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Zenyatta News, Cozmic One

Cozmic One at Belmont

Cozmic One has arrived at Belmont Park. Photo by Kyle Acebo.
Cozmic One has arrived at Belmont Park. Photo by Kyle Acebo.

We have a feeling that many of you have heard the news! Cozmic One has arrived at Belmont to train with John Shirreffs. We initially kept it under wraps because there is already enough excitement in New York surrounding this weekend’s Belmont Stakes.

If you’re anxious to hear about his introduction to John’s barn, you’ll find more information here on the blog next week. We’ll be sharing photos and video of his arrival along with a little news about what has happened since.

Be sure to check back tomorrow. We have a very special edition of Ask The Experts for you, and it features some experts who know Coz quite well.

Enjoy!
-Team Z

Cozmic One on the morning of his arrival at Belmont. Photo by Kyle Acebo.
Cozmic One on the morning of his arrival at Belmont. Photo by Kyle Acebo.

Reader Interactions

346 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Dear Max and Z Fans:

    Mike just finished 2nd on the turf in the 8th at Belmont on Strathnaver at 20-1. Strathnaver (GB) is by Oasis Dream (Brad Pitt) out of River Belle. Coffee Clique (Medalia D’oro) won and the favorite, Stephanie’s Kitten with JV finished well back. Love and Hugs, JB

  2. / Reply

    Godspeed and Good Luck to California Chrome! I am so nervously excited — prayers for safe racing for all participants. Let the drought end — no spoilers again, please!
    I have butterflies!! Lots of Hugs to All

  3. / Reply

    Dear Z Fans:

    Palace Malice and JV did it. What a great finish. Will post replay as soon as it’s available. Love and Hugs, JB

  4. / Reply

    Cozmic is gorgeous, he definitely takes after his mama.
    Godspeed to the horses in the Belmont and they all come home safe and sound. Hopefully CA Chrome takes the Triple Crown.

  5. / Reply

    Dear Max and Judy.I am getting quite nervous over here .can’t imagine the huge butterflies you must have.A favourite won our big race today so,maybe,it bodes well for CC.
    I really hope we get good news about CDA tomorrow.Coolmore are not sure where Australia will race next.Good luck CC and safe trips to all horses tonight.Hugs Sheena.

    • / Reply

      Sheena. Real Solution just won the Manhattan Handicap on the undercard. He’s a Ramsay horse with Big D on the distaff side. Favorite was Seek Again, the Juddmonte horse who ran second to Danny in the Woodford. Very good race on turf. It is nerve wracking waiting for the Belmont. That track is so huge. There are only two tracks in North America with 1.5 mile courses for races, Belmont for dirt and Woodbine for turf.
      Chromie looks magnificent in his highly polished red coat. Wearing his strip. He’s on his way to be saddled.
      Free the Moose! Power up Danny!

      • / Reply

        Dear Sheena and Max:

        Hope CDA is OK and Stephanie’s Kitten too, She never fired in the Longine’s today.
        Max, Real solution ran a great race. The waiting IS nerve wracking. Godspeed CC. Safe and sound all. Power Up Dan. Loose The Moose. Love and Hugs, JB

        • JudyB. So did Kaigun. He’s got Kris S on the dam side like our Z. He’s also a chestnut. One of the owners is Horsing Around Stables. Got a laugh out of that. Trained by Tasty’s trainer, Mark Casse.
          Sheena. Not long now. Chromie’s got his blinkers on. Looks cool. Getting some soothing pats from his groom.
          Free the Moose! Power up Danny!

        • Dear Max:

          Cool stable name. Yes, always enjoy the love shown for Chromie by his team. Remninds me so much of Z an Team Z. Love and Hugs, JB

  6. / Reply

    Dear Max, Sheena and Z Fans:

    I just saw, who I think was, Mr. Cohen and some other Chromie connections grouped together in prayer. Made me cry. I won’t watch the race; I will listen live and look at the replay later. I am praying hard too for Chromie. Safe and sound all. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Max, Sheena, Peggy and Z Fans:

      Bummed out for Chromie and his Team. Hope he comes out of the race OK. Congrats to Tonalist. Peggy your gut feeling about Tonalist was spot on. Love and Hugs, JBG

      • / Reply

        JudyB. Very disappointing, but one must give respect to Tonalist. He’s a Tapit. On his distaff side, he has however stamina horses. Ribot won 16 out of 16, an incredible racer. Won the Arc. Also a bad boy extraordinaire. The distaff side of Chromie’s pedigree suggests speed and success in shorter races. Not certain however he got the best ride today.
        Free the Moose! Power up Danny!

        • Dear Max:

          Tonalist and Joel R were great today. I think VE could tell something was amiss with CC and it turns out he was right. He didn’t push him and I think that was the right thing to do. When you think about it, CC held on for the dead heat to finish fourth. Brave boy. Love and Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Yeah, Judy & Max, it was a bummer. Everybody wanted it so bad, and that always makes me more nervous. And while I agree with his vocal owner, Steve Coburn, that the “fresh horses” made the Belmont harder for the few who endured all three races, I was sad to see his anger come out the way it did, in spite of his wife seemingly trying to stop him from venting — that rant will tend to make people dismiss him, rather than take him seriously, as he wants. He just took the loss very hard, and I like his “passion”, even if it’s “over-the-top” — he’s not boringly noncommittal.

        I suspect it’s always been a Triple Crown problem, that some horses “steal” the Belmont after not running the other races — that’s part of what makes it so hard to do. Chromie just didn’t have the spark, today, as Victor Espinoza indicated. And Art Sherman seemed calm, he just said to his wife, “Not today.”

        • To win any Triple Crown in thoroughbred racing, the horse has to be extraordinary, a rare jewel of a horse with Lady Luck riding along. Those kind of horses are few and very far between. Being rested has little to do with the raw equine talent which is required to win. Examine how Citation raced between Triple Crown races and still won. It is the mystery of racing why only some horses can rise to the challenge. No one can explain it.
          The English Triple Crown has not been won since 1970, by a son of Northern Dancer, bred in Canada, US owned, and Irish trained. The Triple Crown races take place at the end of April, the beginning of June and mid September. Lots of possibility for rest between June and September, including any winner of the first two legs. 44 years on and still no winner. Frankel won the first leg but did not contest the next two races, because his trainer did not think that he could win. Frankel is a wonder horse and even he did not attempt it. Winning a Triple Crown is sheer magic.

        • Dear Vicki B, Max and Z Fans:

          Now we know CC had a cut on his foot so he was at a disadvantage. We’ll never know if he could have held off Tonalist or not. I’m just grateful that he and all the others came back safely. As far as horses skipping the Preakness and aiming for the Belmont, that is their choice. As Max said, even Frankel’s connections decided against running him in the Triple Crown. Mr. C was passionate and upset, so I think we have to make allowances for what was said. Three races in five weeks is a grueling task and as Max also said, winning a Triple Crown is magic. I wish CC’s foot wasn’t cut and that he got the chance to run his race without the pain he must have been feeling. But, racing is a very risky business as we all know. Hope CC’s connections decide to keep racing him when his foot is healed. CC is a remarkable horse. Mr. Sherman is a very, very classy guy.
          Love and Hugs, JB

        • The point the guy was trying to make is this–Horses have to qualify for the Kentucky Derby via a points system or you don’t get in. On the other hand, anybody can run in the Belmont. Anybody would include the horse that injured CC at the start. He had exactly one win. The owner should have kept these things to himself, but this is a valid point. I would just put it in the context of a very disappointed person.
          .

        • Max, thanks for all that info, I did not know that about the British Triple Crown. I don’t feel so bad about ours going 37 yrs. dry. It’s clearly hard to accomplish. And BGG’s list of past entry counts makes it clear, that with smaller fields, they might have had an easier time of it back then, at least in terms of being stepped on, or boxed in, or pushed wide.

      • / Reply

        Dear Judy

        Thank You, I just love California Chrome as you know, but I liked Tonalist too. This poor boy had issues a little earlier in his career. I was just kind of looking for a big race out of him. I guess a gut feeling.
        It just heart my hear when I heard Mr Coburn talking as he did. The Triple Crown I think is rough and he should have known this from the getgo. But, I understand he was upset. But calling these other horses well or connections cowards was upsetting to a lot of people. Me included. These horses all run their hearts out.
        Look at A P Indy who came in and won the Belmont Stakes. And, incidentally Indy would have been his great great grand sire.

        I do feel so sorry for all of California Chrome’s connections. My heart goes out to them.

        • Dear Peggy:

          I love Chromie too and it would have been good if his luck had held out and he wasn’t stepped on at the break. But, that’s the nature of racing; it’s very unpredictable. So much depends on talent and so much on good racing luck. Tonalist ran a great race and JR rode him perfectly. I give credit to all of those beautiful horses; they give everything they have. I think Mr. C. was upset and in shock and didn’t really mean what he said. Just grateful that CC should heal well and soon and be back to race another day. Hope all the horses returned to their barns in good shape. Love and Hugs, JB

        • Dear Judy

          I am so hoping he will be OK.We’ll worry about him until we know he is AOK.
          Hope there are good updates tomorrow.
          Did you see Close Hatches win today. i thought she looked real good on the track. I was pulling for Princess of Sylmar but I thought she did such a good job. Will be good to see these Mare’s again. Plus Beholder.

        • Dear Peggy:

          I listened to the race with Close Hatches, Princess Sylmar and Beholder. Yes, Close Hatches ran a very good race as did Princess S. Beholder never fired today. Hope they all came out of the race in good shape. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Sheena. Yes. The dream goes on. Don’t count out Coz before going to Ziconic. I’d like to see them both win every time. Same for that beautiful Princess.
      Free the Moose! Power up Danny!

  9. / Reply

    Dear Judy.Very disappointed for you all.The Belmont is like our St Leger a difficult last leg of the TC.Remember our Camelot in 2012.The crack is getting bigger,hopefully a chick tomorrow.there was a fox around the nest today,always something to worry about.
    Goodnight God bless you LM PC HT Little Cap Hercules and all the Sweeties.Love and hugs SheenaX

    • / Reply

      Sheena. Let us know if you hear any news of Cirrus. Read that he’s going back to France tomorrow? Hope that he’s okay. Now we both start hoping again for TC winners in 2015.
      Free the Moose! Power up Danny!

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena:

      Oh my gosh, not only Blue to worry about now. Hope the chick stays safe. Love Chromie. Love and Hugs, JB, LM, PC, HT, Cap, Herc and all the Sweeties

  10. / Reply

    Read on FB that Chromie “grabbed a quarter”, so I had to look that up — “Injury to the back of the hoof or foot, caused by a horse stepping on itself”, at this useful site:

    http://www.brunoonworkouts.com/racingglossary.html

    The site is by Bruno De Julio, a name I had only ever heard before from my brother, who told me that years ago he knew Bruno, when he used to clock for him. Now, I am more impressed by it.

    • / Reply

      CC did not grab a quarter. He was injured by the number 3 horse who made a left turn right at the start and stepped on his (CC) hoof. I am sure we will all see the films of the start many times which fully show what happened. It is a shame that something like this had to happen. We Will never know now.

        • Dear Judy

          So hope he will heal good. Bring on the Antibiotics fast. Praying so hard for him. Love him so much.

        • Thanks JB. What a shame.
          CC is a brave guy and a Champ in my book.
          Congrats to the winner, Tonalist. Time will tell if he is a Champ.
          Champ CC, rest and heal. We love you. Your racing and training campaign thus far has been superior to any other.

        • Dear Ann:

          I agree, CC is a Champion and we’ll look forward to seeing him in the BCC. Love this brave boy. Love and Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Terry, someone else on FB took issue with that term too, but Art Sherman said he “grabbed a quarter” in an interview where he also said that the other horse stepped on his hoof. So the term does seem to be used both ways.

  11. / Reply

    So hope California Chrome will be OK. Power Up Boy. May the Good lord take of you.

    • / Reply

      Dear Peggy:

      He should heal well and I hope he continues to race when he’s ready. Wonderful, beautiful, brave boy. Love and Hugs, JB

  12. / Reply

    Dear Chromie fans:

    Agree with everyone that it is so disappointing when things don’t pan out as hoped. But always remember one of our top trainers, after a defeat, saying that we shouldn’t be too upset because the horse didn’t know he’d not won the race. And even more, I’m always grateful to the good Lord that no one had to go home with an empty bridle. He’s a champ and will always be so. Hugs KathyR

  13. / Reply

    Mike MacAdam tweets Sunday June 8-ART SHERMAN
    After seeing replay, trainer Art Sherman said Chrome didn’t grab quarter,
    Matterhorn clipped the back of his right hoof out of the gate.

    • / Reply

      Warren Eves @warrenthebull on Sunday June 8
      1-time rider Tom Chapman on ‘Chrome gate incident:
      “It’s amazing CC finished as close as he did.
      This would take 10 lengths from any horse.”

    • / Reply

      It would appear that Art did not know what had caused the injury when he first commented on it.

  14. / Reply

    Belmont Stakes: California Chrome to rest
    By Jay Privman Daily Racing Form Sunday June 8 2014
    ELMONT, N.Y. – California Chrome emerged from Saturday’s Belmont Stakes with a minor injury to his right front hoof and will be given a lengthy rest before a scheduled return to racing this fall, trainer Art Sherman said Sunday morning at Belmont Park.
    “He’s good, other than having a good chunk of his quarter cut,” Sherman said. “We’ll get that healed up at the barn for two to three weeks, then stop on him for six or seven weeks, give him some pasture time. He needs a rest.”
    That itinerary would take California Chrome out of consideration for any major races this summer such as the Travers Stakes at Saratoga or the Pacific Classic at Del Mar. Sherman said his late-season goal with California Chrome is the Nov. 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita.
    http://www.drf.com/news/belmont-stakes-california-chrome-rest

  15. / Reply

    Ride On Curlin to Get Some Time Off
    By Blood-Horse Staff June 8, 2014 3:01 PM
    Preakness Stakes (gr. I) runner-up Ride On Curlin, who failed to finish in the June 7 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), will be getting a break after competing in all three legs of the Triple Crown.
    Daniel J. Dougherty’s son of Curlin bled in the Belmont and was eased at the quarter pole by Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez.
    “He bled probably a three out of 10,” trainer Billy Gowan said. “He ate everything last night and his legs look good, so that’s the main thing. He was going to get a little break anyhow, so maybe it’s time to give him one.”
    Gowan and Ride On Curlin will head back to their base in Kentucky on Monday.
    Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/85592/ride-on-curlin-to-get-some-time-off#ixzz344ms25SJ

    • / Reply

      Dear BGG:

      Thanks for this info. So glad ROC is OK and will be getting a well deserved rest. Love and Hugs, JB

  16. / Reply

    Claire Novak ‏The Blood-Horse Sunday June 8
    Beholder exited Ogden Phipps with multiple cuts on hind leg.
    Flies back to California today.

    • / Reply

      Dear BGG:

      That could explain why she never fired. Poor baby. Hope she’s OK. Love and Hugs, JB

  17. / Reply

    Stewards may disqualify General a Rod for late arrival
    By David Grening Daily Racing Form 06/08/2014 1:39PM
    ELMONT, N.Y. – The New York stewards are conducting an investigation into whether trainer Mike Maker brought General a Rod to the assembly barn in the proper time frame leading up to Saturday’s Belmont Stakes, according to Braulio Baeza, the steward for the New York Racing Association.
    If it is found that Maker brought the horse to the barn late and/or the horse was left unattended by security personnel for a period of time, it is possible General a Rod could be disqualified, Baeza said. General a Rod finished seventh in the Belmont, a placing that earned him $35,000. Maker could also be fined, Baeza said.
    http://www.drf.com/news/stewards-may-disqualify-general-rod-late-arrival

  18. / Reply

    Some interesting numbers about the Belmont!
    Teresa Genaro @BklynBckstretch Sun. June 8
    Secretariat beat four; Seattle Slew beat seven; Affirmed beat four.
    And now that is really the end.
    Earlier information:
    1941: Whirlaway beat three horses. 1943: Count Fleet beat two.
    1946: Assault beat 6. 1948: Citation beat 7.
    1935: Omaha beat four horses in the Belmont. 1937:
    War Admiral beat 6, including one named Brooklyn (the nerve of him)
    Re: the Belmont. Sir Barton beat two horses in the Belmont to win the Triple Crown in 1919. Gallant Fox beat three in 1930.
    Maybe it’s not that the Triple Crown is too hard, but that some of the horses who won it might have it fairly easy.
    BGG-this look back in history by Brooklyn Backstretch shows how racing has changed.

    • / Reply

      It wasn’t called or recognized as the triple crown when Sir Barton won the three races that now make it up. Later on when they pinned that moniker on the series someone discovered that SB had won them some years before.

  20. / Reply

    California Chrome returns to Los Alamitos Race Course (VIDEO)
    Goman Go Published on Jun 9, 2014
    Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner California Chrome returned to Los Alamitos Race Course on Sunday night, June 8, 2014. As always, he was accompanied by his groom Raul Rodriguez. Los Alamitos Race Course congratulates the outstanding horse California Chrome for his victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes and his courageous effort in the Belmont Stakes. Thank for a thrilling ride in the Triple Crown series and so many unforgettable memories.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNKkgwSsFdY

  22. / Reply

    Doug O’Neill on the Dan Patrick show this morning (Mon. June 9) proposed:
    1st Saturday in May-Kentucky Derby
    1st Saturday in June-Preakness
    1st Saturday in July-Belmont
    Said this would give a 4 week recovery between races.
    And, the fans would know exactly when to plan with fixed date.
    Sounds good to me!

    • / Reply

      Dear BGG:

      That would fit most horses schedules as more of them race about once every month. Could work well. Love and Hugs, JB

  23. / Reply

    Queen Z should be proud of her first born Coz looks great! I am so happy the JS will be the one bringing him along in his career!
    I agree with SC about horses that qualify and run in the Derby should be the contenders in the Preakness and the Belmont. Since you must qualify by dollars earned to run in the Derby that would ensure the competive horses would be in all 3 races. And as noted by Bluegrassgirl the fields for the Belmont that produced Triple Crown winners were not as large as the fields Chromie and other Derby and Preakness winners have faced. As far as spacing the races in May,June, July I think that is a plan that would help keep the best horses competing in all three races. As an owner I can
    understand not wanting to have 3 big races in just 5 weeks for 3 year olds. If we want to be able to enjoy our horses’ careers on the track rather than sending them to the breeding shed at age 3, some changes should be made. Our considerations should be for the good of these beautiful animals that give us everything they have in the name of horse racing.

  24. / Reply

    Hi!

    So happy to hear that Cozmic One has arrived at Belmont.

    I am so eager to watch him race. He resembles his mother in his
    looks.

    Wow!

    He is gorgeous!

    Eager to see some videos and photos of him.

    Thank you!

    P.S. Where are the videos of Zenyatta and the new baby girl?

    Lise from Maine

  25. / Reply

    This made me jump for joy! Zenny’s firstborn looks so grown up. Can’t wait to see what the future holds for him. He’s in great hands with Mr. Shirreffs!

  26. / Reply

    California Chrome trainer describes Belmont injury (+ cut on foreleg)
    Jennie Rees, USA TODAY Sports 10:33 a.m. EDT June 9, 2014
    Excerpts from article:
    California Chrome also sustained a cut on his foreleg. That’s where Sherman said they really dodged a bullet.
    “He had a cut by his tendon where they hit him. That’s what scared me the most. It wasn’t deep; it was superficial. Gosh, that’s the worst thing that can happen to a horse, hit his tendon. But we got lucky there. It just went down to the bottom of his foot, by his pastern.”
    http://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/horses/triple/2014/06/08/california-chrome-trainer-describes-belmont-injury/10201349/

    • / Reply

      Dear BGG:

      Thanks for this info on CC. Thank God his tendon wasn’t cut. Hoping Beholder and CC heal well and soon. That explains Beholder’s performance too on Saturday. Poor babies. Love and Hugs, JB

  27. / Reply

    Beholder Injured in Ogden Phipps
    San Diego Horse Race posted by redbird June 9, 2014
    California Chrome was not the only one gashed in a race at Belmont Park last Saturday. Two-time Eclipse Award winning filly, Beholder, will miss up to six weeks of training after she came back from her run in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps with a gash to her left hind pastern.
    Trainer, Richard Mandella, said it was “pretty deep” and that the whole pastern was “rubbed raw.” He added that there was large flap of skin that is too jagged for stitches and will probably be removed once everything’s healed. They washed out the wound and put a bandage on it and so far it “looks fine.” Mandella says fortunately nothing more serious was damaged, like ligaments or tendons. His biggest fear… at this point is infection but she’s been treated with penicillin and antibiotics.
    Mandella said he doesn’t know when the injury occurred but that it appears to have been created by a toe-grab on a horseshoe. He has watched replays of the race and, while he can’t pinpoint when his prized filly was hurt, he told the Paulick Report that it appears to have occurred when another horse’s back foot came down on Beholder’s leg, cutting a deep slash from top to bottom. He also acknowledged it could have occurred in the starting gate.
    Rider, Gary Stevens, is also perplexed as to how and when the injury occurred. He said he just thought Beholder was having trouble handling the Belmont track. They finished fourth in the talent-ladened, Ogden Phipps, behind the winner, Close Hatches, and runner-ups, Princess of Sylmar and Antipathy.
    http://sdhorserace.com/2014/06/09/beholder-injured-in-ogden-phipps/

  29. / Reply

    Thank you Team Z for this update. Yes, I was confused about the photos and reports of Coz being at Belmont, but nothing reported from here, the “official” site of all things Z and family. But, I did suspect the security issue and craziness of Belmont and Triple Crown race was probably a big issue. I respect that and thank you all for your diligent care and respect of all things Zenyatta, including her children. Thank you and God bless you all. Cozmic One looks awesome and I am thrilled John is his trainer. 2015 here we come. We will all be watching and waiting. Love and hugs to you Zenyatta, my angel forever and all of Z land.

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