Happy Wednesday!
Last month we spent a morning with John Shirreffs and his crew at Belmont Park. We tagged along to watch Coz and Ziconic gallop and work on morning lessons. After bath time and treats from us the brothers even posed for a photo together. Scroll down to the bottom of the post for videos.
Enjoy!
Team Z
Video: Our morning at Belmont
Video: Coz and Ziconic pose for a photo
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Judy.Hope all is well with you and Lola Mae.Thinking of you.Goodnight God bless you LM PC HT Cap Hercules Frank and all the Sweeties.Love and hugs SheenaX
Judy Berube from Rhode Island
Dear Sheena:
Goodnight. Love and Hugs, JB, LM, PC, HT, Cap, Herc, Frank and all the Sweeties
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Max.A lot on the RP facebook are not keen on the idea of Sheikh Mo buying Warren Place although Henry trained many winners for him.I enjoyed the programme about his days with Frankel.He would have loved him to stay in training another year.It was sad to see him so frail at the end and the horse beside him so powerful and strong.I felt they should have included Tom Queally though.He did guide him to his 14 victories.Top Notch Tonto won at York today didn’t he used to be one of Moosie’s twitter friends?Very popular horse.Sheena
Max
It was a shame that Cecil passed away as he had good years yet to go as a trainer. He was a gentle person and he seemed to have a psychic connection with his horses. Learned many interesting things from listening to his interviews with BBC. He knew a great deal about breeding and always gave full credit to the mares. Sorry to hear that Queally was not mentioned. Times since Frankel have been very tough on Queally.
With the Panther out of the Gold Cup, Simenon may have a chance if he races. Not certain yet in what race, Mullins will place him. Lots of positive comments about The Grey Gatsby’s chances. I see that Moore is staying faithful to him. Hootenanny is listed as starting in another race. Not sure which. Got to have score cards or write it down to sort it all out. Next week will be very exciting for you.
Max
Re Top Notch Tonto. You are right. He and the Moose are long time Twitter friends. Both cheeky chestnuts. Moose used to give him tips on outfoxing opponents, even horses from Moose’s own yard. Moosie has always been a maverick. TNT has some interesting looking knee socks. Good blaze too.
Ann NC
Love those knee socks.
I believe Groupie Doll’s foal has nice knee socks, too.
The knee socks are beautiful leg markings, very stylish!
HeidiK, Vallejo,Ca
Dear; fellow “Handicappers.,” What’s up with our ‘capping site?’ Anyone get an email?
Marty R / Colorado
Dear Heidi, Still waiting to hear, as well. Marty R.
Sandy (Northeast Ohio)
The first race last year was the Eddie Read on July 20th. Looking forward to the next round :-)
Donna Z
Thank you, Sheena, for letting us know how Lola Mae is doing.
Judy, it is wonderful to hear that Lola Mae is enjoying the physical therapy. She will heal more quickly that way since she likes to do it & isn’t fighting it. This must be a relief to you, knowing that she is cooperating with her rehab. Maybe she will progress even faster than the doctor predicted!
I am enjoying reading the reports in our local papers about Bob Baffert letting American Pharoah’s fans be able to meet him up close & pet him. This sounds a lot like John & Zenyatta, doesn’t it?
Zenyatta, I hope that someone showed you the latest pictures & videos of your boys. You must be so proud of your two handsome sons! I am sure that your new baby to be will be as wonderful as these two boys and Z Princess turned out to be. I still miss your beautiful filly.
Take care, everyone !
Judy Berube from Rhode Island
Dear Donna Z:
Thank you for your sweet, caring comments for Lola Mae and me. Yes, she is doing very well and I’m hoping with the swimming exercise starting tomorrow, she’ll be walking on the leg soon. Love and Hugs, JB
Max
In a dual of the chestnuts, Noble Bird narrowly defeated Lea to take the Stephen Foster, a race which was won by Zenyatta’s sire, Street Cry. Trained by Mark Casse, Noble Bird races out of Woodbine. Casse also trained Pool Play for Lane’s End. Pool Play won this race a few years ago. Tasty Temptation was another horse whom Casse trained.
shirlee. A very good run by Lea. Next time.
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/92575/noble-bird-secures-bc-bid-with-foster-victory
shirleeinindy
Max,
Still proud of beautiful Lea. Think the Dubai trip did not take too much out of him. He is 6 but fairly lightly raced. Wish he could have won so he would have a sure shot at the BC since it is right in his back yard.
Was so happy to see that the “haters” did not come out on the Stonestreet FB when they announced the naming of Rachel’s filly. So many times people have been very nasty about Rachel and Jess’s Dream and Stonestreet. From some of the comments on JD, you would have thought he had to use a walker or crutch to get around.
Wonder when Dan will go back to the track and waiting for news of Beastie.
Max
You should be proud of Lea. He races on dirt and turf, and does really well on both. He’s got a lot of career ahead of him if Claiborne agrees.
Dan may be back by Saratoga. Dan looks fantastic. The Beast may be racing at Belmont in early July. He’s working on it.
Judy Berube from Rhode Island
Dear Shirlee:
Great effort by Lea, especially after his trip to Dubai and almost a three month lay off. You should be proud of him. Nice win by Noble Bird too. Love and Hugs, JB
Ann NC
Thanls, Max. Great race. The dueling chestnuts were spectacular.
Hats off to the young Casse, Mark. Talk about getting into the head of a horse, he sure knows the trick. Congrats to him!
Shirlee, Lea ran a great race and especially having been overseas. Next time for him.
AP sure was soaking up the crowd. Wish his pony, Smokey could have been with him. Smokey is a dream boat.
Max
Like to see Smokey too with AP. As you know, The Beast does not go anywhere, not even the winner’s circle, without his pony. Love those race winning photos with both horses bookended in them. The pony looks as happy as The Beast.
Ann NC
Apologies, that is young Norman. What a wonderful performance by NB.
Sorry, the heat has fried my brain! Uhhhh.
Judy Berube from Rhode Island
Dear Max:
Thanks for posting this video of Noble Bird and Lea’s race. Two beautiful Chestnut Club members. Love and Hugs, JB
andrej
no info is good info,, lil worry about Shared Belief and Shook Up in myself, Gimme Da Lute recover legs after victory, Zenny Zi Coz summer warm weather green grass flowers, have some entertainment on air, stay comfy, kiss your soft noses
Kathy
June 14 Cherokee Devotional
Like a pebble thrown into water, our thoughts ripple out, and when they have reached the far shore they ripple back bringing a little of whatever we sent out.
Caution is needed in sending out messages. Right responses depend on it, and if nothing is said at all we tend to fill in what we think they are saying. Nothing to prove it-and nothing to calm our fears.
Never leave a void; never leave someone in the dark about how you think. But do it gently-because what we send out ripples back to us.
Permit me to speak for a moment…weighing this question beside you.
Pushmataha
Choctaw
Kathy
Dear Sheena,
Getting back into my regular routine. Back to work tomorrow! All is well with the FB furbabies I checked on. Gave all 3 dogs a bath yesterday afternoon. That was exhausting! I hope you have a blessed Sabbath. Love and hugs from me, kisses from Holly, Nikko and Sugar.
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Kathy.Welcome back!!I enjoyed reading your devotionals while you were away.Loved them all especially the 10th and 11th June.The sun is shining again after a couple of dull days.It’s set fair for RA this week.No housework for me at all!
the “bobs”are growing fast Fascinating blog today about their feeding habits.Survival of the fittest but the 3 have an excellent chance now.The blonde mafia are away on a trip I wonder where?Mango is missing her mum and Nay already and they got caught in storms pity NM couldn’t send you some of their rain.Fubu got to visit Petco after his trip to the doc.His mouth is pretty bad and he’s on a new antibiotic now.He stills weighs 8lbs though.Mr Fibbs has had an abventure looking for his doughnut that was until his car broke and mum had to fetch him home.Now Milo is becoming a scientist and has built a lab!Those ratties are too clever by half.Theba was thinking a lot of Joey today with her holidays looming.She was sad not to be there last year but maybe Joey knew she couldn’t really say goodbye.We were all delighted to see George on the balcony yesterday.He really stole the show and Kate looks so slim!!!Have a blessed Sabbath.Love and hugs to you Kisses for Holly,Nikko and Sugar.Sheena.Karen and Aunty Becky survived the assault course yesterday.No doubt we will hear Hovis’ version on Friday.!
Kathy
Dear Sheena,
Thanks so much. You’re certainly in for some fabulous racing. Enjoy to the fullest! The “bobs” sure look different from a few weeks ago. Absolutely amazing! Yes, I wonder where the blonde mafia are headed. I’m sure they’ll post pics of their destination. Poor little Mango. I hope whomever is taking care of her will baby her. We do need the rain from NM! I feel so sorry for Fubu. Just think how painful his little mouth is. One has to wonder if keeping him here is the right thing to do. Those ratties and their doughnuts! They got several days of posts on just that one subject! So funny. Felt bad for Theba. She loved Joey so much. They just now showed the balcony scene on our news. You’re right, George stole the show, and yes, Kate was looking positively skinny! Can’t wait to hear Hovis’ version! Have a wonderful Sabbath. Love and hugs and kisses from me and the pups. Kathy XOXO
sheena.davies(wales)
Scroll down for lovely video of the “bobs”Hugs Sheena
http://www.facebook.com/dyfiospreyproject.
Kathy
Wow! They sure are growing fast!
Judy Berube from Rhode Island
Dear Sheena:
Thanks for the updates on the Bobs. They all look wonderful. Love and Hugs, JB
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Max.Frankie’s golden summer continues!He’s just won the Prix de Diane for Gosden on Star of Seville.She was involved in all the interference last week in the Oaks.
Oh,it is going to be an exciting week over here.Great race on the 1st day with Able Friend and Solow also our Night of Thunder and Toormore.It’s a very stiff mile.Sheena.
Max
Gosden is getting a lot of wins lately with Frankie. Have to see if Frankie’s luck continues in the Prince of Wales. Interested in Able Friend. Apparently he’s a large horse. Lots of very nice horses are racing next week at Ascot. As you know, Toormore used to be friends with Moosie. Fortunately, the Moose way of racing did not take hold of Toormore.
Tizgood
Such a lovely Downs After Dark with AP, The Bafferts and Owners. The slideshow on
Bloodhorse is beautiful and AP is a very gorgeous talented and special horse.
Peggy (N) South Georgia
Flag Day 2015
God Bless America. Thank You to all who served to protect this wonderful Flag and our Nation. Fly High Old Glory
Marshall (NC Broad)
“You’re a Grand Old Flag, you’re a high-flying flag. . .”!
Remembering that it’s Flag Day, too, Peggy.
Long may Old Glory wave.
Hugs and Love
Peggy (N) South Georgia
Wanted to lift up a wonderful horse “In Rememberance” as we were talking about Sires yesterday. Want to remember “Damascus” a wonderful Race Horse who might could have been a Triple Crown Winner too if he had had American Pharoah’s Ear Plogs. Seems how I remember they said the crowds really unnerved him Derby Day l967. I think he was riden in most of his races by Bill Shoemaker. Oh gosh trying to remember all of this.
He was such a great sire of his daughters. Like Secretariat and my Quiet American and so many more.
Rest in Peace Damascus. Remembering you and your great jockey the Shoe on this day.
Love Ya Damascus. What could have been….But you were a great One. Your another one so glad I know where you rest. Claiborne Farm.
Heard some of the guys at TVG talking about the aura you get when close too or in those cemetaries. “Yes Indeed”
shirleeinindy
Peggy,
Every time I go to the graveyard at Claiborne, I am reduced to tears for the so young Swale and the great Secretariat. They and others are honored in the Cemetery of Champions (my name not the Hancocks.) It takes the breath away.
shirleeinindy
Senor moment: Forgot the great Easy Goer. Son of my beloved Alydar.
Judy Berube from Rhode Island
Dear Peggy and Shirlee:
Must be overwhelmingly moving to visit Claiborne’s “Cemetery of Champions”. Loved Easy Goer and Alydar too. Love and Hugs, JB
Peggy (N) South Georgia
Shirlee, I know it just blows you away. To see all those tombstones and names. Just magical to be there.
Peggy (N) South Georgia
California Chrome races on Wednesday. Does anyone know what time we could get this race US time. Think it is the Prince of Wales Stakes. But, please correct me if I am wrong.
carol in arkansas
TVG is going to show the PoW…..10am edt/7am pdt….just saw it advertised. …said also that CC is possibly the second most favorite horse in recent memory ….number one is our lovely Zenny ..of couse…AP close to top too
Sandy (Northeast Ohio)
I thought they said the race was at 11:20 A.M. Eastern time. TVG will be on the air from Ascot starting at 9:00 A.M.
Peggy (N) South Georgia
Thank You so much Carol and Sandy. I’m so looking forward to seeing him.
Barbara Wood
@Peggy(N)–the last time we were at Old Friends several years ago, the subject of Damascus came up. They were raving about him.
Just loved the Downs After Dark presentation last night. Especially appreciated the comments about AP’s “good mind” as far as being calm goes. The commentators discussed which horses were probably their own worst enemies in that department, for example, Smarty Jones, who was so talented, but may have cost himself his own Triple Crown. Had never thought of that before. One would think that would be a characteristic that if passed down to his progeny, AP’s breeding clients would love to have. It would certainly make him more attractive to me, apart from his obvious talent.
Z hugs to all.
Peggy (N) South Georgia
Dear Barbara, Thank you so much for telling about their talking about Damascus. He seems to be a little forgotten. Remembering this great horse.
Peggy (N) South Georgia
Barbara, I just loved the Downs After Dark too.
carol in arkansas
My boy Rivers races today at Belterra….i think the race has been taken off the turf…
GO RIVERS GO…..he is the favorite!
Sandy (Northeast Ohio)
I really thought Rivers had this one :-(. Think he needs to save a little more for the last furlong. Good run though.
Deb E.
There are more new pictures up of Ziconic on his “unoffical” Facebook page. His exercise rider seems to love him a lot judging by the affectionate way he was ruffling up Zi’s mane and the BIG smile on his face! The Chestnut Prince’s chest, withers, and rear end engine seem to have developed even more muscle; he is GORGEOUS!
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Peggy.The Prince of Wales is on Wednesday the 17th at 4.20pm UK time.Think that’s 11.20am with you and weather is forecast to be warm around 76F.That’s quite hot in the UK.lol.Hope he runs well.Hugs Sheena.
Peggy (N) South Georgia
Dear Sheena, Thank You, Can’t wait.
Tizgood
Dear Sheena
If it is hot and the ground is dry CC won’t have any
excuses, it will be as close to US comditions as we can get.
With the beautiful english countryside.
Love and hugs
Nancy
Kathy
Go Chromie!
Doreen in CT
RIP to Danzig Moon who just broke down in the Plate Trial Stakes at Woodbine. Taken from those who loved him much too soon. My condolences to all of those involved with him. May he forever run pain free in the greenest pastures of heaven, waiting one day to greet those who called him their own.
Max
This is a very sad turn of events for Casse and Oxley after the win for Noble Bird at Churchill.
Danzig Moon was a real character horse. Norm Casse, Mark Casses’s son, described him as very mean. He would bite anyone who came near him in his stall, including vets. Liked to give an old kick to the horse shoe guys. However, when he was walking the shed row or working on the track or racing, he was a true professional. Rest in peace, Danzig Moon. I am very sorry that this happened to you.
Janet Newman
RIP Danzig Moon.
I guess he got the mean streak from Malibu Moon. I have heard some people refer to MM as a nasty son of a you know what.
Still a very sad day.
Max
Could be. He also had Danzig as a dam sire. Danzig was a tough hombre himself. No one messed with him or Storm Cat. Both took after Northern Dancer.
Kathy
Very sad. RIP Danzig Moon.
Peggy (N) South Georgia
Doreen,
So sorry to hear this. Rest In Peace Danzig Moon.
sheena.davies(wales)
Just heard the news about Danzig Moon.Very sad.So young.RIPSheena.
Bluegrass Girl
Danish Dynaformer wins Plate Trial Stakes
Tom Hall tweet on Sunday June 14 2015
New SW (#152) for Dynaformer:
Charles Fipke’s homebred Danish Dynaformer, 3yoc
o/o Danehill mare Danish Wildcat wins Plate Trial S
Max
Another triumph for Big D and for Mark Casse. If your dad is Big D, and your momma has Wildcat in her name, you are a special horse. Sorry still that the win coincided with the tragic loss of Danzig Moon.
Max
Sorry, I’m more upset than I had thought about Danzig Moon. Cannot believe it. Big D’s son is trained by Roger Attfield. He also trained the teddy bear loving Musketier.
Barbara Wood
Agree, Max. It is so distressing and coming way too often.
Max
He was a baby. It was a freaky accident. The other horse seems to be okay.
Deb E.
Rest in peace Danzig Moon and may you run free in the fields and pastures of Heaven. Say hello to Big Red and Princess for me.
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Judy.Hope Lola Mae is doing well with her exercises.Thinking of you both.Goodnight God bless you LM PC HT Cap Hercules Frank and all the sweeties.Love and hugs SheenaX
Tizgood
So very sad to hear about the breakdown of Danzig Moon;
RIP Big Boy
Big Red Seattle Slew and All the other Triple Crown and Derby
Winners are waiting to gallop with you over the Rainbow !!!
Catherine Uher
Well I’m about over a week late and a $ short but imagine my surprise tonight when I clicked on Z’s blog!!! There is nothing that could have my heart happier than to see these two amazing brothers side by side on the track and watching Ann take pictures and feed her babies some treats. The videos were definitely an added bonus so please keep those coming!!! It’s so amazing how different they are but yet alike in some ways!!! Coz has legs for miles and Ziconic looks like pure muscle!!! And he’s only 2!!! They are both so precious and can’t wait to see their progress in training!!! Keep up with good work John!!! Oh and I was so glad to see Mario!!! Best medicine for me heart seeing this post!!! So thank you from the bottom of my heart Team Z and everyone who continues to share her and her family with us!!!
Marshall (NC Broad)
RIP Danzig Moon
This is so sad — another beautiful soul gone way too soon.
He is running with the angels now.
Hugs
Ann NC
RIP, Beautiful Boy.
sheena.davies(wales)
On this day in1215 at Runnymede King John signed/sealed the Magna Carta.The Charter still forms an important symbolof liberty today and is held in great respect by British and US legal communities.Lord Denning described it”the greatest constitutional document of all time the foundation of the freedom of the individual against the arbitrary authority of the despot”Sheena.
Kathy
Dear Sheena,
We actually got to see it a few years ago. it was on display at the Reagan Library, under glass, climate-controlled and heavily guarded! Hugs, Kathy
Kathy
June 15 Cherokee Devotional
Don’t condemn yourself. Even if you have made a mistake-or a dozen mistakes, who has not?
We are too quick to profess stupidity. We are too quick to condemn our lack of will to eat the right foods, speak the right words, think the right thoughts.
It is true that we have to control these things, but why try to do it over burdens we put on ourselves. Begin to turn it around-praise each ability to do the right thing. Bring self-respect into play and call yourself free.
Think not that you can remain passive and indifferent to the common danger, and thus escape the common fate.
Tecumseh
Shawnee