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
Sarah Troxell
I love Mo and Goldikova, but I got to meet Havre de Grace this year and she was so sweet and we had a little “bonding moment,” kind of like I did with you after last year’s Breeders’ Cup. Plus her accomplishments were impressive too. I gave her my vote, and here’s hoping she gets Horse of the Year too. That would be great to have 3 back to back female HOTY winners.
Debbie
hi Z! I’ll have to give this some thought before I vote, YOU have a wonderful day with Tasty! Love YOU gorgeous mama xoxoxo
Linda
Just voted. Thanks for the reminder.
carol in utah
good day queen mommy…would vote your way if i could…but we each will go with our hearts…love to you and tasty too….
have a happy, healthy relaxing day
Rachael
Rapid Redux, hands down. He deserves something for his efforts!
You’re looking lovely, Zenny!
Janie (in L.A.)
I was there last year when you won the award, Zenyatta! I can’t believe it’s time for the next winner already. You look TOO CUTE in your picture yesterday – I didn’t have a chance to comment until now. Love you lots, pretty, sweet and darling girl!
Debi Hamari
Beautiful Queen Zenyatta,
You were the perfect receipiant of this award last year, the horse that the people love and resonate with and has added EXCITEMENT to the racing industry!
Each of the elected horses this year would be desrving of this award. It was so hard to choose one.
In the end I voted for Uncle Mo because of his amazing comeback after his health issues. He really captured my heart with his tenacity.
Best of luck to all 4! They are all winners and are loved by their fans.
Love and hugs!
Debi
Kelly-Allentown-Pa
@Debi Hamari- Love your paintings. There is something very peaceful about your art. ^-^
Stella Bagwell in South Texas
Dearest Zenyatta,
My how time flies! It seems like only weeks ago when you won this fabulous award. And you were more than deserving, I might add. Even though you aren’t on the track anymore, you still creat great excitement for us racing fans. Thank you for sharing your life with us, dear Z!
I have voted and I’ll be eagerly looking forward to hearing the winner announced. They are all so deserving–I’m glad I’m not the one who has to make the winning decision.
Hope your day is beautiful and full of fun for you and Tasty!
Love and kisses,
Stel
Ingrid in MA
My choice isn’t on the list – there would be no Havre de Grace without the rivalry with Blind Luck! Yes,HdG is a great horse,but I just feel BL had it all over her. Anyway, my REAL vote would be for you, Zenny, if it were possible.
@signofthetimes – loved the video of Street Cry, but they need to update it a bit! No mention of Zenyatta at ALL!! For shame! She’s got to be his winningest progeny so far…. but great to see him enjoying himself like our Zenny does.
Lois Gillespie (DE)
Z and Dottie, thanks for supplying the link for voting. When I have time I would like to go back to the site and explore the “Writers Forum” section – there might be some new gems which I haven’t yet read. Have a great day!
Rosemary McCauley - Southern California
I was in that line! What a great day for racing it was. Mrs. Chenery was delightful, along with John and Dottie and Mike. I have the Racing Royalty poster framed and hanging. I wish we could vote for YOU, Zenyatta. Perhaps there is a write-in option. You continue to contribute to the sport of racing and are most deserving.
Margaret
I VERY reluctantly voted for Rapid Redux. I have nothing against the horse. Honest I don’t. It’s his owners that I have issues with. Racing 4 times in 12 days last Aug–and the owners were going for a fifth until another fan happened to call the track alerting them to the possibility that the horse might be being over raced. That fifth race was suppose to mark 5 times in 15 or 16 days.
No there are no rules. And trainers can use racing as a form of a hard work. And yes, this horse is standing up to the work. I just want the HORSE to be RECOGNIZED and not the connections who stated last summer that all the racing is about the records they can break (Z’s, Pepper’s Pride, Citation). It has never been about the welfare of the horse.
What I’ve learned over at ABR tells me that these owners are in it for the wrong reasons. It is not about the safety and well being of the horse.
The difference between Z and RR is glaring in its difference. John was always careful to give Z time off, to recuperate, and to come up to each effort in the best possible shape.
RR is a hard working blue collar worker–the backbone of horse racing. His connections have stated their intentions. And RR is being raced in place of regular workouts to break those records. Yes, a W is a W but at what cost? Stats don’t always tell truth–and as time goes by the work that Z produced will be overshadowed by theism”lesser” horse whose owners were just about stats.
Carrots, peppermints, love to this rose who has done all that has been asked of him by icky connections.
Margaret
Theism=this
Rose?= horse
My iPad LOVES to respell things behind my back! I havent quite figured out how to teach it how to spell!
Brenda S..Ontario, Canada
I wish your name was included again Zenny because I think you fit the criteria. Hardly a graded race is run without some mention or video of you and you have the public’s devotion, more so today I think. However, sadly, you aren’t included so I’ve had to vote for somebody else. Hope that you and Tasty have a had a nice day in your paddock, hugs and kisses to you both.
Pattie from South Carolina
My vote is for Havre de Grace. Her win in the Woodward Stakes was amazing :) Plus, I really admire Rick Porter & Larry Jones. They are kind & polite, much like Penny Chenery, Jerry & Ann Moss, and John & Dottie Shirreffs.
Kelly-Allentown-Pa
Rapid 21!
JAG ~ Zenny's Auntie Judy / So. CA
@ CAROL IN UTAH!
WOW! Utah is my home state (just like Ann Moss!) What part of Utah do you live? I’m from Salt Lake City but moved to California many, many, moons ago… :D
Dawn Conrad / Colorado
Dear, Zenyatta. Hello beautiful girl. Thank you for the information and link to the voting for the “Vox Populi” Award. Each nominee is amazing and deserving of the award. I wish them all the best of luck! I admire Penny Chenery so very much and that she came up with this fantastic idea and created this magnificent award is just another testament to her outstanding contributions to horse racing through the years. There are very deserving horses and well-loved horses that may never be recognized by awards such as the Eclipse. This provides recognition for those that are admired most by the fans. It truly does give us a voice. Of course having you as the recipient of the very first “Vox Populi” was wonderful, Zenny. We were all touched by the kindness of Penny in her recognition of you and the gift you were to all of us and the industry. The picture you posted from last year is great, so many excited Z-sters showing up to express how much they love you!!!! Stay warm my love and say hello to Tasty. Sweet dreams. Hugs and kisses. XXXOOO
@Debbie in Ohio – Enjoyed your description of the mares looking at their tummies when the foals are “wiggly”. Too cute!
@Shari – Hope you are having a wonderful day sweetie!!
@signofthetimes and Ingrid – Enjoyed the posting of the Street Cry video and I agree with you Ingrid, they definitely need to update with Zenyatta as his most famous offspring!
@Mary Hale – I agree, Country Life is very lovely. I always love seeing rolling green hills of pasture with beautiful horses grazing, running and enjoying life. Ahhh, heaven!
@Barbara Wood – I just love Mike Smith for what he is doing on his site. Such an amazing man!!!! So many great charities in need will benefit.
@Jane – It was so wonderful hearing about your time at Barn 55 and our beautiful Ebby. I just love her to pieces. The picture of your Madison with both Ebby and Zenyatta is very special and what a cutie Madison is! I have my own Madison, she is my niece’s sweet little daughter and I have to say she is a cutie too!
Chris H / Colorado
Congratulations Rapid Redux — Hold your Head High and be proud of your accomplishment!
Ingrid Arnone. South Beach.
I just voted, I only wish you were in the list again, love you Ingrid.
Candace Jones
Rapid Redux just won!!!!! I am so torn on the vote this year. You sure do have to love a little blue collar boy toughing it out like he has. As Z would say, a high hoof to Team Rapid!!
carol in utah
@zenny’s auntie judy
i’m in provo…born in wisc…grew up in ill…moved here 6yr ago from cal…
just love the stories about all our equine friends…they are all amazing in their own ways…zenny and rapid redux two of my favs…for very different reasons
Barbara Wood (Texas)
Hi Z–has it been nearly a year? How time flies. It seems that you should still be in the running because of your continued spreading of goodwill and joy! However, I did cast my vote.
@Dawn Conrad– I agree with you about Mikey. That is one thing that is good about FaceBook!
Carolyn
Of those, Goldikova. Blind Luck should have been included in the list
Heidi (Vallejo.Calif)
Good afternoon, Zenny. I remember watching the ceremony on calracing last year. Gotta love Penney! She’s an amazing woman and horsewoman! I voted last week when the poll first came out. I voted for RR. And on “The Moment of the Year,” on NTRA, I voted for HDG/BL in the Deleware.
I sure hope they give RR a well deserved vacation now. He has more than earned it! I’m just afraid that if they don’t give him a break, something bad will happen. That’s a lot of races in one season!! I just hope that he stays safe and sound!! High Hoof to Rapid Redux!
Louise Castello
I wish I could have voted for YOU again, Ms Z. You are still the most popular in my opinion! Just got my new Zenyatta ornament yesterday and I couldn’t be more thrilled. It’s beautiful and I love you! Love your baby bump and you.
Casey
Hey, I see ME in the line!!!! I think I was texting a friend who wanted a poster too. Managed to get it for her ;). I have to go with Rapid Redux as my vote. It was a tough one, Havre de Grace and Goldikova had great years, but Rapid Redux has one 21 consecutive races (of course he’s not in YOUR league, my Queen)
Loved the profile shot showing your baby bump. Remember, Feb. 29 needs to be your foaling date (wink, wink)
Denise in AZ
@ Terry Crow- thanks for noticing I’ve been missing, just busy with work (not liking it much anymore) and took time out to catch up with all the posts today… and thanks for the redneck giggles :)
@Barbara Wood- thanks for keeping up w/ my flickr site, I sincerely appreciate it
Baby Cayenne Pepper’s Passion is growing- we weaned her off her mom, and waited weeks to let them back together… not enough as hubby and daughter caught her trying to nurse.. back to ‘lock up’ until I can be sure mom’s milk is gone- it was too dark when I got home to ck last night, and raining this morning so all I did was feed..
Congrats to Rapid Redux!
Merry Christmas/ Happy Holidays to all!
Karen Gogue
Congratulations to Rapid Redux! YOU GO BOY!!
Rapid Redux finished 1st by 1/2 lengths, on December 13, 2011, at LAUREL PARK in Race 6.
Off odds: .30