Good Morning,
It is October 24th…the day for Pre-Entries to take place for the 2011 Breeders’ Cup. This means that ALL horses who are hoping to run in the World Championship races this year must let the officials know their plans by going through the pre-entry process.
By noon today East Coast time, a pre-entry form for each participating horse and the fees must be submitted to the Breeders’ Cup Office. The BC Staff, in turn, will compile the various entries for each race and get them ready for publication. A horse may be pre-entered for 2 events at this time. On the form, the owner/trainer places a 1 by their first choice and a 2 by their second race option. If the horse is planning on just one race, that is the only race these connections pre-enter for at this time.
If a race does not “overfill”…which means less than 14 entrants, all pre-entered horses will get the opportunity to run in the race of their choice. If the race does “overfill / oversubscribe”…which means more than 14 horses select a particular race as their first choice, then the Racing Secretaries Panel selects the top 14 horses they feel should be in this race based upon their Past Performances for the year, current form, and points earned. The other horses go on the Also Eligible list.
This Wednesday, after all of the above is considered, the final list of pre-entries is released to the press. The horses continue to train, prepare, and work towards their BIG DAY!
Step 2 of this process takes place on October 31st. The final entry procedures are completed. At this time, if a horse has been pre-entered in 2 races, his/her connections must now declare which race they will be participating in…their preference. The final entry fees are paid. The post positions are drawn and the fields for the 2 days of racing are finalized.
In the oversubscribed races, the first 14 horses are in the body of the race for the post position draw and 2 other horses will be listed as ALSO-ELIGIBLES. They will be listed in order of preference by the Racing Secretaries Panel. It is all such a detailed and well-organized process. Wishing all the best to each horse pre-entered this morning and their connections. It is such a special time!
With Love,
Hugs to All~(Yeah, Black Caviar! #15…I’m sending you a HIGH HOOF for your accomplishment!)
Z
suew
Zenny, what a great post today. I am learning so much about racing from your little diary…keep the info coming. I just love reading all the details. You will be missed on the track for sure this year…BUT the fact you are safe and sound and enjoying the good life is enough for me.
Kimberly Potter
@Jeanie~
6. And before every race…I would pray that they all come home safe and sound!
Believe me
, I am a hard-core race watcher and have done it many, many times at home alone. I used to go to the local casino and hang with the old timers…it was fun. But I really do prefer to watch at home now, because you can hear all the commentary and scream and yell all you want, which is sooo me. I couldn’t do that at the casino….well, I could, but people looked at me funny… :)
Mary
A hole in my heart as I hear the ads for BC and your near miss last year, Zenyatta. Sooooo close.
Take care, Hugs and Prayers
Jeanie
@Kimberly
@Z’isters
6. Definitely. I pray for all to come home safe. I can’t stand it when one is pulled up, or worse yet, goes down. I don’t know if I should even say this out loud, but I am more stressed for the horses than the riders. I think that is because their injuries are too often fatal and riders not so much.
So what other RITUALS are out there? At Bill and Lill’s we have informal on-site betting and there is the ritual of snacks and adult beverages while watching, but no meal until its over. Then we all eat together and we go out and look at the broodmares and the babies. I guess they’d be weanlings now…and they come up and breathe that warm breath on you with their soft little noses and they are so beautiful you just want to stick one in your pocket and take it home.
j
Erin
HDG all they way from winning the Classic to HOY! She seems to be in her prime this year and doing so great. Zenny would be so proud extending the “girl power”. Read that the exercize rider will have a camera each day she is at Churchhill next week recording her practices then put them on YouTube.
SHERRY D. WV.
@SHARI VOLTZ AND LARRY…I WILL REMEMBER To LIFT UP PRAYERS.. @EVELINE IN MARYLAND,DO YOU OWN A MORGAN HORSE?? MY FIRST HORSE WAS A MORGAN MARE NAMED BLACK MAGIC. SHE PASSED AWAY IN OCTOBER OF 1991. I STILL HAVE HER SON MAGNUM OPUS, HE IS TWENTY THREE NOW. BEST WISHES TO ALL..SHERRY D. WV.
M. Kern
Thanks for the info. Love you Queen Z!
Deborah Richman, So. Cal.
@Jeanie…Enjoyed your story about your friends Bill and Lili!
@Elaine from Deerfield…Welcome!
@Sue Fredricks…Your description of the open house at LE was mouth wateringly good. Sounds wonderful!
Eveline…thank you for your cute post to the “grandmas” :)
BREEDERS CUP HOME ALONE…
l. Dumpling tag, check
2. Tabby cat who enjoys watching racing on tv, check
3. Zenyatta Breyer on table nearby, check
4. A small glass of Guinness, check
5. Some Pirates Booty, check
6. Talk to all the “babies” as they run around the track, yelling and screaming if I am rooting for a certain one. But tell them they all did well after it is over (being home alone you can do this :), check
Debbie G/Kentucky
Thank you for another informative post, Zenny. I always learn so much from you. Who do you like in the Classic? I love Uncle Mo, but I’m going to have to cheer for Havre de Grace. I can’t resist cheering for the girls! I love you, big girl!
@Kennedys – Thanks for the Uncle Mo link. I loved that picture of him with his kitty buddy. Too cute!
@Shari Voltz – I hope your husband is OK. I just said a prayer for him.
@Jeanie – Cute post. On BC day I –
1. Wear my Zenyatta shirt and earrings
2. I turn my phone off and ignore the doorbell
3. My cats are brown and calico, so they stay inside, although they’d prefer to go out because my screaming scares them.
4. I sit on the floor right in front of the TV and scream and smack the floor like CRAZY!
5. I usually have a glass of wine to help calm me down a little
6. And I, like Kimberly Potter, also pray that everyone has a safe trip.
I like to watch big races at home alone, like Kimberly said, because you can scream all you want and hear everything that’s going on. My mom calls me after big race, too, to talk about it.
Carole #42 Wisconsin
@Shari Voltz, Praying for you husband that everything is all right..take care.
Zenyatta, love to you and baby and kisses on your soft nose. XOXO
Irene Caty
Hi there Zenny,it is getting near the time for your party and celebration and I’m sure that you and your barn 55 are really excited. Have alot of fun and I’m sure the event will be a real success. I hope the weather will be good that day so all can really enjoy. I will be anxious to see the pictures. Have fun all!
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Z and Dottie:
Thank you for all the info on preparation for the BC. Love you and love to all of you, Judy and Russ:
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Shari Voltz:
Will remember you and your husband in our prayers. Hugs, Judy and Russ
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Kennedy’s in San Diego:
Thanks for all the links, especially the one of Mo and his “kitty” friend. Hugs, JB
Lou Naylor in TX
I think this is the perfect place to find out what you wear on Breeder’s Cup weekend. I will only be there on Friday and attend Miss ‘Z’s” celebration lunch and the races that day. I have been planning on wearing my Horse of the Year Zenyatta shirt plus my FOB pin. Does this sound ok? Also wear black slacks and blk flats. Really want to be comfortable since I’ll be at CH all day and that evening for the KY Oaks. Can’t even put into words how excited I am to see Team Z and Miss Z herself via live feed from LE. Really sad that Zazu isn’t going to be in the Oaks.
God Bless all the horses running BC weekend and may they all come home safe.
Lou in TX
Ingrid Arnone. South Beach.
@ Signofthetimes, yes you write I don’t think the Mosses will like to part with any one, but, like you say maybe Zenyatta’s grand’s, Ingrid.
Mary
Talking about the Breeder’s Cup makes me think back to 2009 Z…wow, what a performance you did…as the announcer said about your performance…”one we will never forget”….I watched again the 2009 race on youtube two nights ago….twice… and got tears…happy tears for a remarkable beautiful filly who us fans love!!!
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Terry Crow:
Thinking of you and hoping all is well. Hugs, JB
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Kari B.:
Thinking of you and wishing you well. Hugs, JB
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear DJ:
Left you a post at the bottom of Diary No. 362.
Hugs, JB
Ingrid Arnone. South Beach.
Dear Judy B, HI! It has been a wile I do not hear from you, Ingrid.
signofthetimes
@All Z fans
Thanks for all the great ideas for watching the BC
At home. How much fun a BC party!!!!
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Z Fans:
A photo and story tribute to Fleet Indian by Barbara Livingston. Hugs, JB
http://www.drf.com/blogs/fleet-indian-aka-large-marge
signofthetimes
@Ingrid
It would still be wonderful to have a grand Zenny/B.
It is so impressive that you would think to buy one.
What a lot of fun you would have!!!
tony and sue
Zenny, you continue to rock the world as no other. You are the standard by which all should be measured. A heart and intelligence which is superior to most…and the talent to dust them all as you roared from behind the pack. Such memories…and smiles and tears of joy that you are now retired safely at beautiful LE.
LauraJ
@Lou Naylor in TX, you will be dressed appropriately. It may be cold, however. It was very chilly last year. Bring a hat and gloves. The seats can get cold, especially if you are sitting on the metal bleacher seats. I brought a blanket last year and was glad I did. (BTW, you mean the Ladies’ Classic. The Kentucky Oaks is run on the Friday of Derby Weekend.)
Elizabeth S.
Thanks for such a detailed explanation of the entry process! It’s something I have never understood in great detail. :)
The Kennedys in San Diego
Havre de Grace — Two videos of HDG posted on her Facebook page — the first of her work today, the second of her morning bath. A third video will be posted later — the view from her jockey’s helmet camera.
Eveline / Maryland.
@ SherryD – no I have never owned a Morgan, I do think they are beautiful. At the moment I don’t own a horse. A friends retired TB is in my name, but she cares for him. As for BC rituals : I often have to work, because it’s a big day on most tracks. I normally rush home and have my husband fill me in. This year I’m taping everything. The cats (big yellow boy, little gray/white girl) will help me watch. Don’t do much yelling at home, it scares the dog. I’ve got no problem cheering for my horses in public. I’ve stood on tables and benches, scared tellers yelling at the monitor and one day I got so nervous rooting for my horse in Saratoga ( a very close second in a stake race ) that a lady told me ;it was more fun watching me run circles than to watch the actual race. Oh well. I’m always nervous until the horse is back safe. Our regular jockey takes his time turning around after the race and jogging back and he gives me regular heart failure if I can’t find him.
Delrene from Carlsbad, Ca
Wow – Thanks Zenyatta for the educational post regarding the BC entries. We learn so much from you and Dottie.
@Shari – hugs and a prayer for you and hubby.
Lots of excitement. Last year when I watched the BC on Saturday at home, I made a really nice lunch for my friend Judy and myself. We snacked and ate and had a Guinness in your honor. When your race came (finally) I was a nervous wreck. It was your greatest race and triumph even in losing by a hair on your chin. This year, since I’ll be watching grandkids, I will DVR it and try not to look at the internet or tv so I can watch the whole 2 days in peace and quiet. Belatedly, but a promise made is a promise kept as far as childcare for grandchildren. It was fun reading about all the rituals some of you do on BC TV watching from home.
and such an interesting story re: the Seabiscuit connection from a poster.
Hope you and TT are enjoying a great Monday.