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
Doreen
Dottie thanks for the lovely picture of Sophie and the beautiful statue of my all-time favorite gelding John Henry.
@Gio Ponti Fans – a nice article on his upcoming races. It looks like he’ll go against Goldikova once again in the BC Mile: http://equibase.com/racingnews/article/View.cfm
@signofthetimes – Happy Birthday, I hope you’re enjoying your day.
Susan in TN
@Kari B: I just sent a happy thought your way- crack your window a little and it will slip right in!
@DJ: Thank you for beautiful prayer <3
@ALL: After Tiny passed away, I went to the FB page "Rainbow Bridge" on the advice of Shari Volz and it was immensely helpful. Friar Jeffrie wrote a beautiful prayer for Tiny (as he does for many) and it was very touching. He also does tribute videos regularly with the photos of beloved pets of all kinds and posts them there.
Mike S
I love that picture of Dottie’s dog and John Henry.
Susan in TN
@Margaret: thanks for book review! Sounds like a really good book.
@Barbara Wood: Thank you for info on rescue- will send what I can.
sharon in seattle
Oh to be near Santa Anita for tomorrow’s photo event. The track and the surroundings always take my breath away! BC 2010, I’m dreaming of the time!
JAG / California :-)
I’m sorry, I can’t resist sharing the gratefulness candles for JOHN HENRY!
http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=JOHNH
The poor little guy is lucky to have several candles lit per day; I lite at least 5 a day!
Dawn Conrad
Dear Zenyatta. Hello, beautiful. What a fantastic day at Santa Anita for fans of racing, photography and our John. I love taking pictures myself and always look forward to seeing both John’s and Sarah’s. You and Sophie do make wonderful models. Sophie is just too cute visiting with John Henry’s statue. I always watch “And They’re Off” on the Bloodhorse website. In the last episode about a week ago they ended with a picture of little Sophie. She is getting pretty famous too, Zenny. It is great seeing the tracks presenting special fan days to promote the sport and in this instance to showcase the beauty and excitment which can be captured on film. Too fun!! It has been getting really cold today and the rain is still falling. Hope you are cozy in Kentucky. Love you. Sweet dreams. Hugs and kisses. XXXOOO
@The Kennedys in San Diego – So good to see you posting again. I know how much you thought of Blind Luck and how hard it must have been to see her struggle in her last race. I pray everything turns out alright with her. She is amazing. Let us know if you hear anything.
@Brenda S – Hello Dear Brenda. You have some great racing experiences in your life lady. From the places you have been, the horse’s you have seen and the people you have met, its fantastic. Please keep sharing your stories. I will certainly try to find a copy of Dell’s book, I would love to read it. Tell Vic, Hi from me!
@JAG – Love that you talk to John Henry when you pass him at Santa Anita, it is wonderful that you get to feel close to him in that moment. I know I am always giving my #19 a pat and thinking about my love for Zenyatta. Enjoyed the article about “great” horses and all of the links. Thank you!
@Susan in TN – I know Shari would have enjoyed seeing Rootbeer in person a great deal. So glad Rusty and Pepsi will be together. Hooves crossed you make Zenny’s party.
@Shari Voltz – Hello my dear. Love hearing about how amazing the class is doing with Mistletoe. I know how hard you work and I am so happy you are getting to share in such a fun, special experience. Keep on wearing that wonderful smile of yours!! Isn’t Mo just amazing!
Linda M – Yes, Steve Jobs was an amazing individual and will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to all those who suffer his loss.
@DJ – Hello love. So happy to hear from you.
@Kari Bussell – It is a beautiful day to rejoice in a world with you in it!!
@Margaret – I have been wanting to buy Alex’s book, thank you for the recommendation and reminding me. I will get that ordered.
@Trina – Another terrific birthday tribute for our wonderful signofthetimes.
@LouAnn Cingel,Sharon in Seattle and Abigail in Montreal – Thinking about you all!
Carole #42
Zenyatta, what nice pictures you are sharing with us…I wish I could be there but WI is too far away…@signofthetimes.HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you.
@Jag and also HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you…From another Libra.
Have a great day Miss Zen..and kiss on your soft nose and baby Z/B too. XOXO
Julie DuVall
I wish I could attend the photography day at Santa Anita but I have to work :(
I love the photo of Sophie and John Henry! I always smile when I walk past that statue, remembering the “Grand Old Man” of racing. Now I’ll think of Sophie, too! :)
Jan
Zenyatta,
Oh, how I wish I could be at Sanita Anita tomorrow. To bad I’m in Texas. lol. Sophie is just as cute as she can be. How perfect that John is the the special guest tomorrow, very befitting. Stay happy and healthy Big Mama.
@ the Zsters, What are they doing to that poor Indian Tale, I’m surprise she is holding up. :(
Rosemary McCauley
@ Terry Crow – Nero works for me.
What a fun day tomorrow at Santa Anita. The photos above are beautiful and isn’t Sophie being a good little girl, sitting where she’s been asked to sit (and staying) while her photo is being taken. But she’s probably used to being photographed by now. I would like to go to the track tomorrow for the festivities, but I have to work. I went last weekend with the beautiful weather and enjoyed everything, including the food trucks. Highly recommend them if you’ve never been.
Marilu V.
Hello Zenyatta! I wish I could go to Santa Anita on Oct 7 but I work. I will miss the fun and excitement. I would love the experience. Hope there will be a next time with John as the guest Trainer. Hugs and prayers to you! Marilu
Barbara Wood
@Susan in TN–thank you so much. You of all people know the real meaning of the word “rescue”. BTW, Niki Shanahan also has a book called “Rainbow Bridge”. I don’t have it, though.
@Terry Crow–sounds like a breakthrough surgery. Hope is it effective for him. That must be a miserable disease. LOL at “Cow of the Week”. Too funny for a girl whose e-mail is “moo”!
@Kari Bussell–thinking of you.
Cathleen
Oh I wish I lived in California and could go. It’s sounds wonderful. Z, do you know how Your John got Sophie to sit so nicely all by herself with the John Henry statue so he could take the photo? I can say with 100% certainty that my dogs are not that talented. They would have bolted the minute I arranged them just so! LOL! Cathleen XOXOX
Debbie
hi Z! I wish I lived closer to Santa Anita and I would attend photography day for sure! Especially with YOUR John being the guest trainer!! Sophie looks sooo cute next to John Henry;) Love YOU gorgeous mama xoxoxo
Doreen
@Barbara Wood – thanks for the link and info on Ranch Hand Rescue. I donated what I could.
Brenda S..
Zenny and Dottie, The pictures today just make me more determined than ever to make it to Santa Anita next year and the chance to see Miss Sophie would be the icing on the cake. She looks so cute sitting in a spot that would have been a No No when JH was with us. He was feisty to put it mildly.
@ all dumplings going to SA – Have a wonderful time and take lots of pictures.
Ingrid Arnone
OH, I wish I live in CA, what a beautiful photo of Sophie, love you my adorable Zenyatta.
Laura
To bad I live in Florida…best wishes to everyone from florida :D
The Kennedys in San Diego
@Dawn Conrad — We must admit it took days to come to terms with Blind Luck’s last race. We were there rooting for her. We are hoping that she will be rested and ready to resume her stellar career in 2012. We plan to visit her next week and will let you know what we learn.
@Doreen — Thanks for the Gio Ponti link. We will be rooting for him Saturday.
Stella Bagwell
Dearest Zenyatta,
Thank you so much for the lovely pics of Santa Anita. I would truly love to visit the track someday. I’m sure you have fond memories of all the tracks you raced over and perhaps you’ll get to see your son or daughter cross the same finish lines as you, dear girl. In first, of course! :)
The weather is cooling and the racing is getting heated in preparation for Breeder’s Cup. I know you and Tasty will be keeping up with all the action and planning for your big party!
Have a lovely evening!
Hugs and kisses,
Stel
Trish & Mike in Colorado
Sophie watch out below !!
Denise in AZ
@all- interview went well… should know tomorrow if he was chosen or not– Pray for us!
You all are the highlight of my day!
Denise in AZ
you might be a redneck if loading the dishwasher means getting your wife drunk
Sue Fredrick
Oh Zen your John takes such neat photos imagine thinking of putting Sophie under JH, would never happen if he was alive.
@JAG got to see the “grand old man” at the Kentucky horse park 10 years ago…..he was still a handfull but what a presence he had…..not unlike Secretariat and our Z. Happy Birthday! Oh and thanks for posting that link to Derby contenders very interesting.
@Linda M great comparison tribute you did between Zen and Mr. Jobs. Hoofray.
@Sign of the times Happy Birthday and what a great poem from Trina!
@Terry Crow sad to hear about your friend, my husband has been suffering with Emphysema for 10 years and it is really rough. I try to keep him moving though so he isn’t in a wheelchair yet.
@ALL IF ANYONE IS GOING TO THE PHOTO DAY AT SA COULD YOU GET A PIC OF TAKE CONTROL IN RACE #6 FOR ME AND SOMEHOW POST IT???
Luv you Z and kisses on your nose
Delrene
Love, love, love the picture today!!! I’ve been to SA at least 7 or 8 times and I cannot place where exactly on the grounds it is located??? Am I blind. I’ve seen the Seabiscuit statue but not John Henry’s. Next time up, I must see it. Help???. I wish Icould go tomorrow. What an incredible opportunity . Thanks to the Santa Anita racetrack and to your John for his photo tips!
have fun all.
Rosemary McCauley
@Denise in AZ – Positive thoughts for your husband. Great redneck joke.
Mary
Sounds like a great day…and I know John will do a great job…I bet people will be asking him questions about you Z..us fans cannot seem to get enough of you. That is so cute with Sophie ..it seems she likes her picture taken just like you Z. Hugs to you…..
JAG / California :-)
@ Delrene
John Henry’s statue is by the big fountain at the main entrance. He welcomes everyone! Nina has him ready to enter the paddock ;-) He’s life-size! Nina did an incredible job!!!
signofthetimes
Thanks to everyone for the lovely B-day wishes;
The Kennedy’s from SD – can’t wait for your Barn 55 and other horse reports. Sorry about Blind Luck’s last race.
Kari Bissell
Barbara Wood
D Stuart
Kimberly Potter
Vicki B – Love the “tunes”
Susan in TN
Sue Fredrick
Carol #42
Doreen
Terry Crow – love today’s joke; so glad your friend is doing well after surgery.
and other Z Fan well wishers.
YOU ALL HAVE MADE MY DAY !!!!