Happy Wednesday!
This morning, the fields will be announced for the 2011 World Championships. I’ve just heard that 193 horses did pre-enter for this year’s events! 29 of them will be coming from overseas!
In our sport, so many wonderful horses…so accomplished, so talented, so dedicated…have paved the way for ALL OF US who followed. MY JOHN saw this collage and couldn’t resist taking the photo. He absolutely loves and respects the history of our sport. It is so important to take the time and honor horses who have done so much for our industry.
When you trace pedigree lines so many of these names appear. These horses and their accomplishments truly did impact our sport….not just on a racing level…but to the breeding sheds for decades and decades.
I wonder…as they announce the fields this morning….which horses will be etching his / her names into the historical journals for our sport in the generations to come?
Goldikova has already made such an impressive mark as she returns to defend her title for the 4th year in a row. This is truly something to be honored. My pal, Gio Ponti, is cross-entered in both the MILE and the CLASSIC. Hmmm…I wonder which race his connections will select? This will be his third straight year of Breeders’ Cup participation…on a such a high level. What an outstanding achievement this is!
Several other very talented horses as Switch, Courageous Cat, Midday and Shared Account (to name a few) who have very prominently participated in prior CUP RACES are returning to the event this year. Anytime an athlete can remain at such a high performance level for so many seasons…it is noteworthy on so many levels. I must say, I am SO PROUD of ALL OF THESE HORSES and THEIR CONNECTIONS!
All the best to the 193 pre-entered horses as they continue to prepare for their respective races. We will have so much FUN following them during the next several days!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Countdown to MY PARTY…10 days! I’m getting SO EXCITED! Buy Tickets
Abigail from Montreal
@ Ann Maree: Thanks so much! I’m glad that some of THE VAULT affords good rereads. So you’re from Tennessee….so close to Kentucky. I envy you that! Hugs from me to you.
JAG Adores Zenyatta & John Henry / So. CA
@ Ann Maree
I’m going to sorely miss meeting ALL of you Dumplings! My heart and soul will be with Zenyatta! (I’m going to cry just thinking about it).
Ann Maree, you are such a sweetheart to “label” me Z’s #1 fan, but I am NOT! I’m merely a tear drop ripple among the thousands and thousands and thousands of “#1 Zenyatta Fans of the World”! I’m humbled and truly blessed for having been around Zenyatta – truly! She makes me smile… just like John Henry! :-)
Bless you all!
Judy G
Alene
Hi Zenny.. Love the picture. I thought I saw a photo stuck in the corner of the frame. I`ll bet I know who that is!!!!It`s you beautiful, (blush blush)… I hope all the horses do well. Yes, I have some favorites but the most important thing to me is that they all remain healthy!!!!! Lots of Big Hugs and Kisses, Alene xxxooo
LauraJ
@Elaine G., in the U.S., stakes races are graded by the American Graded Stakes Committee every year. Some of the things they consider are history of the race, quality of entries, purse size, and standard testing procedures among other things. Here is a link to everything you’s ever want to know about the grading process:
http://www.toba.org/graded-stakes/
–
Criteria for entering a graded stakes race vary. These criteria are set forth in a document called “condition book.” A condition book is published for each meet at each track. The conditions for every race from the lowest maiden claiming race on up through G1 races are determined by the racing secretary. Conditions include eligibility for entry, weight allowances, and so forth. Some races, such as the Kentucky Derby, have elaborate conditions that incorporate traditions and strict eligibility criteria.
–
To enter a stakes race, graded or otherwise, each horse must first be nominated, generally by its trainer. A fee may be required, which can vary from nominal–$50 or so–to tens of thousands for a late nomination (supplement). There may be another fee to pass the entry box (draw for a post) and yet another to start.
–
Often there are more nominations than post positions available. Generally, eligibility is determined by highest grade won, stakes earnings, or some combination thereof. Most first-time stakes horses have been entered previously in MSW, allowance, or even claiming races. It is rare, but not unheard-of, for a horse to enter a stakes as its first race (example–Terlingua, Secretariat’s daughter). However, the racing secretary is free to reject an entry if s/he feels the horse is not of the appropriate class.
–
Here is an example of the fees for a stakes race taking place at Belmont on Saturday:
–
STAKES Bold Ruler H. – Grade: 3
.
Purse: $ 100,000. A Handicap For Three-year-olds And Upward. No Nomination Fee. $500 To Pass The Entry Box And An Additional $500 To Start. A Supplemental Nomination Fee Of $1,000 May Be Made At Any Point Prior To The Publications Of Weights. All Starters Including Supplements will be required to pay both entry and starting fees. The purse to be divided 60% to the winner, 20% to second, 10% to third, 5% to fourth, 3% to fifth and 2% divided equally among the remaining finishers. A trophy will be presented to the winning owner. Closed Sat., Oct. 15, 2011 with 28 nominations. Seven Furlongs.
Since it is a handicap race, there are no set weights. Instead, the weights will be assigned by the secretary.
Kim
Love the picture of you & Tasty in Bloodhorse this week!!
Pati in NC
BC won’t be the same without you Big Z… it’s not the same without the Zenyatta Train coming down the stretch and running everyone down. How I miss you everyday :)
Paula Higgins
What a wonderful poster/collage of racings greats. Love that Man O’War is in the center. I have a very soft spot for him, Secretariat, Phar Lap, Dr. Fager and Seabiscuit. Yes, Gio Ponti is a go to kind of guy. He is the gift that keeps in giving, just like Zenny. Just love him!
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Ingrid Arnone:
Hope your Mom is feeling better. Hugs, JB
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Z,
Goodnight and Sweet Baby Dreams. Love you lots, Judy and Russ
#1 New England fan
@Ingrid in MA — Definitely Z-cousins!
Vicki B.
@Kim – I didn’t find anything “this week” at Bloodhorse.com with Z & Tasty T, so I’m guessing you mean the print version? Online, there’s Sept. 19 (http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/throughthelens/archive/2011/09/19/zenyatta-s-new-friends.aspx).
sueW/Va
Zenny, please be sure we get lots of pictures from your party since many of us aren’t able to make it. No doubt, you will look fabulous as usual.
Vicki B.
I just got the “ok” today to take Friday Nov. 4 off work (Yay!!), so I can watch whatever BC festivities are available on the tube. Gettin’ ready!
Sunny Boyd
Good evening Zenyatta,
yes, that picture with all those great horses is truly special. Just like you :)
Hope you had a great day with lotsa good grass & hay & a carrot or two.
Have a restful night and sweet dreams
Janice
My best guess is that the photo in the lower left corner of John’s picture is Will Harbut and Man o’ War. Also, think that the horse to the right of Swaps is Buckpasser.
Barbara Wood (Texas)
@Ingrid A–I do hope your mom is better soon.
Dear Z–good night, sweet girl. You and Baby Z. sleep well. Love you always.
@Dawn Conrad and the snowed-in Colorado Dumplings–stay warm.
@Kari Bussell, Terry Crow, and DJ–still missing you.
Deborah Richman, So. Cal.
What a great photo collage of history-making horses! Thanks to YOUR John for sharing it with us, and thanks to all the Z-sters who were able to name the horses! Thank you to everyone for all the links and wonderful posts yesterday and today. This site is a remarkable resource for horse racing history.
@Shari Voltz…Hoofray for your husband! So glad he is home from the hospital!
@Doreen in Connecticut…thank you for your congratulations on my new grandson! Being a grandma is the BEST!
Susan in TN…Congratulations on the upcoming marriage of your son! May the day be joyous for all of you.
Molly
John, the suspense is killing me. Please give us the list of all the horses in this wonderful collage of champions. I’m sure someone will come out with a collage of female champions soon as they have really gone wild.
Joyce in Vegas
@Allie – I’ve sent emails to the Omaha World Herald sports desk and Horsemen’s Park (a tiny race track in Omaha that only has live racing 4 days a year . . . just enough to qualify them for simulcasting privileges) to see if anyone can help us find Omaha’s bones.
Marty R / Colorado
This collage of champions is outstanding, very well put together. It’s not hard to see why Your John, being the racing history buff he is, was taken with it and wanted to photgraph it. I am truly amazed by the Zenyatta fans who recognize or can read the names of the horses in the collage. Man O War stands out to me then I can “squint” out a few other names. ( Tried using a magnifying glass to no avail) It would be wonderful to know the horses’ names in order.
Every day I am astounded by the knowledge that is so generously shared here.
We did get snow overnight and continuing through most of the day, but not to the extent that was predicted. There are some low hanging branches on trees still in full leaf.
I’m hoping for perfect racing weather for all in Kentucky next week. And, especialy hope it’s great for Zenyatta’s party while she performs her hostess duties from Lanes End.
Snoprinz
Hats off to all the great race horses and their connections. This collage of champions is priceless. Thanks for sharing.
Linda Henderson
I love the Breeders’Cup too.
Delrene from Carlsbad, Ca
Looking at some back articles in the LA Times and here is one about California racetracks. Zenny you ran the pants off all of them…. You gave us so much excitement. But happy you are having a good ol’ time in Ky with TT.
Sleep tight http://www.latimes.com/travel/destinations/california/la-tr-racetracks-20111016,0,6776724.story
Irene Caty
Hi Zenny, I love the picture that John took of the Collage but I cant make out the other horses, only Man O War. He was such a great horse and so were the others. In our time today you are the greateast of all and your ears are so special. I always admire them in every picture of you thay I see. I will love you always Zenyatta,enjoy your day.
Allie
@Joyce in Vegas ~ Good work. I am going to try and contact Seth Hancock at Claiborne and the NTRA to see if I can get any leads. I was shocked that the racetrack would sell his original gravesite marker. It sure would be great if we could solve this mystery and preserve history.
Allie
@Joyce in Vegas ~ Is there a record anywhere of who bought Omaha’s gravesite marker? The racetrack also auctioned off a big picture of Omaha done in suede.
Barbara Wood (Texas)
@Kathleen Kimber–you are very welcome.
Nighty-night, all.
Allie
@Joyce in Vegas ~ According to Dennis Lee, Chairman of Nebraska Horseracing Commission or was at the time of this article, Omaha was originally buried near the East end of the grandstand. In 1974, a Clubhouse was constructed over Omaha’s gravesite. The marker was moved, but not the horse. Seems like there should be some sort of modern technology that could detect bones in that area. Hope this helps.
Sally B. (Wi)
@ Delrene from Carlsbad; Sounds like a wonderful time. I can only imagine how proud you were of your son.
@Allie; thank you for all your searching to locate the resting place for these greatest champions. It is a shame about Omaha. I agree, Omaha should be honored at a far better location such as Claiborne. (it’s late-spelling?) I am visiting Claiborne before the day of Z’s party.
@all, you all contribute so much on this site. I generally don’t say much, but I find everything so interesting, and want to let you know.
Sally B. (Wi)
@Allie and Joyce; are you saying that they placed a building over Omaha’s gravesite!? That is not appropriate Isn’t that a violation of a great horse that should have had respect?