Happy Thursday!
Team Z is excited about tomorrow’s Zenyatta Celebration, and we hope you are too! Here are a few details and important announcements about the event:
• TVG announcer Frank Mirahmadi will be the emcee of the Party.
• Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg will host the Live Auction.
• We will have a Zenyatta Merchandise Tent set up in the Paddock tomorrow, Friday and Saturday, featuring many new Zenyatta merchandise items.
• Acclaimed equine artists Fred Stone (“Born to Greatness”) and Jaime Corum (“Queen’s Dance” and her newest Zenyatta release, “Breeders’ Cup Gold”) will be signing at the tent thoughout both days beginning at 10:00 am.
• Zenyatta jockey Mike Smith, trainer John Shirreffs, and racing manager Dottie Ingordo-Shirreffs are also expected to make signing appearances on Friday and Saturday mornings.
Party ticket pick-up:
• Remember, no After-Party tickets were mailed. All are to be picked up on Friday.
• We encourage all Zenyatta After-Party participants to pick up their tickets at the tent beginning 3:00 pm on Friday. This will allow them to avoid the will-call rush at the Frontrunner entrance immediately after the last race.
• After-Party online reservations will close tomorrow, however tickets will remain available at the door, while they last.
See you soon!
Especially Horses / Southern California
Beautiful Queen!
Coco
Ooh! I wish I was going! Have fun to all of you that are going!
Trisha-VA
Look at our gorgeous regal Queen. I am so upset that I cannot be there this weekend. Ya’ll have a grand time and don’t forget to take lots and lots of pics and videos.
Will be thinking of you and wishing i were there.
Love hugs and kisses
Wendy Treadaway
Yes, we hope everyone has a great time! Sounds like so much fun. Best I can do is watch the BC races on TV down here in Georgia.
Beautiful picture of Z!!
Kathy R.
Beautiful start to a Friday – love you Zenyatta!!
♥ Auntie Judy aka JAG prancing to Zenny's Party! ♥
♥ Z Dumplings from far and wide will be there! woo hoo
Auntie Judy XO ♥
Rachel McEntarffer
Thank you so much for the info! Hoping to see Dottie, John and Mike Smith!
Perky Green
How truly beautiful she is. I miss her racing so much ,she was so thrilling to watch.Bless you Lovely Lady. Loads of peppermint kisses to you
maryp ny
Looking at her is good for my soul – she is so special in so many ways.
Hey everyone who is going to the BC and the party – HAVE A GREAT TIME!!!!!!!
Vicki B. near Hollywood Park
Can’t wait! It’s distracting to be at work today.
sharon in seattle
have a blast everyone. I wonder if the new Zenyatta memorabilia will eventually be available online or at the SA gift shop.
♥ Auntie Judy aka JAG prancing to Zenny's Party! ♥
We’re going to miss you Sharon, gf!!!!
JAG ♥
Jan S. / Houston
Let the party begin!!!! Oh, how I wish I could be there. Have fun Dumplings. Long live the Queen. ♥♥
sheena.davies(wales)
dear kathy sounds as if all the Z dumplings are going to have a great time at the BC!! did you see the pics of 12Z he’ s so like his mum all long legs and those ears!! he’s growing so fast now it’s so wonderful to be included in his life and Queen Z too pepper mint kisses all round I think! we’ve had some great tributes to kauto in the papers today he’s going to parade at haydock later this month and his statue will be unveiled am sure some tears will be shed(especially me) looking forward to that day!! it’s really cold over here tonighthugs sheenaX
Kathy R.
Dear Sheena: papers here havve been talking about Kauto too – terrific horse! Hope someone posts a photo of his statue – at least he’ll have a happy retirement having left the track well. Hugs, KathyR.
Ann NC
Stay warm, Sheena.
The parade will be great,I can’t wait to see some footage of the day!
Yes,he has had a marvelous career and can now enjoy the fame. Nice he is sound and fit.
Kathy R….I hope to see his statue too. What a great horse.
signofthetimes; President Texas Chapter of RN Club
Dear Sheena,
Have a wondeful hopefully warm time
At Kauto’s parade. Would love to see his
Statue too. Soo very well deserving !!!
Especially Horses / Southern California
“We will have a Zenyatta Merchandise Tent set up in the Paddock tomorrow, Friday and Saturday, featuring many new Zenyatta merchandise items”.
I’ve made several suggestions for merchandise to the Zenyatta Store. I’ve suggested a brooch of “The Queen’s Dance” that can be worn on a chain or on the lapel. Caps, T-shirts, plushies are nice, but it would be just wonderful to display Zenyatta at work on something a bit more fashionable.
For those of you in attendance, please post/report on what is “new” merchandise, ASAP. Please.
shirleeinindy
The above picture warms my heart and makes me smile. What a wonderful creature she is. Such kind and thoughtful eyes.
Wish I could be there for the party. It would be fun to talk to Jack Van Berg about Alysheba.
Sue/FlCPRC
Everyone have a Zentastic time at the party. Dance like the Queen all night long. Enjoy I will be dancing with you from home. TC save a dance for me. It’s aZ thing! Sue
sue and tony
What a great, great photo. Here she is in all her majesty, our Queen, Zenyatta.
To those who are going to the party have a blast, take lots of pictures and tell Team Z just how much we ap;reciate everything they do for us, her loyal subjects.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Lane’s End, Z Team and Z Fans:
What a gorgeous photo of the Queen (cotton in her ears and all). Thank you. Hugs,JB
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Z’sters and Dumplings:
Wishing you a wonderful time at the BC. Please tell us all about it when you can. Love and Hugs, JB
Vicki B. near Hollywood Park
Yep, we’ll miss you there, Judy.
Sue Fl CPRC
Oh No I need some help please.
I just found out that my only TV station that I can watch horse races on TVG is not showing the BC races. I am so upset that I might miss seeing them. I really need to find a free site to watch them. Does anyone have an idea that might help me out? I can’t believe TVG is not going to show them.
So sad and bummed out Sue
Marty R / Colorado
Sue,
On the computer, calracing.com is free. You click on the Live Video, you have to set up a user name and a password. They are case sensitive so be sure to remember what you sign up with. You choose the race track you want and there you are. It isn’t as great as watching tv, but certainly beats not being able to see anything. Hope this is helpful. I’d better be checking if I can get tv coverage or calracing is where I’ll be. Marty R.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Marty R. and Z Fans:
You’re so right. I forgot about that. They have free registration and you can even watch replays if you miss a live race. Hugs, JB
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Sue:
NBC Sports Network is covering the BC this year. Here is a link to their schedule. Hope you have them in your cable line up. Hugs, JB
judy berube from Rhode Island
Oops. Would help if I posted the link. Hugs, JB
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1390225-breeders-cup-tv-schedule-2012-complete-viewing-info-for-this-weekends-races
shirleeinindy
Judy, thanks so much for TV info. There was nothing listed in the sports section of my morning paper about TV coverage.
If I ever get back home to Kentucky, I am going to nail my feet to the ground and go to Churchill Downs every day it is open!
Go Mucho Macho Man and Star Billing.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Shirleeinindy:
You’re so welcome. Enjoy the races. Hugs, JB
Sue Fl CPRC
Marty and Judy
My heart is so happy. :)
I found that station NBS Sports Network and I also have the Calracing.com set as backup.
Happy like the Queen. You guys are great and thanks for the scoop.
love Sue
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Sue:
You’re so welcome. Will be watching too. Hugs, JB
Marty R / Colorado
Sue, you are very welcome. I found out I can watch NBC Sports Network, too. We’ll be happy race watchers, for sure. Marty R.
signofthetimes; President of the Texas RN Club
Dear Sue,
Didn’t you mention that you have Direct TV?
HRTV should be on that satellite network.
Or NBC will be good also.
Have a great weekend.
Louise Castello
Dear Sue, I don’t know if you get this channel, but it’s going to be shown on NBC sports channel that used to be Versus.
Sue Fl CPRC
Thank you too
signofthetimes; President of the Texas RN Club
Dear Sue,
HRTV may have a free BC weekend on their site. They do that every once in a while when their are a lot of races going on. Cal racing is also great.
Hope you are able to get on and watch !!
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Ingrid:
These are my picks for the BC for Tomorrow and Saturday. Will be looking for your post to see if we chose any of the same horses. Love and Hugs, JB
Fiday
Race 4 Juvi Sprint Sweet Shirley Mae
Race 5 Marathon Jaycito
Race 6 Juvi Fillies Turf Watsdachances
Race 7 Juvi Fillies Dirt Kauai Katie
Race 8 Filly and Mare’s Turf Zagora
Race 9 Ladie’s Classic Royal Delta/Love and Pride Exacta Box
Saturday
Race 4 Juvi Turf Joha
Race 5 Filly and Mare’s Sprint Turbulent Desent
Race 6 Dirt Mile Shackelford
Race 7 Turf Sprint Corporate Jungle
Race 8 Grey Goose Juvi Shanghai Bobby
Race 9 BC Turf Point of Entry
Race 10 XPress Bet Sprint Amazombie
Race 11 Mile Turf Wise Dan/Animal Kingdom Exacta Box
Race 12 BC Classic Alpha/MMM/To Honor and Serve Trifecta Box
It’s fun handicapping even when I’m wrong (which has been most of the time lately).
Max
JudyB. I hope that you are right about Point of Entry and Wise Dan. Hooves crossed.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Max, Ann, Shirley and Z Fans:
I haven’t been right for a while now, ha,ha. We’ll see. Will have to ask Papa Charlie what he thinks of my picks when I see him tomorrow.
Shirley, we agree on quite a few picks. Enjoy all the great racing today and tomorrow. Love and Hugs, JB and Lola Mae
judy berube from Rhode Island
Oops. Sorry, Shirlee. Hugs, JB
Ann NC
Judy,did Papa Charlie have any say with these selections?
Enjoy the races my friend!!!
I’m w/ you on my lovely, Zagora. I am simply in love w/ her,,,and Z, of course.
shirleeinindy
Judy, since my name is Shirlee Gay, gotta agree with you on Sweet Shirley Mae. Of course, you all know how I am about 3M. Point of Entry looks good and I love Katie.
Marshall (NC broad)
Dear Judy,
You got Zagora right!! You did well, I think — Races 8 & 9, and in race 4 Sweet Shirley Mae came in third. Hope you have good luck tomorrow! Lola Mae and Papa Charlie will help, I’m sure!
Hugs to those two AND to you as well!
Anne
Wish I could go, along with all the others that can not make the trip. We all miss Zenyatta. Maybe some day fans can see her again as they are with Rachel.
Don’t forget to watch Spring in the Air or “Baby Zenyatta” as they call her. She struts like Z and at times, with both front feet. Her jock nicknamed her “Baby Z”
Mark Casse trained filly. Mark even said that “there isn’t a better horse out there to emulate.” No horse can match Zenyatta but it is still fun to know she hasn’t been forgotten in this fickle business. I can’t wait to see Spring in the Air on Friday.
Max
Mark Casse is the trainer of Classic contender Pool Play for Bill Farish of Lane’s End. He also trained Tasty Temptation.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Anne:
This is Too Cute. She has a great role model in Z. Hugs, JB
signofthetimes; President of the Texas RN Club
Dear Ann,
Such a cute story about “little Zenyatta”. She just started the moves after a recent win.
Guess she realized that she is something special. Can’t wait to see her.
Max
Sign. Enjoy your trip. Hope to hear your stories and observations when you get back.
Pati- gradually losing sleep over BC!!!!!
I’m in SoCal!! I can’t wait for tomorrow!! I can’t wait to meet everyone! Until post time, I’ll be about taking pictures of the Z statue and the track itself! I am also going to be in the paddock taking pictures of the horses pre-race! Excited!!
Max
Pati. Have a great time and take lots of photos. Glad you are there safely.
Pati- gradually losing sleep over BC!!!!!
Thank you! I will! I’ll try to post all the pictures on my blog!!
Ann NC
Soak it in, Pati,soak it in!!!!!
Yep,yep….$2 on Zagora!!!! Bet the Poof to win!!
Linda M
Cannot wait to see EVERYONE! Such a great opportunity to have this in SoCal this year AND next!!
signofthetimes; President of the Texas RN Club
GROUPIE DOLL LOVE CALIFORNIA, SHE IS SQUEALING AND BUCKING, WHICH SHE DOES NOT DO IN KY, WHERE SHE WAS FOALED.
Groupie Doll Becoming California Girl
By Lenny Shulman
Updated: Thursday, November 1, 2012 9:23 PM
Posted: Thursday, November 1, 2012 3:21 PM
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Groupie Doll
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Bad news for the rest of the field in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (gr. I) Nov. 3: Groupie Doll likes California.
Groupie Doll, the even-money favorite on the morning line and currently riding a four-race winning streak, has been squealing and bucking as she walks around the shedrow, according to assistant trainer Maria Kabel, behavior she had not displayed in her native Kentucky. Of course, there is also the matter of that extraordinary Oct. 29 blowout clockers caught in :34 2/5 for three furlongs.
Groupie Doll, in the shadow of Hollywood, appears ready to put on a show.
“She has been more on her toes since she arrived here last Saturday,” Kabel said outside of Barn 36 at Santa Anita Park. “She really seems to like it. Her eating habits are great, and the day after she worked I was grazing her and she was squealing.”
Kabel has been working with Groupie Doll since the daughter of Bowmans’ Band showed up at the barn as a 3-year-old last season. She was bred by her owners, the father and son team of Fred and Buff Bradley, with Buff also doing the training chores.
After a solid four-furlong work at Churchill Downs shortly after she arrived, Groupie Doll came up lame behind, and a veterinarian thought she had a stress fracture. But Kabel thought differently, and walked her for two weeks before Buff Bradley came back up from Florida.
Groupie Doll began jogging, and instead of sending her to the Bradley family farm near Frankfort, they kept her at the racetrack. Groupie Doll never took a backward step from there.
Earlier this year, Groupie Doll morphed from a top allowance horse and graded stakes-placed performer into a monster. She has won the grade I Madison and Humana Distaff stakes and the grade II Presque Isle Downs Masters and Thoroughbred Club of America stakes. The addition of blinkers, and added maturity, are credited for the major move up in performance.
“Once she got the blinkers on she learned how to run,” Kabel said. “She was getting by on natural talent, but she was lugging in or out down the lane. She wasn’t paying attention; she was just messing around and looking around. She has learned how to run and she doesn’t even need the blinkers now. But we joke around the barn now that we should just stick blinkers on everything.”
Groupie Doll is the second major star developed by the Bradleys, who also bred and raced $2 million-plus earner Brass Hat, who has shared a paddock with Groupie Doll when she is laid up at the Bradleys’ farm.
“Brass will bite Groupie Doll if she tries to get treats before he does,” Kabel said. “He’ll send her off. But Brass is great with the yearling boys; he rules them around. Mostly he lives with the ponies and freaks out when we take them trail riding and leave him behind. He screams, so we have to leave one in there with him.”
Buff Bradley’s children now work and do chores around the farm after school and on vacation, marking the third generation of Bradleys to work the land. The family grew hay and tobacco for years there while putting up fence and carving out a training track from the dirt in preparation for their Thoroughbred operation.
“Everybody who succeeds does so by knowing how much hard work it takes to get there,” Buff Bradley said. “Dad was the one who made the farm go. We wouldn’t be here with these horses without him.”
If Groupie Doll runs the way she’s been training, the Bradleys will have plenty to celebrate Nov. 3 and on Eclipse Awards day next January.
Tony
This picture of Zenny shows who she really is…stunning, intelligent and gentle at heart.
Max
You are so right. She’s perfect in every way.
signofthetimes; President of the Texas RN Club
John Gosden brings THE FUGUE over from the UK, he has pointed her for the BC
since the beginning of the year, “she has small feet and therefore loves the firm turf,
which we have not had much of in the UK this year”. Look forward to seeing her run.
http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/novak-at-the-track/archive/2012/11/01/Breeders_2700_-Cup-Morning-with-The-Fugue.aspx
Ann NC
Fugue is a beauty,Sign. her name is perfect,Mom is Twyla Tharp,the lovely dancer and Ms. Fugue is described to have those small hooves with long ballerina legs….how perfect!
Go Fugue,Go!
Have fun…..blow a kiss out to Zagora for me. Tell her I love her POOF!!!! she be oh so stylin!
Nancy/Ca.
I’d love to go but I can’t afford the ticket. :( Will get to be there tomorrow though for all of the girls races :) Nothing will come close though after seeing Zenyatta’s wins in 08 and 09! :))
Marshall (NC broad)
Hello, Z’sters/Dumplings!
Hope everyone has a super, terrific time Friday and Saturday at the BC!
Enjoy yourselves , and may all the races be safe ones for all participants —
both horses and jockeys!
Cheers and hugs for everyone!
kim zeanyatta
What a stunning photograph of Zenyatta! She looks so serene and Beautiful. Why did this bring me to tears?? I jst don’t, but I do know I miss her power and grace on the racetrack.