Happy Wednesday to ALL!
It is amazing that in our horse racing world…things really do not stop. Amidst all of the holiday activities, we still have to plan for the future and get everything ready to begin one of the biggest race meets of the year in our industry…”SANTA ANITA–THE GREAT RACE PLACE”!
During the current week, there is NO live thoroughbred racing in California. It is a bit of a breather in that regard for everyone. The day to day work, though, continues. This morning, ENTRIES will be taken for Santa Anita’s Opening Day! This means that the Racing Office will be getting the RACE CARD organized for December 26th. So many tasks must be completed in advance to make all of this information available to the Racing Fans.
This morning, trainers will enter their horses to run on opening day. When they have the ‘fields created’, the race card will be put together for that day. This information is then sent out to the Daily Racing Form and various other publications so all of these facts and details can be shared with you, the FANS.
The data for the programs is then compiled so they can be printed and ready to go as soon as the gates open at 10:00 that morning.
Entries are normally taken ‘at least’ 48 hours in advance. This is true of all race tracks around the country. In California, it is often done 72 hours out. This gives all of the different offices the time required to complete their tasks. The goal of all of this is for the racing public to have as much information as possible when doing their handicapping and making their race day selections.
Such FUN!
It does amaze ME, though, how in all walks of life so much goes on ‘behind the scenes’ to make everything work perfectly. Last night, when MY JOHN and Dottie were walking SOPHIE at Santa Anita, the crews were doing TEST RUNS on the tote boards and the new infield video BOARD to be sure all would be working without a glitch. They have also installed new state-of-the-art VIDEO BOARDS out by the paddock…all to make the racing experience for the fans the BEST IT CAN BE!
From what MY JOHN and Dottie saw last night…these boards are really high-tech!
I must say, I DID LOVE RUNNING AT SANTA ANITA! It will always hold a very special place in my heart, for sure!
Have a wonderful day!
With Love,
Hugs to All~ (Especially Trina Nagele…for the beautiful Anniversary Poem she wrote for MY JOHN and Dottie…Thank you SO MUCH!)
Z
Susan from Fl
Have a Wonderful Day! Peace & Happiness to u Z1
Lisa g
Ms Zenyatta, I have missed you so and I love you so. Lisa g
aimee in albuquerque
MERRY CHRISTMAS ZENNY.
Please tell Dottie, John, Ann, Jerry, Mike (my favorite jockey of all time)and all the team members from coast to coast Merry Christmas for me. Oops, don’t forget Sophie.
@ Roberta Smith – Are you from Bainbridge NY?
Loved the food thread from yesterday. My neighbors pony eats grapefruit sections, if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes I wouldn’t have believed it!
Merry Christmas and a safe holiday to all!
George-Vancouver Canada
Merry Christmas Zenyatta to you and all the fine folks in the world of horse racing
JAG ~ Queen Zenny's Auntie Judy (So. Califoria)
Hi Sweetie!
I know this track like the back of my hand LOL I love this place.
I know this entrance where YOUR John took the photo… to the right is JOHN HENRY’s life size bronze statue ~ we hope to have a statue of YOU there one day!
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I will be there Opening Day for sure! I’m meeting some local ‘Z Dumplings’ and “redneck” Diana S is coming in from Arizona ~ High Hoof!!
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{{hugs}} and mucho kisses on your nose Mamma Z and baby Bernie/Zen XOXOXOXO
Laura
Opening Day is awesome!
I’ll miss that tree that is in that picture. Too bad it was a victim of the windstorm. :(
JAG ~ Queen Zenny's Auntie Judy (So. Califoria)
@ ALL
As many of you know, John Henry was my first love (who died on my birthday in 2007). To ease my pain, JOHN~JOHN sent me Zenyatta!
I’ve known Team John Henry, and have become friends with his former exercise rider, Lewis Cenicola, who has been a trainer for years.
It’s with a heavy heart I share the following news:
QUOTE:
BELOVED TRAINER CENICOLA, EXERCISE RIDER FOR JOHN HENRY, BATTLES CANCER
Lewis Cenicola, the beloved exercise rider for the legendary John Henry in his glory days, is under Hospice care for liver and pancreatic cancer at his home in Arcadia, according to Hall of Fame trainer Ron McAnally, who conditioned John Henry to Horse of the Year titles in 1981 and 1984.
“He was a very good horseman and I really liked him,” said the 79-year-old McAnally of Cenicola, who turned to training after his tour with McAnally. “He did some things with John Henry that I don’t think anyone else would have had the patience to do. He’d let him stand and look when he was on the track, and when John got ready to move, he would let him go.
“Cenicola was very instrumental in John Henry’s success, let me put it that way. He and Eduardo (Inda) and the groom . . . he was just . . . I can’t tell you enough about him. He was just good. He was with us for a while, then he left to open a delicatessen near San Jose with his brother. Then he came back. That’s when we had John Henry,” added McAnally.
“He was a good exercise boy; he never missed a day,” said Inda, McAnally’s long-time assistant and currently a trainer in his own right. “He was a happy guy and friends with everybody, a very nice guy to be around.”
Continued McAnally: “He liked to party at night, but he was always there at 4:30 in the morning. He got on a lot of good horses for us, all the good Elmendorf horses. He was the best.”
The most recent horse entered in Cenicola’s name was She’sawontontomato, who is scheduled to run in Friday’s sixth race at Golden Gate Fields.
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PRAYERS FOR LEWIS AND HIW WIFE, DONNA, PLEASE.
Jan S. in Houston
Zenyatta,
Santa Anita sounds really nice. When I visit family in CA. I’ll be sure to make the rounds to all of the race tracks there. Hope you are having a fun day with Tasty. Keep warm and healthy Big Sweetie Mama.
Elizabeth G.
And you Zenyatta will always have a special place in all of our hearts…..xoxo
JAG ~ Queen Zenny's Auntie Judy (So. Califoria)
P.S. In my heart, I know that John Henry will be at Heaven’s Gate to greet Louie when he gets to Rainbow Bridge. Louie will jump on John and they will take a ride into the meadows for eternity…
Gloria Jeanne - The O.C.
Hi Zenyatta, John and Dottie-
Thanks for the opening day information!!! Santa Anita is a long standing tradition for me and some friends the day after Christmas, it’s such fun – I can’t wait to go. I hope to see you guys there.
dan
Dear Zenny,
I’m wondering if you can ask Dottie a few questions about your John’s stable.
How many horses does your John currently training? What’s the # in each barn split between Hollywood & Santa Anita? How many are owned by your owners the Mosses? Does your John being the new trainer of Morning Line have anything to do w/ you residing @ Lane’s End? I see that he is owned by Mr. Farish.
Thanks,
Dan
Gloria
Whoo hoo, Big Mama Z! You’re getting me all excited for opening day at Santa Anita – THE BEST RACE TRACK E.V.E.R.! Thanks for that rundown on how it’s all done. I hope YOUR JOHN and DOTTIE are getting some time to enjoy this week, even though work goes on as usual. Can’t wait to see the new high-tech boards in the infield and paddock areas. I miss seeing you run there, though. It was so exciting when you ran at Santa Anita, Zenny. The track had a completely different feel on those days and we all would stand around talking about YOU before you would race. All the cameras would be set to fire when our girl stepped onto the track. You’ve given me so many great memories and I’m so glad you raced at Santa Anita. XOXO!
Sharyn ~ Vermont
Love the Santa Anita track! Was there in October. I know my brother and his family always head out there on the 26th for a great day of racing!! Wish I could be there too…… They saw you every time you raced out there!!
D Stuart
@JAG and all SoCal Dumplings: HERE I COME! I’ll be at opening day and hope we can do dinner after the races. Might also want to do Photography Day on the 29th. Can we fit the carousel in there that day too?
JAG or Trina or Karen or?: Let me know what time and where to meet up on 12/26.
diastu the interstate redneck
Lori K
I LOVE YOU ZENNY !!!!!!!
D Stuart
@Dumplings: If you are coming to SA opening day and haven’t gotten a Z Dumpling name tag yet, let me know. I’m a bit behind but will make those first and bring them with me.
diastu in tempe
Stephanie
One of the blogs @ the Bloodhorse is about you today, and in one photo you can clearly see how your baby is all on one side of you!. Huge bump on the left-practically flat on the right! Can’t wait to see just how big you get Zenny! Love you and thanks so much for the updates!
HOW COOL WOULD IT BE TO SEE YOUR BC CLASSIC ON THE NEW BOARDS @ SANTA ANITA?!?!?! UNBELIEVABLE….
D Stuart
@Zenny: On opening day 2009, I was there 20 feet from you when you “first” retired. You were magnificent – and did NOT look like you were quite ready to say good-bye to racing. How joyful I was to read a couple weeks later that you would thrill us for another year! And WHAT A YEAR! Thank you. I am getting goose bumps just thinking about it!
diastu in tempe
JAG ~ Queen Zenny's Auntie Judy (So. Califoria)
California Sire Bertrando Pensioned
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/66665/california-sire-bertrando-pensioned
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TVG to Televise 2012 Oaklawn Meet
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/66672/tvg-to-televise-2012-oaklawn-meet
JAG ~ Queen Zenny's Auntie Judy (So. Califoria)
@ Stephanie ~ this is the link you referred to:
Zenyatta Tidbits and Pics
http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/throughthelens/archive/2011/12/20/zenyatta-tidbits-and-pics.aspx
W O W !!!
Gloria Jeanne - The O.C.
http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/throughthelens/archive/2011/12/20/zenyatta-tidbits-and-pics.aspx
M. Kern
Thanks for the update. Queen Z, Santa Anita Park will always a special place for me because of you. On November 7, 2009, I was lucky to be at the Great Race Place and witness one of the most memorable days in horse racing history. I will never forget when the whole place erupted with joy when you won the biggest race. I will treasure that day for the rest of my life. I plan on being at Santa Anita on opening day and will be thinking of you and Tasty.
Susan in TN
Zenny-Santa Anita looks beautiful! I really hope to visit there some day.I can’t imagine the thrill of seeing you race there. I love hearing stories about YOU from my fellow Dumplings. It really does “take a village” to put on a race meet, doesn’t it? I’ll bet you’re feeling your baby kick now. I’m glad my babies only had 2 legs :) Hope you and Tasty are having a great day! Love you, funny girl <3
Susan in TN
@JAG: Thank you for telling us about Lewis. I will light a candle for him and Donna.
Susan in TN
@D Stuart: Rednecking across state lines…might be a felony :)
Karen
Merry Christmas Z. I will think of you at SA on the 26th. Thanks for all the wonderful pictures and stories this year.
Can’t wait till spring.
You are the Queen.
K
Gloria Jeanne - The O.C.
Hi Dottie,
Maybe next year Zenyatta.com can have Christmas Cards listed for sale on her site. Something not too pricy so that a lot of people can afford them and the foundation can still make some money on them. I think it would be a great idea – Maybe a Zenyatta Calendar too. I’m thinking a photo of Zenyatta with her foal if possible with a shot of her and the background foliage of the trees, grass and perhaps other horses running or playing in the background.
I think it would be a great way to give something back to Lane’s End and Zenyatta’s fans – a way for her fans to see her everyday and to daydream about how Zenyatta spends her days – full color.
Just a thought – I have many more.
Dawn Conrad - Colorado
Dear Zenyatta. Thank you for all of the great information about opening day at Santa Anita. How exciting!! I’m wishing John and Team Z the best of luck for the season. It will be so amazing when our wonderful Mike makes #5000, can’t wait. May everyone racing come back safe and sound. It was so special reading all of the posts in celebration of Dottie and John’s anniversary, Zenny. Such a wonderful couple, they deserve all the love in the world. John is one lucky man to have the amazing Dottie by his side. I really enjoyed John’s picture of our Ebby from yesterday. She is beautifully graceful and elegant even when reaching for a sandwich. I really enjoyed meeting Steve and talking to him when I visited Barn 55. It was amazing hearing his stories about you sweet girl. He was pretty good in the kitchen too. I watched him mix up a carrot drink for Mr. Commons. Yummy! I remember in the movie “Dreamer” there was only one of the horses playing the lead role that would eat popsicles, which is one of the main plot lines in building the friendship between Dakota Fanning’s character and the horse Sonya. Thank you for sharing your Steve with us Zenny. And please keep the information coming on your little “sis”, she is very special. Being part of your life is transformative!! Love you forever and ever. Sweet dreams. Hugs and kisses. XXXOOO
@All – If you have not seen the movie “Dreamer” it is very, very good. One of my favorites. Here is a link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_uvBwyGzX4&feature=fvsr
Dawn Conrad - Colorado
@Brenda S – My dear Brenda, I was so sorry to hear about your loss. Please know that my heart and prayers are with you all.
@Peggy (N) – My sweet friend and honorary “sis”. You are definitely in my prayers. Keep thinking positive Zenyatta thoughts and let me know what you find out. Wish I was there to hug you in person, but I guess a long distance one will have to do. Lots of love!!!! ((((((( )))))))
@Cynthia H – Hope you read my get well message and are feeling better soon! Do you believe I am currently reading a book called “Death Comes to Pemberley” by mystery writer P.D. James. It places the characters from “Pride and Prejudice” into a murder mystery at the Darcy’s home. The writer actually starts the book by saying that Jane may not approve of her characters being involved in his murder mystery. However, it is currently on the Barnes and Noble best sellers list and so far I am enjoying it. Thanks for the great videos John posted, those helmet cams are great.
@JAG – Sounds like you will be sharing a great time with other Dumplings at Santa Anita. Love hearing about your days at the races, my friend. Always wish I was there!!! I was so sorry to hear about your friend Mr. Cenicola. I will be sending prayers. It is a blessing that you got to know him. He must have shared some amazing stories about your beloved John Henry. You will certainly be in my thoughts. Love and hugs.
@D Stuart – Wow, it is so great that you are heading to opening day. How fun!!! I know you will have a great time with everyone!
@Cathy Mellinger – The stories you shared in your post were wonderful. I had heard the one about the “Old One”, but never get tired of it. Thank you for sharing!
@the Kennedys – Loved your anniversary wishes from Eblouissante to Dottie and John. How sweet!
@Sharon Call – Your Christmas wishes card was wonderful!!!!!!
@Sandy in NE Ohio – Thank you so much for your lovely card also. It was so perfect to see Zenyatta represented and I agree wholeheartedly we really are a special family!!
@Trina – Your anniversary poem was beautiful. Your words always bring such great joy!!
@Dallas – HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
@Debbie from Ohio – Donuts and hot chocolate, that sounds great to me too.
@Louise Castello – Thank you so much for your beautiful sentiments. I agree, this is a wonderful place!!
@Arlene – I have heard II Divo before, but the rendition of Amazing Grace you shared was particularly exquisite. Thank you.
@Karen G – Speaking of music, I just had to tell you how much it meant to me when I opened your card and heard Judy Garland singing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”. It is one of my absolute favorite Christmas songs. I love watching all the old Christmas movies. They invoke feelings of my own wonderful family memories. For all of the joy of Christmas, there are also those melancholy moments when we miss those loved ones who are no longer with us the most. This song in particular always touches my heart. As you touch my heart also, it is so special that you shared it with me.
@All – Any of you who might have been interested in the books written by Josh Pons (Country Life Diary and Merryland) they are both on sale at Exclusively Equine for just $4.95 apiece.