Happy Monday to All!
It is the beginning of another wonderful week! I am enjoying all of the time I’m spending each day with my friends here at Lane’s End.
I just had a long chat with MATT…in between bites of my favorite grassy treats. We reviewed the entire weekend of fabulous racing. There were so many impressive winners in the various divisions. I absolutely LOVED seeing my pal, GIO PONTI, return to the winner’s circle again. His race was so impressive. I am SO PROUD of him! To stay at such TOP FORM and to COMPETE AT SUCH A HIGH LEVEL for years…is not an easy task. He and his connections deserve a big HIGH HOOF for doing so!
Some of my other personal friends also performed very well. On Saturday, SWITCH ran a very contentious 3rd in her return to the sprint arena at Keeneland. She will be sprinting again in her next start. I must also say, my 3 year old Barn 55 friend, MR. COMMONS, did a fabulous job to close in such fast fractions to be a very strong 2nd in the Oak Tree Mile. He clearly ran his highest speed figures to date…and he is a 3 year old running against older horses. This is not easy to do! The ability to move forward and continue to make steady progress as he has done is always important when one is competing at these graded stakes levels. My compliments to BOTH!
The 2 year olds, competing on 3 different types of surfaces this weekend: dirt, turf and Keeneland’s all-weather track, truly provided a great deal of excitement! Members of this age group are now at such an important time in their careers. In many instances, they are now being introduced to the concept of ‘going around 2 turns’ in their races. The ability to perform well at this is something that can truly begin to separate ‘the men from the boys’ in the future…so to speak. This is especially important as we begin to look for the ‘classic type horses’ who will be moving onto this stage at the Breeders’ Cup next month and also as 3 year olds next year.
Congratulations to ALL of these athletes and their connections for definitely providing the sport with exciting performances in these prep races.
The next few weeks will be so important to all of these horses and their ‘teams’ as they prepare for the World Championship Events. I remember every bit of it all so well!
Here’s wishing EVERYONE the best!
With Love,
Hugs to All~(It is getting exciting!)
Z
signofthetimes
@Peggy (N)
You are absolutely correct. If you don’t want the
Whip then tell the rider!!!!
SHERRY D. WV.
@sunny boyd..GOD MAY HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR, HE MADE ME, BUT NOT EVER GETS STONED…..SHERRY D.
Peggy (N)
@Signofthetimes, you are so Right, I think Frankie DaTori has been criticized just lately for this issue as well.
Ida
Thank you so much for your wonderful comments regarding Gio Ponti. He ran a great race. Gio is one of my personal favorites and I just adore him. Also, let’s keep an eye on Union Rags. He was incredible in his race and I have a feeling this boy is going to be very special. You My Queen continue to be a sight for sore eyes. You look lovely!!!
Katie Clawson
We miss you so much Zenyatta. The Breeders’ Cup will definitely be different without you there.
I am coming later this month to Lane’s End! I wish that we would be able to see YOU while we are there :( When will we be able to see you, Z?
Take care of yourself and your growing foal!
Love, Katie(future jockey)
signofthetimes
Dear Zenny
Love the cute photo with your friend and (midhusband)
Matt. Looks like you are enjoying the weather and
Your lovely sweater. High Hoofs to all your pals
Efforts over the weekend. Enjoy the grass and
Relaxation as the leaves begin to turn.
XXXXOOO
signofthetimes
Z fans
Z fans:
Those of you who have ridden a lazy or
not forward going or not very competitive horse
Will see the whip as an optional aid. It does not
Hurt the horse, it gets the horses attention and
Gets them focused on their job. Also jockeys don’t
Have spurs another aid that can be used to move a
Horse forward.
signofthetimes
However, some horses do not like the whip
And will react. A race is not the time to use
A whip for the first time. Too risky for horse and
Jockey.
Gloria
Hey Big Mams Z! Good luck to your John in today’s first race! Glad to see you’re keeping warm. Love to all of Team Zenyatta!!
Dee
Love you Zenyatta! I watched a few of your past races over the weekend on DVD, and every time I watch you race I stand up and cheer for you as if it’s the first time — along with tears of joy. You are such a breath of fresh air and an inspiration to all. Take care.
Jordyn
Zenyatta I miss seeing you race so much!!!! When is your baby due?? You look great! I can’t wait until your baby starts pounding down the track like his/her mama.
Heidi
Good Morning, Z and Dottie. I had to catch up on the re-plays and I hope that Frazier will be ok! Such a freak accident!
wooohooo for Gio Ponti, I didn’t think he had a chance and then, he found room to run and boy did he!
Have a great day, Z and stay warm with your blankie!
Samantha
I wish it was last year, and I was preparing to see you for my first (and last!) time D:
B the way… can you guys upload videos of you prettyyyy please? maybe to face book oh John’s youtube? I miss seeing you just in action.
Roberta Smith
Hello Pretty Girl! You look gorgeous! I love you Zenyatta!
Robyn Mullhausen
Z you look lovely as always.
Brenda S..
Zenny, As usual, you look amazing and your maternity sweater is most becoming. You could be developing yet another career, sports journalist, your reporting of the race results was great.
Such sad news about Frazier, we can only hope that he is able to make a full recovery. I have never liked to see the whip used heavily and think a little tap, or better yet, just wave it alongside the face to get the horse’s attention should be enough. Leparoux got away very lucky it seems and the horse is seriously injured.
Vic rides a lazy horse sometimes and I have said on occasion I think he’s sleep walking, so he needs a tap now and again to wake him up. He’s always wide awake tho when the carrots and mints come out of my pocket!!
signofthetimes
@Brenda S
Too cute about carrots and peppermints. Isn’t
That true!!!
judy berube
Dear Brenda S.:
Cute story about Vic’s horse wide awake for carrots. Thanks for sharing. Hugs, JB
judy berube
Signofthetimes:
Laughing out loud. “Midhusband Matt”. Too cute. Hugs, JB
Jeanie
Hi All,
I was upset yesterday about the accident in the Bourbon. Poor Here Comes Frazier. He was just a 2-year-old! What a waste to think he will never run again and what a tragedy if he can’t be helped to even survive! If I was his owner, I would be furious that the trainer didn’t tell the jocky NO WHIP. I think I would also wonder why the trainer didn’t at least desensitive Frazier to the whip just in case to avoid such an accident from happening. It seems senseless and completely avoidable. He was doing so well leading all the way to the stretch and he continued to look strong until he was whipped. This just makes me sick.
J
judy berube
Dear DJ, Kari B., Sharon in Seattle, Susan in Tn.:
Thinking of all of you and hoping all is well. Hugs, JB
judy berube
Dear Jeani:
You’re quite right. This is a very sad circumstance that could have, I think, been avoided. Hugs, JB
judy berube
Dear Karen Gogue:
Hugs to you, JB
judy berube
Diana S.:
Hugs to you, JB
Rosemary McCauley
@Dee – I also get out the dvds and watch Zenyatta’s races over and over. I also have videos that I recorded from TV of her pre-race walk to the paddock and to the receiving barn before different races. Even when I went to see her race in person, I set my recorder so that I would watch it again when I got home.
The Breeder’s Cup party is coming up soon. What an event that will be.
Ann Maree
Hi, Zenny,
–
It was a great weekend of racing…the past few weeks have been loaded with top notch racing! I had to struggle to keep up. Big hugs, girl! Looking forward to seeing everybody at your celebration on Friday, the 4th! And, also, hopefully, to see some new videos of you roaming around your paddock with Tasty! XOXO to you and ‘baby bump’!!
–
@signofthetimes: I read that Julien said he did not use the whip, but that the shifting of his hand that held the whip and raising it above the horse’s head could have spooked him. This could have been perceived as using the whip. I kind of think we need to let the folks who investigate these things figure out just what did happen. I know you are experienced in these matters, and I respect that, but I would like to give Julian the benefit of the doubt. Feelings were running high for the horse’s connections inasmuch as I understand Here Comes Frazier was renamed in honor of his co-owner who had just passed away in August. I respect Kenny McPeek and think he’s one of the “good guys”….they were all in a state of shock over the incident. Frazier was running a very good race up to that point. I know all our prayers are with Frazier and hope he can survive and hopefully come back. So very glad that Julien seems to be ok with some concern for his hand, of course.
–
Hugs to all. Ann Maree
PerkyGreen
Say Hey Baby Girl
Was glad to see Gio Ponti come back a winner also. Ihaven’t seen much on the condition of Blind Luck hope all is well with her also. As for my favorite gal “Z” you always look awesome, It’s always a pleasure to see you. Just can’t wait for the arrival of your champion offspring. Lots of hugs & kisses. Eat ,Sleep, and stay healthy LOTS”O”LOVE
Sue Fredrick
Hi big Mama love your fashionable look. I’m wondering if they don’t want you to grow a winter coat so they keep you blanketed?
KENNEDYS IN SAN DIEGO did you get to see Blind Luck yet, and if so how is she, they haven’t given any reason yet. Also I heard Take Control was scratched, do you know what happened there?
CONGRATS to Mr. Commons, Switch, Gio Ponti and the beautiful Union Rags, so happy for Michael Matz! Also congrats to Mike Smith for his win on Amazombie this weekend!
My heart just breaks for the beautiful Here Comes Frazier and his owners I pray he can be fixed to at least live a decent life.Luv you Z and kisses on your nose.
Elaine
You are looking quite stylish with your blanket on. Stay warm with that baby!
Deni
Miss seeing your hooves! Always!