Happy Wednesday!
The summer weather has been beautiful at Lane’s End. It time to break out the fly masks and watch Baby Z shed his furry coat.
Zenyatta and her colt are both happy and healthy. Baby Z will be as tall as his mom in no time!
Thanks to everyone who has sent in questions for the experts at the farm. We are continuing to accept submissions, so head back to the last post if you haven’t asked yours yet! Check back in the coming weeks to see answers to some great questions featured in the blog.
In the meantime, enjoy this video of Z and Baby hanging out in the paddock.
Have a great day!
-Team Z
Darlene Daniels
Happy Belmont Day dear friends.
Mario G has stolen my heart. For someone so young he already has as much class in his little finger as many much older and more experienced than he.
I like all 11 contenders. This may sound crazy but I am picking Street Life. What a gorgious horse. Reminds me of Zenny. Well, we will soon see. Good luck everyone!
carol in utah
I am with you Darlene….he should remind you of Zenny…he is like her half-nephew..
Her dad is his grandpa
Darlene Daniels
That’s right Carol. When I was looking at Barbara Livingston’s photos of the 11 contenders, when I came to Street Life my heart jumped into my throat.
NBC! What happened to coverage of I’ll Have Another’s retirement parade???? Please dont tell me I somehow missed that!
Zenyen
They did an unmounted paddock parade of IHA before the Manhattan handicap.
Andrea
I think it happened when they were retrospecting all the past TC attempts. Weak broadcast! I am boxing Dullahan to win UR to place and Paynter to show. Atigun is my long shot. Street Life is getting my $ too. Good Luck to all and safe trips to the beauties and the jockeys who guide them!
Zenyen
This is the ceremony they ended up going with.
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/70451/ceremony–to-honor-ill-have-another-changed
Karen Gogue / my heart :)’s ♥
They didn’t show it?? I was out at the track today (HP) and saw it! Wow what a bummer! See my post down below.
Pati-Queen and Prince Z Fan
Redemption for Union Rags!!! My Exacta paid!!!! WHOO HOOO!!!
Pati-Queen and Prince Z Fan
I am also feeling kinda smug about my good feelings about Union Rags since before the Kentucky Derby. I am glad that I supported this horse even through the failure that was the Derby for him. Sad for IHA, but glad for Union Rags.
Andrea
I am a believer. I thought he was nothing more than a supermodel who blamed his lack of talent on his bad trips. I was wrong, UR is something special. I can not wait for the BCC, he will rock it! I did make a bundle on Atigun to show, however! Mikey must feel a little crappy! We love you, Mike!
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Andrea:
Good handicapping pick with Atigun. Hugs, JB
Andrea
Thank You JB! I like those show tickets, Grandma bets, I think is what they call them, but when they work, they work!
Pati- Prince Z Future TC Winner
I know!! I get to see him too!!!! Extra special for me!!!!
Darlene Daniels
Congratulations!!! Union Rags! and Michael Matz and all your connections. Also congratulations to Terry Crow who has been your supporter from way back.
NBC, SUCKY coverage. Sorry for my language everybody. NBC, a once a year, once in a lifetime horse race should only be horse racing coverage. We dont need your updates and wasted time on Phelps swimming, soccer, track and field, golf etc. etc. etc.! Give us horse racing! If you cant run with the big dogs (HRTV) Stay off the porch!!!
Marty R / Colorado
Darlene, you cracked me up about the big dogs. I do agree the coverage shouldn’t have strayed. Interest in horse racing is an endangered species as it is and here we go off to the swimming pool.
As far as the retirement ceremony, I saw IHA’s grooms leading him under tack then in a different segment, I saw Mario G. sitting on him petting his neck and that was it. I thought Doug O. was supposed to unsaddle IHA, but can only surmise that happened. I certainly hope it was better in person than it was on TV.
I also hope something will be done in Calif, but don’t expect it would be televised.
I feel happy for Union Rags and his connections. His owner beleived in him so much and Michael Matz deserved the victory, too.
Darlene Daniels
Thanks Marty,
I am just so disappointed in the whole IHA turn of events. I planned my whole day around watching the “ceremony” and the Belmont races. The only time I wasnt glued to the TV from 4:00PM on was one very quicky trip to the bathroom and one very very quick phone call. Cant believe I missed seeing I’ll Have Another and LAVA MAN!! Oh well, off to the races for another day!
Have a great rest of the weekend all!! I am very thankful for all of you, Zenyatta, baby 12Z,
Max
Darlene. I found this link which shows some of the ceremony for IHA. Lava Man is in it too. I do not know if this was on tv. Also a nice interview with Mario.
The best part of the tv coverage other than the race itself was the ad for the 2012 Breeders’ Cup. They showed Z winning the 2009 BCC. I prefer that to swimming interviews during a classic race event.
http://www.drf.com/news/ill-have-anothers-team-shows-no-bitterness
Vicki B. near Hollywood Park
Thanks for that vid, Max. That was not on NBC, no Lava Man, altho there was a quick couple of seconds of IHA with Mario on his back.
Karen Gogue / my heart :)’s ♥
At Hollywood Park today, TV’s all on the ceremony for IHA from Belmont. BUT the big board out front DID not show it!!! Very disappointing for fans out there today! Fortunately, we watched it on the small TV. Doug did take off the saddle. Very short (too short!) Pictures were taken of Team O’Neill around IHA and Mario and that was it! I was hoping that the big screen at HP WOULD SHOW it for peeps there today so we could all cheer and hoop and holler for IHA! Sheese! HP just doesn’t get it at times!
Louise Castello
Amen!!!!!!!
Louise Castello
Oops!!! Amen for the SUCKY coverage is what I meant!
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Z Fans:
So happy for Rags winning the Belmont. I think Mikey is too hard on himself. He’s taking responsibility for Paynter going wide in the stretch and letting Rags slip through. I thought he rode the horse really well and Paynter just drifted a little wide due to fatigue.
Felt bad for Dullahan; maybe that bullet work last week took something out of him. Street Life did well finishing forth. Hugs, JB
Ann
Yeah Rags!!! I am happy for Matz,owners and team.
Karen Gogue / my heart :)’s ♥
I am too! :)
Sandy (Northeast Ohio)
Dullahan was my horse (sob). I don’t know what happened to him. I couldn’t really see him during the race, and the NBC peeps never even said where he finished!
LauraJ (Cincinnati, OH)
Seventh. He was never in contention. His best position was sixth. He flatened in the stretch.
Here’s the chart:
http://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pdf/BEL060912USA11.pdf
IMO, he should probably move back to turf or poly for best results.
Sandy (Northeast Ohio)
Thanks Laura! I read the description of the race (footnotes) at the bottom. Is that . . um . . er . . . in English?? Someone gave me a link once to horse (or maybe it was racing) terminology, but it didn’t work. Maybe he/she could try again :-)
Zenyen
@Sandy,
It can be confusing when they use race jargon and even having a glossary of terms can make it a challenge to unwind.
I’m not going to tackle all of it but here is my translation of what the Footnotes are saying about Union Rags’ trip.
“Union Rags tucked quickly to the rail contentedly tracked front runners under a good hold of the rider …”
Translation: Union Rags went to the trail, where he settled, relaxed and calm to run behind the front running horses. IE his rider said “not yet, lets just gallop here” and Union Rags did not waste his race fighting or being “Rank” he went along calm and smooth for the first opening mile.
“Was let out a notch at the 5/16th pole…”
Translation: At the 5/16th pole the jockey said it was time to start running, so he let out a notch in the reins, meaning he relaxed his hold and gave the signal of “okay buddy, time to wake up and go to work.” But the jockey wasn’t actively working his hands or whip to ask for full out right yet, he just gave the horse enough gas to get closer to the front.
“Cut the corner in the lane and idled behind Paynter lacking optimal clearance…”
Translation: Took the turn tight/closer to the rail and came up behind Paynter who was was close enough to the rail that Union Rags couldn’t get through. Rather than getting rank or worse, having to stop, Union Rags once again ran calm, waiting for a hole (space between the rail and the horse in front) to open up.
“Gained sufficient passage when previously mentioned rival drifted outward…”
Translation: The hole between the rail and Paynter became big enough to squeeze through when Paynter drifted to his right or ‘outwards’.
“In response to some left handed stick work slipped by … wore down Paynter under strong handling…”
Translation: Johnny V stepped on the gas using his whip on the left hand side of the horse (so as not to foul Paynter) at the 16th pole. Union Rags drew abreast of Paynter but Johnny V still needed to ride him strong ‘urging him along’ to get past Paynter and win.
So in summary, the horse broke well, was off the pace but was calm and accepting of it, (didn’t blow his race by getting upset or rank), was handy enough to get a good rail trip and cut the corner, had to wait for an opening but when one appeared was brave enough, under the urging of his rider, to make the most of it. Then, with continued urging from his rider, gritted it out to win.
Paynter didn’t give Union Rags anything, in short, Union Rags had to work for that finish line.
signofthetimes; President Texas Chapter RNC
GREAT ANALYSIS LAURA J,
DON’T THINK DULLAHAN LIKES THE DIRT, NEVER HAS WON ON IT.
HE TRAINS GREAT, BUT DOES NOT LIKE THE SURFACE.
Sandy (Northeast Ohio)
Thanks VERY much Zenyen for the translation. I guess every sport has its own language and “shorthand” until one gets the hang of it, but the learning curve here seems quite steep (and thanks again to LauraJ for the original link).
signofthetimes; President Texas Chapter RNC
They say he breezed too fast on his last one 45; and he is a closer.
1.5 miles does not lend itself to closing style; Street Life ran into the same
issue. Race is too long for a closer to make up the distance.
GREAT BELMONT, GREAT RIDE BY MIKE SMITH AND JV
GARY STEVENS SAID THAT MIKE NEVER SAW UR COME UP ON HIM,
IF HE DID HE WOULD NOT HAVE MOVED OVER. NO REAR VEIW MIRROR.
signofthetimes; President Texas Chapter RNC
BY BREEZING TOO FAST, TOO MUCH OF THE EDGE IS TAKEN OFF.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Sign:
Thanks for all the great posts and links. Hugs, JB
signofthetimes; President Texas Chapter RNC
SO VERY GLAD UNION RAGS WON AND SO VERY GLAD FOR HIS OWNER,
SHE JUST LOVE HER HORSE SO MUCH AND NOW HE HAS WON A CLASSIC.
Vicki B. near Hollywood Park
I agree, Judy, about Mikey. Gary Stevens, and at least a couple of other announcers made the point as well, that “that’s just Mikey”, too hard on himself, that Paynter was tiring, so with Mikey’s left-handed stick, he would drift out to the right, and Johnny V knew that was likely, and just waited for his chance. After the race, Johnny V & Mikey were talking, and Mikey asked him where he came from, he was right behind Paynter, and Mikey couldn’t see him.
signofthetimes; President Texas Chapter RNC
I think Mike is also being very political that is why he has lasted in the game
so very long.
Marshall (NC broad)
YAY! Union Rags got to the wire to win! Great race! He is the one I picked to win. What a fine horse!
More later.
carol in utah
just read article about Giant Ryan….needs our prayers and hopes…
Barbara Wood (Texas)
Congrats to Union Rags and his connections. I have to admit being surprised. My money would have been on Dullahan–only one of the reasons I’m not a betting woman!
@Darlene Daniels–lol! I was about to throw something at the tv when they broke away to talk about swimming!! We don’t get HRTV either.
@Judy B.–faithful researcher, thank you for the update on Giant Ryan. Prayers for him.
I have 2 questions:
1) is it a good idea to take him to the U. of Pennsylvania? Isn’t travel dangerous for an injured horse? I realize it’s not that far. New Bolton, right?
2) why do they wrap the horses’ back legs but not the fronts? The fronts seem to break down mere.
Now that I’ve shown my ignorance, I’ll back off after asking
@Andrea– what about Blanchie? Is she ok? And the baby?
Pati- Prince Z Future TC Winner
I swim. ;-P
I agree though, I don’t care about Phelps when Rags is on the screen. LOL
LauraJ (Cincinnati, OH)
Giant Ryan is wearing supportive splints. He was reported to be comfortable in his stall. New Bolton is well equiped to handle his surgery. I am guessing he will travel in a specially-equipped horse ambulance, not a regular trailer.
Hind wraps are standard equipment. Their purpose is mostly to protect the skin from cuts and abrasions by foreign matter being kicked up by the forelimbs. Foreleg wraps are allowed. Unlike hind wraps, however, they have to be noted in the racing program as equipment. Many handicappers take them as an indication the horse is not at his/her best, so they have to be told about the wraps in advance. Race horses in training wear wraps on their forelegs and hind legs most other times.
Marshall (NC broad)
Thanks again, Laura! Great info! Sure hope GR does well.
Take care and have a good week!
Peggy (N) South Georgia
@Laura J, I have a question, I was wondering if you might have the answer . I am a little unsure on this issue and I would love it if someone could elaborate a little on this. When young 2 year old horses are at the sale and they go on the undertack show. When your watching the video you see a lot of postings from around the 20point something,but then you see some coming in at l0.25. (There works ratings) Would this l0.25 be considered fantastic. I was wondering about these scores. Doug O’Neill’s brother boutht I’ll Have Another at the Ocala Breeders Sale in 2011 and I believe this was his score. I tried to go back in and read that article again, But the site would not pull u;p.
Do you or anyone have knowledge and could share a littlel.
In March when I was in Ocala and watching the undertack show at the hotel seemed like so many of the great pedigree horse were posting in around 20point score. Just wondering about this.
With that score I’ll Have Another still didn’t sell for too much
LauraJ (Cincinnati OH)
You see 10-something times and 20-something times because some horses are timed for one furlong and some for two. The horses do not break from a gate and are already at full speed when timing begins. The faster the speed, the more the horse is likely to sell for. The work also gives potential buyers the opportunity to see how well the horse moves–there are people who do biomechanical analyses based on videos of the works.
A work under 11 seconds per furlong is, I believe, considered good. Furlongs under 10 seconds have been recorded. Thoroughbreds don’t normally run that fast during a race. As a rule of thumb, a good horse runs around 12 seconds per furlong in a route race. Sprints will be faster, but over short distances. The horse’s class shows in how fast it can run, and how long it can keep up its speed. Dr. Fagers historic mile record in 1:32 1/5 equates to 11.525 seconds per furlong. Lots of horses can run 12 seconds per furlong for 6 furlongs, but a horse that can do it for 9f is a stakes horse. A horse that can do it for 10f is a legitimate Derby horse. A horse that can run 12 furlongs at that pace is Secretariat.
DMCQ_AL
I am sorry to say, I am still catching up on the blog, but trying to lurk a little bit every day. I must thank you all for your wonderful links that I put in favorites so I can see many of them later. The jokes really had me chuckling.
Terry C, thank you for that terrific idea of Sue and Sharon’s sweet Chester being the RN club’s celestial mascot. I saw that it seemed to be unanimous, including Sue’s permission.
I sympathsize with all who are suffering from losses of sweet souls and want you to know you are in my prayers.
About that Belmont: if I were a betting RN, I would have to say, “Union Rags–Vindicated!” I was thinking that UR and Paynter were going to duel it out. Message to Paynter and Mike Smith, “Second is not to be sneezed at! You ran a good race.” Speedy recovery wishes to Giant Ryan.
Zz hugs all around!
Vicki B. near Hollywood Park
Yes, DMCQ, along with Paynter’s 2nd, both Mike Smith and Bob Baffert got a “2nd Place Triple Crown” this year, which ain’t too bad either, even if no trophy.
Susan from Fl
Yea Union Rags! Good thoughts Giant Ryan. Peace & Happiness
Peggy (N) South Georgia
If anyone see’s any more news on Giant Ryan please post it.
Peggy (N) South Georgia
Your in my prayers Giant Ryan.
Karen Gogue / my heart :)’s ♥
God Speed Giant Ryan! Recover quick!
Karen Gogue / my heart :)’s ♥
Smart race riding by jock on Union Rags! Saved so much ground by staying on that rail (or close to it most of the race!)
Karen Gogue / my heart :)’s ♥
Adorable Trina, dear friend, bless you. I know the loss of your precious doggie hurts so much ….. know that your angel is at peace now and is going to be with you always in spirit ……. ♥ ♥
Karen Gogue / my heart :)’s ♥
Here is the NYRA video of IHA retirement.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-WyJNNLyhw
Karen Gogue / my heart :)’s ♥
Note: You have to watch this closely or you will miss Lava Man!
Marty R / Colorado
Karen, Thank you sooo much for finding this. The best I was hoping for were some still photos. This has made my morning. Marty R.
Karen Gogue / my heart :)’s ♥
Thank you! I subscribe to NYRA videos on You Tube! Thank goodness they got it out right away!
Ann
I think IHA was telling Lava Man to settle down this time. LM was really wound up. He was hamming it up being back in the winners circle. Ah, Lava Man, you are so so special. And everyone thought IHA would be the one all worked up…he looked cool as a cucumber…Lava Man back in the winners circle…YEAH!!!!
Good job IHA,you will always stay in my heart. Great job to grooms and all who cared for this horse.
AJ from CA
Karen – thanks for finding those links of IHA retirement ceremony; too bad NBC coverage didn’t bother to show it.
Karen Gogue / my heart :)’s ♥
This baffles me too! I had it recorded so I could watch the Belmont when I got home from HP! It may not be on there! LOL! BUT, a friend of mine said she did see it on NBC coverage today! That is weird, huh? Why did not some see it and not others?? Maybe your local NBC stations are to blame! Maybe NYRA (Belmont) wanted exclusive rights to show the ceremony? Not good NBC or NYRA!!!
Karen Gogue / my heart :)’s ♥
Sheese! that should be WHY DID SOME SEE IT AND NOT OTHERS!???
signofthetimes; President Texas Chapter RNC
HRTV did not show it either.
Karen Gogue / my heart :)’s ♥
Really!??? WOW! Must be exclusive rights thingy, huh?
Vicki B. near Hollywood Park
Thanks, Karen, that’s what I wanted to see!
Karen Gogue / my heart :)’s ♥
Here is another link that shows Lava Man too. Be sure and click onto the video you want to watch.
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Karen G.:
Thanks for these links to IHA’s ceremony at Belmont. You could just feel the sadness in Mario. Beautiful, talented horse; wish him success as a sire. Hugs, JB
Karen Gogue / my heart :)’s ♥
Anne from Paramount (and Rod!) and JAG thank you for your company out at HP today!You all made it a most enjoyable day! My heart :)’s ♥
Marshall (NC broad)
Dear Karen G.,
Thanks for the links you posted. Very informative and very much enjoyed!
Take care and the Best, always.
Hope everyone has a nice Sunday, including Zenny and lil Z!
Elizabeth in Oregon
Sooo wonderful to see more of the Queen and her little prince. Thanks, Lane’s End! Also, thanks to Karen Gogue for the links and to LauraJ (Cincinnati, OH) for the great color genetics info. I have enough trouble figuring out colors/patterns in dogs, and even more with horses, but this is fascinating. Glad UR won today. It was time my hero, Michael Matz, had a big win.
So sorry for your loss, Trina. I know how you feel because our dear old cat, Jeffy, who helped raise kittens and puppies recently crossed the Rainbow Bridge after a paralyzing stroke. His “babies,” cats and Salukis, all adored him, and we miss him terribly.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Elizabeth:
So sorry for your loss of Jeffy. Hugs, JB
Barbara Wood (Texas)
@ELizabeth in Oregon–so very sorry for the loss of dear Jeffy. RIP, dear one. Loss of dear pets is heart-rending.
Our daughter has a 20-year-old cat named Jay. Her ex gave him to her before they were married. I always say he is going to outlove us all.
signofthetimes; President Texas Chapter RNC
Advances in Equine Surgery; Standing repair of some factures; England
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/70396/results-of-standing-fracture-repair-in-racehorses-examined
signofthetimes; President Texas Chapter RNC
Belmont Stakes week Slideshow
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/slideshows/slideshow/2012BelmontScenes/belmont-week-2012
signofthetimes; President Texas Chapter RNC
Belmont Stakes Slideshow 2012
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/slideshows/slideshow/2012BelmontStakes/belmont-stakes-144
Max
Sign. These photos show how big Rags is. He is 17 hands which is big and beautiful like Zenyatta.
I also liked the photos of IHA. That golden chestnut color on him is very attractive.
signofthetimes; President Texas Chapter RNC
I was wondering if UR was 17 hands or more.
Jethro was 17 hands and of course very old (much stiffer and less agile), but getting him stopped and started again was very difficult. In shows I made a an inner circle path and passed everyone on the inside twice for every one of their circles because his stride was so long.
I can just imagine the power and stride length and ground cover UR as a 3 year
old covers. Mike also said Zenyatta although very agile, he never wanted to
get her stopped because to regain that momentum with such a large horse is very difficult.
Max
Sign. You can see the size difference between him and Paynter in those photos. He is at least 17 hands. He is also a horse with intelligent, expressive eyes. I saw a video which said that he is very relaxed to the point that when he lies down to sleep it is hard to get him to wake up. Maybe he is like Life is Sweet? Matz says that the horse always knows Mrs. Wyeth and greets her when he sees her.
signofthetimes; President Texas Chapter RNC
Very cute Max; I just love UR eyes, they are absoulutely gorgeous and just tell his story. Lazy guy like Zenny. Oh yes, Paynter looks quite small next to UR. He is not only huge but very muscular.
Did not realize Phyillis Wyeth’s husband is the great Andrew Wyeth the artist’s son. How very amazing and wonderful. I love Andrew Wyeth’s paintings.
signofthetimes; President Texas Chapter RNC
Interesting discussion by JV about how he won the Belmont; Atigun came up on the
outside of Payntor, who Mike could see, Atigun began drifting in, Mike had to use
the left wipe to keep Payntor engaged. Using the left whip opened up the hole
for UR to get through. It was race riding and balance and counterbalance moves.
This video is a little long, but good information.
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/videos/11417/2012-belmont-stakes-press-conference
Max
Sign. Many thanks. Great interview.
Karen Gogue / my heart :)’s ♥
Thank you!
Andrea
2:30.42, slow time on a track rated fast…if IHA had been 100%, I dare say, we would have seen our Triple Crown Winner accepting the most elusive trophy in sports. I am still devastated, I so hoped this was the year. Oh, well, they did the right thing by IHA. We must wait for another day, another horse, knobby kneed foal right now perhaps? As yet unborn, perhaps? We shall see…
Ann
I know,right? If I had not been celebrating a graduation w/ family,I would have gone to bed and pulled the covers up over myself.
Now I look at Mario,this incredible,humble rider and smile. I see how IHA changed his life, for the better, and it’s all good.
Thanks IHA and Mario. What a special connection.
Andrea
You are so right, Ann, they had real chemistry! So beautiful together! He is the type of jockey whom would embody the saying…” Don’t cry because it is over…smile because it happened…” Jeez, I am maudlin right now, I am going to take a nap…!
Ann
Enjoy it!!!
carol in utah
I agree Andrea….with any kind of trip IHA would have had TC….team O’neill knows it too…have watched interviews with them all…owner stated at least twice that he loves racing not so interested in breeding..wonder where that will lead?
…
My hubby into harleys not horses ….sits down 3 minutes before race and points to TV screen and says that one will win …of course…Unions Rags…go figure
Andrea
Hey, Carol, I do kind of wish they would consider therapy and healing him. I think these injuries can take several months to heal. I wish they would bring him back to training as a 4 year old, but, I guess that is highly unlikely! It is so true that our non racing fans pick winners, I have seen it happen at our local fair, “Oh, I like his name, he will win!” Boy, Howdy, he does, I need to wager with my clueless friends!!!
signofthetimes; President Texas Chapter RNC
I think bringing him back he may be only 60-80 % of their previous
level of racing and that definately would not be fair to him.
Hopefully he can pass on his gene’s with a little more soundness.
Karen Gogue / my heart :)’s ♥
I agree.
SunnyBoyd
I thought for sure Mike & Paynter were going to get this one. Darn it, they were on the front til the very last. Sorry, Mike Smith & Paynter.
SunnyBoyd
May be the tripple will have to wait for Weezee. Wonder if Mr. Smith will still be riding then? Wouldn’t that be sthg, Mr. Smith on Weezee for the tripple. Ooh,ooh.
signofthetimes; President Texas Chapter RNC
I think he is hoping to be around for that. I think he is in his 40’s and other jock
have ridden into mid 50’s. Hope his back holds out. Now he can pick and chose
so less chance for injury.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Sunny Boyd:
Hope it happens. Hugs, JB
nancy in nj
wow! i just finished reading all of the entries here – all 504 of them! i have missed all of you and your wealth of info. have also really needed a z fix! haven’t been able to be on here for a while. i couldn’t get in. i think that because there were so many posts, it took exceptionally long for it to load. i am too impatient. in addition, i am trying to recover from a torn meniscus (spelling?) so my patience is wearing as thin as the cartilage! it takes me a lot longer to do things right now. anyway, i am not complaining. it could certainly be worse. at least i wasn’t supposed to run in the belmont for the triple crown! poor iha. happy for rags; sad for mikey. think my adonis is appropriately named – how gorgeous is he??!!! who cares if he can’t run with the big dogs? i think he is breathtakingly great to look at. will post more since i am here….
AJ from CA
It would have been a big shot in the arm for horseracing if IHA took the TC, but the Union Rags story with his owner buying him back because she had a dream with him winning was heartwarming and glad for Michael Matz as well. Any updates on Giant Ryan? What a heartbreak – hoping for a miracle!
Karen Gogue / my heart :)’s ♥
Yes, very slow race for the Belmont! NO DOUBT ABOUT IT – I’LL HAVE ANOTHER COULDA, SHOULDA, WOULDA WON – IMO!
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Karen G.:
I think so too. Hugs, JB
Vicki B. near Hollywood Park
Yep.
sharon in seattle
me too. He woulda been da winner!!
signofthetimes; President Texas Chapter RNC
I agree Karen, IHA would have won. Too bad for the young boy.
Lisa B./Escondido, CA
I agree with you Karen!
Karen Gogue / my heart :)’s ♥
Oops! Congratulations though to Union Rags and connections! GREAT race riding by JV didn’t hurt!
sharon in seattle
yes — gutsy race by UR and Paynter
Ann
Sure was…and Paynter even lost a shoe.