Happy Preakness Day!
Zenyatta and her colt got to see Ann and Jerry this week! Alys took photos of their visit, and Mike Cline and Charles Campbell stopped by.
Also, at the end of this post, see a conversation with Ann and Charles about the night of the foaling. They discuss Zenyatta’s inclination towards motherhood and the special bond she shares with her foals.
Enjoy!
Team Z
Mary - Lynchburg, Virginia
Beautiful pictures……..as always……..love seeing Ann and Z together. I love the video of Z and her foal. She is great at everything she does……what an awesome sweet mom she is…..brings joy to my heart to see her. Thank you all for the pictures and for sharing Z with us fans who adore her as much…if not more….. as we did when she was racing. It makes me happy to see her so content in her retirement life.
Keta
Royal Delta (5-Year-Old Mare) Workout
Date: May 19, 2013
Track: BELMONT PARK
Distance: Four Furlongs
Time: 52:03 Breezing
Track Condition: Good
Surface: Dirt
Rank: 15/23
Keta
Harris D. Auerbach tweet with FOAL PHOTO
Dadslittlemaria and her @UnusualHeat colt born this week enjoy their first day
out in a pasture together
https://twitter.com/AuerHeat/status/336207026856275968/photo/1
Vicki B. near Hollywood Park
Thanks, Keta. Mares & foals always look so happy together, somehow.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Keta:
Thanks. Wow, he’s got beautiful markings. Big white blaze and looks like 4 socks. Hugs, JB
sheena.davies(wales)
dear max and judy celestial halo (paul nicholls/ daryl Jacob) had the biggest win of his career today at autueil in the prix la barka there’s life in the old boy yet no luck for mullins and ruby hugs sheena
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Sheena:
Just looked up Celestial Halo. He’s a Galileo and nine years old. Wow! Good for him. Love and Hugs, JB
Max
Sheena. Congrats to Celestial Halo. I do like Thousand Stars, handsome gray, but I guess that it was just not his race. Willie Mullins had a 1-2 in the Prix de Questarabad, so that made up a bit. Looks like he decided to leave Hurricane Fly in Ireland? He was going to let Fly go on vacation. Is Quevega on holiday too?
Ann NC
Wow, I’d say. Good job!
Sheena , thanks for the racing info. Good to know the Last Mohican will be back.
We saw a WWII plane fly over this past weekend and I mentioned Gus. Thanks for keeping his memory alive. What a story and great man.
Come on , Willie.
Max, your Oxbow made a huge incident. Great run by him.
Terry Crow
Those flyovers by WWII planes can be most impressive. They filmed portions of Pearl Harbor near a location where I previously lived and when the planes flew overhead it was like an earthquake.
Ann NC
TC, wow, I bet the ground did shake!!!
I saw my hubster looking up into the morning sky and asked him what was the sight? Eagle,Turkey Vulture? Plane w/ the advertising banner behind it?
No, he heard the engine and knew what it was. Gear head!
It was an impressive sight.
TC, did you have an exacta for the Preak? Good going!
Terry Crow
Ann-I kind of backed into it. I liked orb, as did almost everyone else, but I thought that Oxbow and Itsmyluckyday looked good also. Usually, I would put the best horse (Orb) on top with the other two below but I decided to box this one. Got lucky.
Sandy (Northeast Ohio)
Wow! Good for you TC! Did you post this elsewhere? You’d think I would remember news like this.
Terry Crow
Sandy-No, I didn’t post it elsewhere. Someone, I’m sorry I don’t remember who, said that they liked Orb and Oxbow, the two O’s. I said I liked those two and Itsmyluckyday for my exacta box.
Debbie G/Kentucky (PUR)
@Sandy and JAG – I just saw your replies to my post on page 3. Sandy, Charles is quite ‘dishy’. If you’d like to drive me to Lane’s End, that would be fine with me! Judy, I wish I could get Lane’s End added to my mail route! Unfortunately, my route is in Lexington and Lane’s End is in Midway. I guess I could always try to transfer!
Vicki B. near Hollywood Park
Debbie, It looks like Midway is about 1/2 hr. from Lexington. If you had an Express mail letter for “somebody” at Lane’s End, you might just be able to make the trip on a long lunch break, and how would they know where you came from? For all they know, you could be subbing that day. Although it would be a bit “off your route”, and you wouldn’t want to get route-checked! Anyway, it’s a fantasy. And somebody mighta tried it already.
Sue Fredrick Happy as a lark
Dear Debby,
I want you to know I would be willing to move to Kentucky(my adopted state) and help with this important mission. My reward would be seeing Charles up close and personal. Please let me know if you need my help, no sacrifice would be too much, besides I could also see Zenny and the gang up close. hugs sue
Sally Blank (cherish Z for my lifetime)
Dear Trina; I blinked my eyes and yepee we received knew photos from Lanes End..Ann & Jerry! I just went back to the other and read your post. You had a very gratifying Birthday! ! I am so happy that you know how much we all think of you. That is gratifying to me. You are a very busy person and that makes you thrive. Don’t mind my fun prose I left for you; it only was to bring a smile; I am not talented in this area!haha
God bless you,
hugs, Sally B
Sally Blank (cherish Z for my lifetime)
Hi all! I received disappointing news today that Sir, unprovoked, went and bit Frito who is much older and in more of a fragile state. So, Sir was put back into his own area, not to be with the older horses again I do believe. Liz, has spent a number of days introducing Sir back in the pastures with the others. All was well. But, then Sir was allowed to come into the paddock area, to see what he would do; this is when the offensive action occurred. Sir is older too, but he is the youngest. It is becoming apparent to me that it is not easy dealing with such older horses who have come to our Santuary to live out their lives in peace and good care. I will do what ever I can though.
I love them all. Sir has been special as for the first four months he arrived, he stood back, being chased away by the little stinker Hackney pony Jo. So as volunteers we need to increase Sirs pasture since he will need to remain separated. (Tposts, wire etc.)
I have loved being with these horses, feeding and grooming them and watching them. It is the most peaceful couple of hours I have ever felt. Now, we have to work a little harder to get Sir a divided pasture and fill many big holes in the upper pasture that a woodchuck or larger animal has dug. My hubby says if I would live close to the Sanctuary I’d probably be there every day. He is probably right. ha At my age though I can get a bit tired. What’s life all about/
hug to all, Sally B
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Sally B.:
God Bless you for all you do for Sir and the other horses. Love and Hugs, JB
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear, COZ and Prince 2:
Goodnight and Sweet Dreams. Love you. Hugs, JB
judy berube from Rhode Island
OOPS! Dear Z, COZ and Prince 2
carol in arkansas
I have been reading on drf about the voided claim on the first race at Hollywood today….
1. The horse was found to be ok to race…ok’d by pre-race vet
2. The horse won….by over 2 lengths
3. After the race….a vet found the horse “unsound”
4. So claim voided….original owner retains horse
…is it just me or does something seem wrong here…
He was too unsound to be claimed but won..going away…seems wrong?
It seems to me that in these situations the new owner/trainer should have a option whether to honor the claim or not….if the “unsound” issue was not severe they might wish to keep him….
What do you all think?
carol in arkansas
I probably should put this on the forum side…oh well
Terry Crow
I way that I understood the rule is that it was put into place to protect the person who puts in the claim in case that the horse in question is not able to make it back to be unsaddled. I had not heard about this but it figures to cause a huge controversy. Who’s to say that one vet is right and the other is wrong? Expect a lawsuit to be filed.
Keta
Terry Crow & Carol in Arkansas
My understanding is this is a New Rule.
And, this claim was the first time it was used.
Lots of back & forth on social media.
It will be interesting to see the outcome.
Keta
Keta
Here is some background info
Steve Andersen Daily Racing Form
Plenny of Henny, who won Sunday’s first race for $10,000 claimers as the 2-1 fav., was claimed in a two-way shake by Ted H. West.
Harris D. Auerbach to @DRFAndersen
Claim voided by stewards. New rule at work? Inquiring minds want to know!
Norm S
Plenny of Henny was racing for 50-40k last May
10K today @Equibase chart does not list as a Void – but should.
Here is the Profile
Plenny of Henny (FL)
GR/RO, G, foaled February 18, 2009
( Henny Hughes – Seventh Choice, by El Prado (IRE))
Connections as of last Start:
Jockey: Agapito Delgadillo
Trainer: William Spawr
Owner: Beauchamp, Smith and Whitney LLC, Sanford, Thomas C. and Spawr, Bill
Breeder: Eico Stable
Terry Crow
You always have to be suspicious of such a drastic drop in the claiming tag. Both Ted West and Bill Spawr are respected trainers and it is probably a case of placing the horse at the proper level. When you get conflicting opinions from vets, as in this case, it can be problematic. Stay tuned.
zenyen
I believe the rule is also meant to help protect the horse.
It is a fact of the Industry that trainers will ‘dump’ unsound or race-sour horses into claiming races in an attempt to unload them. This has been, in the past, a way to get around the standard ‘vet check’ sort of inspection that would go on in a normal sale, the assumption being that if the horse is fit enough to go in the starting gate, they’re sound and able to run.
However, while that may be the case 80% of the time, there have been enough instances where a trainer finds a track/state that allows a little more ‘drug’ interaction than another, dopes the horse and off they go in the gate. If they get claimed, they’re now somebody else’s problem, if they break down, destroy them and put in the insurance claim. For the unscrupulous, its a win/win situation.
However, now there is a definite risk involved to trying this tactic, a way to protect potential ‘buyers’ and make it less worth while to drug an unsound horse and put him in the gate.
Terry Crow
Your points are valid but the original owner and trainer still collected the winner’s share of the purse. Why not go all the way and have vets check every horse from every race and, if the horse is unsound, redistribute the purse money?
Vampressqueen Sue Colvin /NJ
@shirleeinindy – those knobs as you say are braids. :)
a lot of trainers like to have the TB mane braided for a race so they look nice walking over to the paddock. its like us when we dress up for a date.
most jockeys undo the braids so they can grab hold of the mane coming out of the starting gate. thAt way when the hores lurch forward out of the gate, they wont lose balance & fall off.
when i groomed, the trainer usuaaly had to braid the WHOLE mane.
it was annoying to go thru all that time consuming hard work i just did to have the jockey undo them.
yes it looked nice. but i hAd a fair amount of horses who didnt like braiding & wouldnt stand still.
so i’d only braid the top half of the mane if i was allowed.
i prefered not to braid their manes.
altho i always braided the forlock to keep it out of their eyes.
@max – loved the tiznow vid :)
hugs to all
shirleeinindy
Thanks for the information Vamp! I just had not notice a jockey doing that in the post parade before. Of course, Johnny V is a favorite so I guess I pay more attention to what he is doing. Thanks for the info again.
Ann NC
I noticed it too and was amazed at how fast he had those braids out.
Vampressqueen Sue Colvin /NJ
sleep well zenny <3
i believe God wants you to know that …
true happiness is a state of mind.
Happiness is not a consequence of things that happen. Do not pursue happiness – practice it. Sing, even if you do not sound good. Smile, even when things go wrong. Create happiness, and happy you will be.
hugs/prayers, vamp
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Vampressqueen Sue:
That’s beautiful. Thanks. Hugs, JB
Ann NC
Thanks,Vamp. Love the song,When you’re Smiling by Louie Armstrong.
My dogs do not want me singing!
Terry Crow
Ann-Did they try to join in?
Ann NC
TC, all three run for cover.The poor cat too.
Keta
Tim Wilkin - horse racing writer at the Albany Times Union
Interview tweets with Bob Baffert May 18
Asked Bob Baffert what we have to do to see a Triple Crown winner.
“We have to stay alive a little longer,” was the thoughtful answer.
Bob Baffert on the TCrown miss by Orb: “In this game, you are up one day
and you get an uppercut the next one.”
Baffert: “At the end of the day, it’s better than going 9-5 and checking the clock.
The horses are beautiful.”
Baffert: “Orb will still be waiting for his grain, and he doesn’t think he did anything wrong. We love these animals. Orb will be back.”
sue and tony
Keta, perhaps we have to wait until Coz begins his career, or perhaps our precious “Red”.
Either way, it would be a blast if one of Zenny’s boys took the TC.
Terry Crow
Sue and Tony–I would be satisfied if these little guys just make it to the races. Someone could probably look it up, but I don’t think that the percentage of foals who actually compete in a race is that high, but I could be wrong. These little guys will always be valuable because of their bloodlines even if they can’t run a step.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Sue, Tony and TC GP:
Here is a paragraph taken from Jockey Club stats. You are right, the percentage of starters from any given year’s foal crop is not very high. This is from the foal crop of 2006.
……………… This is also a statistic available on The Jockey Club website. You have to do some math of your own: for example, in 2008, there were 11,442 two-year-old starters. Those are foals of 2006, so if you go to the page that has registrations, the total North American foal crop was 38,034. If you do the math, that means that in 2008, 30% of the registered foal crop of 2006 made at least one start…………………
But, as you say Z’s babies will always be taken care of whether they are successful as racers or not. Others are not so lucky. Hugs, JB
Ann NC
I’d like to have another TC. I want these new racing fans, my kids to enjoy the thrill of it.
We have been” keeping” the TC alive w/ great memories. I want it to COME alive. I want these kids to have one for their generation, so when I’m 90 years old and rocking on the porch, we can all talk about it together…..until then, more great racing ahead.
Terry Crow
Ann-What you say makes great sense. WE got kind of spoiled in the 70s because of the fact that there were multiple triple crown winners during that decade. If Churchill Downs keeps manipulating the criteria for competing in the Derby we may never see another one. We certainly will not EVER see a filly win it.
Ann NC
Good points, TC.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Ann and TC GP:
Yes, I agree with you. It would be wonderful for the young racing fans to experience a Triple Crown winner. We indeed were spoiled in the 70’s. Hugs, JB
Vicki B. near Hollywood Park
HBO sports show to spotlight Kentucky thoroughbred breeding industry:
“After Storm Cat retired, attention turned to the engaging Zenyatta, who became the first filly to win the Breeder’s Cup Classic in 2009. Unlike Storm Cat, Zenyatta does not get paid to reproduce, but her offspring are the most talked-about in the industry,” the news release states.
The initial air time is 10 p.m. Tuesday with numerous repeats on HBO, HBO2
http://blogs.courier-journal.com/horsebiz/2013/05/19/hbo-sports-show-to-spotlight-kentucky-thoroughbred-breeding-industry/
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Vicki B.:
Wish I had HBO. Would love to see this show. Hugs, JB
Vicki B. near Hollywood Park
That is too bad, Judy! Maybe you know someone who does get HBO, who could record it for you, so you could watch it later. It will be repeated, so you just have to find a friend or neighbor who gets it. I know, easier said than done. I don’t use a tape recorder anymore, or I could do it for you.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Vicki B.:
That’s a great idea. I’ll ask my nephew. Pretty sure he has HBO. Love and Hugs, JB
Sandy (Northeast Ohio)
I’m with you Judy – no HBO here! (and finding someone who DOES have it will be a trick). Can one get HBO stuff online?
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Sandy:
I think they offer Online HBO for a fee. Don’t know what it is. Hugs, JB
sue and tony
Isn’t just wonderful that, even in her much earned retirement, Zenny is still the talk of the industry. It appears as if more than the “dumplings” are keeping an eye on her offspring.
Great mention…this place really is the only place to be for all things Z!
Shirley Donoho
Thank you so much for sharing. I just love these updates. It gives me chills just to think that someday I just might be able to meet Zenyatta in person. Much love, Queen Z.
Marshall (NC broad)
To everyone,
Have a great week! Hope all stay happy and well.
Great Big Hugs!
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Marshall:
Love and Hugs to you, JB
Ann NC
Same to the both of you!
Stay dry, Marshall.
Marshall (NC broad)
Thanks, Judy B. and Ann! Hugs
Ann, I think we are going to be covered with mold and mosquitoes! I guess if this rain keeps up, in order to cut the grass, I will have to figure out how to attach a cutting blade to a jet-ski!! Boy, did it ever pour!
Take care!
Kayla
Dear Team Z,
There is an uprising controversy of what the final color that 13Z will shed out to be. Now 3/4 of us know that he will be gray but the other 1/4 are very argumentative and won’t agree so I was wondering if the Lanes End team could lay in their opinion and end this crazy wonder?
Thanks so much and hope you all had a great weekend!!
Mary, from Michigan
Kayla – I don’t know a dang burn thing about horse colors. I’m in the minority with HOPING he stays Red. But if he becomes a Horse of a Different Color, well, that’s alright too.
Terry Crow
Good one, Mary. A horse of a different color, indeed.
LauraJ (Cincinnati, OH)
It’s the title of a book, about Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos.
Terry Crow
Thanks, LauraJ.
DebraZ
Lane’s End team already weighed in by declaring him a chestnut. One thing I read before 13Z was born stated that if the rim of the foal’s eyes are dark at birth he will turn gray, but if light will remain chestnut. And his eye rims were light. However, I trust the folks at Lane’s End. They certainly have the experience!
Nikki
When did they say this? Was it when he was born? Can you imagine if they had said, Z had a grey foal? People would have thought they were crazy. I believe he will stay chestnut as well, but I do not feel the announcement made at birth should be taken as official. Most grays are not born gray. Z13 was not… he was born chestnut, hence why they said he had a chestnut foal. I guess they could have said chestnut turning gray, but it is just so hard to tell at an early age.
I’ve done many, many comparisons to other foals (graying and non-graying) and I really want Z13 to turn gray, but I just don’t think it will happen. But one thing I have noticed… grays whiten at different rates, so I guess there is still a small chance he could be gray. I just doubt it.
Nikki
oops… she not he, lol.
LauraJ (Cincinnati OH)
Lane’s End has foaled out thousands of foals. They can probably tell by now whether a foal is gray or not. Plus, they see them in the flesh and don’t have to rely on photography, which can distort color.
Kayla
I do believe he will turn grey because around his muzzle is already shedding in the one picture and the underneath hair is grey looking. I really hope he does and your right he might just be taking his own time.
Paula Higgins
Wonderful photos! Love the one with Ann best. Zenny’s boy is precious and she is such a good mother.
Margaret
Thank you so much for this lovely video. We are so fortunate to have Team Z not only care about Z but her many fans. Watching Z interact with the new baby is so special! Watching bits of that bonding is so awesome. How and why bonding is so important–we can learn just by watching this special time.
Looks like Z still loves all her humans! It must so special to you to know that Z is happy and content with retirement and motherhood. It just couldn’t be more awesome.
There are so many great pics. Thank you thank you thank you!!!
Roberta
I believe that for to long we have been breeding for speed, at the cost of soundness, and strength; then we rush them along, as two year olds; too many times, if they don’t breakdown, they are through before they are getting good. How many times has a thoroughbred only started getting very good, at 4 ( Alysheba’s 4th year was outstanding, and he broke a number of track records). Look at horses like Zenyatta, who were given the time to mature, and then not over raced; look what she accomplished, and it is well known, this would not have happened, if she wasn’t handled the way she was. Look at the horses that won the TC, they were strong, muscular, well put together horses (they say Seattle Slew had legs like tree trunks, and muscles on his eyebrows). We need to get this kind of strength and conformation into the thoroughbred again, and Zenyatta, being bred to well-built strong stallions like Tapit, can be a good start (look at the conformation and muscles on our little red prince: by the way, Seattle Slew’s strenght and desire to win, through his son A. P. Indy). Hopefully, her sons will do well, and the racing industry well see that breeding strength back into the thoroughbred, instead of speed at all cost, is the way to go; this is what is needed for a TC winner, not making it easier, as some have suggested, Maybe our Zenyatta will become one of the foundation broodmares to this end, breathing new life into the thoroughbred, and the racing industry, right up our Queens ally. She is already off to a great start, with producing well made individuals, and imparting her strength and endearing ways; then she puts them in training (if in doubt, look at that video of the little red prince running right along side of her; she is training him). Zenyatta can end up being one of the most important broodmares in history; maybe her racing days are over, but she has only just begun!
Mary, from Michigan
Roberta – I read comments (I believe from D Wayne Lucas) that said he wanted to make the TC races shorter and further apart. To me, that seems like such a cop-out. If horses in the past won all three races as they are now, then it stands to reason that if today’s horses were being properly bred that sometimes a TC winner would emerge from the pack. If they make the races easier, they will lose the interest of the casual racing fan, that really only pays much attention to horse racing in May and June.
Instead of making the races shorter and further spaced, perhaps changing the age to four, instead of three, would be the way to go. Then horses can be very lightly raced at two, and slightly increase the amounts and distances at three before expecting the horses to run these long races at the age of four. But that’s only my unlearned opinion. :)
shirleeinindy
Roberta, I agree with you completely. In the old days the 3 year olds raced even more than they do now prior to the Derby. I think too many trainers rush their horses into these races much to the detriment of the breed. Nothing would be gained by changing the distances or times between the races. It would just down grade the whole series.
Terry Crow
I agree with the tone of these posts. However, Churchill Downs did nothing to help with its points system to qualify for the Derby. Horses now have to be rushed to run in the high point races so that they can qualify. BUT–The old time trainers obviously knew what they were doing. There still has not been a Derby winner who did not race as a two year old. Breeding is where the big money is now to the detriment of actual racing. We need more older horses competing, not less.
Mary, from Michigan
Terry – here I go again… thinking too much. :p
Why would ‘toughing up’ the entrance qualifications to the Kentucky Derby make it less likely we’ll see a TC winner? I would think it would be just the opposite, that limiting the field to the best would make it more likely. Is the point system somehow unfair to all race horses? If so, how?
I would think a point system (with less entrants allowed – limit the horses to 15) would be the best way to get the cream of the crop, so to speak. I know that will make owners run their horses more, but, still, even WITH the point system, only one or two horses had run ten times since starting their racing careers. Most of them had run far, far less, and even with ten starts, that’s still much less than the horses of the 70’s ran before the Derby. I even read that horses during the 30’s and 40’s ran races IN BETWEEN the Triple Crown races!
Without points, how would/could it be determined who gets to run and who is left out?
Curiously, Mary
Terry Crow
A lot of what you say is true. However, if for some reason a top contender did not make the Derby field through various circumstances, that horse will be waiting down the line in either the Preakness or the Belmont, more likely the Belmont to prove its mettle and will be well rested. Perhaps it should be a qualifier to race in the other TC races to have participated in the Derby. I have not done any research on this, but I think you will find that horses who did not run in the Derby quite often win either the Preakness or the Belmont, usually the Belmont. Two fillies come to mind, Rachel Alexandra and Rags to Riches. The way the system is now, neither horse, even if they had chose to do so, would have been eligible for the Derby because they had not run in the qualifying races. Under the old system, added money earnings, they would have qualified. I am all for limiting the amount of starters for the Derby. That was done, somewhat, this year when the amount was limited to 20. As I have previously stated, if this system stays in place a filly will not run in the Derby unless it is campaigned against males, which would be most unlikely. You are quite correct about horses of bygone eras. The two that come to mind are Citation and Whirlaway, both TC winners. Citation ran in a race, and won it, between the Preakness and the Belmont. In the case of Whirlaway, the Preakness was run one week after the Derby. The points system does not limit the number of starters, that has been set at 20. If horses like Giant Finish and Frac Daddy were not eliminated, I don’t know the answer. I just thought added money earnings was a better way.
Mary, from Michigan
Thank you so very much for your reply. I do appreciate it, as it helps me learn about this sport.
Maybe, as a solution to the lack of fillies in the Derby, a point system could be worked out for races with just fillies, in the same manner they give points to the boys, and reserve one or two spots for the highest point earning fillies, provided their owners and trainers thought they could compete. It seems that the best fillies can, indeed, run with the colts, and they should be given the opportunity to qualify if they are good enough. I don’t really know how to make it completely fair, either. I’m sure, no matter what they do, there will be unhappy owners.
Terry Crow
Mary–That is a terrific idea and it should be implemented next year. Perhaps there could be win and you’re in races like they do in the Breeder’s Cup. Then, like the Breeder’s Cup, the owners have a choice to run or not. Yes, there are several fillies who can compete with the colts as three year olds. After that, it is problematic unless your name is Zenyatta.
Roberta
I believe that for too long we have been breeding for speed, at the cost of soundness, and strength, then we rush them along, as two year olds; too many times, if they don’t breakdown, they are through before they are getting good. How many times has a thoroughbred only started getting very good at 4 ( Alysheba’s 4th year was outstanding, and he broke a number of track records). Look at horses like Zenyatta, who were given the time to mature, and then not over raced; look what she accomplished, and it is well known, this would not have happened, if she wasn’t handled the way she was. Look at the horses that won the TC, they were strong, muscular, well put together horses (they say Seattle Slew had legs like tree trunks, and muscles on his eyebrows). We need to get this kind of strength and conformation into the thoroughbred again, and Zenyatta (who has power and strength, even now, although not in training anymore), being bred to well-built strong stallions like Tapit, can be a good start (look at the conformation and muscles on our little red prince: by the way, Seattle Slew’s strenght and desire to win, through his son A. P. Indy, is in his blood). Hopefully, her sons will do well, and the racing industry well see that breeding strength back into the thoroughbred, instead of speed at all cost, is the way to go; this is what is needed for a TC winner, not making it easier, as some have suggested, Maybe our Zenyatta will become one of the foundation broodmares to this end, breathing new life into the thoroughbred, and the racing industry, right up our Queen’s ally. She is already off to a great start, with producing well made individuals, and imparting her strength and endearing ways; then she puts them in training (if in doubt, look at that video of the little red prince running right along side of her; she is training him). Zenyatta can end up being one of the most important broodmares in history; maybe her racing days are over, but she has only just begun!
Roberta
I’m sorry, this got posted twice, it looked like it didn’t take the first time.
Roberta
What about Zenyatta’s part in putting strength back into the thoroughbred, do you think the racing industry well take notice, and change their ways? Per the previous article about the program on HBO, the racing world already sees her importance in the breeding aspect of the racing industry; maybe she can really make a difference. If her sons do well, hopefully others who really love these horses, well continue breeding in this way, and even bring others that just want success around; you can’t have more success then what Zenyatta has had. If breeding and managing the race horse is handled like it was with Zenyatta, and reproduced over and over again, I feel it will bring ALL around that this the way to go, and abandon this speeding to disaster that we are doing now. All aspects of the racing industry can only improve the way I see it; the breeders will get more money for their horses, the racing team and owners will be more successful, the tracks will have more attendance because there will be more fans (like there was with Zenyatta; the place was packed every time she ran) and most of all, the thoroughbred who won’t have days of racing in pain, or breaking down on the track, or worse of all, dying in a slaughter house, because of too many horses, and not enough races to put them in; ALL WOULD BE WINNERS. I believe the TC can be won again, but we need a super horse; we need to breed and manage good horses in which this super horse can emerge!
Terry Crow
Some good thoughts are being expressed here but the fact of the matter is that stallions are still the foundation of breeding. Zenyatta can produce only one foal per year. Stallions can “cover” many mares. I do not believe that the success of one mare will change the mindset of the breeding industry. And, I hesitate to say this, but that success, in the case of Zenyatta, is yet to be proven, although we all hope for the best..
Keta
Terry Crow & carol in Arkansas–here is the article-Keta
Hollywood Park: New rule used for first time to void claim of unsound horse
By Steve Andersen Daily Racing Form 05/19/2013 6:18PM
INGLEWOOD, Calif. – A $10,000 claim submitted for race winner Plenny of Henny in Sunday’s first race at Betfair Hollywood Park was voided after the 4-year-old gelding was ruled to be unsound in the receiving barn after the race, stewards said.
It was the first time that a new rule that took effect last Thursday was utilized, voiding the claim of a horse who dies on the racetrack or is found to be unsound by the official or state veterinarian immediately after the race. The California Horse Racing Board passed the rule earlier this year.
Plenny of Henny was observed to be unsound in the backstretch test barn after Sunday’s first race and was placed on the veterinarian’s list by state veterinarian Tim Grande, according to steward Kim Sawyer. As a result, Plenny of Henny remains in the possession of a partnership and trainer Bill Spawr and was not transferred to owners Phil Bongiovanni and Mary Ellen West and trainer Ted H. West, who submitted the claim.
The transfer to the new stable would have taken place after Plenny of Henny left the test barn, Sawyer said.
http://www.drf.com/news/hollywood-park-new-rule-used-first-time-void-claim-unsound-horse
Terry Crow
This rule, although it is meant to protect the individual who makes the claim, is just another example of dueling vets. What does the examining vet mean by unsound? If you are going to have this sort of inspection for a claimed horse, why not examine every horse which comes out of every race for soundness. Horses go on and off the vet’s list all the time. It’s just that the public is usually not aware.
Abigail_1849
Good morning Zenyatta kinfolk!
In Canada it’s Victoria Day today, so (almost) everyone who’s working is getting a well-deserved long weekend. As I write this morning, you can almost hear the ZZZZZZZZZZ’s echoing around the city!
As usual, I’m posting too late to really get up on lots of the earlier conversations. But the “grey debate” always interests me and especially in a world where Lipizzaner foals start out coal black and then are almost pure white by the age of 5. ‘Same was true for my mother, except in reverse. Her hair until she was 10 was almost white and then it turned into a brown-black that looks jet black in the photos of the day. This is all a matter of genes and dominant genes in the end, which is why it fascinates me. As a student, next to the fine arts & literature, my next passion was science and particularly genetics, which was rather rudimentary at the time, compared to our world today where everything from lettuce to cancer owes to a genetic-something.
One of the first articles I wrote on THE VAULT was about Black Tie Affair, a love of Michael Blowen’s of Old Friends. It included a fairly short section on the grey thoroughbred from a historical & genetic standpoint.
Here’s a reprint (below) for anyone who might be interested. I just LOVE the idea that any grey thoroughbred represents an unbroken line of greys going back in time over 200 years!
” Grey is commonly called a coat color but it is actually a depigmentation pattern and because the gene that causes grey is dominant, an offspring needs only one copy of it in either parent to be grey…
…It is only over the last eighty or so years that the grey thoroughbred has been accepted by thoroughbred breeders and patrons of the sport as being as legitimately a “true” thoroughbred as a black, bay or chestnut. In days of yore the grey pigment was referred to as the “ghost hue” and was the object of everything from rampant curiosity to disdain to outright fear. Interestingly, the bloodline of grey thoroughbreds runs in an unbroken chain from the present day back to the first known individual of this color recorded in the annals of the British General Stud Book, Alcock’s Arabian (1712). Written records at this time are often hard to unearth as well as inaccurate — for example, according to Lady Wentworth, the noted authority on Arabian bloodlines, Alcock’s Arabian was aka Widdrington Grey Arabian, Pelham’s White Barb, Pelham’s White Turk and Bridgewater Arabian! Called by whatever name, the pedigree of Alcock’s Arabian was that he was by the Curwen Bay Barb (1681) ex. Old Wen Mare ( date unknown) by Hautboy…
…Curwen’s Bay Barb had an impact on thoroughbred bloodlines equivalent to the three better known Arab forefathers of the breed, being the ancestor of individuals like Highflyer and King Herod. It is through the King Herod line that Boston (1833) and his son, Lexington (1850) in the USA come down to us. At stud, Alcock’s Arabian sired the grey colt Crab (1722) still another important influence, as well as the grey filly, Alcock Arabian Mareis (date unknown) who was the dam of Dismal (1733) by the Godolphin Arabian, a brilliant runner who retired from the turf undefeated. When in the presence of a grey thoroughbred, we are meant to understand that their pigment signifies an unbroken thread back to the very beginning of the breed in the eighteenth century.”
Love & hugs to my Big Girl and her boys. I think the “Red Prince” looks like “Zenny’s Bandit” at the moment, with those dark circles around those big, expressive eyes!
A HUGE thanks to LE and Team Z for the wonderful photos and video.
Abigail_1849
Postscript:
For those wondering why the Red Prince might stay red if the grey gene is dominant, the answer lies with Tapit! Even though grey is genetically dominant, Tapit is heterozygous for the grey gene, meaning that one of his parents wasn’t a grey and doesn’t carry a grey gene. And that means, in turn, that Tapit will pass the grey gene along to only 50% of his offspring. All those offspring will be grey. (If Tapit was homozygous for the grey gene — meaning both parents were grey, or carried the grey gene — all of his progeny would be grey.)
Vampressqueen Sue Colvin /NJ
im with you abigail, horse colors & genetics have always fasinated me.
they could do a dna test to see what color Z13 is correct?
i dont expect them to but that would definitively determine if he’ll be gray or chesnut correct?
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Abigail:
Thank you for another excellent, informative post. Love and Hugs, JB
Sally Blank (cherish Z for my lifetime)
Abilgail; I am so happy to hear from you and read your very informative information and story I did not know,
hugs, Sally B
Ann NC
Thanks Team Z for the new photos. Zenny, you are gorgeous. The video is super.You folks are the best.
Congrats to, Oxbow,Lukas and Gary Stevens…wow. Great race and what color is Oxbow? Ha!
How about the beautiful, Pianist and give me your fillies and I’ll make them turf champs, Chad Brown. What a weekend for him,yeah!
Orb and Shug, you are still tops in by book, class acts.
Looking forward to the Belmont.
Terry Crow
Agree. if he runs in the Belmont, I fully expect Orb to win.
Pati-Ready to Graduate
We are in the same boat.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Ann:
Pianist and Mikey ran a wonderful race; start to finish. She’s a beauty. Hugs, JB
Mary, from Michigan
Any favorites to win the Belmont, now that we don’t have a TC on the line? I’m back to rooting for Revolutionary to win the Belmont, unless Dreaming of Julia enters. Then I’m pulling for the filly. :)
shirleeinindy
Mary, I am with you. Revolutionary has the breeding and has had a nice rest since the Derby. However, if Wayne Lucas wants to send some money, I will be glad to wear my Tabasco Cat hat for the race. He was trained by Wayne and won the Belmont.
Speaking of Tabasco Cat, I think he was the one who seriously injured Wayne’s son. Have not heard or seen anything about this as it happened years ago but wondered if anyone knows anything about his recovery.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Shirlee:
Here is the most recent article I could find on Jeff Lukas. It’ from the DRF interview with his Dad, D. Wayne Lukas, dated 4/19/12. If you scroll down you will come to a question about Jeff and DW’s answer. Hugs, JB
http://www.drf.com/news/qa-trainer-d-wayne-lukas
shirleeinindy
Thank you Judy. It sounds as if Jeff might still have some limitations as a result of the head injury.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Shirlee:
Yes, I don’t think he was ever the same after the injury. Hugs, JB
SunnyB.
Awww :)
Z is referred to as the KIND mare, so maybe that is an indication of good Motherhood/Mare hood.
Thanks for the up-date, too sweet.
How are the Shirreffs & Mario and family getting along? Thanks
Terry Crow
@VickiB–I was wrong about the blog moderating my comments about the Indians. My reply to you is on Page 14 of the previous Dr. Holder blog. I would be very interested in any comments you may have.
Vicki B. near Hollywood Park
And I just left a note for you over there too, Terry, thanks.
lizzie
Great pics & video too!
What amazes me (as they discuss on video) is how solid, fit and still athletic Z looks after two babies, I’ve said it before, I think Z is incredibly happy with her new life. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to have such wonderful owners and handlers.
I usually do not read through all the posting (too many), but I did notice Ensign!!!! Brought back memories….infancy of this site. It sure would be nice if he hangs around…
Lynn Martin
Does anyone know who Zenyatta will be bred to? Or has she already been bred? Why is it so secret??
How much training has Coz had? Certainly no riders yet, but is he considered “in training”? Had saddle/bridle yet? I was looking forward to “following” his training, but have heard nothing, except for having his feet trimmed!
Thanks!
zenyen
Coz is still growing and ‘learning’ about being a horse out in the paddock with his friends. As he is not going through the sales ring he does not have to be conditioned like those young horses and can be left alone to just be a horse for a while longer.
He probably will leave Lane’s End this fall when the other yearlings either go to the sales ring or head off to their foundation training work. After that he will dictate the pace at which his more mature training unfolds.
Zenyatta has probably been bred., my suspicion is that we will not hear an official announcement until she is safely 60+ days in foal, which would be end of June early July. With so much speculation about who the stallion was, flying around the Mosses may release who she was sent too before that but it just seems like they’d rather wait till she’s safely in foal. Too heartbreaking to announce she was bred and then have to announce if she reabsorbed the pregnancy like her first one.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Zenyen:
I think you’re exactly right. They most likely want to make sure Z is safely in foal before they announce. Hugs, JB
Lynn Martin
Thanks Zenyen! That all does make sense. Not having a background in horses, like I do in dogs, I am thankful for all the information I can get. I have loved horses all my life, but never actually had one.