Good Morning,
So many fun things are currently happening in our industry. Last year, as you may remember, I won the First Secretariat “VOX POPULI” Award. Mrs. Penny Chenery, who bred, owned and raced Secretariat, felt an annual award should be established in our industry “acknowledging the star horse who brings the most excitement and attention to the sport”.
Per Mrs. Chenery, “It is my hope that the Secretariat ‘Vox Populi’ Award will be an honor that reflects the heart and soul of racing and will help build upon the devotion the public has for a horse they love.”
It was Mrs. Chenery’s desire last year that I be honored with the first Award. (Blush, Blush!) I was and still am so touched by this thought and deeply appreciate her kindness in granting ME the privilege of being the first recipient.
This year and in future years, a tradition is being established encouraging ALL FANS to vote on-line for the horse of their choice. Public voting concludes on January 2, 2012. The results will then be announced and a presentation ceremony will take place at Santa Anita on January 15th.
The winner will be determined based upon the results / thoughts of the following equally weighed 3 sectors: 1) The Public Poll which fans are participating in right now, 2) the “Vox Populi” Committee, and 3) Mrs. Chenery.
The NOMINEES for the 2011 ‘VOX POPULI’ Award are:
Uncle Mo
Rapid Redux…. (He’s running at Laurel today at 2:55 EST. Hooves Crossed!)
Goldikova
Havre de Grace.
To vote, please go here.
Mrs. Chenery so wants the VOICE of the fans to be heard. Your love and the admiration you have for various horses does ‘matter’. As Mrs. Chenery stated, “Vox Populi is an age-old Latin expression that literally means ‘voice of the people’. The award gives recognition to the horse who generated the most fan response during the year.”
All 4 of these horses have had such a great year in his / her own way. I’ve followed their races and careers very closely.
Decisions, Decisions! Hmmmm! WHO IS MY VOTE FOR 2011?
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
signofthetimes
Comment:
For those you concerned about Rapid Redux two races ago not wanting to go into the gait and moving forward with the whip;
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Please review the BCC 2009 when Zenny did not want to go in the gate and two guys muscled her in and the Trevor Denman said,
“Zenyatta does not seem to want to meet the boys”.
M. Kern
OK Queen Z I voted. I love you! Have fun outside with your best friend Tasty.
Kari Bussell/sending prayers & love from Tn.
@Caitlin- Words fail me at a time like this. I am so sorry for your loss.
@Diane S- I think I did it correct this time.
@Sue Freddrick- I hope I sent you a reply-LOL!
@Trina N- Nothing but JOY!!
The time and energy you put into your poems and making people smile is amazing!
Paula Higgins
Caitlin, I am so very sorry about the loss of your horse. Losing a beloved animal is like losing a family member because that’s what they are-members of your family. My thoughts are with you.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Signofthetimes:
Thank you so much for the link to the video of Z’s Dad, Street Cry. I think Z moves just like him. What a great legacy he is creating with Z and this brand new baby with Vertigineux. It will be so exciting to see if Z’s baby inherits any part of his conformation or carriage. Even if the baby favors Bernardini, it’s a win win. Hugs, JB
Trina Nagele in So Cal
@Caitlin—I am so sorry that you lost your brave mare to laminitis today. Now she is running pain-free in God’s green pastures at the Rainbow Bridge.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Terry Crow:
Thank you for the funny Redneck jokes. Hugs, JB
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Z,
Goodnight and Sweet Baby Dreams. Love and Hugs, Judy and Russ
gammyp
Look forward to the latest news about…YOU everyday. I voted and I had to go with Rapid Redux. I think he has the peoples hearts at this time in racing. For me he is the “Zenyatta” of racing right now. Stay healthy mama and baby! God Bless you and all of your connections.
Trina Nagele in So Cal
@Lois Gillespie (DE)—Thanks for pointing out the Writer’s Forum tab.
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From the article by Bill Doolittle about Secretariat on the Writer’s Forum tab at the Vox Populi site http://www.secretariat.com/fan-club/writers-forum/secretariat-super-genius/
(QUOTING FROM ARTICLE):
After each of [his] losses he not only rebounded with track record victories, but the clockings he recorded also established new track records for the distances and surfaces.
Which didn’t surprise exercise rider Charlie Davis one bit at the time, and doesn’t surprise him today.
“He’d get beat, he’d go right to the back of the stall,” recalls Davis. “He’d put his head to the back wall and his rump to the door. That was to tell you, ‘I don’t want to be bothered. I’m thinking what I can do to make this up.’ Then he’d do it. The very next time after he’d get beat, he set a record.”
Trina Nagele in So Cal
@Caitlin—I’m sorry, I must have had Zenny on my mind when I mistakely identified your beloved horse as a mare. I send you my condolences again. Yours, Trina.
Trina Nagele in So Cal
@Kelly ^-^ from Allentown (PA) — Thank you for pointing out Debi Hamari’s fine work!
@Debi Hamari—High hoof! (This time, it’s high mule deer hoof!)
Terri Z/ South Florida
Speaking of Secretariat, there is a wonderful two year old colt to watch out for on the Derby Trail.
His name is Discrete Dancer and he won his initial and maiden 5 1/2 furlong race at Gulfstream by 9 3/4 lengths in the 3rd race on Dec 3rd. Discrete Dancer is related to Secretariat through both his dam and his sire. His dam, West Side Dancer, is a daughter of Gone West. Gone West produced Elusive Quality who sired Smarty Jones and Quality Road. And of course, Smarty Jones could run classic distances. His sire, Discrete Cat, is a son of Storm Cat. Storm Cat descendants are all thought to be sprinters–ie they run shorter distances.
Although some think he can’t lengthen out or run long distances, I think his maternal influence is stronger. His dam is first generation Gone West while his sire is second generation Storm Cat.
Wishing all of friends and followers of Queen Z very happy holidays and a wonderful New Year.
Terri Z/ South Florida
Sign of the Times: Steve Haskin had some interesting things to say about Hansen and Union Rags in the Breeders Cup Race. When he looked at the figures as to how long Union Rags ran in the race, he ran a better race than Hansen. Union Rags ran down the middle of the field, while Hansen was closer to the rail; hence, UR ran a longer distance.
Barbara Wood (Texas)
Good morning, Z! Every day brings us closer to Baby Z day!
@Terri Z/South FL–thanks for the heads up about DD.
Barbara Wood (Texas)
ATTENTION all Dumplings, and especially FL DUmplings– just got an e-mail from Diane at Panhandle Equine Rescue in FL. The owner of the Molino herd has surrendered the starving animals. Two donkeys have gone down and have been rushed to the vet. They need money for hay and medical care. Also minis are involved. Please, if you have a few extra dollars, please contact them at
http://www.panhandleequinerescue.org. Diane is so appreciative for any help she can get at this tough time of year. I already sent mine. Love to you all.
LauraJ (Cincinnati, OH)
@Caitlin, I am so very, very sorry for your loss.
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@AJ, I voted twice, but from different computers. I bet if you clear cookies from your browser that you can vote multiple times.
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@Signofthetimes, sure, why not start thinking about the Derby Trail? Especially with Gulfstream opening early. :-) Hope springs eternal. I have found that my early Derby picks are always way, way off, but it’s a fun exercise nonetheless.
DebraZ
I voted for Rapid Redux. Reminds me of Seabiscuit. He ran once a week, broadcast live on the radio. Too often we see the Triple Crown race winners in a couple of races at 2 and then at 3 and they’re off to the breeding shed. Can’t tell if they have any durability before they have offspring . . .
lobieb
Zenny you look just wonderful. On a different note the vox populi award you received last year for all your achievements was fantastic. This year I strongly feel that a “blue Collar” horse should deserve the same honor. He may not be the superstar that you are but his heart is big and he tries every time. It is just an accomplishment for him to reel off so many wins no matter how small the purses are. If we could give Rapid Redux this special award it would be so nice. Please vote for a horse I believe deserves it.
Cynthia H./Where Zenyatta Danced
Dearest Zenystta,
The photo taken by your dear John which accompanies this Diary entry brings memories of a very happy and thrilling day, honoring my top two racing favorites of all-time. If they were to hold the award for the next 100 years, there could be no more unanimous winner than YOU in 2010.
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@Terry Crow: We live in perilous times! Thank you for your concern, and please save a place for me in the tent.
@Dawn Conrad: Your powers of observation are razor-sharp, which is one of the reasons why you make such a fantastic writer! Thank you for caring, and love and prayers back at you, always.
@Kari Bussell: I would know your heart anywhere. 12th.
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I was disappointed not to find Blind Luck’s name amongst the four distinguished nominees for this year’s Vox Populi Award. She ran long and she ran hard and she ran often and everywhere.
Her performances were marked with a courage of heart and a gritty nobility of character which endeared her to an army of fans, for whom she will never be forgotten.
I wonder if a write-in option might be considered for the awards in the future?
Shema
Dear Zenny, I love the idea of this award, and it is so PERFECT that you were the first honoree!!! you so deserve it! I am so much more involved in horse racing since being around your magical essence. you are wonderful beyond words!
jeean
I just voted, beautiful Zenyatta. I wish you were one of the choices. I guess other horses should have their chance, too. I miss you a lot. Jean.
Mary Copelin
CAITLIN- My heart goes out to you on the loss of your horse. Try to fill the hole inside you with love and comfort from all of us here on the Queen’s site. We will all be sending you support through this terrible time. Mary
Paul
Zenyatta, it is great that Mrs. Penny Chenery is establishing a poll by which the public can vote on who they consider to be the best horse. She even recommended you. That is a real honor and I’ll bet you are very proud of that.