Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Z's Diary

Diary Post #402

Opening soon....the day after Christmas! Photo by John Shirreffs

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

Reader Interactions

155 Comments

  1. / Reply

    hi Z! Thanks for all the info, I look forward to watching the races at Santa Anita! Love YOU gorgeous mama! Have a wonderful evening xoxoxo

  2. / Reply

    “In some places in the West, it is still possible to hide at a water hole and see at the break of day. The wild horses come in through the sage for a drink of water. It is a stirring sight when a band of horses strings along down a desert ridge, manes tossing, eyes looking here and there alertly – once again the wild animals that they were long before known human history.”
    ~O.J. Murie (1954)

  3. / Reply

    Zenyatta, after reading the Bloodhorse article that was posted on today’s post, Matt is quoted as saying that Zenyatta comes in in the morning to be checked over and to have her breakfast. Does this mean that you and Tasty stay outside all night? I thought you were brought in the barn for overnight. Just wondering.

  4. / Reply

    @JAG – Thanks for the information on Lewis Cenicola. I’ll keep him and his wife Donna in my prayers.
    @Sandy – Thank you so much for making that adorable Zenny ecard! I was in a hurry last night and I guess I overlooked the link on yesterday’s post, but Trina sent me an email with the link. It is too cute! (And thank you, Trina!)
    @Terry Crow – More great redneck jokes. Thank you!

  8. / Reply

    Another fine photo that you, Zenny and Dottie, posted taken by Your John. :)
    Will be watching opening day on HRTV from
    home. So glad they are putting in some new
    hi-tech video boards and such at Santa Anita. It has been long overdo! Should be
    an exciting meet and can’t wait to go up for
    some live racing. SENDING PRAYERS AND COMFORT TO JOHN HENRY EXERCISE RIDER LEWIS
    CENICOLA AND HIS WIFE DONNA. NOT TO WORRY,
    AS LEWIS IS IN THE PALM OF GODS HANDS AND HE AND JOHN HENRY WILL BE REUNITED IN HEAVEN. ;)
    PEACE, LOVE & BLESSINGS TO ALL,
    Kathy from SoCal xoxo

  10. / Reply

    Dearest Zenyatta,
    I’m so excited that Santa Anita is opening and then Oaklawn! Yippee! It will be such fun to watch the two and three year olds starting out this new year.

    Christmas is getting very close—I hope your holidays are fabulous, Z, and that you and Tasty will get special, special treats! I will be thinking of you and will light a Christmas candle for you and baby Z.
    Much love,
    Stel

  11. / Reply

    What a beautiful photo of Santa Anita and thank you for the lesson on how the racing days get set up – I so enjoy learning all this new information of what goes on behind the scenes. Because you have not only shared Zenyatta with us, but so much other information, this is such a great site to visit and enjoy and deepens my appreciation for all of racing. Thank you!

    @Trina – yes, I just had a birthday on the 18th – celebrated with my grandson who was born three years ago on my birthday. We got to have a firetruck come to my daughter’s house for the party. Woohoo!! I told my daughter that next year we want a horse – LOL!

    @JAG – thank you for letting us know about Mr. Cenicola although it is such sad news. I wasn’t following racing when John Henry was in his prime, but I fell in love with him at the KHP and one of my greatest thrills was that he allowed me to walk with him one day at the park. Moments I’ll treasure always in my heart.

    Trina is right that I don’t post very often but I do read most of the time and I do care for all of you because of the bond we share of loving our Queen. Just staring at the images of Zenny that I have stored here on my computer helps pick me up on days that I’m feeling down – she truly lifts my heart in a way that I can’t explain. My family doesn’t get it, but they don’t try to dissuade me either so it’s all good.

    Thank you for letting me have a say. Bless you all.

  12. / Reply

    Dear Great One,
    God sure did reach down and touch you and say “that one,” on the day you were born. Did he ever…
    Your humble J

  19. / Reply

    Dear Zenny,
    How exciting Santa Anita opens with all those new electronic devices. Only to make racing better and better and better.
    Hope you had a great day, relaxing in your paddock with TT.
    XXXXXOOOOO

  20. / Reply

    Lady Z–I will be there for opening day. We usually go on New Years Day, but we have another committment that day unfortunately. Can’t wait…it’s my favorite track, with the flowers & the old architecture and the mountains in the distance. So pretty…wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, and a very Happy Anniversary to John & Dottie..raising a glass to many, many more happy years together! Hope Santa sends you all your favorite treats, Z..you & Tasty too!

  21. / Reply

    @JAG
    So sorry to hear about LEWIS CENICOLA; what a horse man to be so kind and gentle and let John Henry have his way; the horse then new kindness. I’ve heard his trainer was the same way.

  24. / Reply

    Hi Zenny just wanted to say hello and hope you had a wonderful day.
    @Trina, Susan, Barbara, Marty R., Dawn, Sally and all my friends here was just going to share a little update I hope its alright with Zenny if I share a little of her space here. I feel like its alright with her. My scare was that I found two little lumps under my arm. Well, there was terror there as all I went through last year. I went back to the Dr today for the second time. One lump is gone, Yippeebut one is still there, well needless to say I have to go back again next week. He is giving me meds. He told me on my first visit back, I heard him reading my chart even before he walked in the room, then he came in and didn’t even say hello first just said Alright i get worried when my girls come back with this problem, I hope the other one goes away. Please again keep me in your prayers. Hope I haven’t said to much, just wanted to share. Love You all.
    I do believe in prayer very much, and angels. My Dr was very pleased one was gone.

  26. / Reply

    @Peggy N sending positive thoughts and prayers for good results on your next exam, I went thru this with my mom and one of my best girlfriends and she is doing great now. Keep the faith. Hugs
    @Barbara Wood, boy that sounds like fun, I’d do just about anything for Mikey he’s just too cute. I said just about……anything. Hugs
    P.S Sally B and I have known each other FOREVER, so we can say anything to each other and with our warped sense of humor….we do.!

  27. / Reply

    Merry Christmas sweet Zenyatta. I know and pray you will have the happiest of New Years. Love you…

  28. / Reply

    @Sally B (WI)–All this month jockey Mike Smith has named a charity of the day for his fans to each donate a dollar to. I think it finishes up in the next day or so. It’s found on his FB page.
    @Celeste–Happy belated birthday. It sounds like it was such fun!
    @Kari Bussell– I’m so sorry the Lady Vols lost last night. I was thinking of you and pulling for them.

  29. / Reply

    Do we have a report from Peggy (N) yet?
    Good night, precious Z. You and Baby Z. sleep well. We love you. Blessings to all the Dumplings from our house to yours.

  30. / Reply

    Hi Zenny, Santa Anita Should hold a special place for you because that is where you won your Breeders Cup Race and that is where you began your Fame. I will never forget it and your dear fans that love you so will never forget it. It was always felt by many that you were Heaven Sent and I do believe as time goes on it will be proven to be a fact. You do different than most of what you are and in reality you really are different in many ways. I love you to the Max and truely respect what you are, A Queen!

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