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
Trina Nagele in So Cal
TVG is showing Z’s 2010 Vanity (17th win) right now–10PM PST.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Z,
Goodnight and Sweet Baby Dreams. Love you, Judy and Russ
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Peggy N.:
Thinking of you and wishing all the best. Hugs, JB
Trina Nagele in So Cal
@Peggy N—Of course you haven’t said too much! We’ve all been waiting to hear. Certainly we’ll be praying for you with regards to that second lump. Keep us in the loop as you go back next week. HugZ.
ira
happy hanukkah and a happy horse birthday to you next week!
Erin
@Trina
I too watched Z’s Vanity on TVG. They feature her often on their Classic races late night. She was simply stunning to watch from beginning to end. It is no sacrifice to put off bedtime to be reminded of her greatness in history. No one could keep their eyes off her. Zenyatta is so incredibly unique, so perfect.
Kari Bussell/sending prayers & love from Tn.
My Queen ,
Please forgive my absence. Thank you for all of the great information today. I hope you and Tasty are having sweet, precious horsey dreams. I love you so very much..You never fail to fill my heart with Joy.
@Trina Nagele- I am still speechless. You Will hear from me soon. Thank you for pouring so very much of yourself into being so kind and generous to others with your beautiful poetry.
@Barbara Wood- Thank you! Yes, that one hurt. Pat Summit is great at having them peak at just the right time. So I am still very hopeful.
@Terry Crow- I read your jokes today to my husband and he laughed and laughed with me…So you made two peoples day brighter. Thank YOU!!
Kari Bussell/sending prayers & love from Tn.
@Peggy N- You are in my thoughts and prayers. Please keep us posted.
@Cynthia H- Get Well! 12th- Heart
Delrene from Carlsbad - (California)
@Peggy N – Our thoughts are with you as you await the news. Take care.
It’s very late on the East Coast and I’m sure you and TT are safe and warm and dreaming of peppermints. Thank you to all for the kind thoughts about my son and his brief return to be with his family. I feel much calmer now knowing he is back in his home with his beautiful family. Thank you Dottie for this beautiful safe haven for all of us to share aspects of our life via the “web” and to enjoy everything Zenyatta. We are so appreciative and hope your holidays are wonderful with your family. Looks like it will be a terrific opening day. Thanks for all the news about Santa Anita.
Kari Bussell/sending prayers & love from Tn.
@Arlene- Thank you for posting that beautiful rendition of Amazing Grace.
@Sue Freddick-LOLOLOL! – The blind leading the blind…try again. 8:00am?
@JAG- I am so sorry about John Henry’s exercise rider Lewis Cenicola..I know all too much about that dreaded disease.I pray they find a cure.
@JAG & Signofthetimes -thank you for the links.
@Dawn Conrad- I am blessed everytime you post.
Kari Bussell/sending prayers & love from Tn.
@Sandy-(NE Ohio) via Diane Stuart- How did you do that? Thank you so much for making that wonderful “card” for us.I hope you have a very, very Merry Christmas!!
Trina Nagele in So Cal
A (Belated) Birthday Poem for Celeste in Texas
For December 18, 2011
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In November
Celeste was filled with gratitude
While sharing Thanksgiving food
With her family round the table.
When she counted her blessings,
I’m from her comments here guessing
She also did remember
Z in her Lane’s End stable
And thought of Z’s
Thrilling victories
And now the heartwarming entries
By Z in her Diary,
Which Celeste does read
At every chance.
And when Celeste
Did of her husband request
The print, “The Queen’s Dance,”
Her hubby —
May he
By God be blessed—
Straight away did say yes!
In just a few short years—
Hear! Hear!—
They’ll reach their fiftieth
Anniversary.
Recently
Celeste
Did mention
She guessed
It was not too soon
To draw their kids’ attention
To how special it would be
As a gift
To receive
A bronze of Z!
For like many of us who are of an age for a pension,
When we must often to doctors resort
And sometimes have a lab report
That calls for some intervention,
Celeste
Finds thinking of Z
Is some of the best
Medicine that could be–
She finds it helps erase the sting
Of less agreeable things….
Dear Celeste, we hope your heart sings
As your family round you rings
To celebrate your day of birth,
And then that of the King
Who came to Earth.
(Note to each offspring:
Don’t be a miser—
Get Mom and Dad that Nina Kaiser!)
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, CELESTE, AND MERRY CHRISTMAS TOO!
Trina Nagele in So Cal
@JAG—I’m going to light a candle and say prayers for Lewis Cenicola now.
@Kari “Joyful Victory” Bussell–Thank you for your kind words. We Z-sters can never repay you for all the joy you have brought us through your own beautiful expressions of love. “UNBELIEVABLE! ONE WE’LL NEVER FORGET!”
Trina Nagele in So Cal
@Dawn Conrad—THANK YOU for the link to “Dreamer” and for your kind words about my poem.
Trina Nagele in So Cal
@Elizabeth in NM–I enjoyed your NM redneck lore on ENntry #341! (I’m just catching up!)
Trina Nagele in So Cal
@Ingrid Arnone. South Beach—Thank you, Ingrid—I think you’re a very special person too!
Yvonne and Maurice
Hi Zenyatta. Wish we could be there for opening day this year. Not sure if one of my favorites, Ultimate Eagle, is running. I see he is scheduled to run on the 26th but also saw features in the TDN he is going to run on January 14, 2012. I would love to be there for that. We had a great day visiting the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Texas today, had such fun feeding the wonderful animals and the scenery was breathtaking. Zenyatta, please stay toasty with Tasty, eat well for two and have loads of fun waiting for Santa this year. We just got our ornaments – just gorgeous, mine is on my “little” tree and one is a Christmas gift. Love that John signed the box with “Barn 55” – such a great keepsake. Love it. Love you, Angels.
Celeste
Aww, Trina N – thank you so much for the birthday poem!! That is so sweet of you. There are so many on here who are so talented at expressing themselves that I’m often at a loss for what to say. It seems that we all love Zenyatta in such a special way that when one of you talented writers creates a special poem or phrase or sentiment or joke it fits very well for the emotions of us us. For all of this I thank you all – for the words, for the understanding, for the sharing. Beautiful.
For Peggy N – my best wishes for your health.
Marty R / Colorado
Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but this picture of Santa Anita is so delightful….. All of you going to the opening day will get to see Mr. Commons race, YIPPEE I know you will all have a great time.
@Peggy N-Keeping you in my prayers. Hope next week’s appointment brings good news. In the meantime, enjoy your Christmas and blessings of the season to you.
@All-Thank you for all the links, videos and the gifts of yourselves you bring to this site everyday.
sue
Opening day at SA! Went there a few years ago from Virginia. What a birthday present that was. But not half as great as going there to see Z win Breeders Cup. That is something I will NEVER forget.
Barbara Wood (Texas)
@Peggy (N)–we must have been posting about the same time last night, because I just saw yours this morning. We will gladly redouble our prayers for you and your next exam. Pleas, Dumplings, don’t ever feel you are taking up “space” by telling personal things. We’re all here for each other. Oodles of hugs and love to all.
Emma
Merry christmas miss Z.
suew/Va
@Peggy N, {{{ }}}
maryp (New York)
Zenny, What an angel you must be to bring people together who are genuinely caring for each other.
@Peggy N – you are in my prayers
@All, I need some too.
Beth Buckley
Was wondering who they will book Zenyatta to in 2012. Any thoughts?
Darlene Daniels
My dearest Zenyatta, I just watched some u-tube videos of you and I am laughing and crying at the same time. You were the highlight of my life during a very low time. But not to worry, things are much better now. I have learned so much through your website and I feel I can pose my question here to get help with my querry. I work midnightshift as a nurse and frequently am late getting out. There is an Amish girl who drives her horse and buggy to work in That horse cannot move or look around or anything. Will somebody please tell me if I am being too sensitive or this normal for service horses. I cannot think that would be a good thing but I am still learning alot too. Thank youb and I love Zenyatta
Kimberly Potter/Montana
@Peggy (N)~ This is a wonderful place to share because there is power in this Army. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Please keep up posted.
@ALL who need prayers….they are coming to you from Montana…
HUGZ
Kimberly
mary bobolis
Wonderful pic -thanks for sharing. Anxiously awaiting the start of the SA meet with your John’s mounts-especially Embloussant. Honestly, we can’t wait. Big girl, enjoy your day.
We all love you so much.
Delrene from Carlsbad - (California)
Have you seen that handsome “Kittens Joy”
don’t know enough about what they look for, I know they obviously shouldn’t share close lineage, but he is a looker for sure! I would love to have her baby-daddy be a gray/roan horse too, but hey, have patience -I say to myself, let’s let our Z girl have a wonderful baby and maybe a rest or certainly her people Mom and Dad will do what is best for her.
So many handsome, available stallions to chose from…. Mikey statement was so on point. None are good enough or deserving of our beautiful Zenyatta – I agree, it is fun to think about….. Bernardini’s book has sure taken off and skyrocketed.
Marilu V.
@ Hi Karen G. Thank you for the links on the abandoned horses and Christmas Cards.
I appreciate the information. I sent another letter to Senator Boxer on the approved bill to allow slaugthering houses. Thanks again, Marilu