Happy Monday Dear Friends,
I must say, whenever MY JOHN visits he has so many wonderful compliments for ME. He has always allowed ME the opportunity to be ME…and to feel so good about myself. I love spending time with him!
Per my California update this morning from Dottie, I heard that it rained over one inch in just a few hours yesterday afternoon at Hollywood Park. For some parts of the country, this happens quite a bit…but in Los Angeles, this is truly a rarity. Thus, the last few races at Hollywood Park were canceled…simply for safety
reasons.
This morning, it is absolutely gorgeous there…the sun is shining brightly and it is crisp and lovely outside. It is the perfect November morning! Thus, the track should dry out quickly. All should be A-OK for the horses and Hollywood Park’s Autumn Festival of racing to take place there this weekend.
On other racing fronts, I do want to send a HIGH HOOF to Steve Asmussen on winning his 6,000th race this weekend. This is truly a remarkable accomplishment…and then to top it off by having SABERCAT win the Delta Jackpot adds to the FUN!
The Delta Princess went to NOW I KNOW who is now 5 for 5 in her racing career. This is very special! Congratulations to this lovely filly and all of her connections.
Then tonight, RAPID REDUX goes for #20 in a row at Mountaineer Park. His race runs at 9:55 Eastern….6:55 Pacific. All the best to him in this one mile event! My Lane’s End friends and I will be watching! His sire is Pleasantly Perfect…who is one of the stallions who stands here at our farm. Good Luck, Rapid Redux, in this quest!
With Love,
Hugs to all~
Z
Doreen in CT
@signofthetimes – You’re welcome – Lisa’s Booby Trap is a living example of how you can overcome obstacles and come out a winner.
@Yvonne and Maurice – unfortunately Ghost Gunner had to be euthanized according to this link: http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Jose%20Lezcano
A blog said that he had fractured his left front seismoid. Rest in peace beautiful boy – gone too soon.
@Dawn Conrad/Colorado – I’m glad you enjoyed the info, as I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I love researching pedigrees.
Congratulations to Rapid Redux on his win and record. May his owners always do right by him.
AJ from CA
@Kimberly Potter/Montana – thanks for the info about RR’s retirement plans as he most certainly deserves the good life now.
@Karen Gogue – I certainly agree with that article about finding a place at the Eclipse Awards for “Blue Collar Horses.” Hope they at least give RR honorable mention for his achievements.
DMCQ
Beautiful Zenyatta and your west coast and east coast connections. Thank you for this teaching-learning site! The pictures of You are wonderful and we love seeing You with Your people and Tasty.
Much love to you, Kari!
@Terry Crow: TY for posting. I understand about feeling mortal. Please know how relieved many of us are to see your post.
@ Rapid Redux: Congratulations! I am grateful you had a safe race and won. I hope your owner is putting a large portion of your winnings in reserve in a special account for your retirement. Your accomplishment deserves a good retirement with no worries.
@all who shared those interesting links, thank you. And for those who taught us more about what is safe for mares, those of us learning appreciate you!
@ Judy B: glad to see your posts, as always.
Sweet dreams to all.
Marshall (old girl in NC)
Zenny, John is definitely right! You are TOO Cute! The both of you together are so sweet, too!
@Terry Crow: SO very glad to hear from you. I loved Don’s favorite joke — what a happy memory! Take care and know that we love you here. Hugs!
@Rapid Redux: Good luck and stay safe!
Delrene from Carlsbad - (California)
Here is the Bloodhorse Rapid Redux article and video. ENJOY….http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/66302/rapid-redux-claims-north-american-record
Valeria (Illinois)
Lady Z, he did it! He’s 20 for 20, won by 4 lengths in front of Lady on Fire (Malibu Moon) in the mud! Congrats to Rapid Redux and Pleasantly Perfect (I know he must be very proud)!!!!!
Marshall (old girl in NC)
@Rapid Redux: Congratulations on the 20th win! Glad all are safe. Hope you can have a nice retirement and can enjoy just being a horse! All the Best!
signofthetimes
@DMCQ
RR has won a place for retirement at KY horse
Park. So his connections can use the money for
Carrots and peppermints. Congratulations to Pleasantly
Perfect, you son set a North American record.
signofthetimes
@Doreen
What a heart LBT has and yes to overcome such obstacles and
To have someone purchase her and help her live
Up to her great potential. What a horse person to see
Such talent in this very special mare.
Irene Caty
Queen Zenyatta, I just love this game that you and your John play, it is too cute. I am so happy to see that you and John had quality time together. I think this is very important for both of you and not to mention how much I love it.Zenyatta, you are so special that this is a meaningfull must for you and all of your team. Love dont just come and go, it stays forever when it is true love as yours is. I will love you forever my sweet Zenny and do hope Dottie will keep the post going. Thanks Dottie and I am so glad that you also have the special love for Zenyatta that makes all this happen.
signofthetimes
@Vicki B
The horse will tell you they are being raced too much.
Tired, not winning, injuries, dull coat and sad eyes.
He has none of these signs. He loves to run. And
His trainer has done a wonderful job keeping him
Fit and able to run. He is very special blue collar boy.
signofthetimes
Just my thoughts, Eclipse awards are for the champions
Of horse racing. He is a very talented well trained horse with
Great work ethic that has set a historical record. Not an Eclipse
Champion. His class should give him an award and he should
Get the Claiming Crown. And the wonderful retirement at KY Horse
Park.
stephanie (s in san diego)
@Signofthetimes, When watching RR run today (on TV) I thought the same thing..he looked like he was very happy out there, ears up, relaxed and just motoring around the track. He looks great..I don’t know what the motives of his owners were, but he looks like he has been well cared for. Glad they are retiring him sound and that he has a wonderful home to go to.
I don’t think he should get horse of the year…but he should be recognized for a wonderful achievement
Barbara Wood (Texas)
@Kim S–thanks so much for the update on “our” girl. Will love to see before and after pictures if any become available in the future.
Congrats to RR- so glad he’s going to KHP. Hope to see him there one day.
I believe the video is available (got the e-mail from BH, but haven’t had time to see it yet.)
Also, congratulations to Old Friends. They have been awarded some money from (I believe the ASPCA)an organization to provide more paddocks for retirees. I can’t figure where they will go, as houses are in near proximity. Need to check their FB page, but it’s late here, and I’m tired.
Good night, all.
Love you always, Z.
Dawn Conrad / Colorado
@Rapid Redux BRAVO on your wonderful accomplishment,#20!!!! Congratulations to Lane’s End stallion Pleasantly Perfect as sire of this record setting gelding. I am so happy RR will be going to the KHP and the good life!
Barbara Grimaldi/NJ
OK, I’ll eat my hat (but not one of my two Z hats). I am so happy Rapid Redux won and come home safe. The big surprise is the owner saying he gets to retire to a great place! So good to hear a positive story about a horse! I agree that there should be some award for him beyond all the happy stories about him that will appear in the press. To know that a healthy horse has worked so hard and is able to retire healthy is a joy. That’s what happened to Zenyatta and we want to see that happen to more and more horses. Congratulations, RR–I’ll be visiting you in April along with all your new friends at KHP!
Lynn from nearby Hollywood Park
Well Z, RR was a happy boy today.
….
A couple of you said he won on a hand ride, meaning no whip used? Check out the video. I saw the whip used a few times on the left and right side in the last qtr-mile. Anyway, RR is awesome. I read that he raced (won) already 17 times this year! Now, it’s 18 for this year, in 2011… Wow! He sure loves to run. RR, Kudos to you big guy.
….
Good night Z. Love you forever
Cynthia H./Where Zenyatta Danced
Congratulations, RR! Now it is time for a little R & R, well-earned!
Lynn from nearby Hollywood Park
Oops on the whipping on RR. It was his 19 race that he was whipped a few time. It was the 20th race where the jockey whipped him several times to get him into the starting gate. I mixed the 2 races up.
candi carter
The bonding and love between Zenyatta and John are so strong and unforgetable thru out their life.Congratulation to Rapid Redux,and hoping you have an excellent retirement that you earn and deserve,good night my dear Zenyatta Love Ya!.
Vicki B. near Hollywood Park
@Leiana & @Signofthetimes – Thanks for responding with good RR info, that helps.
And @LauraJ – I like your informative comments, Thanks!
A link to the DRF article and race video: http://www.drf.com/news/rapid-redux-sets-record-20th-straight-victory
Watching it, I have to say I didn’t like the jockey whipping RR’s butt, just to get him in the gate. In the BH article, the jockey said “That’s his normal way”, but I would think it means he didn’t want to go into the gate — doesn’t it hurt a horse, to be hit? Isn’t that why he went into the gate, because it stopped the hitting? I can’t imagine it not hurting, or it wouldn’t be used to “motivate” horses. I wish they could use a carrot in front, instead of a stick in the rear. Sorry if I seem a wimp, or overly sensitive, but it just seems simple, that it must hurt, no matter the wonderful outcome we’re all looking for. I’d love to hear someone explain it differently, that made sense.
Kari Bussell
My Queen this photo fills my heart with joy. You both look so very happy. I will always love you ALL.
#381-(behind as always these days)
@Heidi-A belated Happy Birthday!!
@Brenda S-Thank you.
@DMCQ- This diary is a Joy with people like you. Thank you.
@Diane S- Yes with me ELVIS is KING and ZENYATTA is QUEEN, and a nice Bordeaux goes great with anything….
@Abagail in Montreal- Thank you for praying for my Vols.
@Terry Z- Thank you!
@Trina Nagele-You are very precious and kind ….thank you. I’ll be looking…
@Dawn Conrad- I love the Barbara Streisand song. I also dearly love Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Darcy and Jane Austin…..Thank you for you prayers . Love back to you.
@Marshall- thank you.I love you too.
@All who prayed for my Vols ….as Debbie G (amazing -generous Kentucky fan) reported they won in overtime and even got a Very controversial dead ball call go their way giving them there first SEC win this year….Thank you …Please continue praying as we attempt to add one more year to our 26 game winning streak(last claim to fame after this season) against Kentucky THIS Saturday…Come what may I am proud to be a Vol…
@Debbie G- Publicly admitting being happy for my Vols makes you a saint. You may need to hire security though.LOL-
Kari Bussell
@Kim S- Thank you for the update on Grace and the precious “love story” with Strings.
@Judy Berube & Russ- Hugs-Love-Health and Joy back at you.
@Deborah Richman- You guys
are too funny.
@Terry Crow- I loved the redneck joke. I am so glad you felt like posting today.
@Cynthia Holt- 12th heart
Kari Bussell
Oh, how did I miss this….
@Allen- Ann Maree/Tennessee— Amen! Go Vols!
Kari Bussell
@Barbara Wood – I was very happy for you & your beloved Baylor Bears.
Holly Walker
So glad to see you and John looking so happy together. Still miss you terribly in California! Wish you could come back and have a foal by Unusual Heat. What a shot in the arm that would be for California racing to have a Cal Bred out of the Queen of Racing!! Can’t wait to see your beautiful first foal!
Kari Bussell
@Laura J- thank you for taking the time to share so much of your knowledge with us. It is appreciated.
PerkyGreen
Hay!!Big Girl. You are just too gracious as always. You are so FABULOUS. Love the photos.and the posts of course.Am still waiting patiently[not] for the baby still about 4 months away,seems like a life time.Stay warm & healthy.LOTS’O’LOVE
Susan in TN
@My Z Friends: I won’t be able to keep up with posts this week very well. Everything is fine! The family where Chester and Chopper live are out of town for the holiday, so I’m going out three times a day. Not a hardship, by any means, just cuts into my “Z” time!
I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving and I send warm wishes to all. I am thankful to have you all in my life. <3
Susan in TN
@Terry Crow: I am so sorry for your loss. I think you did your friend proud by posting Don’s favorite joke. You were sorely missed here, but I’m glad you could be there for him. You are top-notch in my book.