Good Morning Everyone!
HOORAY! The 2 days of racing we have all been waiting for and planning on for the last several weeks…The World Championships…are now here! I truly want to wish all of the entrants and their connections ALL THE BEST! May this weekend of racing offer some of the most exciting moments in sports that we’ve enjoyed in quite some time! My Lane’s End pals are discussing their selections with us each day. Then TASTY and I add our thoughts after studying the DAILY RACING FORM and listening to the on-air handicappers. Hmmm, I wonder who will pick more winners: Matt, Sarah, David, Charles or ME???
Yesterday afternoon was SO MUCH FUN! MY TEAM came to visit ME. Everyone hugged and kissed ME Then they ‘checked out’ my BABY BUMP. MY JOHN looked ME over from head-to-tail. (I kept waiting for him to check my legs…just like he did for years at Barn 55.) The overall consensus was that I looked absolutely TOO CUTE! TASTY also joined in the fun and we had a wonderful afternoon.
Ann was so sweet! She and I cuddled for quite some time…and then she scratched ALL of my favorite spots. It was fabulous. I relaxed and truly enjoyed each moment! We talked about my party and all of the things going on in my life right now. It was truly like old times!
Later during the visit, I thought it would be fun to DO ANN’S HAIR for MY PARTY! She is such a good sport! I must say, this could be another career option for ME in the future.
As for MY PARTY, ALL of the festivities begin at 11:30 today. For those of you attending, please remember that the traffic patterns change on these busy World Championship Days. 4th Avenue is closed in certain spots as you get close to Churchill Downs, so please allow for this in your planning. The shuttle buses start running around 11:30 if you’d like to wait for them.
To enter the party, please go to the area by the BARBARO statue. You will see a sign by the doors of this building for the party. Please enter here. Your name, having ordered your tickets in advance, will be on a master list. Then go on in and have a GREAT TIME!
It has been such an amazing 12 months! Last November, I was at Churchill Downs preparing to run in the BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC! This year, I’m again SO FORTUNATE! I’m able to share in the festivities with my dear friends…just in a different role!
I’ll see you there…BABY BUMP and ALL! Oh, how I do love this modern day technology!
ENJOY!
Have a wonderful, wonderful weekend!
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~
Z
Kimberly Potter/Montana
@Trina~ Sarafina is full of herself for the BC Turf. Can she beat the boys? I’m rooting for her…and for all of them…lol
Kimberly Potter/Montana
WOW 18 yo jockey on St Nicholas Abbey, wins it in the BC Turf…for his trainer Dad, Aidan O’Brien. Very Cool! Great Job!
Trina Nagele in So Cal
Congratulations to father-son team: Joseph O’Brien, 18-year-old jockey and son of the trainer Aiden O’Brien, wins the BC Turf on St Nicholas Abbey. High hoof!
Especially Horses / CA
@Kimberly Potter and Trina Nagele: That really was an emotional race. What an experience and memory for the O’Brien family!
Kimberly Potter/Montana
@Especially Horses~ It was Fantastic…I still have tears. A moment they will never forget!
Barbara Wood (Texas)
@Debbie G–thanks for the report on the party. Congrats to all the winners. Yes, Amazombie. What a story!
Prayers for A.U. Miner.
Kimberly Potter/Montana
BC Juvenile coming up. These are the horses we will be seeing in the Ketucky Derby in May 2012. They are ALL special…but GO Union Rags!
Vicki B. near Hollywood Park
@Debbie G/Kentucky – Thanks for your recount of the party! and @Dawn Conrad – thanks for the link to the party article, with great pictures. I can’t believe we are going to see “a new limited plush toy of Zenyatta and baby that will be available next year.”
Kimberly Potter/Montana
Another fantastic race…tough trip for Union Rags. Excellent run by Hansen. Look for these two at the Kentucky Derby~
Trina Nagele in So Cal
BC Juvenile: Hansen leads wire-to-wire in an upset, but challenged by a game Union Rags who had to go wide at every turn and closed for second
Margaret
Hansen did a copycat of Blame! MAJOR BUMMER! I wanted Union Rags…
Trina Nagele in So Cal
@M Kern—Thanks for the links on Amazombie and A. U. Miner. I hope A. U.’s surgery goes well and he’ll be OK.
Trina Nagele in So Cal
@Margaret—I wanted Union Rags too.
Abigail from Montreal
@ALL: I would say that Hansen gave us quite a thrill, as did Union Rags, who I also favoured. But when Union Rags bobbled wide — I mean, he’s just a little guy — he lost it. That was EXACTLY how the great Nijinsky lost the Arc! I am just thrilled for Coolmore — and especially for young Joseph O’Brien. His victory on St. Nicholas Abbey is EXACTLY why I LOVE HORSE RACING!!!!
Especially Horses / CA
Win or lose, come home safe Goldi.
Ingrid Arnone. South Beach.
Wow! Wow! Thank you dear Mike Smith and thank you Amazombie, I bet on you $200.00 I won $1780.00, my adorable Zenyatta, what a beautiful photo, love you Ingrid.
@ Dear Judy B, I hope Russ is getting better, miss you hugs, Ingrid.
Trina Nagele in So Cal
Go, Goldikova, go! And come home safe, everybody!
Especially Horses / CA
Hansen sure looks like his daddy Tapit.
Trina Nagele in So Cal
Zenny, they’re still talking about YOU too as GOLDI comes onto the track!
Kimberly Potter/Montana
@Trina Nagele~ It look like we are on the same mode. lol
I have to root for Goldikova…Go Baby go Baby..GO!
Kimberly Potter/Montana
@Abigail…Loved you post!
Goldikova…her last race. What a mare..Go Baby!
Louise Castello
Happy Day beautiful! Listening to much talk about YOU! Goldikova coming to the track! She should have gotten more cheers. I love you. Congrats Black Caviar!
Especially Horses / CA
Goldi thank you for the memories! We love you and wish you health and happiness in retirement. We will be looking for your babies on the turf.
Trina Nagele in So Cal
Goldi had trouble finding room to run. You know what that’s like, Zenny. So sad.
Trina Nagele in So Cal
Congrats to Freddy Head saying how very proud he is of Goldi. High hoof to them both!
Kimberly Potter/Montana
@Goldikova~ Great run….thanks for the wonderful ride beautiful Girl! You are special and have made you place in history. Thanks for the thrills!
Trina Nagele in So Cal
Winner Court Vision was 64 to 1.
Abigail from Montreal
Goldikova — you are a WONDERFUL girl! May you go on to an equally brilliant career as a mom. thanks for the thrills & all the memories & thank you to her connections for bringing her back to Kentucky to end her career!
Especially Horses / CA
After an “Objection” Goldi stays in third place, so concerned they would move her to last place, which would have really added salt to the wound after seeing her lose in such a gallant try.
Trina Nagele in So Cal
We love you, GOLDI!