Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Z's Diary

Diary Post #366

The European Horses go to the track together at a special time each morning while at THE DOWNS. Photo by John Shirreffs

Good Morning,

We have all had a day to review the Breeders’ Cup pre-entries and the anticipated fields. It will be very interesting to follow the cross-entered horses as they finalize their racing plans.

The next step in the ENTRY process for the Championship EVENTS will take place on October 31st. This is the day when the connections formally ENTER their horse for a specific race and the final fees are paid by the owner. Fourteen horses will be accepted for the BODY of each field and 2 also-eligibles…if the race is over-subscribed.

To quote the Breeders’ Cup Horsemens’ Information Guide on the final entry options which might be considered on this day, “A horse will be permitted to enter 2 Breeders’ Cup Championships races under the following conditions: (i) the horse is eligible for both races; (ii) the races will be contested on different days; (iii) the pre-entry and entry fees are paid for both races; and (iv) neither race is oversubscribed. A horse may not double-enter Breeders’ Cup Championships races if the effect of such double entry is to exclude another horse from competing. A horse entered in two Championship races on different days may not compete on both days.”

“Scratch time for all Championships races to be contested on both Championship Friday and Championship Saturday will be 8:00 a.m. (EDT, Friday, November 4, 2011.”

Thus, a horse like GIO PONTI will have to decide the race he is competing in by the October 31st Entry dead-line. He has pre-entered for both the MILE and the CLASSIC. They both run on the same day…so his decision must be finalized on this entry date. The same would be true of SIDNEY’S CANDY who is cross-entered in the MILE DIRT and TURF…which both run on the same day.

So many details! It is always interesting to note how many things need to be properly taken care of to make these days go smoothly for all concerned.

Amidst all of these things, the horses and their connections need to travel to CHURCHILL DOWNS, settle in, and train forwardly for these special races.

The European contingent arrives in large groups on certain days and must immediately go to a Quarantine Barn area. These horses reside in this special area during their stay at Churchill Downs and train together at a special designated time each morning.

Other participating horses arrive from different racing jurisdictions on the various plane schedules each trainer is working with right now. In reality, so many detailed ‘safety procedures’ on so many specific levels are constantly initiated and followed by our industry for the benefit of all.

There is so much to think about right now!

With Love,
Hugs to All~(A special hug to our dear friend,Samantha, at this very difficult time…the loss of her beloved father, Mace.)
Z

Reader Interactions

175 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Thanks for all the information, Zenny!
    Have a good night and sweet dreams. Sincere sympathy to your Samantha. Hugs.
    @Judy Berube: Loved the poem, A Horse’s Prayer. Tears did fall! Sweet!

  2. / Reply

    @Joyce in Vegas; your sure doing a great job investigating Omaha although some info disheartning.
    @Dawn Conrad; Yesterdays picture was FUN; after blowing things up who is the horse on the very bottom on left side? Can you tell?

  3. / Reply

    @ Kathleen Kimber KC.MO
    What I love about peeps sharing their State or Country, we can now relate to each other, not only for our mutual Love and Admiration for The Queen, but on a personal level. I just found one with YOU! My late husband, John, was born in Kansas City, Missouri! :-)
    ~~~~~
    He passed away in 1991, but he left me with a his love for JOHN HENRY ~ John sent me ZENYATTA after he crossed Rainbow Bridge to be with my, John! :-)
    Judy G

  4. / Reply

    @ALL who bookmarked the KHP web came ~ You are welcome! Enjoy! Sometimes the cam will malfunction, but I’m quick to contact my “connection” at the park to get it fixed LOL They know me too well (wink wink)

  7. / Reply

    @JAG—if you hadn’t posted the kitten/crow link, I would have. will check out the KPH cam.
    @judy berube–that is the most touching poem. I’m going to try to get a copy. @Dawn Conrad–glad you could stay toasty inside.

  8. / Reply

    Good day Queen Z…you are so full of information about BC, it is great to hear all of your(Dotties) comments!
    Regarding Omaha: I live in Omaha and spent many happy days at Aksarben racetrack. I can tell you that Omaha had a place of honor at the track and the employees took special pride in caring for his monument. His grave was left even after the grand stand was torn down. That’s when the discovery was made that his remains were not under the marker. I spoke with some of the staff involved and they felt the marking of the grave was off
    by about 20 feet. Many attempts were made to find the exact site but they were not successful. Don Lee wrote for the World-Herald and had a lot of knowledge about racing perhaps checking some of his old stories might help everyone know that Omaha was beloved by our city.

  9. / Reply

    Tony and Sue, yes it was Grand seeing Zenyatta run and no there will never be another for all the reasons you mentioned. She was so great and gracefull on the track and had a unbeatable personality. Love you Zenny always!

  10. / Reply

    To the Kennedy’s and JAG: I’m glad you enjoyed my fantasy of Tasty Temptation driving the get away van whisking a pregnant Zenny off to race against the girls in the Breeders Cup Fillies and Mares Classic.
    Your idea to have someone do a sketch of it would be awesome. I am still laughing about it.
    I wish someone could do a series of sketches of the adventures of Zen and Tasty Temptations LOL.
    Their next sojourn could be Tasty flying a plane to LA to take Zenny to compete in Dancing for the Stars. Or TT could fly Zenny to NY to join the Rockettes for their XMAS show. And of course, there would have to be sketches of Zenny dancing.
    It would be great if someone would do something this to benefit retired race horses.

  11. / Reply

    Congratulations to Rapid Redux…I know he is not our Dear Zenyatta and He is not running at the level Z did. However…He has done what has been asked of him, everytime asked. For that He and his connections deserve a great big congratulations!! And RR deserve a big hug with extra peppermints and carrots.

    Z and Dottie…thanks for all the Breeders Cup information, wish I could have been there for the party..but at times things just don’t go as planned.

    Sweet dreams to all xoxo

  13. / Reply

    I hope rapid redux have an excellent retirement place the owner plan for him cause he deserve it, he earn the money by working hard. The horse deserve to have a good future.Good evening and goodnight my queen Zenyatta hugs and kisses to your soft nose love ya candi

  14. / Reply

    Thanks to far too many to mention for all the great links. The Poem, I just cried and didn’t wipe away the tears. My two cats are hanging around the computer and think I’ve lost it….. and the Kentucky Horse Park link – added it to my favorites. I will check back often. Everyone has such great input. Thanks so much Zenyatta and Dottie. I can’t thank you enough for this forum for All Things Zenyatta.

  16. / Reply

    @Samantha—So sorry to hear that you lost your dear dad. Condolences to you and your family.
    @Gloria Jeanne—Great photo of the beautiful Zenyatta on the carousel! Thanks!
    @Maureen, Leiana, and JAG—Looking forward to visiting Giacomo and his new friends in Santa Ynez.
    @The Kennedys—Thanks for the excellent link to the Havre de Grace article.
    @Erin—Lovely post about Eight Belles, Larry Jones and Havre de Grace, his “saving Grace.”
    @Joyce in Vegas—Great research on the beloved champion Omaha. High hoof.
    @Tony and Sue—Loved your post about the incomparable Z.
    @Vicki B—Good redneck jokes! Thanks for filling in for the missing—and missed—Terry Crow.
    @Margaret—I read with disappointment that Jason Meduna’s parole is “pending,” meaning he will be paroled if the state to which he wishes to go will accept him and the responsibility of his parole supervision. At least he cannot “reside, own, or possess any animals for 30 years.” http://www.kneb.com/news/index.php?more=mz7ryxju
    @John Miller—So nice to see your post, and I look forward to hearing more from you. Which state are you in (if you don’t mind saying)?
    @Judy Berube—Great poem!
    @Quarterhossgal—Great info about Omaha. Thanks. I hope your mare Bailey is still recovering well.
    @TerriZ of So. Florida—What great ideas you have for the adventures of Z and TT! High hoof!

  17. / Reply

    Note: I got an “awaiting moderation,” so I am reposting without the link I had included about Jason Meduna…
    @Samantha—So sorry to hear that you lost your dear dad. Condolences to you and your family.
    @Gloria Jeanne—Great photo of the beautiful Zenyatta on the carousel! Thanks!
    @Maureen, Leiana, and JAG—Looking forward to visiting Giacomo and his new friends in Santa Ynez.
    @The Kennedys—Thanks for the excellent link to the Havre de Grace article.
    @Erin—Lovely post about Eight Belles, Larry Jones and Havre de Grace, his “saving Grace.”
    @Joyce in Vegas—Great research on the beloved champion Omaha. High hoof.
    @Tony and Sue—Loved your post about the incomparable Z.
    @Vicki B—Good redneck jokes! Thanks for filling in for the missing—and missed—Terry Crow.
    @Margaret—I read with disappointment that Jason Meduna’s parole is “pending,” meaning he will be paroled if the state to which he wishes to go will accept him and the responsibility of his parole supervision. At least he cannot “reside, own, or possess any animals for 30 years.”
    @John Miller—So nice to see your post, and I look forward to hearing more from you. Which state are you in (if you don’t mind saying)?
    @Judy Berube—Great poem!
    @Quarterhossgal—Great info about Omaha. Thanks. I hope your mare Bailey is still recovering well.
    @TerriZ of So. Florida—What great ideas you have for the adventures of Z and TT! High hoof!

  18. / Reply

    zenny-thinking about one year ago and the excitement that was brewing. I am excited about this year as well.

    Love you, Big Mare,
    Kim

  20. / Reply

    Dearest Zenyatta,
    You’re such a wealth of information and I love soaking it all in.
    The weather is turning cooler. I hope you’re keeping yourself and baby Z/B warm. Let’s keep our hooves and fingers crossed that the weather will be great for all the Breeder’s Cup action. And, of ocurse, your party! Who better to host a party than the Queen herself? :)
    Love you, dear girl.
    Stel

  21. / Reply

    Good morning Zenny and Tasty – the frost is on the pumpkins and the car windshields this morning so I hope that you are both wearing your winter sweaters if you are outside. It’s getting very exciting Zenny waiting for your party and the BC races. So many of my favorites are entered that I’m having a hard time deciding on winners but the important thing is that all of them come home safely. I so wish that I could be at CD for all the excitement but I’m hoping for 2012 in sunny California.

  22. / Reply

    Good luck to all the barn 5 horses in the breeders cup!!! Personally I hope Candy does the Mile Dirt, and Gio Ponti does the Classic…. but I just discovered that they decided to do the mile. ah well, I’m not always correct I suppose :)

  26. / Reply

    Dear Zenny,
    It has been a busy week. Love the photos of the Euros going to the track. So hope Goldi wins her fourth BC Mile. Her year has been tough facing those young colts with raging hormones (Canford Cliffs), but she has had a great year. Really looking forward to BC
    hope it does not rain as projected. Have a great day with TT.

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