Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Ask The Experts

Ask The Experts #6

Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End

Q:

We’re curious about the weaning process. Is separation done gradually over several weeks, or is it a fast process? If the latter, how do you deal with the mares’ and foals’ distress and stop them from, say, hurting themselves, when separated and perhaps trying to get back to each other? It seems like weaning would be awfully hard on the human handlers, too.

Trish & Mike

Highlands Ranch, CO

A: The weaning process starts between five and six months of age at Lane’s End. At this stage weaning has started to begin naturally—the foals will be playing and socializing with their buddies more and more and be quite independent when they are turned out.

We typically wean early in the morning so we have a whole day to observe the mares and the foals and make sure they are handling it well. The weaned mares and foals are on opposite sides of the farm so that they are unable to hear each other. This actually makes the separation much easier on both when there isn’t a constant reminder. They stay with the groups they have been with for the last few months so they draw comfort from each other, and it really is only a matter of a few days before they are happily settled into their new routine.

The weanlings continue to come into the barn everyday and have already been taught to eat on their own before being weaned, so their routine is much the same as before. They will be checked over and have their temp taken and their feet picked before going back out in the afternoon with their pals.

Our Expert

Donna Vowles

Assistant Broodmare Manager, Lane’s End

Originally from Birmingham, England, Donna joined the Lane’s End team in 2004. As Assistant Broodmare Manager, she devotes her time to ensuring the health and happiness of all the broodmares and their foals.

Reader Interactions

731 Comments

    • / Reply

      I hope I get enough service in Canada to send a pic in! I would cry if I didn’t.

    • / Reply

      Ann. From the sentiment of solidarity with Uncle Mo and Thirsty, I would go with Caixa. The field however is a tough one. Should be a good race.

      • / Reply

        It think it’s between Rule and Hymn Book. Book finished a strong second to 3M (who won in sizzling time) and Rule is a very workman like horse. Should be a good race.

        • Yea, but Pletcher sounds a bit iffy about whether or not Caxia will like the surface. I don’t know yet, as I haven’t seen anything yet. I’ll bust out my sheets and videos so I can make a better educated guess.

      • / Reply

        Good luck with your capping Ann,

        CE is one touch hardknocker and has won some good races.

        Finding those special claimers that become graded stakes or stakes winners
        is really a neat thing.

        Not sure TP is happy training this class of horse, though. Of course, anything for,
        MR as the money rolls in.

    • / Reply

      There is room for 16 more players on the Zentastic Team.
      Come on Zenny Land family.
      We are Family I got all my Zensters with me! We are Family get up everyone and dance Like Z! just having fun forgive me Sister Sledge

      The link to join is on page 1 or 2 I can’t remember.

      • / Reply

        After you register and join the league. I would look over the F&A page. It goes over all of the information on what we need to do. We are going to be an amazing team.

        • Dear Sue:

          I’m looking forward to the game. Think it will be lots of fun. Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        We have 7 Team members now. We have room for 11 more to join in our Zentastic league. We are going to win win win just like our Queen. haha Thanks to all for playing it is going to be a blast.

        • When I indicated that my league name is Zentastic, it asked me all sorts of questions. What is going on ?

        • When I sign in and give my password, I type in Zentastic as my league name and it tells me that I am forming a team rather than joining one. Can you tell me what I am doing wrong?

        • You aren’t doing anything wrong. Your team name is like pretty much what you will handicap under in Zentastic. It’s like your “username” on Zentastic.

        • Dear TC GP:

          I was able to gain access to the Fantasy Handicapping Game by clicking Join A League. I used League Name Zentastic (as Sue said) and Password jelly123 (also as she said). Then I had to choose a Handicapping name and I was all set. There are about six general questions you have to answer initially when you first register. Let us know how you do. Hugs, JB

        • TC
          Sounds like Judy has got it down. I still can’t get my pic figured out so I am sorry I was not much help. Hope you figure it out and join.
          Welcome Judy glad you are playing too.

        • Thanks to all who helped me on this. I am now an official member of Zentastic and my user name is turkeyzen.

        • Yeah, the more the merrier.
          I am now wolfpacker. Don’t know how my name got mixed up…silly me.

          I think we can start our selections,I am still capping.

    • / Reply

      Dear Ann:

      Should be a good race. Have a soft spot for Mucho Macho Man and any of Bernie’s boys, if they go. Hugs, JB

        • Sign. I would prefer to be wrong. I would like to see Boyd and Otis win it all. Better still Neville should win even if he is not competing. I love happy endings. Neville Bardos, we miss you!

      • / Reply

        Go Boyd.
        What a XC course! Those jumps are incredible. Beautiful setting.

        Neville, we love you!!!

        Thanks for the link Sign! Very nice.

      • / Reply

        HRTV is hosting daily Olympic wrap up’s nightly at 9pm

        Should be good,

        Wish Neville was in too, Otis does not have a cough or a fever yet, but one never
        knows.

  3. / Reply

    Sandy
    I left you two links on page 3 that will give you Tapit’s progeny very easily from the two
    stallion directories, one is TT and the other I think is Bloohorse. Everything is
    there including races won and earnings.

    Hope that makes things easier for you.

    • / Reply

      Thanks Sign. Both links were very helpful (especially the fact that some of the information was limited to his top performers). I’m not sure if you got the joke (as in, I’m not sure how many offspring I expected to see when I hit the “progeny” report, but I can assure you that it wasn’t “more than 70” before we even got past “D” in the alphabet!!!!). Who knew? Well, obviously not me.

      • / Reply

        VERY CUTE comment Sandy,

        Those stallions have 100’s and 100’s and 100’s of progeny and you are right,
        we don’t see all of the claimers. In fact in a race over the weekend, there was
        a Street Cry in a Claimer, what an expensive fee for a claimer.

        There is a filly names Memories of Us, 1/2 sister to Winter Memories by Street
        Cry, unraced. Can’t find out much about her, I would love to buy her for a hunter jumper, she will probably be a broodmare with that pedigree.

  4. / Reply

    Abigail, So happy to hear that Ms. Daisy Doodlebug is making good progress, I hope she isn’t finding the heat and humidity too much.

    Max, The naughty young colt that Vic and I know is a great, great grandson of Storm Cat on his dam’s side. He’s extremely strong willed and pays no mind to his dam or his owners so he’s going to need a firm trainer. Fun to watch though.

    • / Reply

      Max:

      Thanks for the link to see Chantel ride, WOW! what a race! So happy she is back riding in the U.S., nothing like sittin’ back and comin from behind, sound like someone else we all know and love!

      Happy Monday!

  6. / Reply

    Mike Smith and Amazombie just won the G1 Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar. The Factor (Martin Garcia) was second.

      • / Reply

        Thanks Laura and Keta. I’ve finally figured out that just about all of the race replays can be found on the Bloodhorse site, but it’s nice to be able to just click on your link and not to have to hunt for one you want to see :-).
        Sandy

      • / Reply

        Keta. Thanks for the link. Great impressive win. You have to smile to see that horse give it his all to take that race. Good one, Mike Smith.

      • / Reply

        Keta:

        Thanks for the link to watch Mike bring home another win! I swear he could ride a camel and win! Love it when he comes to Saratoga, he is so nice and friendly to all us crazy fans! He not only has style and race on a horse, but also in real life!

        Enjoyed the race, thanks!

    • / Reply

      Wonderful ride by Mike Smith. The rail post had me worried, but it couldn’t have worked out better for horse/rider.

      • / Reply

        Dear TC GP and Z Fans:

        Congrats to Mikey and Amazombie. Wonderful ride. Hugs, JB

  8. / Reply

    Here are today’s redneck jokes. You might be a redneck if your favorite restuarant has a sawdust floor. You might be a redneck if you have a toilet seat for a hood ornament. You might be a redneck if there were dogs in the church on your wedding day. You might be a redneck if you’ve ever burped and killed a fly. You might be aredneck if you can eat watermelon through a picket fence. Here is one I reworked from its original source but I feel is topical. You might be a redneck if you have had your olympic gold medal bronzed.

    • / Reply

      A sawdust floor? Been to many a restaurant in Arizona with a sawdust floor and there is one (maybe more than one) that if you wear a tie into the restaurant, the staff cuts it off and hangs it from the ceiling, along with the literally hundreds and hundreds of ties cut off from previous patrons. Truly qualifies as a redneck venue.

      • / Reply

        I’ll verify that.
        Do not wear flipflops or you’ll be kicking up a cloud of sawdust.
        And, you’ll end up with sawdust between your toes.
        Just saying
        Keta

        • Also, if you wear flipflops or other light shoes, you might step on a very sharp peanut shell. There are bowls of peanuts in the shell everywhere and after breaking the shells open to get the peanuts, customers re encouraged to throw the empty shells on the floor. I love these type of places.

        • Terry,

          We were married in a civil ceremony at the court house and went for dinner that evening at a “peanuts on the floor” restaurant, our favorite at the time. Guess I’ve been rednecking for quite a spell, now.

    • / Reply

      TC,
      Hope you got on the team.
      Thanks for the laughs today.

      Rosemary….sound like a place for our RN Club!

      • / Reply

        Ann – it’s the perfect place for the RN Club. Maybe one of these days there will be a First Annual Meeting of the RNC.

  9. / Reply

    Sign posted an informative article about 8 things every horse/weanling/yearling needs to know. Here is an article on the real-world teaching at Claiborne Farms.

    Fields of Dreams: At fabled Claiborne Farm, yearling training is kindergarten for horses
    By Janet Patton —Lexington Herald-Leader Published: July 28, 2012
    PARIS — If any Thoroughbred farm in Kentucky can be said to have the golden touch, it would be Claiborne Farm.
    During its 102 years of operation, the Hancock family farm on the outskirts of Paris has dominated breeding and racing like none other.
    The names on the brass plaques on the varnished door of “The Big Stall” say it all: Bold Ruler, Secretariat, Easy Goer, Unbridled, and now Eddington.
    The beginning
    Behind the scenes, the real work goes on. To fans, July is tourist season. For yearlings, it’s boot camp, albeit a kind of preschool boot camp. This year, Claiborne Farm will send about 50 yearlings to the sales, and these 50 are expected to represent the gold (or Claiborne orange, as it’s historically called) silks with distinction.
    But for youngsters who have known little but blue sky, green pasture and daily baths to suddenly be asked to perform such arduous tasks as walk in a circle or — horrors! — stand still seems akin to asking a teenager to fold laundry.
    But they get it. Gradually. The first week, it’s like any other kindergarten class — minds on anything but what they are supposed to be doing. Within a week, they can walk, stand and be reasonably still.
    But it all starts with baby steps.
    The training
    As the sun rises over pastures of mares and weanling foals, yearling manager Eric Tubbs is thinking of them as “future yearlings.”
    Once the weanlings are old enough, sometime this fall, they will strike out on their own, so to speak, with the female yearlings going in one direction and the males in another. Those destined for sales rings eventually get their own paddocks.
    “The boys tend to get frisky, scuffle a little,” Tubbs said.
    When one is thinking of spending six figures or more on a horse, one expects perfection — no scratches, no scuffs, no sunburn even.
    Sales yearlings come in during the day to preserve their beautiful coats. They go out at night to play.
    On July 5, training begins in earnest. The first set of yearlings is introduced to the EquiGym, a kind of carousel without music. They load one at a time into a section and then start walking. An easy three minutes each way at first, eventually building up to eight minutes each way.
    “We’ll get them up to 7 or 8 miles an hour,” Tubbs said.
    All that walking helps build muscle, rock-hard legs and the definition that would-be buyers are looking for.
    The yearlings also have a miniature “sales area” like those outside the barns where buyers will come, much-marked catalogs in hand, to get a first-hand look at the merchandise in a couple of months at Keeneland, Saratoga or Fasig-Tipton’s Newtown Paddocks.
    The yearlings practice walking, posing — including that critical conformation pose — and standing still. But don’t get too docile: you still want them to know you’re something a little special up here on four legs.
    By they time the September sales roll around, Claiborne’s 50 yearlings will be able to do this like the blue-blooded chorus line they are. Their hooves have been trimmed and buffed just so, to straighten a leg just a touch or show an ankle to slightly better advantage. (The secrets a good farrier/blacksmith keeps would make a Hollywood hairdresser seem chatty.)
    For the workers at Claiborne, who over the course of several generations have seen this cycle for more than 100 years, it never gets old.
    In fact, it’s what keeps them young.
    “The best part about it is when you see them cross the finish line … and they were raised here,” Tubbs said. “And you had your hands all over them.”

    Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2012/07/28/2275223/fields-of-dreams-at-fabled-claiborne.html#storylink=misearch#storylink=cpy

    • / Reply

      I REALLY HOPE THAT EVERYONE WHO HAS/HAD CONCERNS ABOUT THE WEANING PROCESS READ THIS ARTICLE.
      IT IS AN EXCELLENT DESCRIPTION OF WHAT HAPPENS AT A TOP RACING/BREEDING FARM.
      KETA
      PS Sign, I borrowed your uppercase style to get attention. Let’s see if it works.

      • / Reply

        Keta:

        Thanks for the article very informative! I really don’t have any concerns, as I AM NO EXPERT! How funny about Franklin and Frankel? I don’t think Frankel is ready to compete in the 100m backstroke yet! Too much going on this week, hard to keep track of! Too afraid we might miss something!

    • / Reply

      Dear Keta:

      Thanks for the wonderful article and link on what’s ahead for our beloved Prince, Jess’s Dream, Little TT and all the beautiful weanlings. Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Judy,
        Glad to you enjoyed this article.
        It was truly an inside look at what happens in the training process.
        Know that I think of you often
        Hugs, Keta

    • / Reply

      Thank you Keta for this written info shared by Mr. Tubbs. I was so fortunate to visit Clairborne with my BF last year. There is so much history at the farm. But, I do love Lane’s End and their friendliness to visitors. Lane’s End is just a spotless beautiful farm with miles of fencing and handsome stallions standing. A.P. Indy resides and is a treasure!!

    • / Reply

      Dear Keta,

      This is a really great article. 12 Z has his work cut out for him.

      My 3 year old intact male vishla is learning his dog “manners”. He actually ran into a blind dog at the dog park. He came barreling toward the dog thinking it would see him and move, he slammed into his muzzel. The dog very good natured, just turned around
      as the owner proceeded to tell me he was blind.

      YOUNG UNRULEY MALES are definately a challenge.

      He also won his first major at the Reliant Stadium Dog show, he has a professional
      handler that is a tall man with a very firm and calm voice. Teddy obeyed without question (very unusual for him). All the way home in the car he panted, like, is it really over.

  10. / Reply

    Black Caviar not racing right now. Here are the tweets.
    Racing Post‏ tweeted
    Black Caviar will miss this year’s Melbourne spring carnival, says trainer Peter Moody
    James Knight‏ tweeted
    Black Caviar will not race again this year. Will either be retired or brought back for Autumn campaign.

    • / Reply

      Keta. The wonder mare needs a rest. She has nothing to prove, and she may need time to find a new boyfriend. Voila Ici is gone to train elsewhere. Saloon is history. Uncle Mo might be there in August. He likes flirting with all fillies. Enjoy your vacation, Nelly.

      • / Reply

        Dear Max, Keta and Z Fans:

        Agree with you totally. Nelly earned some well deserved R & R. Uncle Mo? This could be very interesting. Hugs, JB

        • Hi Judy:

          I’m not sure who Nelly is? Is that Black Cavier’s nickname? How about our Z-Girl and Uncle Mo? Feisty and Docile? Could be a winning combination! Or maybe Rachel and Uncle Mo? He deserves someone special!There’s always Plum Pretty!

          GirlSaratoga the Matchmaker!

        • Dear GirlSaratoga:

          Yes, you’re right. Nelly is BC’s nickname. Don’t know how they match up in bloodlines, but in personalities would be wonderful. Hugs, JB

        • JudyB. Do you remember how Awesome Marie always used to ignore Mo, but he still tried to get her attention? It might be the same with Nelly. She’s a heart breaker. Her previous boyfriends were English and Italian. You never know. Mo’s American charm might just work.

        • Dear Max:

          Oh yes, I remember How Mo was determined to get Maria’s attention. Nellie’s a bit fickle though. Hate to see Mo brokenhearted again. Maybe he should change his tactics and be more aloof. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Thanks Keta, love info on Nelly! Max, I agree, hope she gets a good rest, she earned it! I know I’m in the minority, but I would be just fine with her retiring. I just adore her!

  11. / Reply

    Kentucky Horse Park‏ reminder tweet
    Wish you were in London watching Olympic eventers?
    Next spring you can see many of them right here in person at RolexKentucky.

      • / Reply

        Max,
        It has been a fun morning watching the eventers.
        What a tough course!
        In PHX, you have to get up early to see the live Olympic coverage.
        3 hrs difference to the East Coast at the time of year
        Keta

        • Keta. I saw the last part. You are right. That course is dificult, but those horses are incredibly talented. Tomorrow it is 5 am EDT. I will drag myself from bed to see it. Still wish that Nev was racing. Go Boyd.

        • Max,
          I found the inflatable vests very interesting.
          When the rider leaves the saddle, it automatically inflates.
          Saw it in action with the Japanese rider.
          Good protection
          Keta

      • / Reply

        Max,

        It is a wonderful and very dangerous sport. Falling off even with a vest
        one can still have an injury. The Austrailian couple (Luncinda and Clayton) competeing in the eventing have a show
        on HRTV and the wife talk a lot about her injuries. It is a sport not for the faint
        at heart and falling off with a major injury is common. Those eventers just brush it off and keep on going.

        • Sign. Two Canadians were tossed by their horses during today’s eventing competition. One is in hospital in London with a concussion. The other rider is okay.
          The US team is currently in 5th place. Not bad.

  12. / Reply

    Steve Byk‏ tweet
    Amazombie a 103 Beyer for Spawr & Sanford winning the G1 ‘Der Binglehoffer’ under Mike Smith..

  13. / Reply

    IMO Prince Z is pretty independent already and will take to being with his friends rather quickly ;-) Not to say he won’t miss his Mommy! Zenny will miss her “first born”, but they have done great so far! High Hoof!

    Peppermint kisses and {{hugs}} Zen! Smooch to Prince Z, too!

    Always in my ♥ xoxo – Auntie JAG

    • / Reply

      Max:

      I have a question….and I hope it’s not a stupid one! Why is Frankel in Europe and not in the U..S? Bobby Frankel was one of the most popular trainers in the US and especially in New York? I guess I just thought his legacy would be preserved in the U.S. and in NY? He was always a mainstay up at Saratoga where he lived or once lived? He was a true and hard fast New Yorker! I know hie is watching over his beloved Frankel!

      • / Reply

        The horse was foaled in Europe and was later named Frankel in honor of the trainer. He has always had European connections and will probably never race in the US. I remember Bobby Frankel when he was first starting to train at Santa Anita many years ago. At that time, he was known as a trainer who was good with claimers and had very few high class horses. Similar to the situation with Mike Michell. Bobby started to get good horses and the rest is history. No question is stupid. It’s the only way you learn.

        • Terry:

          Thanks for the info! I love to learn, so I appreciated the lesson! I guess I will stop waiting for him to come to the U.S.!

          Much appreciate it!

      • / Reply

        GirlSaratoga. Bobby Frankel trained Prince Khalid Abdullah’s horses in the US. Frankel is named for him by the Prince for that reason. The Prince’s major breeding and racing operations are in England and Ireland. He does send some of his horses from there to race in the US. Twice Over was third to Zenyatta in the 2009 BCC.

        TerryC. Frankel was born in England. The British do not really consider themselves to be Europeans. They are an island kingdom on to themselves.

        • Terry C and GirlSaratoga. Here is another tidbit of information about the horse, Frankel. His official registered racing name is Frankel. His barn name is Bobby.

        • Max, Terry, GirlSaratoga
          When you know you are on horse overload & sporting worlds collide,
          The New York Times‏ tweeted
          Franklin Wins the 100 Backstroke for Gold No. 1
          When I first read this, of course, I read it as Frankel
          Then the mind sorted out the rest.
          Sorry Missy Franklin & a huge congratulations on the Gold!
          Keta

        • Max:

          Thanks for your info too! This is like the information “hotline”! I didn’t know he was overseas, I always associated him with gold old New York! We lost a valuable trainer, maybe he’s training our four legged friends in heaven? or at least keeping them in line!

        • Keta. LOL!!! I am not certain if Frankel could do the backstroke to Missy Franklin standards, but he could probably be medal material for the horse version of the breaststroke.

          Just heard that Missy is dual citizen of US and Canada. Missy, you have the entire NA continent cheering for you. Go for more gold, Missy.

        • Max-The real expert on Frankel (the man) is our friend Dottie, who is responsible for starting this great blog in a slightly different form. Dottie used to work for him.

        • TerryC. Yes, i know that Dottie worked with Robert Frankel, was his close friend and is his executor. One of the English commentators at the Queen Anne said that Frankel ‘s run at Ascot was extraterrestrial. Apparently, Frankel the horse is an aloof horse who can ignore those around him and stares instead into the distance as if he is looking at something from beyond. I like to think that Robert Frankel watches over his namesake. They are both very special. Maybe Frankel even without Henry Cecil will not be alone at Goodwood after all?

        • Great point, they are across the pond.
          However, I refer to then as Euros, because of
          Style of racing !!!

  15. / Reply

    I read a post in the forum where someone said they saw a photo of Baby Z’s Breyer statute. I looked on Zenyatta’s FB page, but didn’t see a photo. Anyone know how to find it? Thanks.

  16. / Reply

    Oops! I found the photo of Zenyatta and colt. They look very nice. Can’t wait for November.

    • / Reply

      Ellen posted in the Forum
      I just saw a photo of a new Breyer horse model of Baby Z!
      They are using the Warmblood foal mold, which will look great trotting next to the Zenyatta model.
      Of course, by November, when it is due to be released, it will also be a memento of how small Baby Z once was.

  17. / Reply

    I haven’t posted a Redneck joke for a while – so here is one that I have slightly adapted:

    A redneck gets on a plane and goes up to first-class. The flight attendant tells him that he will have to move back, his ticket is not for first class. The redneck says, “I’m a redneck, I’m goodlooking and I’m going to California for the first time.” The main flight attendant is brought in and explains that he will have to move. The redneck says, “Im a redneck, I’m good looking and I’m going to California for the first time.” The attendants tell the pilot. He comes in and looks the situation over. He leans over and whispers something to the redneck and he gets up immediately and moves out of first class. The attendants are flabbergasted. “What did you say to him?” The pilot responded “I just told him that this section doesn’t go to California.”

  18. / Reply

    Thank you, the weaning actually sounds easier than what I had imagined. It is a relief for me for all the mares and their foals, but especially my Queen, as I want her to never have an unhappy day in her life, as well as all her children. Thanks, Lisag

  19. / Reply

    Missy Franklin won gold in the 100 metre backstroke. She is what Colorado is all about. Congrats, Missy! Hope you get more gold.

    • / Reply

      Thanks, Max, for the Colorado comment. I had read Missy was really frantic after the theater shooting here in Aurora as her school is located in Aurora and she lives right next door in Centennial. She was relieved to find out that no one she knew was a victim, but she has dedicated her Olympic races to Colorado. She’s an exceptional seventeen year old.

      • / Reply

        MartyR. Colorado has recently had some undeserved very hard times. Everyone is now thinking only the best for you. Good to see Missy show the state for the good which it really represents. Canada has now also laid claim to Missy. She’s a dual citizen. Go for gold, Missy.

        • Max, I did not know Missy has dual citizenship. She’s a North American girl, then. All the better.

        • Marty R. According to the media, Missy’s parents are Canadian. She has dual citizenship.

      • / Reply

        I can vertainly get behind Missy Franklin in anything that she attempts. THis young woman is the epitome of what the Olympics are/should be all about. Contrast her reaction to things to some of her contemporarires.

    • / Reply

      Thanks as always Judy. I had seen the previous comments but could not follow where this was posted. Isn’t he something?

    • / Reply

      Very Very Very Cute Judy B.

      I know Nina Kaise had “bigger thing to do now”, but she also spoke of doing a
      12 Z bronze to go with the bronze Zenny statue. I would love to have one of those !!!

      • / Reply

        Dear Sign, Sandy, Rosemary and Z Fans:

        I want one of those too. Already have Z’s. I guess we’ll be wanting one of all of Z’s foals.Too Cute. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Karen Gogue posted a new video on the Forum of a recent visit to Hollywood Park. Lava Man is on it. What a wonderful ham bone! Love you, Lava Man.

    • / Reply

      Keta:

      WOW! I just watched like all 22 of Black Cavier’s races, she is a “super filly”! WOW! I’m tired just watching her run! She is amazing – no wonder she needs and deserves some R & R. I hope she gets the chance to lay around and be lazy for awhile.

      Thanks for introducing me to another super-fly girl!

      Your story about Franklin and Frankel cracked me up! I don’t think that is one race Frankel could win!

      GirlSartoga

  23. / Reply

    Hansen finally will run with blue-tipped tail in West Virginia Derby

    http://blogs.courier-journal.com/racing/2012/07/30/hansen-finally-will-run-with-blue-tipped-tail-in-west-virginia-derby/

    My personal opinion is that this is whimsical, and it is NOT harmful or disrespectful to racing! I have friends who are as happy as I am! Think of all the pink for Breast Cancer Awareness…

    Read the whole article before you voice your opinion – charities are involved, etc. :-)

    Yay! and Mikey has the mount – woo hoo!!!

    Auntie JAG

    • / Reply

      Judy aka Jag:

      Thanks for the link to the story of Hansen’s colorful next race! (haha) I think it’s a nice tribute to Dr. Hansen’s charities, and his good works. Some well to do people give nothing to charities! Kuddo’s to the West Virginia Derby for allowing Dr.Hansen and his team to raise awareness to those charities he supports!

      I will be blue if he doesn’t win!

      • / Reply

        It’s definitely a unique look. I think however that Hansen already looks pretty fabulous the way in which God made him. Hansen must be a good natured and coopertive horse to allow his tail to be dyed. I cannot see how that could be done to Big D without some casualties.

    • / Reply

      All the more handsome in the winner’s circle with Mikey on his back. Blue hair or not, no stopping this Tapit baby!

  24. / Reply

    Thank you Donna Vowls for taking the time to answer the question on weaning. I could not help but get teary eyed with the thought of the separation. It is part of nature, that I realize. It is just that I love Zenyatta so much.

  26. / Reply

    Congratulations to my beloved Mikie on his big win on Amazombie this weekend, and to all other winners. I’ve been so caught up in the Olympics that I didn’t see much horseracing! But it’s great fun to watch the dressage and cross country (actually showed about 3 hrs of it today). Some bad spills but our USA team all came thru unharmed, Yippee!

    I have a great IDEA! HDG is going up on the auction block in November at Fasig-Tipton sale, and I am so afraid someone from Japan will buy her and we’ll never see her again. Why don’t we ALL pool our resouces and buy her as a group, then we can keep her here in the states and pick a stallion to breed her to. SCATHINGLY BRILLIANT, huh. What does everyone think?

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      My fear also Sue, as her owner said he wanted to sell her privately,

      Can hardly believe their is not market for her in the US???

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        Sign:

        Why is the market so bad here? It seems like a lot of our great horses are sold overseas? Is it because of the money they will pay? And why are the European’s willing to pay so much more than the American’s? I didn’t realize that once an owner is done racing a horse they sell them so quickly? I hope HDG stays here, where we keep track of her. I know it’s a business, but I could never be an owner or trainer, I would never be able to sell them, I would have a barn full of horses that weren’t earning me any money! I would be out of business before you know it!

        • Not surei understand, who the US wants for breeding and why.
          Interesting that Tapit had a short racing career, not a
          High money earner, but now expensive breeding stallion,
          Perhaps because of the AP Indy line.

          Rick Porter wants 10 million for her and not sure
          Who will pay that. Azeri went to Japan. HDG has a very
          Unique pedigree being St Liam’s most sucessful
          Daughter. She is an American treasure.

          Some owners only want to race, breeding is an expensive
          Business and to have a few broodmares is not
          Really breeding. It is standing the stallions, which
          Is a specialty. To have a bunch of breeding males
          Around can be dangerous if one is not familiar
          With their behavior and needs. They can actually
          Smell each other and get very aggressive with
          Each other when they are not very close together.

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      Dear Sue Fredricks:

      Could we raise enough to do it? Wouldn’t that be something. Where do we board her? Can we maintain her care and feed? Wish I could win the lottery. Hugs, JB

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      Sign. After their race at Ascot which Thomas Chippingdale won, Henry Cecil who trains TC and Noble Mission said that they are both babies, and the only difference is that one is just a bigger baby than the other. LOL.

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        TOO CUTE MAX

        Noble Mission does look a lot like Frankel especially
        On the photo all collected up.

    • / Reply

      Dear Sign:

      Thanks for the link on Noble Mission. He is beautiful like his brother. Hugs, JB

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    From: Talking Horses Blog
    Pletcher: Gemologist had breathing problems in Haskell
    SARATOGA SPRINGS – Trainer Todd Pletcher thinks he has an explanation why Gemologist faded to last place in the $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on Sunday evening.
    Pletcher said Gemologist displaced his soft palate, which was confirmed by a endoscopic examination after the race.
    “Javier said (Gemologist) was making a lot of noise and when we got him back and scoped him, he appeared to displace his soft palate and he had a lot of mucus, like a lung infection going on,” Pletcher said. “We know he’s a lot better than that, his form from the spring, when he beat Currency Swap and Alpha and Street Life and those horses, it just didn’t make sense why he didn’t run better. But I think after scoping him, it became a lot more clear.”
    Gemologist raced to the lead and held it until the final quarter-mile, when he was passed by eventual winner Paynter.
    “We’ve got to get him on some antibiotics and treat him for it and get it cleared up and maybe make an equipment adjustment, add a tongue tie to the mix or something,” Pletcher said. “I’m pretty sure after talking to Javier, that he displaced his palate and when we scoped him, we could confirm that. Add the mucus and lung infection into the mix, and I think that’s what happened.”
    Pletcher said Gemologist, owned by WinStar Farm, will remain on antibiotics for a week. He didn’t rule the horse out of the $1 million Travers on Aug. 25.
    “We’re not going to rule anything out,” Pletcher said. “We’ll take a little time and talk to Elliott (Walden), Winstar connections. Everything else is good. He’s sound and that’s the main thing, so I think this is something we can work through.”
    http://blog.timesunion.com/horseracing/pletcher-gemologist-had-breathing-problems-in-haskell/9109/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

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    Thanks Keta for sharing this information on Gem. I was at the Haskell’s yesterday and it was a great race!! However it didn’t make sense that Gem held the lead and then faded. I hope he’ll be alright.

    Also Hansen having a blue tipped tail is a great and fun idea! This is what horse racing needs — ideas to market to make it fun!!!

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