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
Mary Copelin
RE POST # 354-
To all Zsters who commented on the Blind Luck situation – especially Andrea, Delrene, Diana S. and Barbara Grimaldi-
I feel absolutely helpless in this situation.
Can any of you think of something truly
practical we can do? It is fine to hope and pray, but it does not erase the fact that a filly who gave her all is being thrown away.
A tenth of her earnings could support her in luxury for the remainder of her life, even if she is not a broodmare candidate.
Bold Faced Greed,Lack of Caring and A Cold,Cold Heart are Blind Lucks’ thank you for faltering, just once, in a stellar career.
Deborah Richman
I can’t wait to root for Nereid and Star billing next weekend! High Hooves to both of them!! With YOUR John, we all know that they have a trainer who truly cares about them as individuals.
I am still so upset about BL and the other fillies who are being sold at auction after giving so much to their owners. I remember when Ann Moss said something about “these magnificent beings in the form of throughbreds”, or something like that. She seemed to appreciate Zenyatta and all the horses on a very deep level. I was moved to tears by her words.
If ALL horses had owners who felt this way, horse racing would be an ever growing sport instead of an ever shrinking sport. I think the majority of people LIKE to get to know and care about the horses they are rooting for at the track. Forming a bond with the adorable, amazing, equine athletes is what makes horse racing so uniquely fascinating.
I would warrant that VERY FEW fans want these wonderous creatures to be treated as if they are “just a business”.
Ingrid Arnone
@ Heidi, I agree with you, we have to pray for all of them, I think Blind Luck owners are very cold people, why they want to sell that great horse, Hugs Ingrid.
janet Cutting
@JAG — one more thing– I went to the Candle site– I lit a candle and sent it to 2 friends. Cool site!!!!!!! Have a great evening.
Ingrid Arnone
@ Deborah Richman, I also agree with you, how sad with this people selling these great horses, hugs Ingrid.
The Kennedys in San Diego
@Terry Crow — Thank you. Obviously, we love Blind Luck — such a kind filly on our visits to her barn with amazing heart and talent — a true racehorse.
Terry Crow
@Diana S-In my case it was San Quentin. I claim dual redneckedness, California and southern.
judy berube
Dear Deborah Richman:
I think what you say is very true. Most fans do form a bond with these beautiful creatures. For a lot of us, it never was about the gambling; betting side of the sport. It’s always been about the horses. About their beauty, their courage, their heart. How they give their all and how beautiful they look doing it. It’s also been about how they’re treated and cared for after their racing days are over. Hugs, JB
judy berube
Dear Diana S.:
You’re cracking me up. Ha, ha. Hugs, JB
Terry Crow
@Diana S-Since you have California roots, I nominate you as president of the combined Arizona/California chapter of the redneck club. I’m sure Denise in AZ would acknowledge you as such.
Terry Crow
@JAG-Agree with you completely on the name. I also note that the posters which were pushing that name have disappeared. @Judy Berube-I am beginning to wonder if we should anoint you the president of the New England chapter of the redneck club. The first recruits would be the people I just read about. A family from Mass got lost in a corn maze and had to call 911 so the cops could lead them out of it. If that isn’t redneck,I don’t know what is.
signofthetimes
I just read that when a horse finishes badly that
They have to have monitored times works and the stewards
Stewards have to approve the horse to return to the
Track. Maybe Hollendorfer did not want that to happen to
Him. Read these rules on article about Indian Tale, do they
Apply in CA?
The Kennedys in San Diego
@judy berube — You expressed our sentiments beautifully.
JAG / California :-)
@ Mary Copelin
Regarding how to get a hard copy of the Paddock magazine. You might want to try SA at this link:
http://www.santaanita.com/content/thoroughbreds-club
They had copies at the desk, however, if they’ve run out, I would hope they could direct you to the appropriate person or department. Good luck!
~~~~~~~~
Your sentiments about the Z Dumplings celebrating my b’day are greatly apprecited ~ yes, it was so much FUN! But, they are FUN PEEPS to begin with :-)
Judy
JAG / California :-)
@ janet Cutting
THANK YOU for visiting the gratefulness candles ~ on behalf of ALL horses ~ thank you!
Judy
The Kennedys in San Diego
@signofthetimes — Very interesting. I would like to know the answer to the “monitored timed works” question.
signofthetimes
@Terry Crow
Agree with your recc for Holendorfer, he never should
Have got there. Great jokes today and red neck
Comments. Love your appointments for regional
Officers in the Red Neck club. You have the best sense
Of humor. No wonder your daughter is so happy, all
Those years of laughing.
signofthetimes
@The Kennedys
Maybe living in CA you could find out what
Happens in that situation there. I feel very bad
For her and both of you. You provided us lots of
Information about her to us that really got us
Involved with watching her. I remember at the Eclipse
Award when the CV surgeon owner was absolutely
Giddy over her and her racing and then this.
Thanks so much for all of the personal touches
You provide us about CA racing, horses and experiences.
judy berube
Dear Jeanie:
I think this is the photo you were looking for. It’s a real gem. You have to click on it to enlarge the photo. Hugs, JB
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.1sthorse.com/1h/images/stories/zenyatta-mike.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.1sthorse.com/1h/index.php%3Foption%3Dcom_k2%26view%3Ditem%26id%3D129:zenyatta-the-queen%26Itemid%3D110%26tmpl%3Dcomponent%26print%3D1&h=500&w=417&sz=34&tbnid=ITzAI7GDO3pq5M:&tbnh=90&tbnw=75&prev=/search%3Fq%3DPhotos%2Bof%2BMike%2BSmith%2Band%2BZenyatta%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=Photos+of+Mike+Smith+and+Zenyatta&docid=7z7H7kK3l1T8MM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=jyiWTuLKOczhsQLfpKjvAQ&ved=0CEYQ9QEwDA
signofthetimes
@JAG
Hope you have not washed that cheek, Mike Smith
Kissed.
judy berube
Dear Kennedy’s in San Diego:
I know how much you love Blind Luck and I so enjoyed the wonderful photos you took of her. Z fans really are kindred spirits. We love the horses for themselves. Hugs, JB
judy berube
Dear Terry Crow:
You got me laughing out loud again. I told my cousins not to call 911. They never listen to me. Hugs, JB
signofthetimes
@Judy B
Thanks for that link with Mike hugging Zenny.
I missed that article.
LouAnn Cingel of Union, Missouri
Thanks lots for giving us the news on what is going on this weekend and it sure sounds exciting and wil be watching and wishing the best of luck to both of the fillies, Nereid and Star Billing-both beautiful and talented. Sure hope the weather is good for the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup this sat.
Sure miss you Zenyatta and am glad that you are doing so well. Think of you each day and it brings warmth and happiness to my soul. Love you lots and lots. Hugs, Love & Blessings to you and little Z/B!
signofthetimes
@Elizabeth
Thanks for posting that link to Fred Stone’s drawing
Of Charismatic and his jockey. This picture is
The true love of a jockey and his horse. He saved
The horses life and he was able to breed.
signofthetimes
@Abigail from Montreal
Thanks so much for that lovely link from Our Mims,
For retired broodmares, like Old Friends is for retired stallions
And geldings. Two very special groups. Maybe Zenny needs
To do an event for Our Mims and her fellow retired racing broodmares.
They are Too Cute. Especially the 31 and 29 year old walking out
In AM when the younger ones charge out.
judy berube
Dear Signofthetimes:
That’s exactly what happened with Indian Tale. Mr. Dutrow ran her 4 times in 11 days; 8/7, 8/11/8/15/8/18/11. On the 18th she was eased, ran last and was walked off. The Saratoga stewards placed her on their Watch List. RD worked her a couple of times and she wasn’t entered in a race again until 10/4/11 at Parx. She was entered for the first time ever in a Claiming race and finished. Hugs,JB
judy berube
Dear Signofthetimes:
Sweet photo isn’t it! Hugs, JB
judy berube
Oops. On Indian Tale’s race at Parx on 10/4/11, meant to say she “finished 3rd”.
Hugs, JB
Alex Bowdoin
@Elizabeth in OR, Thank you so much for the link to the Fred Stone painting of Charismatic and Chris. One look and the tears took over. Have the kleenex at hand if you watch the ESPN special. What a gorgeous horse he is and I hope he is safe in Japan and will come home after is stallion duty is done. Meeting this big handsome Chestnut touched my soul…Hugs to all.