Good Morning,
This is going to be a very busy week. Some of my dear friends from Barn 55, NEREID and STAR BILLING, are in town to run in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup this Saturday at Keeneland. It is a Grade 1 stakes race going 1 1/8 miles on the turf for 3 year old fillies.
This is an Invitational Race…and both fillies were invited. What an HONOR for each of them! When a race is classified as an ‘Invitational’…it means the Racing Secretary (the person who manages all of the entries for races and writes the condition books) reviews all of the possible candidates for a particular race . He and his staff then decide which horses would be the most qualified to run in the particular race based upon their accomplishments. After all of this is considered, the top horses are given an ‘invitation’ to run.
NEREID and STAR BILLING arrived Tuesday at about noon Kentucky Time via a Tex Sutton Charter. MY JOHN, Frank, and Jose Luis traveled with them on the plane. I heard the flight went very well and they have settled nicely into their Keeneland barn.
The weather here is picture perfect at this time. I hope it stays this way the rest of the week for them.
When MY JOHN took this photo, Frank was doing something by NEREID’S stall. Jose Luis’ charge, STAR BILLING, was in her stall relaxing nice and comfortably.
So much fun!
As you may recall, FRANK was on my traveling team. We always had such fun together.
Entries for Saturday’s race will be taken this morning. Here’s hoping they both get a GREAT POST POSITION!
Joe Talamo will be flying in from California to ride NEREID. Victor Espinoza is coming into town to ride STAR BILLING! Hmmm…..I wonder if their jockeys will travel together and be on the same flight…just like the fillies did?
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~
Z
JAG / California :-)
GO MIKEY!!! ;-)
Breeders’ Cup: Amazombie bound for Sprint after Ancient Title win:
http://www.drf.com/news/breeders-cup-amazombie-bound-sprint-after-ancient-title-win
Judy
D Stuart
@Terry Crow: You might be a California Redneck [new category] if you have 4 BMWs parked on the grass in your front yard – and none of them run. You might be a California Redneck if you dip your McNuggets in Hollandaise Sauce.
diastu in tempe
Patricia Emery
WOW! What fantastic news for the fillies, John & all…Best wishes to all. As always, we all wish for a safe journey across the finish line for horse & jockey.
Hugs and Kisses
Jeanie
@Alex B.
Thank you for sharing the link to this article about the Charismatic/Chris Antley documentary coming up next week. I am going to tape it.
Kendra
Zenyatta, please have someone take a picture of you and John while he is in Kentucky for the Breeders Cup. (preferable a humorous one) Although John is very busy, I’m sure he never forgets about you. Sweet Dreams.
Diahann Perrin
I just love ur Diary Posts Zenyatta, and even though i live in Australia u r absolutely my favourite equine friend. One of our real legends here, Makybe Diva recently had a foal by Lonhro-and her mother Tugela has a yearling sired by Street Cry. I mention this because i noticed some discussion about Lonhro recently on this page. There are pictures of these foals on the Makybe Diva
fb page if anyone is interested. And i hear some talk that the Street Cry foal of Tugela’s may go to sales soon.
Carole #42
Zenyatta, It sure is great that you have friends comming to Kentucky and John too, hope he gets to visit with you and baby Z/B..I enjoyed your pictures very much. Hugs and kisses on your soft nose. XOXO
Sharyn Priester
Wow, what an exciting weekend in Kentucky. Here’s hoping Nereid and Star Billing have a great and safe race!!
Bet John and Frank will both be over to see you more than once!! How special for you all!
Savvy
Dottie, I sure hope that at some point, the fans that can’t make the trip to Zenyatta’s party, will be able to see a video of Zenyatta’s CAM appearance. I am sure the festivities will be so cool. Zenyatta, I am sure that you will enjoy seeing all of your buddies again.
D Stuart
@Diahann Perrin: Great to see your post. Have you seen Lonhro in person? He looks like a true black – is he? I’m excited that he is coming to visit North American mares!
diastu in tempe
The Kennedys in San Diego
Per Jerry Hollendorfer on Blind Luck -“She came out of the race just perfect, and she’s fine. We just think it’s time to sell.”
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/sales-news/2011/10/11/blind-luck-to-be-sold-at-keeneland-november-sale.aspx
Jeanie
Jerry Dutrow, Rick Hollendorfer, oops. Sorry. That slipped out.
Suzanne G
@The Kennedys in San Diego–such bad news about Blind Luck and what a ‘reason’ for selling her at auction!
Barbara Wood
@Abigail from Montreal– thank you so much for the great link about our Mims Retirement Haven. It is a SHAME that these lovely mares are no longer deemed worthy to be kept, fed, and cared for by their owners.
@Alex Bowdoin–thanks for the link to the Antley/Charismatic special on ESPN. Hope I can remember to watch.
@Margaret– do hope this cold you have won’t last forever.
@All: Concerning Dutrow, someone mentioned that he will still have assistants who can follow his “instructions” over the phone. Is this correct? Hope not. All trainers who abuse their charges and/or do not follow the rules should know that they are not above suspicion. They must be accountable.
Terry Crow
@Kennedys in San Diego-Is it possible to unelect a guy from the Hall of Fame? certainly warranted in the case of Hollendorfer. @Judy Berube and Debbie G-Glad you are enjoying the jokes. Like any other ham, my mission is to entertain. @Margaret-Good point. Over the phone is the method used by Todd Pletcher. @Diana S-You might be an Arizona redneck (another new category) if you take your wife to your mistress’s wedding. @Kari Bussell and Susan in TN-You might be a redneck if, on Thanksgiving day, you have to decide which pet to eat. You might be a redneck if grass is growing in the floorboards of your car. You might be a redneck if the figures on your wedding cake wore overalls. You might be a redneck if you are famous for your impression of a dog choking on a chicken bone. Today’s joke-A guy went on a gambling trip and won $100,000 playing blackjack. He came home and buried the money in his back yard. The next morning the man came out and discovered an empty hole where the money had been. He also noticed that there were foot prints leading from the hole to the house next door, which was owned by a deaf-mute man. ON the same street there lived a professor who knew sign language. Grabbing his gun in anger, the man went to the professor’s house. After he explained the situation, he forced him at gunpoint to accompany him to the deaf man’s house, where they found him in the back yard. “You tell this SOB that if he doesn’t give back my $100,000 I’m going to kill him!” he screamed at the professor. The professor conveyed the message to the deaf man in sign language and received a reply. “I hid it in my back yard underneath the cherry tree,” the deaf man responded in sign language. The professor turned to the enraged man and said “He says he’s not going to tell you. He said he’d rather die first.
Heidi
It’s about time the Racing Board got it right with Dutrow. I knew he had a lot of violations but, didn’t realize how many and at so many tracks back East. I have a feeling that he might come West to try and get a license here. I think his license being Revoked in NY and Kentucky, should carry over to ALL tracks, regardless! I don’t think that I’d even trust his assistant. He learned from Dutrow and well, I just wouldn’t trust it.
Margaret, don’t feel bad, I think I’m coming down with that cold too. I hope you feel better!
Now, Zenny…. I love you big girl and I love the pics. Can’t wait for more when John comes to visit. Maybe, a video?
Someone said in a earlier post that they wished that the Mosses would purchase Blind Luck. Funny, I was thinking the samething. They are such fabulous Owners!
Until later, Hugs and kisses, Zenny!
Dottie, are we going to have another name contest? Or was the “Trail of Tears” it?
Elizabeth
Alex Bowdoin, Fred Stone had many of his wonderful original paintings and artist’s prints for sale when we visited Santa Anita this spring. One that broke my heart was the painting of Chris Antley holding up Charismatic’s leg. This is a link to the image:http://www.fine-art.com/retail/art.asp?i=102610. Thanks for the link to the upcoming documentary.
Elizabeth in OR
The Kennedys in San Diego
@Terry Crow — Our thoughts exactly, Hollendorfer became a Hall of Famer largely on BL’s accomplishments.
Elizabeth
*Finally* action has been taken against Dutrow!
Let’s hope it is enforced this time and that he doesn’t move to another state to ruin more horses. His behavior is a black eye to horse racing though he’s certainly not the only creep in the industry. What a difference between Dutrow and Your John, Queen Z! Enjoy visiting your family! :-)
Elizabeth in OR
signofthetimes
@JAG
Thanks for the article on Acclimation. He is a great horse
And so glad his owners and trainers are saving some
In the tank for next year rather than running out
East where he has not been successful.
JAG / California :-)
I know we are all busy living our lives, but please don’t let these candles burn out… Zenny, Baby B/Z, and I thank you!
http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=ZENNY
Judy :-)
Jeanie
Hollendorfer was almost exclusively here in NorCal before he started branching out. From what I understand, he does not have a good reputation and does not treat his horses well. I figured that was why it took him so long to get inducted into the Hall. The Chris Antley/Charismatic painting is so lovely. It reminds me of that beautiful photo of Mikey hugging Zenyatta at Zenyatta Appreciation Day at Hollywood Park before she went back to KY. I wish I could find it. It is priceless. Does anyone have it?
JAG / California :-)
@ Heidi
The drf contest winning name for Z’s foal was “Driven to Tears”. The person who won the contest (btw) was a Blame fan, not a Zenyatta fan. Personally, I hope the Mosses don’t use this name for their foal… just my feelings.
Debbie G
@Jeanie – I love your post.
@Alex Bowdoin – Thanks for the link to the Charismatic/Chris Antley story. I’m with you, I know I’ll cry, too. Such a talented young man, such a waste.
@D Stuart – I love your new redneck category! Too funny.
tony and sue
Zenny, your john always goes the extra mile to educate us on everything about racing. We are facinated by ALL of it. He and Dottie are a great match…thank God you were part of their lives. Bt the way, that picture of you and Reagan yesterday was “Too Cute”.
Terry Crow
@Kennedys in San Diego-Your comments on Hollendorfer and Blind Luck carry the weight of knowledge. I doubt if anyone on this board knows more about this horse than you do. Your observations are respected and acknowledged.
D Stuart
@All: You might be a California Redneck if your mama and daddy met at a Johnny Cash concert – in Folsom Prison. You might be a California Redneck if you use a bottle of Chateau Neuf du Pape – to make a wine spritzer.
diastu in tempe
Ingrid Arnone
My adorable Zenyatta what great news, you going to see your team again! I wish my best to Nereid and Star Billing, I will be betting on both of them, love you Ingrid.
Mary Copelin
JAG- thanks so much for the Paddock-2011
site. Do you know if it can be purchased throughthe S.A. gift shop? If not, where?
Wish I could have joined you and other DumplingZ for your birthdate celebration at S.A. I know it must have been wonderful
janet Cutting
Hi Zenny and All: Love the video on MIMS- really very touching and nice to hear and see good animal care-givers– they score a perfect 10 — take care all at MIMS. Good-night Zenny!!!!!!!