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)
Yes, may the lord bless and keep Frazier safe in the arms of his veterinarians; hope that line in the talus is and x-ray artifact
(that means when they take another x-ray it is not there)
judy berube
Dear Trina N.:
You’re welcome. Hugs, JB
signofthetimes
Danedream will not be coming to BC
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/65470/danedream-wont-run-in-breeders-cup
judy berube
Dear Signofthetimes:
I totally agree with your feelings on two year olds and owning a racing TB. Hugs, JB
signofthetimes
Bloodhorse article and link with video; California Flag’s win
He is a 7 year old gelding.
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/65471/california-flag-fast-and-furious-in-morvich
signofthetimes
@Judy B
We are just too compassionate and love our horses.
Oh well no $$$$ to buy one either !!!!!
judy berube
Dear Signofthetimes:
Artie Schiller is a very handsome Boy. Hugs, JB
signofthetimes
Dear Zenny,
Sweet Dreams and a wonderful Tuesday in the Kentucky Autumn weather.
XXXXXOOOOO
judy berube
Dear Signofthetimes:
I think Mr. Commons will really shine as a four year old. He’s gaining more experience and he has really good closing speed. Hugs, JB
judy berube
Dear Cheryl Y.:
Thanks for the update on Rapid Redux. Wishing him a safe, winning trip. Hugs, JB
judy berube
Dear Signofthetimes:
Got to win Power Ball and buy a big farm where they can retire and just enjoy life being beautiful. Hugs, JB
candi carter
make me sick to found out one of the horse have an accident and fighting for life I hope please lord he will survive he just 2 years old never enjoy his love what a disgrace sad situation make me feel bad.Frazier get well!!!.
JAG ~ California
Dullahan earns early trip to Churchill
Half brother to little Mine That Bird!
http://www.kentucky.com/2011/10/08/1913792/notes-dullahan-earns-early-trip.html#ixzz1aIxAGyRn
Judy
JAG ~ California
@ signofthetimes and judy berube
YES! A kiss on my left cheek from Dreamy Mike! That is on video by a friend at dinner.
I also got a kiss on my right cheek at the track from Alex Brown! I had a matching set of kisses LOL I didn’t want to wash my face!! :-)
Judy
judy berube
Dear Z,
Goodnight and Sweet Baby Dreams. Love you so much, Judy and Russ
JAG ~ California
California Flag Fast and Furious in Morvich (VIDEO)
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/65471/california-flag-fast-and-furious-in-morvich
I love the Old Timers! Bless him heart!!!
Judy
Ann Maree
@signofthetimes: Just suggesting that we not throw accusations around when we don’t know all the facts. People spend their lives building their careers and reputations, and it doesn’t hurt to give them the benefit of the doubt until we know differently. Cheers! :))
Vicki B.
Awww, have you guys seen this? I just found it, a gal on Facebook makes horse-art cartoon cards. You don’t have to login to see this one: “Havre de Grace full Thanksgiving”, too cute, for sure! https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=243291575723396&set=a.193005317418689.64938.100001276660849&type=1&theater
Delrene
@JAG – Wasn’t that the best race! I love watching California Flag power down. Love him and congratulations to PVal. Very nice ride. Just gotta love those grays. I see he won the Morvich in 2009.
And we are both tracking MTB half brother Dullahan. He ran a beautiful race.
Zenyatta, you will have lots to talk to TT tomorrow morning!
Trina Nagele
@Vicki B—Yes, that’s a GREAT Marcy Leonard card-—“Havre de Grace full Thanksgiving”! Marcy has another darling one where Rachel Alexandra and Zenny are having tea together—as was said yesterday, RA and Z never had any animosity between them—it was only some humans who harbored negative feelings against one or the other instead of celebrating them both.
Marshall (girl's name)
Zenny, lovely sweater! Hope you are enjoying these great temperatures and the beautiful October-blue skies. Hugs!
Keep Here Comes Frazier in your prayers, Z’sters, please. We certainly wish a speedy recovery for him so that he has a chance to have a good life. Though he will not be racing again, it is sincerely hoped that he will be whole and loved.
Trina Nagele
Check out Marcy Leonard’s Happy Halloween card on her fb page–click on the card to make it bigger and enjoy all the horses in their Halloween get-ups!
http://www.facebook.com/ZenyattaOfficial#!/cardsbymarcy
Trina Nagele
@Sandra Bennington—Since Diana S may need a little time to catch up with all the posts after her weekend trip to Santa Anita, let me reply to you on her behalf. To get your Dumpling tag, e-mail her at diastu46@gmail.com and give her your snail mail address and how you want your name to appear on your tag. Welcome to the Dumplinghood!
Brenda S..
Happy Tuesday Zenny, altho it feels like Monday since yesterday was a holiday. Today will be the last day of Indian summer weather here in Fort Erie, rain is forecast for tomorrow, so I’m hoping it will last longer for you and Tasty. I’m sure you both are crossing hooves for Frazier’s recovery. I fractured my right talus and damaged some tendons and ligaments many years ago so I hope Frazier’s injury doesn’t hurt as much as mine did. At least I was able to recline with my foot elevated both pre and post surgery and I was no baby when it happened to me. Have a wonderful day mowing the grass with Tasty, Hugs and Kisses to you both.
Alex Bowdoin
Good Morning to all. Do you have to live on the West Coast to get a “Dumpling Tag”?
Please let me know as I would love to get one? I live in MA. Have a wonderful day with TT out in your paddock. Thank you Dottie and Team Z in CA and KY for all that you do!!!
LauraJ
Good morning everybody! Hey, I don’t know how many of you have seen this, but the Thoroughbred Times runs a fiction contest every other year. Here’s the info if you are interested. Even if you are not, click on the link and scroll to the bottom. There you will find links to previous winning stories. They’re really good. I have a couple of favorites. I will be interested to hear what you all think.
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com//national-news/2011/03/23/fiction-contest-announced-12.aspx
Christine in Michigan
@Terry Crow – Thank you so much for answering my question. I have so much to learn.
Marty R
Zenyatta is always so inquisitive. I wonder if this is her first look around in the morning or her last before going back in the barn?
Congrats to John Shirreffs and Mike Smith on the win with Tizgiani. I wonder if it brought back memories to them of winning with his sire, Giacomo?
Everyone have a good week.
Daina Ryan
TheKennedysinSanDiego – funny – I thought the same thing just watching Mr. Commons run – – that he looked alot like his dad.
Signofthetimes — I was told that Artie was also very agressive.
Trina Nagele
Good morning, Queen Z!
@Alex Bowdoin—All of Z’s fans are already her Dumplings, and they are all eligible to get their official Dumpling ID badge from Diana at diastu46@gmail.com.
@Laura J—Thanks so much for alerting us to the winning fiction stories at Thoroughbred Times. I look forward to reading them!
@Marty R—Thanks for reminding us that Tiz Gianni is the son of the Mosses’ and John’s Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo.