Dumplings all about it and we’ll live vicariously through you!
Susan in TN
@Kari B: Your posts are filled with joy and it’s catching- thank you!
@Judy B and Trina N: Thank you<3
Sue Fredrick
@KARI BUSSELL did you read my response to your post on the Z Party post?
@Congrats to all winners today. Hope Blind Luck is okay….she’s to gritty to give up that easy.
Vicki B.
@Debbie G – I very much identify with what you said about not wanting to go alone to the BC, because it’s scary. I went alone to see Zenyatta at Hollywood Park, locally, because I didn’t want to miss my only chance, but it was hard being alone. For Penny Chenery’s award to Zenyatta, I was able to take my brother, who can talk to anybody, and is not afraid in those kind of situations, so that was better for me. Beyond the cost, the BC would be like going to another planet.
@Susan in TN – I like what you wrote about your plan for moving Chester and Chopper, and how you want the rest of their lives to be. I’m sure that thoughtfulness is exactly what they need.
Trina Nagele
@Debbie G—Please, as one shy person to another, don’t let this chance go by. Wonderful Z-sters will be there, and surely at least one will take you under their wing, as Karen Gogue and J Smith did for me at Hollywood Park. I bet you can work something out ahead of time with Susan in TN or Kari Bussell or any number of Z-sters so you won’t ever need to feel alone. Susan has posted her e-mail before,and I’ll send you an e-mail too.
@Z-sters–If you want to get in touch with Debbie G, you can e-mail me and I will forward it to her. trinambn@yahoo.com
Kari Bussell
Zazu- This is the second part of race ….plus it shows Dottie…..and Zazu strutting around looking so proud of herself …. her beautiful face with blinkers off…..
Zazu-Winner of 2011 Lady’s Secret
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7rJv-s0Szo
judy berube
Dear Kari B.:
Hurray for ZAZU. Thanks for the link. Love that filly. Hugs, JB
judy berube
Dear Susan in Tn:
You’re so welcome. Hugs, JB
judy berube
Dear Jan:
Now he’s got her entered on 10/4/11 at Parx in a $25,000 Claimer (First time ever at a Claiming Price) and on 10/6/11 MTO at Belmont in an Allowance/Optional Claiming. No know if there is a tag on her yet in that one. I was a good, caring trainer would claim her. Hugs, JB
judy berube
Dear Kim S.:
I think Mr. B. is just magnificent. Can’t wait to see what a beautiful foal he and Z will have. Hugs, JB
judy berube
Dear Laura J.and Z Fans:
Thank you for the updates on Lisa’s Booby Trap, Cozi Rosie, Harmonious and Blind Luck. Was out most of the day and early evening and didn’t get a chance to check on the races. Hope Blind Luck just didn’t like the going and that there is not wrong with her. Reading you posts, I realize that Banned has passed. So very sad. Hugs, JB
Barbara Wood
@Susan in TN–funny that you should mention horses and elephants. I was just discussing that with our daughter today–about how they have FEELINGS! Of course many other species do too, but I particularlay notice it in horses, dogs, adn elephants (by way of reading.) That is what makes their slaughter so appalling.
judy berube
Dear Z Fans:
Just checked and want to congratulate Uncle Mo and Havre de Grace on their wins and my special favorite, Stay Thirsty, on a good closing 3rd place finish. Hugs, JB
Peggy (N)
Love Ya Zenny
So sorry to hear about Banned being Euthanized. May you be with God now.
My heart is so heavy, this just is always hard to take. Hope we’re all in a better place one day.
judy berube
Dear Signofthetimes and Z Fans:
Wish Shack could have won today, but running second to Wilburn, another of Bernie’s Boys, isn’t too shabby. Think DR should limit Shack’s races to one mile. Maybe he’ll try for the BC Mile. Shack always tries; what heart and courage he has. Love him. Hugs, JB
Barbara Grimaldi
Zazu was nothing short of magnificent today, but I am so worried about Blind Luck. I hope it’s something very, very minor…she is such a wonderful horse. I would think that HDG has a great shot now at HOY, yes?
signofthetimes
@Susan in TN
My TB was codependent and always had to have a friend, mostly mares, but he always survived the breakup-be it because of a move; or mare left the barn, he was so well adjusted because of his many longstanding human connections. When his most recent girlfriend from the barn left, I was really worried about him and thought he would be calling out etc… He did not and was fine, he has had a lot of friends that have come and gone. I think it is more difficult when it is longstanding for many years and through the younger years. Sounds like Chopper likes the girls, may have to find him someone with a mare he can get to know. (Don’t adopt one for him).
Doreen
What a great day of racing. I went down to Belmont Park to watch in person Uncle Mo, HDG, and Stay Thirsty. Uncle Mo looked great in the paddock; he put on a lot of weight and has a huge training muscle. He’s a lot taller than he was the last time that I saw him. HDG – what can I say about her. She too looked great in the paddock and won with ease while being geared down. Stay Thirsty is such a cutie; he was so calm and collected in the paddock. Congratulations to all three – although Stay Thirsty didn’t win, he ran a very good race for his first time against older horses. I’m sure that he learned something today as well as his team and he’ll be fine for the Breeder’s Cup. Congrats to Zazu and to Lisa’s Booby Trap too. LBT ran against the boys today for the first time. I hope Blind Luck is okay and it’s time to retire Life at Ten. RIP Banned –my condolences to your connections. You put up a brave fight.
signofthetimes
@Judy B
I agree with you about Shack, but he lacked the ususal gusto
he used to have, maybe he has grown up. Yes, Bernie’s and AP Indy’s and Mineshafts colts and fillies seem to be everywhere.
They are tough to beat. I don’t think he has much versatility in his pedigree. Dirt Mile might be a good place for him as he did well to run second. I had never seen Wilburn, he is very good.
Trina Nagele
From Thoroughbred Times: Banned euthanized after surgery —Multiple graded stakes winner Banned was euthanized on Saturday, about one week after he underwent surgery to repair fractured sesamoids in his right front ankle. He was injured during a workout on the Santa Anita Park turf course. Glen Hill Farm President Craig Bernick posted the news on his personal Twitter account. Throughout the ordeal, Bernick has kept fans abreast of Banned’s condition through the social
networking website. “Heavy hearted to report that Banned didn’t make it,” Bernick wrote. “He ended up foundering in his good foot this morning, and we did what’s right for him.” http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/media/pdfs/today-newsletter/vchat100211.pdf
signofthetimes
@Doreen
How lucky, a day at Belmont !!!!
signofthetimes
@Marty R
Scan is a good idea for BL. No very typical behavior and I don’t think it was a bad training job like her trainer said. Maybe she did not like the track as it is the new surface.
judy berube
Dear Signofthetimes:
I wish you were Mo’s owner. You’re making much better sense than MR. I just want Mo to stay healthy. He did really well today. Small field; not killer fractions. You’re right; race him next year and see what happens. As long as he’s healthy, he could have a very good, strong season as a Four Year Old and vie for HOY. Hugs, JB
signofthetimes
@Andrea
It is possible the purpose for Coolmore rebreeding “V” and Street Cry maybe more for pedigree for their broodmare band. Of course it would be nice to get a stakes winner or a champion, but their will never be another Zenyatta. I feel sorry for the Jackson, but I think they are trying to produce another Barbaro and genetics are individual and there will never be another one like him. Hope they do get a filly, so they can have her for their broodmare. La Ville Rouge and Dynaformer may as well be married.
Tessa
Zazu won! I’m so excited, she ran the Ladies Secret the “Zenyatta way.” Uncle Mo is back! Havre de Grace won! Maybe she’ll win the Classic (she won’t if Mo’s in it). I thought Havre de Grace ran an amazing race today. Uncle Mo ran amazingly also. Today all my fav. active horses won except Stay Thirsty. I wish you were still racing so you could beat all the horses in this years Classic. I know you would blow them away. Maybe your baby will win the Derby (or even the Triple Crown) and the Classic. You’ll always be my fav. racehorse, and in my opinion you are the greatest racehorse ever to live. I love you Zenny! You and your baby stay safe okay? TESSA (the 1# Zenny fan)