Happy Monday!
Check out these new photos from Alys—we think they’re something special! We hope you’re all staying warm through this especially chilly weather. Zenyatta has the folks at Lane’s End watching out for her during the cold winter months, but that doesn’t mean she can’t enjoy frolicking in a blizzard or two!
Enjoy!
-Team Z
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Kathy You had a bit of a lie-in today!!We must always be at one with Nature, it’s so sad to hear about so many endangered species.Many tributes to the Colonel,loved Lil Bub’s so sweet.Lovely pic of Zoe in with her scarlet ribbons(remember the song) I was in tears when I read about K9 Rocco you treat your service dogs with far greater respect and dignity than we do in the UK.Seems they are being critical of Ray again for keeping the proceeds of the calendar sales, It never stops does it whatever you do, he looked gorgeous in his new blue coat!Just heard Cover Holder has died at Sandown sad RIP Have a great weekend. Hugs to You Kisses, for the Puppy Pack.Sheena.
sheena.davies(wales)
Emperor’s Choice wins the West Wales National trained by Venetia Williams and ridden by Liam Treadwell a mud lover!!Hugs Sheena
Kathy
Dear Sheena,
Yes! I got to sleep in today! Yay!!! They just need to leave Ray alone. I think the trolls are all just jealous. They need to get over it. Why shouldn’t they be able to keep the proceeds from the sale of the calendars? And yes, he’s extremely handsome in that blue coat. Zoe is gorgeous in her scarlet ribbons. Such a beautiful little girl. So many people are saddened by the death of Colonel Meow. Lovely tributes. Yes, we do love and respect our service animals over here. Have a wonderful Saturday and an enjoyable rest of your weekend. Hugs from me, kisses from The Pack. Kathy.
shirleeinindy
Safe trip to both Mike and Gary at Santa Anita today in the Las Virgenes Stakes. 3 year old fillies. Guess Mike is always hoping to find one even close to our Queen.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Shirlee:
Congrats to Gary S. and Fashion Plate; they won the Las Virgenes Stakes. Mikey and Artemis finished 5th; slow start. Love and Hugs, JB
shirleeinindy
Glad for Gary that he won and for Mike that he came home safely.
Bluegrass Girl
Clockers Corner @ClockersCorner tweet Sat. Feb. 1 2014
The one and only John Shirreffs out ponying @santaanitapark
https://twitter.com/ClockersCorner/status/429654336289792001/photo/1
Bluegrass Girl
Eblouissante (5-Year-Old Mare)
Date: February 1, 2014
Track: SANTA ANITA PARK
Distance: Five Furlongs
Time: 1.00:80 Handily
Track Condition: Fast
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 26/77
Terry Crow
This is an excellent work. Must be getting close to a race.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear BGG and TC GP:
Looking forward to seeing E race again. Godspeed Ebby. Love and Hugs, JB
Bluegrass Girl
Churchill Downs PR @DerbyMedia tweet Sat. Feb. 1 2014
2014 Triple Crown Noms by Gender:
Colts – 359
Geldings – 30
Fillies – 14
Ridglings – 10
Bluegrass Girl
Churchill Downs PR @DerbyMedia
The 413 early Triple Crown nominations represent a record 1.6% of the estimated 25,500 foal crop of 2011.
Bluegrass Girl
Racingwithbruno tweet Sat. Feb. 1 2014
DAME DOROTHY was Todd Pletcher’s best filly #spa13, early July, gave her time,
did right thing, she could be the best filly in country #word
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear BGG:
DD’s Sire is Bernardini. Love and Hugs, JB
Bluegrass Girl
Darby Dan tweet with FOAL PHOTO · Jan 29
Another pic of DIALED IN’S colt out of A.K.A. Xe bred by Jon and Christine Siegel #dialedin #sharethelex
https://twitter.com/darbydanfarm/status/428530294161805312/photo/1
Terry Crow
The NFL really got lucky with the weather for the Super Bowl. I just hope this doesn’t encourage them to schedule more Super Bowl games in the outdoors in cold climates.
Vicki B. near Hollywood Park
Terry, a post on FB pointed out that Seattle & Denver have in common that their states are the only two who have completely legalized marijuana. So I guess this year it might be called the Marijuana Bowl!
Bluegrass Girl
Terry
I am so with you on this. It surprises me that players don’t protest playing in
brutal cold weather. Should set a limit on conditions.
That would drive the NFL to chose warm climates and/or domed stadiums.
BGG
Max
Do you guys know what cold is? The fans at the recent Winter Classic in Ann Arbor, Michigan lined up for snacks and the paramedics. And the outdoor games are so popular that the NHL is thinking of scheduling more, maybe even moving some to Canada, where -10 in January is considered tropical.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/02/sports/hockey/snow-and-huge-crowd-for-winter-classic-in-ann-arbor.html?_r=0
Marty R / Colorado
Denver is applying for consideration for the 2018 and 2019 Super Bowl Games to be played at the Bronco Stadium.
No marijuana is allowed in public, so it is still the Super Bowl. GO BRONCOS in the Year of the Horse.
Max
Marty. My code of life is to support the horses always. Here’s a story on the mascots. Thunder looks good in these photos. Hoping to see him tomorrow. Go Broncos!
.http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/broncos-seahawks-mascots-head-super-bowl-article-1.1596711
Marty R / Colorado
Thank you for this link, Max. I hope we will see Thunder (the horse) many times in the Super Bowl game tomorrow.
At first they were thinking of hauling him across the country..I can’t imagine that. Many people here seemed astounded that horses could be flown in planes.
This is the third Thunder that the rider has ridden and at least the 2nd one this owner has owned. Thunder is a huge fan favorite in Denver.
Ann NC
Good boy, Thunder!
shirleeinindy
Terry, They should come back to Indianapolis. It is cold here but we have an indoor arena that is located right downtown within walking distance of lots of hotels and other things.
Terry Crow
shirlee and Barbara–Indy is a great place to have a super bowl as the dome would make the game comfortable for all. In today’s game, as with any game in this type of location, the regular fans will be freezing the buns off their hot dogs while the fat cats will be all comfy in their suites. The NFL does have a rule about scheduling super bowls in cold weather climates, that being only domed stadiums are eligible. However, when the stadium was built at the Meadowlands the people behind it were promised a super bowl by the NFL. This is the payoff. A similar situation exists in the situation involving the new stadium being built for the 49’ers in Santa Clara. However, it doesn’t figure to be snowing there when the game is played.
Barbara Wood (Texas)
TC, I SO agree with you. For once, safety should trump the almighty dollar.
Terry Crow
To quote a man who is from your state, That’ll be the day.
Bluegrass Girl
2014 Triple Crown Nominations List
Free Past Performances from Brisnet
http://www.brisnet.com/edgeped/2014TripleCrownNoms.pdf
Thanks ot Churchill Downs PR . Sat. Feb. 1 2014
Sandy (Northeast Ohio)
Hope they will do this again when there are a couple less horses (LOL). 110 pages – more than my brain can begin to fathom.
Bluegrass Girl
Sandy,
I am with you on the length. Lists All Nominations.
You can use the Find to locate a fav.
Here is what I do. I go to Edit at top of page & then to Find on this Page.
That triggers a FInd at the top right on the List.
Put in a name and hit Enter. Should go straight to horse you want.
Let me know if it works for you
BGG
Sandy (Northeast Ohio)
Thanks for the suggestion, BGG. Unfortunately, my computer hung up after trying to load the first 18 pages (a high speed connection, better than DSL, might be needed). Think I’ll just wait until the field gets narrowed down a bit because surely they will have to keep adjusting these pps as more prep races are run.
shirleeinindy
Sandy and BGG, I refused to pick a Derby horse this early. I got on the Violence train early last year and he didn’t make it to the race. I have a couple that I like now but they are “heart” horses not “head” horses.
Good luck to all of us in our Derby picks.
Bluegrass Girl
2014 Triple Crown Nominations
From The Blood-Horse
Thoroughbred racehorses nominated to the Triple Crown, Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Belmont Stakes
The following lists can be sorted by clicking at the top of each column.
Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/triple-crown/nominations#ixzz2s6Z5Ick7
Note: This list gives all the basic info:
Name, Sex, Color, Sire, Dam, Breeder, Trainer, Owner
Sandy (Northeast Ohio)
Holy Moly – I had NO idea that this many horses were in the “early nomination” bin (no wonder that pp file was so long). This one is really cool as you noted, BGG, because you can sort on any of the info columns. Interesting to note that “our John” has 3 horses nominated – Cool Samurai and two others. Two of the three are Moss horses. Hope at least one will make it to the final cut.
Vicki B. near Hollywood Park
The world record high-jump horse, Huaso, was too unruly for racing, then in dressage training, he suffered a life-threatening injury resulting in a slight left hind limp. Then tried in show jumping, he was still too nervy, but one day he spontaneously cleared his fence (over 6-1/2 ft), so his high-jumping career commenced. In 1949, at 16 years old, he set the world record of 8 ft 1 in, that still stands today after 64 years. Huaso then immediately “was retired and never ridden again. He roamed freely until he died naturally on August 24, 1961, at the age of 29.” The link includes a vivid description of how his trainer handled him on his record jump.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huaso_%28horse%29
Max
Very interesting. Those photos are really amazing, as was this horse. Thanks for this.
Vicki B. near Hollywood Park
There are more and better pictures of Huaso. Another horse actually has jumped 2-1/4 in. higher, but it was unofficial because not at a public gathering.
http://www.ultimatehorsesite.com/info/worldrecord_jump.html
Terry Crow
I hold the world record in the high jump at 11 feet, 2 inches. Unfortunately. no one was there to see me do it.
Ann NC
Inspector Terry Gadget!
Terry Crow
Ann-Go, Go Gadget Legs!
Vampressqueen Sue Colvin
hi zsters :)
May You Receive From the Lord…
If you are weary, may you receive the Lord’s refreshing:
They are filled from the abundance of Your house; You let them drink from Your refreshing stream.
Psalm 36:8 HCSB
If you are weak, may you receive the Lord’s strength:
The Lord is my Strength and my Song, and He has become my Salvation; this is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.
Exodus 15:2 AMP
If you are wounded, may you receive the Lord’s healing:
He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. Isaiah 61:1 NLT
If you are worried, may you receive the Lord’s peace:
Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.] John 14:27 AMP
If you are wondering, may you receive the Lord’s clarity:
Behold, You desire truth in the inner being; make me therefore to know wisdom in my inmost heart. Psalm 51:6 AMP
If you are wandering, may you receive the Lord’s direction:
And I will bring the blind by a way that they know not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known. I will make darkness into light before them and make uneven places into a plain. These things I have determined to do [for them]; and I will not leave them forsaken. Isaiah 42:16 AMP
-Devotional by Roy Lessin
hugs/prayers, vamp
Barbara Wood (Texas)
Thank you, Vamp!! Hugs.
Bluegrass Girl
NOMINATIONS BY TRAINER SAT. FEB. 1 2013
Churchill Downs PR @DerbyMedia Trainer Todd Pletcher nominates record 42
3yos to 2014 Triple Crown (beats his mark of 32 in 2012). 10.2% of 413 noms
Lane Gold @lanegold tweet Trainer Bob Baffert (@Midnightlute) nominated 18,
Steve Asmussen 13, D. Wayne Lukas 12, Mark Casse 11
Bluegrass Girl
2014 Triple Crown Noms Leading Breeders:
WinStar Farm – 9
Estate of Edward Evans – 8
Darley – 7
Brereton Jones – 6
Stonestreet – 6
Bluegrass Girl
Churchill Downs PR @DerbyMedia tweet
2014 Triple Crown Noms Leading Sires:
Bernardini – 16
Tapit – 16
Distorted Humor – 10
Giant’s Causeway – 10
Unbridled’s Song – 10
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear BGG:
How about that; Bernie and Tapit. Maybe a hint of things to come. Love and Hugs, JB
Terry Crow
I am certain that Todd Pletcher has been hands-on with each of the nominees. NOT.
Ann NC
Thank goodness for name tags.
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Judy Goodnight God bless you LM PC HT Little Captain and all the Sweeties. Mei Lun and Mei Huan enjoyed their games in the snow, so cute!Love and Hugs SheenaX
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Sheena:
They are the cutest. They really loved the snow. Love and Hugs, JB, LM, PC, HT, Cap and all the Sweeties
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Mama Z, COZ, Prince 2 and Baby Z:
Goodnight. Sweet Dreams. Love you. Hugs, JB
Kathy
February 2 Cherokee Devotional
The drawback of having something go wrong is that we start believing we can’t do anything right. It is the beginning of a habit that makes us stumble where have always stumbled. A subtle and secret conditioning sets in to make us believe we will fail-even before we start. It makes us wilt at the first sign of opposition, devastating us with criticism. It is then that we lose our grip and our good intentions-not just for the present time but for all time to come. The Cherokee learned long ago to say, “We no longer fall down when something challenges us. We no longer see ourselves as victims. But we are strong and able to overcome the most severe critic and break every habit that has kept us bound.”
Each day in the old times in summer and in winter, we came down to the river to bathe. This strengthened and toughened our firm skin.
Chiparopai
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear KathyWe must never lose our grip. Such wise words from the Native Americans,through your devotionals I see them in a completely different light.Zoe Looks ADORABLE in her pink outfit ready for the super bowl!Poor Valentino had a haircut and it’s cold ,seems to be warming up for Zeus and Zoey bet Mommas is glad!!Was watching the Bald Eagles on a live webcam somewhere in Georgia,I love to watch Monty and Glesni the ospreys on the Dyfi in mid-Wales every summer about 70 miles from me! have a lovely Sabbath Hugs to You, Kisses for the Puppy Pack. Sheena.
Kathy
Dear Sheena,
Now that takes a special form of “tough” to be able to bathe in a river in winter! No thank you! Zoe is a real beauty queen. Just precious! I’m sure Valentino’s “parents” are keeping him nice and toasty. Zeus, Zoey and Bailey must be grateful for the warmer weather. They’re used to it being warm in Florida, much like the weather where I am. Bald eagles are so majestic! I saw one up close at a raptor center when we were traveling in AK. They squawk like chickens. It takes you by surprise…you would expect them to “sound” majestic, too! Your ospreys sound very interesting. You must tell me more about them when they’re back. Enjoy your Sabbath. Love and Hugs from me, kisses from The Pack. Kathy
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Kathy. The ospreys usually come back late march/early april. It’s www. dyfiospreyproject.com.Beautiful Welsh countryside and wildlife plus a few cows thrown in for good measure!!!Have heard they are setting up a charity in Colonel Meow’s name his facebook friends are rising!!Love and Hugs Sheena
Kathy
Dear Sheena,
Thanks! I’ll definitely check that out.
Hugs, Kathy.
Ann NC
Thank you, Sheena and Sandy for the Horse and Hound photos of Sires and first foals.
Really enjoyed it! Found an old Blood Horse this AM and there was Mill Reef on the first inside page. Wow! The story of, Shergar…….lump in my throat.
Anyway, ra, ra, ree….go team!
Max
Ann NC. The Shergar story is still a mystery. Hovis however claims him as his father.
Ann NC
Silly, Hovis. Yes, quite the mystery. Growing up a friend had her mare stolen from a pasture down the road. The horse was found overseas! Now I wish my ears would have been bigger and could recall more of those details of that theft. There went the safe trusting days, left us all on edge.
Poor, Shergar, he was gorgeous and we wil consider him the Dad of Hovis!
SUE WRIGHT
such beautiful and haunting photos of our amazing girl – just another side of her mystique!!!! Love her more with every passing year!
carol in arkansas
My V…..Verrazano has been transferred to A O’Brien and is going to race in Europe this year…..OMG….where have I been….I thought he had been retired! Such a good looking boy
Max
carol. You were right. He was retired in October to Ashford. Now he’s unretired. I hope that he’s does well at Ballydoyle. We might see him at Ascot this summer.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Carol and Max:
Love Verrazano and wish him all the best. Godspeed. Love and Hugs, JB
Terry Crow
Sounds like he may have had a problem similar to Assault, a triple crown winner. He was also returned to the races after retirement.
Ingrid Arnone
OH! He is going to run again!
Wow! That is great, he is a very good race horse, he is was one of my favorites!
Thanks for the info, hugs Ingrid.
Max
@Sheena. Good news. Quevega had her first course training session at Punchestown. Willie Mullins says that she is ahead of schedule, as she finished first of four stablemates, one ridden by Ruby Walsh. Paul Townsend rode with Q. I guess that Paul has recovered from his Fly bite.
Vampressqueen Sue Colvin
happy sunday zsters ♥
Our God is Greater
The beautiful worship song, Our God, was birthed after a Passion conference, where in the midst of the cleaning up and rearranging of furniture, Matt Redman and his friend Jonas Myrin decided to write a song declaring God’s greatness.
Our God is greater,
Our God is stronger,
God You are higher than any other.
Our God is Healer,
Awesome in power,
Our God, our God.
@kathy enjoyed todays devo :)
god blees, vamp
Ingrid Arnone
Thanks! Amen!
Hugs Ingrid.
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Max That’s great news about Quevega.It seems Annie Power has all but been ruled out of the Mare’s hurdle that race belongs to Quevega and history.Can you imagine Willie putting her up against the Fly!!I expect her to run in the World Hurdle. I believe she hasn’t attempted 3 miles yet and 3 miles around Cheltenham isn’t for the fainthearted(not that she is) I just don’t know who to support suffice to say “let the best horse win”!Our baby Bruce is enjoying his first holiday abroad in Mustique with the Middleton clan then he has his Aussie trip to look forward to!Enjoy the Super Bowl. Hugs Sheena
Max
Sheena. You’re correct. Annie has not yet raced over 3 miles, but her owner thinks that she can do it. It seems a wise idea to leave Q to contest the Mare’s Hurdle and go elsewhere, but nowhere near The Fly. The Fly is small, but very mighty.
Read that Bruce is preparing to a trip to the land which gave him his name. He should get a good reception and he can visit his gift crocodile(s).
Terry Crow
He really should have been named Bruce.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Mama Z, COZ, Red Prince and Baby Z:
Sweet Dreams. Stay safe and warm. Love Ya. Hugs, JB
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Sheena:
Wishing Speedy the best party tomorrow. Love and Hugs, JB, LM, PC, HT, Cap and all the Sweeties
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Judy Goodnight God bless You,LM PC HT Little Captain and all the Sweeties. Am going to check my emails to see if Nerissa is in my inbox,will forward it tomorrow.Love and Hugs SheenaX
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Sheena:
Thank you. Love Nerissa. Love and Hugs, JB
Vicki B. near Hollywood Park
Debbie G. & Groupie Doll fans:
http://www.paulickreport.com/news/thoroughbred-racing/groupie-doll-nominated-to-hurricane-bertie-for-final-bow/
Ann NC
Thanks, Vicki B. Wishing Groupie D. All the best, safe trip and happy, healthy life.
Marshall (NC broad)
To our Queen Z , her family and to all Z’sters:
Have a wonderful week!
I have been enjoying the Puppy Bowl — such cuteness.
Congratulations to the SeaHawks and to NY/NJ for the venue! By the way, football is a cool to cold weather sport in most of the country, I think.
Cheers and Hugs