Good Morning,
I wanted to share something FUN that is happening tomorrow, October 7th, at Santa Anita. They are having PHOTOGRAPHY DAY! It all starts tomorrow morning at 7:30 a.m. / Clockers’ Corner. Santa Anita is offering all of the fans a chance to really participate in photographing the different areas of the grounds as well as the day’s racing events.
For $20, a fan can attend the all day event. It starts early with the opportunity to take photos of the horses while they are training during workouts. This is followed by a late breakfast at Clockers’ Corner and a Q & A session with members of the Benoit group who are the Official Photographers for all of the Southern California Racing Circuit, a trainer, and some members of management.
The trainer who was asked to guest this year is MY JOHN. As many of you may know, photography is one of My John’s favorite hobbies. HE ABSOLUTELY LOVES TO TAKE PICTURES. He will be there to answer all types of questions with his NIKKON CAMERA in hand. As a matter of fact, just last night he was commenting that without a doubt “ZENYATTA was one of his best subjects”. (BLUSH, BLUSH)
After this, the fans will be given a PRESS CREDENTIAL and race track access for the day of racing. They will be able to go into the paddock, winner’s circle, and other parts of the grounds via this special pass. For someone who really enjoys taking pictures, you could not have a more beautiful setting than Santa Anita. The Foothill Mountains provide such a breath-taking backdrop for one of the most amazing racing settings in all of our sport.
If you have the time and live close by…what a great way to spend the day!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Gloria
Great shots, Big Mama Z! Love Sophie and John Henry. Sounds like it’s going to be a great time tomorrow! Whoo hoo!
Alex Bowdoin
Yes, What a great way to spend the day!! I love the photo of Sophie with John Henry. Have a great day everyone!! Hugs…
DJ
For “Z” Friends who would like to start the day with a Morning Prayer: espec. Kari
…………………………………..
Come, let us worship the Lord, for he is our God.
Rejoice in the Lord, all the earth,
and serve him with joy.
Exult as you enter his presence.
Know that the Lord is God.
He made us and we are his
his people, the sheep of is flock.
Cry out his praises as you enter his gates,
fill his courtyards with songs.
Proclaim him and bless his name;
for the Lord is our delight.
His mercy lasts for ever,
his faithfulness through the ages.
………………………….Ps 99 (100)
Kim Noble
That is a great pic of JH and Sophie!
Lisa B.
Good morning Precious Zenny and Miss Dottie, Tomorrow sounds so exciting for all the photographers that will be at Santa Anita. I sure hope that they will share the wonderful pics they take with us:) Love the photo of shopie. Have a GREAT day. Love YOU OOOXXX
Trina Nagele
Good morning, Z. What beautiful photos of a beautiful place! Although I can’t be there tomorrow for that fantastic event, I will be there Saturday, and with good luck today’s birthday girl, Signofthetimes, will be there too, all the way from Texas!
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A Birthday Poem for Signofthetimes
October 6, 2011
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Signofthetimes
Loves the thoroughbred so!
’Tis her favorite breed
For both its spirit and speed.
She loves the sublime
And regal Queen Z
And forever will be
Of her a great fan.
Here I’ve also read though
Of her cherished Jethro,
Who lived at one time
In a long shed row
At a track in Louisian’.
Oh my, how he could go!
But there came the day
When perhaps he ran
A little slow…
Soon he had the good luck
To be plucked
From the track,
And he never looked back,
For his life took a fortunate turn
When he then learned
To go hunter/jumper.
The stars for him aligned
When he came to Sign,
And for her as well,
As time would tell,
For he would always take care
Not to dump her!
For sure
His second life with Sign
Is a paradigm
For racehorse “after care and keep.”
For many years in his prime,
Sign would happily climb
On her tall bay
Three days a week,
And together they’d seek
A partnership replete
With attraction
And mutual satisfaction.
We’ve been told
He’s very bold—
Sign loves that he
Is intensely alive
And has that thoroughbred will!
But he was a clever boy in any endeavor,
And if they should arrive
Wrong at a fence,
If Sign was too tense
Or not in position,
He also had the Thoroughbred won’t!
In his own way he’d say, “No, we don’t”
To avoid an unfortunate spill.
For a rider with Sign’s sensitive skill,
He’d respond just fine,
She tells us.
For a gentle request
From her,
He’d do his best,
But were the touch on the rein
Not right–
It had to be light
For him, of course–
Sign warns he’d not be the same.
And he’d also prefer
A gentle voice.
When it comes to his choice
In another horse,
Jethro is still one for the ladies—
He’s long bonded with a mare,
You see,
And she
For him seems also to care,
For when Sign took Jethro
From his stall,
He’d always be ready to go,
Though the mare to him would call and call.
Sign recalls
She had no fear at all
That when his mare he would hear
He should buck or rear
Or go beserk,
For he truly loved his work!
While he by Sign was ridden
He was easily bidden
And kept that other side hidden.
When he reached twenty-three,
Sign thought it time
That he
To a beautiful farm
Should retire
Where he now abides
With the best of care
And has been joined by the mare.
Now Sign no longer rides,
But remembers how since she was seven
She’s felt close to heaven
When astride
A horse who takes pride
In the work he’s been given.
Happy Birthday, Signofthetimes!
Dolores Pshsnychniak
That sounds like a fun day! I am so thankful you retired in good health and sound. It is amazing. I have not been a race fan long, actually only since I have heard of you. But it saddens me when my favorite girls become injured such as Always a Princess and now wondering about Blind Luck…….The angel on your browband sure did bring you ,.. home safely! What a loving family you have! Althugh I can see these other horses have family who love them too, that is good to know.
Katie Clawson
Wow Z! That sounds amazing! If only I lived close by :/ It sounds like great fun :D Have a nice day sweetheart <3
Love, Katie(future jockey)
Especially Horses
I love the Sophie Shirreffs’ photo. Oh so cute. Zenyatta when are they going to display a life size bronze of you? You deserve one sweet girl.
–
This just in: Uncle Mo to Stand at Ashford Upon Retirement
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http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/65397/uncle-mo-to-stand-at-ashford-upon-retirement?utm_source=BreakingNews&utm_medium=email
Suzanne G
WOW Zenyatta! A post from you and a picture with one of my all-time favorites John Henry! Thanks so much. YOUR JOHN is the absolute PERFECT trainer to guest at the Photography Day. Keeping pinkies, paws and hooves crossed for Moroccan Sky today at Santa Anita, Race 1. Love and hugs, Suzanne G
ps this on #350 but here it is again…
@ALL–INDIAN TALE–GOOD NEWS! She is scratched today from the 1st race at Belmont. She finished 3rd at Parx on Monday, 2 days ago, in a $25k Claiming race. Unfortunately she didn’t get claimed away from Dutrow.
Jamie
John does take very amazing pictures, especially of YOU, Zenny. Cute one of Sophie too.
Love and Hugs
Stu
Zenny – we love you!!
JAG / California :-)
Zenny!! Now I know I’m going to CRY… the photo of “MY” BELOVED JOHN HENRY and SOPHIE is just TOO CUTE!!! I don’t know if JH would have “let” her get that close to him LOL ;-)
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I planned to make it for photo day, but since I’m going to the track on Saturday (very early) to meet friends at Clocker’s Corner (kick start my birthday) I decided I better not go this time ~ NEXT TIME!
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I know I will keep revisiting today’s post because I have to keep looking at Sophie and JH!!
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Peppermint kisses and big hugs Queen Mamma Z and Baby z XOXOXOXOXO
Judy
p.s. Every time I go to Santa Anita, I stop by and visit John. I speak to him because I feel he’s still there in SPIRIT! XOXO
harold moore
GREAT SHOT THE GROUNDS , JOHN HENRY AND LITTLE SOPHIE
Pattie
Good Morning to Everyone. Does anyone know if there any plans for a 2012 Zenyatta Calendar ?? Several of my Friends asked me if I had seen any available.
My thoughts were, it would be cool if someone like Barbara Livingston took some photos of Queen Zenyatta & a Publishing Company would offer to print the calendars and the proceeds go towards a Racehorse Retirement Farm like “Old Friends”.
I pray everyone is having Beautiful Weather, like we are in South Carolina!
Linda M
Dear Z – this is all so wonderful! And we need some great news today as late yesterday, for those who are deep in the Technology & Business world or even just a lover of great innovation, we lost a great; Steve Jobs who co-founded Apple. This is like loosing one of our 4-legged racing greats. Having spent many years myself in Silicon Valley and watching, experiencing and certainly being the recipient of Steve’s great inventions and thinking, it is challenging to imagine him gone. Even Team Z has his iPads with YOUR picture on the back!
A,there are many analogies you share with Steve. We have to think about how lucky we have been to live during his era of genious and innovation, just as we have been so lucky and blessed to live during your outstanding and unique accomplishments. In the human world he lifted us up and made us believe in the impossible, just like you do for all of us. And he set examples of when it is tough (he was once fired from Apple/his own company) that you keep going and think of what CAN be done, not what cannot.
Today I am greatful for what Steve has provided us with AND what you continue to do! A high hoof to our times!
http://socialcommercetoday.com/one-more-thing-unaired-think-different-ad-narrated-by-steve-jobs/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SocialCommerceToday+%28Social+Commerce+Today%29
Kari Bussell
My Queen I have long been a fan of your “Dear John’s” photos….He is my hero in more ways than one….Great pictures and Sophie is too precious for words… It promises to be such a fun day for those who can attend!! I love ALL of YOU with every single part of my heart…Please tell Dottie how grateful we are to her for ALL she does and to thank Mr. Shirreffs for being the man he is…..What JOY!
Mary
Wish I could go to Santa Anita’s event. I never know ahead of time on these out of state events. (such as Z event at BC) need advance notice please,
Thank you for the next notice in advance.
Hugs and Prayers
signofthetimes
Dearest Trina,
Thank you so much for such a lovely birthday poem and tribute to a retired TB racehorse. As you know, they are the best !!!!
We are so fortunate to have you share your artistic talent with us
on this site. Have a great rest of the week and weekend.
Many Hugs.
signofthetimes
Dear Zenny,
What a great pair, Sophie Sherriffs and John Henry. I bet she would have enjoyed “playing” with him. What a lovely picture of
Santa Anita a gorgeous track and how fun for everyone to meet
YOUR JOHN and get a chance to take pictures everywhere. Hope you have a restful day, mowing the lawn and playing.
XXXXOOOO
Annie
those are sweet pics! hey if anybody gets a chance, check out my blog, just click on my name and it will take you right there!
JAG / California :-)
SIGNOFTHETIMES:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! Wishing you many, many more from one Libra to another! :-)
Judy
Barbara Wood
Dear Z–that sounds like such fun. Sophie posed with JH is TOO CUTE for words.
@signofthetimes–Happy Birthday!
@Trina Nagele–thank you for those beautiful sentiments for our birthday girl and Jethro.
@DJ–thanks. I needed that today.
To all who care about rescues: I’m afraid to admit that I’m too dumb to post an e-mail to this website. There have been multiple horses dumped in Grayson County, TX.Seven have died, and Ranch Hand Rescue is taking the other six, I believe. They need help. All donations, no matter how small, are tax-deductible. Their website is http://www.ranchhandrescue.org.Thanks to any who can participate. I didn’t have a lot, but I sent a little.
Hugs to all.
suew
Oh, Zenny, for some reason this perticular diary post really makes me miss seeing YOU on the track. Although you have found happiness in your new career, there was NOTHING like seeing you sweep from behind the pack and cross that finish line with ears forward. I know your John will take some marvelous pictures and I can’t wait until he shares a few with us.
tony and sue
Zenny, we love the pic of Sophie with JH. For some reason we believe he would have never let her get that close…we’ve heard he was quite a handful. Tell your Jon we sincerely appreciate every picture he shares with you. We’re still hoping for a “Zenyatta” book penned by you and Dottie.
Margaret
Z Alex Brown will also be at Santa Anita this weekend. He’s driving down from the Bay Area tomorrow (Friday). He will be selling his book Greatness and Goodness. This book is TRULY special. If you haven’t seen it and are curious go by and see him.
Lots of people contributed photos for this book. Fabulous pictures.
This book was authorized by the Jackson’s which freed everyone up to talk to Alex about Barbaro.
Alex lives back East so this is SUPER SUPER special–a visit by him to the West Coast fans. Seriously you will not be disappointed meeting him.
Alex’s book will take hours to read. It’s perfect for the coffee table and makes a tremendous Christmas present for any horse crazy person you might know.
Sharyn
So wish I could be there – sounds like a wonderful way to spend a day at the track and with “your John” as guest speaker – couldn’t be better, only if you were there!!
Love that picture of John Henry and Sophie!
Trisha
We all miss you so much. Have a great day
Love hugs and kisses
Kari Bussell
@DJ-Thank you! Glad you are back and to say I needed that one would be a great understatement….
Joanna from TX
Photo day at Santa Anita sounds like a great time; wish I could be there!
Wow, that’s interesting news about MO’s future. I’m not surprised that his team has found a really class act for him. I mean, jeeezzzzz…Coolmore spent mucho bucks for Mo’s dam, so you know they like the pedigree. I just hope and pray Mo doesn’t have to retire real soon; he’s such a joy to watch run.
The weekend is almost here. We’re hoping for RAIN this weekend (please! please!)