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
Terry Crow
@Denise in AZ-Good to see your post. Would you consider being added to the Arizona/New Mexico chapter of the club? The only requirement is that you hold January 27 as a day of recognition. @Kari Bussell-I sent you an e-mail. @Rosemary McCauley and Diana S, charter members of the Arizona/New Mexico chapter (Soon to be joined by Denise in AZ)-You might be a redneck if rats and cockroaches get into everyone’s trash but yours. @Judy Berube, president of the New England chapter-You might be a redneck if you can chew your own toenails. @Susan in Tn and Kari Bussell-You might be a redneck if you picked your teeth from a catalogue. You might be a redneck if you use a pig as a garbage disposal. You might be a redneck if the nativity scene you set up in your yard includes two pink flamingos and a baby Jesus lying in a painted tire. Short joke for today–If you are wondering who is your real friend try this experiment. Put your dog and your husband/wife in the trunk of your car for about a hour. When you open the trunk, which one is really happy to see you?
Joan Ludlow
I’ve voted already, too. I hope my choice wins, although they are all worthy horses that I’ve followed throughout their careers. I’m glad you were given the very first Award, though, and I’m sorry I can’t vote for you again.
Sharyn ~ Vermont
Thanks for the link, I just voted! Don’t really think there will ever be another horse that generated as much excitement as you did throughout your racing career!!
Brigid Matthews
So I went to the site to see Street Cry and I watched him running in his paddock with his tail up (yes, JUST like Zenyatta) and then I watched three of his races they had posted and OMG since I have watched Zenyatta’s races over and over again, I could REALLY see the resemblence between her and her daddy!
Brigid Matthews
As for the voting … Zenyatta would be my pick, yes AGAIN. But, excuse me, what about Frankel??? and BLACK CAVIAR???
Trisha
i want to vote for them all. Oh my! It’s so difficult this year. Last year if we had voted would not have been a dilemma. Oh my oh my. This is a hard one.
Love hugs and kisses
Barbara Wood (Texas)
@Denise in AZ–we’ve missed you. I do love all your pictures.
Dawn Conrad - Colorado
@Vic – Just wanted to post a HAPPY BIRTHDAY again for your 18th!!!! I left a message on the bottom of #395 for you!
maryp (New York)
Congrats to Rapid Redux & team!! Hope they give him a nice long rest now!
Dawn Conrad - Colorado
@CONGRATULATIONS Rapid Redux!!!!!!!
Gloria Jeanne - The O.C.
http://www.facebook.com/ZenyattaOfficial#!/ZenyattaOfficial?sk=wall&filter=1
Hey Everyone – Zenyatta’s Facebook is losing fans today – so far 6. I know that does not seem like a lot, but it’s very unusual as she normally gets at least 30 new people a day.
Please help – if any of your friends or family have not signed up to Zenyatta’s Facebook page, plese have them do so. We have to keep her numbers up and reach 100,000 before she foals in early March 2012 or sooner if possible.
Thanks for reading and Happy Holidays!!!!
JAG ~ Zenny's Auntie Judy / So. CA
War Horse author Michael Morpurgo’s chance meet with granddaughter of story’s inspiration
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/8934058/War-Horse-author-Michael-Morpurgos-chance-meet-with-granddaughter-of-storys-inspiration.html#.Tuen6C7LtQE.email
Beth Buckley
i went with Goldikova. She reminded me of Waya.
Jeanie
Dear Great One,
I was in that line! I actually think I see myself way at the left edge of the photo! That was an amazing experience to be in the company of Ms. Chenery and your human family. Seeing Ms. Chenery was on my “bucket list.” It was simply thrilling. And of course, seeing your humans again was FABULOUS! The only one missing that day was YOU! I had to vote for Goldikova. She has been so amazing and, in my view, the only one worthy of following in your footsteps as the second awardee of an award named for the greatest Thoroughbred of all time –Secretariat. I hope you and Tasty are having a wonderful day at Lane’s End and enjoying impending motherhood to the max! Love you!
Your humble J
Eveline / Maryland.
@ Margareth and MaryP – I was at the races when Rapid Redux ran. He looks really well. His owner said while there is a slim possibility he’ll runs once more this year , probably not. The Kentucky Horsepark and Old Friends have shown interest in getting RR by the end of this year. To quote his trainer: ” the guy at Old Friends was really nice and it seems like a great place for RR to go.”
Carole #42 Wisconsin
Hi Zenyatta,
Just wanted to wish you a very happy day. Have fun with TT today and take care of “wiggles”. Kisses on your soft nose. XOXO
Joan in Texas
Love RR, what a fine little horse he is. But My heart is with Goldi, too even make it 4 years in a row to BC when they retire them at 3, and maybe they will run at 4, her accomplishment was wonderful. A real champion to the last 1/16th of a mile.
Love ya Z
Barbara Grimaldi/NJ
Was very torn concerning the vote–finally went for Goldikova…i wanted to vote for all four!
Dottie, will you be able to publish a photo of Pirate Queen’s foal when it is born? I know she’s not with Zenny anymore, but I liked her a lot and I think we would love to see the baby, just as we certainly want to see Tasty’s foal as well!!! Tasty is like Zenny’s family now–hope they still get turned out together with their foals–but, again–i know so little about these things, so if I’m wrong, I trust people on this site to set me straight.
Dottie–one more question–and again, it reflects my lack of hands-on experience with horses: do they ever get a chance to run free without their bridle on? Must they always have one on? Is it for safety reasons? Thank you for your answers, Dottie, and thank you for Zenny’s diary–Dear Zenny, you are Santa Claus all year long to so many of us–hopefully they will pose you with a little Santa hat for a photo!!!
Love
Skip
Past the Grandstand
I love that an award like this was created! Penny Chenery is so wonderful. It seems like just yesterday you were winning this award, Z. That was such an amazing day, since Zazu won the Las Virgenes earlier on the card.
Also, Zenyatta and fans, I thought you might enjoy my blog post about Lights on Broadway, a Texas Horse of the Year that was saved from slaughter. I originally wrote it on my blog and then an improved version was posted on Blood-Horse.
Link: http://pastthegrandstand.blogspot.com/2011/12/lights-on-blood-horse.html
Sally B. (Wi)
There is no doubt in my mind, I vote for you Z! Being that you are retired & a mama-to-be, I will have to think on this; hmmmmmm, there are 3 I really followed in the Bloodhorse. This is a privledge, so I will vote. (I wish we could whisper in each others ear.)
love, hugs and blessings to you Z—–
and 2 kisses on your soft nose
LouAnn Cingel of Union, Missouri
It was wonderful and such a very special honor that you Zenyatta were the first receipient of the Secretariat “Vox Populi” Award last yr, but you definitely deserved it hands down. And this yr it is great that each and everyone of us are given the opportunity to vote for the horse that we wish to receive the award. I have already voted for my horse a few days ago when the link was offered through Thoroughbred Times. But hopefully, the link here in your diary will get others to vote. May the best horse receive the award as actually they all are worthy.
Was so excited and happy to hear that Rapid Redux won his 21st race in a row today at Laurel Park-absolutely fantastic! He has done so well throughout his career and I surely hope that he receives some special awards this yr being that from what I have heard, he won’t even be considered for Horse Of The Year. I so hope that he gets the Vox Populi award for this year-cross your hooves and swish your tail, brings great luck!
Sending my Love & Blessings to you Zenyatta!
Delrene from Carlsbad - (California)
Congratulations to Rapid Redux…. Now a happy retirement and a well-deserved rest. Kentucky Horse Park or Old Friends would be perfect. He deserves either one.
I’m so happy that today they called and your picture/framed was ready and I picked it up. the only thing better would be to get a real up close and personal visit with you. The Jamie Corum print will definitely have to do. I love it and it came out perfect. The matting I selected looked like horehair ( faux of course) dark like yours. I’m very pleased with it. Now to get it on the wall. It’s propped up next to my Christmas tree right now. Everyone have a wonderful day. They are getting shorter. Drive carefully too, everyone seems to be in such a rush!!!!
Delrene from Carlsbad - (California)
OMG. “Horsehair” so sorry, Faux horsehair” I was wayyyyy excited.
Cheryl Y
Thank You Zen for rooting for Rapid Redux,he and his team are always being critized,instead of being appreciated!!!And also thank you for reminding me to vote in the Vox Populi,as you can guess I cast my vote for RR,I call him the little horse that could!!And as we witnessed today at Laurel- He sure could!!!Congratulations to RR and his team for tying Citations record!!!He is definately the horse of the American people.And for everyone that thinks his trainers and owners are cruel for racing him so much,its just a different way of training.His races are what other trainers would call works,that are done in between their races!Did anyone read Seabiscuit,if so you would know that a horse raced much more frequently than the horses of today.Also Zen you are still the most beautiful horse in the world and I will love you forever!!!!!!!!
Debbie G/Kentucky
@Terry Crow – I love your redneck jokes! They are just too funny. Speaking of family trees, you might be a redneck if your family tree doesn’t fork. (Does the Kentucky chapter have a president yet? If not, I’d be happy to oblige!)
Sally B. (Wi)
@Jag and Signoftimes; I really appreciated the links today!!
Karen
Been there, did that! Thanks for the heads up.
Dawn Conrad / Colorado
@Past the Grandstand (Mary) – I had read your initial blog entry about Lights on Broadway and thought it was an amazing story, beautifully written. I am so happy for you that it now appears in the Bloodhorse. Way to go, girl!! Let’s keep praying and working toward a time when more horses will have the possibility of a happy ending! Thank you for sharing this wonderful story!
Sally B. (Wi)
@Terry Crow, good one, I think I must be a redneck!ha
Karen
You deserved to be the winner last year. You are always a winner. I will vote and wish they could all win. Just to be on the list is very special. I love you, Zenyatta, beautiful girl.