Happy Friday!
A big stack of Zenyatta Stickers are in the mail and on their way to you! We’d like to thank all of the fans who continue to support Zenyatta and this site by visiting, taking part in the discussion, and shopping with us.
We’d love to see how you are using your stickers. Send photos of Celebration Stickers and Zenyatta Stickers in action to fans@zenyatta.com. We’ll feature our favorites in a blog post.
A note on holiday orders from the Zenyatta Shop:
Orders must by placed by December 18 in order to qualify for holiday delivery. Orders placed after this date will ship after January 1st.
Here are a few new photos of Zenyatta and 13Z to finish off the week.
Enjoy!
-Team Z
Photos by Kyle Acebo.
sheena davies( wales)
Dear Max Shock at Kempton as Sprinter Sacre is pulled up and Sire De Grugy wins. Have no idea what’s wrong I had hoped Nicky wouldn’t run him in such testing ground. Will let you know when I hear anything.It was a wet wild night in my part of the world recorded wind speeds of 109mph in parts of west wales and pretty bad in Ireland too, they are racing there though.Do hope SS is alright.Hugs Sheena
sheena davies( wales)
Dear Max Shock at Kempton as Sprinter Sacre is pulled up and Sire De Grugy wins.I had hoped Nicky wouldn’t run him in such testing conditions.Will let you know when I hear anything.It was a wild,wet night in my part of the world winds speeds of 109mph recorded somewhere in west wales.Hope SS will be alright.Hugs Sheena
Max
Sheena. At 109 it’s time to hunker down.
sheena davies( wales)
Sorry got posted twice!!!Sheena
sheena davies( wales)
Dear Max SS has been seen by a vet and has an irregular heartbeat, Barry felt something go wrong after the 7th fence and pulled him up, Very sad for such a great horse Denman had the same problem after the Gold Cup in 2008. We shall see. Hugs Sheena
Max
Sheena. What a sad turn of events. Will this be a career ender?
All of the favourites are losing. Worried now about the Fly. The Tullow Tank is also racing, and maybe Annie Power?
Sue Fredrick Happy as a lark
Sheena,
So sorry to hear this, love SS, but so glad they pulled him up so he didn’t have a heart attack over a fence. Hope it’s just something temporary and not life threatening.
Peggy (N) South Georgia
Dear Sheena
So sorry for SS But so glad they pulled him up. Soo Soo glad they pulled him up. I have some heart issues too. Nothing to play around with.
andrej
spare secretcompass, newyearsday dont leak tears, eat, sleep, not quick recover, if you can lil walk on air, wait 2014 green grass, coz soft sloppy course for you, convenient 1,5f distance, very glide decrease speed, walk half of hour with groom after travel, walk on air when weather is quiet, care of your back and growing bones and joints, beautyfull zenny 13z coz kiss your soft noses
vicki
Hope everyone had a great Christmas! Congratulations Muchie! Prayers are answered for Cost of Freedom.
Five years of wonderful memories. TVG replayed Zenyatta’s Classic victory on Christmas Day. That was a moment of purest joy. I loved seeing beautiful, beautiful Zenyatta and I get the same feeling when I see her now.
Max
Sheena. A big win at Leopardstown today for The Tullow Tank. Usually back Willie Mullins and his horses, but I do love The Tullow Tank.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmpoMJTiEDY&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Ann NC
Thanks, Max. A big strong finish by Mr. TANK!
How about that flying turf!
Max
Ann NC. Love his Roberto ears. Great finish.
Peggy (N) South Georgia
Big Congratulations to Expression, (Daughter of Invasor) winner of 2nd race at the Big A today. Such a beautiful Girl. Love Your PaPa
Get well Junior Alvarado. Heard your only 2 months out with your break.
Peggy (N) South Georgia
Everyone
Is Johnny V. OK now. Been going in and out of watching races today. Been wondering about him. Maybe I have just missed him or maybe he’s at Gulfstream. I know he does go there for some of their meet. Seen some nice 2year olds today.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Peggy:
I couldn’t find anything more recent than this article from the middle of November on JV. Will keep looking for updates. Miss him; on of my favorites. Love and Hugs, JB
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/jockey-john-velazquez-recovering-accident-211525016–rah.html
judy berube from Rhode Island
Oops. “one” of my favorites. Hugs, JB
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Peggy:
Here’s another article dated December 19th. Love and Hugs, JB
http://www.jockeysguild.com/news/
Peggy (N) South Georgia
Dear Judy
Thank You so much. Just haven’t heard anything on him lately. Hope he is recovering well
Peggy (N) South Georgia
Dear Judy.
That second article. That sounded good. Sounds like he’ll be doing some easy riding in January. He’s one of my favorites too. You know he just has to ride Danny. Sounds like there’s plenty of time for him to get a lot better for 2014.
sheena davies( wales)
Dear Max and Z fans Thanks for the video of Tullow Tank good win in heavy ground. SS is seeing a cardiologist at Newmarket tomorrow 10am. Nicky is dumbfounded,he’s been great in training and looked wonderful,he had a dope test and would have a scope when arriving back at Seven Barrows. They just hope it’s something that can be repaired,I know it’s hard to say but I’d rather see him retire than die on the racecourse like Best Mate.I hope its ‘not too serious maybe something left after the infection he had. We can only hope.
Dave is taking care of the weather situation now so we can rest easy in our beds!!!he visited flooded areas in Kent today. Hugs Sheena
Max
Sheena. I’m hoping that SS will recover, but I agree with you. Retirement would be far better than a breakdown.
The Tank Tullow is a big horse, and like Zenyatta has Roberto in his pedigree, also on his distaff. You can see it in his size and in his ears. He even runs like Z and Roberto. All heart and determination. The Tank is by Oscar with Sadler’s Wells as his grand sire. Impressive family.
Happy to know that Dave is dealing with the weather crisis.
Waiting to hear of The Fly this weekend.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Sheena, Max and Z Fans:
Praying for a good report on SS. Wishing him a return to excellent health. Love and Hugs, JB
Ann Maree / Tennessee
Team Zenyatta had a nice win in the 3rd at Santa Anita today (Friday) with M/M Moss’ homebred, Cool Samurai, Mike Smith aboard. It was Cool Samurai’s second try at his first win. So wonderful to see Team Z flying around the track!! http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/SA/2013/12/27/3/race-3-msw-at-sa-on-12-27-13
Hoping Mikey gets the call on Coz when he makes his debut next summer!! Also hoping Mikey gets to ride Ebby!!! Boy, would that be special or what!!
Max
Thank you for this. It was a pleasure to watch. He’s still a baby chestnut, but he’s on his way to being grand.
Bluegrass Girl
Ann Maree,
Thanks for posting the race replay.
Really liked Mike’s ride. Cool Samurai showed he is green at the start of the race.
Mike took him back, relaxed him, and got him in rhythm. Nice come-from-behind run. Noticed that Mike was hand riding him at the finish. Well done!
Peggy (N) South Georgia
Dear Ann Marie
Thank you so much.
Congrats to Cool Samurai, Such a Beauty
Ann NC
Congrats to the Green Chestnut, Mike, The Mosses and John S. Yippee!
Sandy (Northeast Ohio)
Thanks for the replay. The TVG commentators should have been eating their pre-race comments. He sure showed them!! Wish the track videos would last just a little longer.
Terry Crow
It sure wouldn’t be the first time those turkeys got it wrong.
shirleeinindy
Ann Maree, thanks for posting. Good to see the Team Z colors in front. The chestnut First Samurais are really beautiful. A favorite of mine, Lea, is a half brother to this guy and also a great looking chestnut.
Peggy (N) South Georgia
Dear Shirlee, I like Lea too. Don’t know if you get HRTV but they are doing a 30 minute special on Mucho Macho Man Sunday Night at 8.30pm. Boomers I don’t get HRTV.
Peggy (N) South Georgia
OMG, I think that should have been spelled Bumers. Anyway so wish I got HRTV
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Ann Maree and Z Fans;
Impressive win by this Baby Chestnut. Congrats to him, JS and the Moss’. Love and Hugs, JB
judy berube from Rhode Island
Forgot Mikey. Great ride. Love and Hugs, JB
sheena davies( wales)
Dear Judy Goodnight God bless you, Lola Mae,Charlie Hudson and little Captain plus all the Sweeties.Sleep tight Love and hugs SheenaX
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Sheena:
Hope your computer is up and running again properly. Love and Hugs, JB, LM, PC, HT, Cap and all the Sweeties
sheena davies(wales)
Dear Max Great day for Nicky Bob’s Worth wins the Lexus!!!Moutainous won the Welsh National a wonderful run by Tidal Bay for 3rd under top weight will be 13 on new year’s day!Sprinter has the same problem as Denman ,he’s at the clinic today having tests ,remember Denman got very depressed on the meds he had to take.I always felt Nicky shouldn’t have ran him at Punchestown last season, horses are flesh and blood like us some can do it some cant and it seems I was proved right.Such a shame for a great horse will be a bag of nerves IF he runs again.Hugs Sheena
Sandy (Northeast Ohio)
Sheena – just saw pictures of flooding in England and Wales on the news. Hope everything is OK in your part of the country and you are warm and dry. Hugs!
Max
Sandy. Sheena says that Dave is looking after the weather. No worries.
Max
Sheena. Tidal Bay is doing very well. Moosie needs to pay attention to the work ethic of that horse. Congrats also to Bobs Worth.
Heard that Annie Power is not racing at the Festival. Concerned for The Fly. Nervous until that race is over. Favorites are not doing well.
Couldn’t believe it this am when they mentioned on tv here in the ROTW that SS was going for tests. We are usually lucky to hear about the KD. Will they operate on SS as they did with Denman?
Vicki B. near Hollywood Park
Nice article at the DRF by Jay Hovdey: “For auld lang syne, accent on the auld”:
A couple of excerpts:
Charlie Whittingham would have turned 100 in 2013. But as much as he is missed – and there are trainers of all ages who still ask themselves every day, “What would Charlie do?” – part of me is relieved he was not around to witness the end of Hollywood Park. Granted, Whittingham owned the room wherever he raced, but it was at Hollywood Park he ruled supreme. His 222 Hollywood stakes wins dwarfs the 149 of second-place Bobby Frankel, and those 222 included eight in the Hollywood Gold Cup and 11 in both the Sunset and the Californian….
The best news, or at least the best under the circumstances, is that many of Hollywood Park’s historic events will be continued during the new bloc of spring and early summer dates to be run at Santa Anita beginning in 2014. …names like the Californian, the American Oaks, the Vanity, and even the Hollywood Gold Cup will be retained….
http://www.drf.com/news/jay-hovdey-auld-lang-syne-accent-auld
Celeste_in_TX
Another Hovdey gem. Thanks for sharing the link.
Terry Crow
Mr. Whittingham did indeed rule the roost at Hollywood Park. However, he was one of the nicest men you would ever want to meet. He would have been confounded at the turn of events which resulted in the demise of HP. Who knows? Maybe, with his friends and connections, a group could have been formed to save the place.
Marshall (NC broad)
Hugs, Kisses and Love to All!
And to all, a Goodnight!
AShton
Wow! Tears….To quote Moma, ” Cynthia, write that book!”
Hangin’ With Haskin
Guest Blog: Tunnel Visions — by Cynthia Holt
This is one of those essays sent to me that I had to share with my readers. Not only is it the best collection of Hollywood Park memories I’ve read, and written brilliantly, it, in many ways, brings us all back to the innocence and wonder of youth and the memories that endure through our entire lives.
On the last day ever of racing at Hollywood Park, I walked the length of the grandstand to the westernmost point of the track. The time had come to say goodbye, and I had to see if it was still there. It was. From all outward appearances, it is just an ordinary underground tunnel, at one time connecting the northwest area of the parking lot to one of the main gates. To me, it was the place where magic happened, where the weekday world of mundane Mondays and colorless Tuesdays gave way to the vibrant, larger-than-life world of racetrack Saturdays.
I remembered it as it was that special summer of 1961, when my love affair with racing began. The early 1960s were part of the glory days of Hollywood Park. Despite expansive lots, there was never adequate space to accommodate the Saturday crowd, and cars would spill on to the open field which skirted the northern portion of the property. Chartered school buses would ferry the faithful from the parking hinterlands to the admission gates.
Most of the time, my father and I would walk the considerable distance on the shady path which bordered a range of sweet-smelling sycamores. At over six feet, Dad’s lanky stride made no allowance for a five-foot 13-year-old. I learned early that if I were to accompany him on these Saturday sojourns, I would have to learn to move at his speed. Skip-hopping along, I would feel the exhilaration of an afternoon of adventures to come, and would sometimes slip my hand into his, a gesture which might have felt awkward in other places. But this was the racetrack, a place like no other, where we could leave our weekday selves behind and become part of a pageantry more compelling than anything I ever knew.
My counterparts were many. I was one of the countless post-World War II baby-boomers who came to know and love racing through the mentorship of my father. Neither of us would have guessed it at the time, but that love would blossom into a life-long passion, which I would come to look upon as my father’s most precious legacy. Fifty-plus years ago, members of “The Greatest Generation” were heads of families, and well-settled in suburbia. While caring deeply for their children, many of them were tight-lipped about their war-time experiences, as they were about most things which lay close to the core.
For the offspring of that generation, our fathers were revered, sometimes feared, and often remote. It was that gap which many of us longed to bridge. For me, that bridge was a tunnel. It was always cool and damp, and full of the acrid stench of cheap cigars and the fresh print of free-flying news pages. The surrounding adults seemed shadowy and strange, their voices loud and cacophonous. In a burst of light, our brief journey would end where the Saturday world began, a world of colorful flags flapping in the ocean breeze, of infield lakes the color of slate nestled among banks of brilliant blooms, all presided over by a Goose Girl, who appeared the epitome of glamour. There were barkers hawking the tip sheets of forlorn-looking men whose photos belied their promised penchant for picking winners, and the pungent aroma of popcorn and steaming hot dogs.
And then, there were the horses. At 13, I could not define beauty, grace, or majesty, but I knew it when I saw it. Their magnificence captured my heart and threw away the key. Whether humble claimer or handicap star, they were equally wonderful, and even today, their names resound in my memory like a litany of lost saints: Victory Beauty, Donut King, Darling June, Windy Sands, Sea Orbit, and Prince Blessed. I can see them still, flying past in a collision of color as a crowd of 50,000 frenetic fans responded to the cragged voice of Harry Henson, which seemed to thunder down from the heavens. I was convinced that if ever God came calling, He would sound exactly like Harry.
It was during these long and seemingly endless summer afternoons at Hollywood Park that I came to truly know and love my father. Here, Dad was able to drop the guise of strict disciplinarian and stalwart breadwinner. Fueled by a fire which had been stoked by his own father’s love of the sport, Dad patiently de-coded the numerical hieroglyphics of “The Form,” and explained the rituals of racing in reverential tones normally reserved for instruction in such things as the rites of holy Mass. But even more than this, somewhere in that lost period of time, when the pre-race silence was not disturbed by the din of rock bands and the distraction of simulcasts, Dad touched the past.
There were spell-binding stories of shining horses which he had known: Citation, Whirlaway, Seabiscuit, Stymie; tales of tracks which he had loved and left behind; of longshot dreams realized and disqualification nightmares endured. I would have held on to those golden summers of the 1960s—if only. If only time stood still; if only racetracks did not fall to the wrecking ball; if only fathers lived forever. The tunnel which had channeled Dad and me to our hallowed ground was now cluttered with the cast-off furniture and equipment of a dying racetrack. Discarded, broken benches lined the entryway, and an almost eerie silence prevailed. Once so full of life, this part of the track was now a useless appendage, a place which had already lost its soul.
The grandstand which had witnessed some of the most triumphant moments in racing history had fallen into a deep sleep, the silent seats whispering their stories to the ghosts of the greats which had made this sacred place their home. In the distance, announcer Vic Stauffer could be heard calling the horses into the stretch, and the snap-cracking of the whips and the jockeys’ exhortations could be heard above the faint cheers from the crowd as the field faded into the echoes of a distant and more glorious past. Night merged into day as Hollywood Park’s lights illuminated the track for the final time. At the opposite end of the grandstand, the patrons who had come to add one more memory to their storehouse had gathered, each heart harboring its own remembrances.
The closure of Hollywood Park marked not only the end of a splendid era in racing, but the loss of a physical connection to people and times past. I had always felt Dad’s presence so strongly whenever I visited, it was as if he were walking just ahead of me with his swift stride, and that if I tried really hard, I could catch him. I saw him everywhere—in line at the windows, at the snack bar, and sitting on his “lucky” bench near the paddock. All of these places will soon be gone. But his gift remains. Hollywood Park will continue to live in my memory and in my dreams. And perhaps sometimes, the dream will be so real that it will be as it was, when I knew and loved it best, and I will walk beside Dad once again.
Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/horse-racing-steve-haskin/archive/2013/12/28/guest-blog-tunnel-visions-by-cynthia-holt.aspx#ixzz2oqHDGdXr
Celeste_in_TX
Very powerful writing! Thanks for sharing this, Ashton – I had missed it at Bloodhorse. She is a wonderful writer and made me emotional, just like Steve always does.
Vicki B. near Hollywood Park
Excellent, excellent! Cynthia really has a gift for writing. “the loss of a physical connection to people and times past,” and the rest of her final paragraph, particularly resonates with me. It is so true, experiencing memories of people and places gone. Thank-you.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Ashton and Cynthia:
Yes, I agree with Moma. Beautifully done. Very moving and poignant. Love and Hugs, JB
Sandy (Northeast Ohio)
WOW – Just WOW!!!!! Cynthia has really outdone herself this time. I just read this myself and was coming in to post the link when I saw that you were way ahead of me Ashton. To have Steve Haskin say not only that he “had” to share it but also that it was “written brilliantly” and is “the best collection of Hollywood Park memories” he has read is high praise indeed and more than well-deserved. Once again Cynthia has allowed us to witness something through her eyes that was as close to “being there” as one could get. BRAVO! ♥♥♥
Ann NC
Outstanding, thanks for sharing.
Sue Fredrick Happy as a lark
Ashton,
Thanks for posting this, I have never been to Hollywood Park but I could easily visualize it from Cynthia’s beautiful, descriptive writing. Her letter brought tears to my eyes at the loss of this track which holds so many memories for so many people. I can’t imagine anyone thinking that a shopping mall or row upon row of condos would be better to look at everyday! This is progress!
Sue Fredrick Happy as a lark
Ashton,
Thanks for posting this, I have never been to Hollywood Park but I could easily visualize it from Cynthia’s beautiful, descriptive writing. Her letter brought tears to my eyes at the loss of this track which holds so many memories for so many people. I can’t imagine anyone thinking that a shopping mall or row upon row of condos would be better to look at everyday! This is progress!
Terry Crow
All I can add to this wonderful dissertation is this. Cynthia–You have been gone too long from the blog. Come back and visit us soon. We have missed you.
Marshall (NC broad)
Dear Ashton,
Thank you so much for this post! What an exquisitely written piece! Cynthia H. really created a masterpiece. I feel that I was going through that tunnel with them.
So glad she shared these lovely sweet memories with Steve H. so we all could enjoy.
Many thanks and Hugs
Janet Newman
To have those memories and written down so eloquently.
I have never been to any racetrack, but I think I can close my eyes and
take myself to Hollywood Park. based on this wonderful article.
I still find myself in a deep sadness that there will be no more opportunities to see racing at HP. What a loss.
Cynthia H.
Thanks to each and every one of you for your beautiful comments. They mean more than I can say. My one regret, is that the two people whom I most wanted to see this no longer can.
Thanks must go to Steve Haskin for publishing this piece. I would be grateful if some of you might consider expressing your sentiments on his blog. Thank you all so much.
Terry Crow
Cynthia-I have posted a comment on the BH blog under the moniker turkeyzen but it is awaiting moderation. Meeting you at Santa Anita was a real pleasure. Come back to the Zenyatta blog. We have missed your erudite comments. Are you still an employee at SA?
Cynthia H.
Terrry, thank you very much for your comment on Steve Haskin’s blog. I would recognize it as being yours even without knowing your screen name. I am back at Santa Anita after a three-month absence. I fell and broke my foot the first day of the autumn meeting.
Terry Crow
Next time I am at The Great Race Place I will stop by and say hello. Glad you have recovered.
Cynthia H.
Thank you to Ashton for her kindness in posting this.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Mama Z, COZ, Red Prince and Baby Z:
Goodnight. Sweet Dreams. Love Ya. Hugs, JB
sheena davies(wales)
Dear Max More computer problems last night will have to ask Dave for help!!! SS is back home and may run again this season Yikes I’ll be having kittens!!He is better after treatment. We are due another storm tonight ,they had to hold a Cabinet meeting yesterday! Hugs Sheena
Max
Sheena. Does this mean that his heart has corrected itself? The doc said that it might.
Also heard that Nigel is thinking of using a pacemaker for The New One. Some were saying that it better not be Moosie.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Sheena:
Thanks for this good new update on SS. Continued prayers for his good health. Love and Hugs, JB
Kathy
December 29 Cherokee Devotional
Like the trees that thrive along a moist ravine, we naturally grow stronger where we receive the best nourishment. All of us have our individual needs and, with the Spirit as our guide, we seek whatever nourishes those needs. Sometimes we get confused about what our true needs are, but the Spirit does not. That’s why it’s important to take time each day for quiet, Spirit time. Listen carefully and the Spirit will guide you to what you most deeply need.
You ask me to dig for stone! Shall I dig under her [the earth’s] skin for her bones? Then when I die I can not enter her body to be born again.
-Chief Smohalla, Wanapum
sheena davies(wales)
Dear Kathy Lovely to see you back.Hope you,Steve and the Puppy pack had a wonderful Christmas. Very quiet here weather is so bad.All our furbabies had a great time,lovely video of Ray pwaying in the snow wiff his Daddy. Hugs to you,kisses for the puppy pack , do they love the bouncing balls?Sheena
Kathy
Dear Sheena,
Hi! Glad to be back with my Z-family. Yes, thank you, we had a very nice Christmas. “The Pack” love their bouncy balls. Enjoying checking on the FB furbabies. Always enjoy Ray’s running around videos. Loved all the cute pics of Boo and Buddy. Stay safe and warm in the bad weather. It’s very windy here right now, but the winds have driven up the temperatures. So we’re all hunkered down. Enjoy your Sabbath.
Hugs from me, kisses from “the pack.” Kathy
sheena davies(wales)
Dear Max You can relax now The Fly has won!!! beat Jezki and Our Conor his 18th grade1 just brilliant.More news later hope we get a replay Hugs Sheena
Max
Sheena. This is huge. 18 grade 1 wins. Fly, you are amazing!
Ann NC
Great race! Incredible horse!
Max
Sheena. Fly wins in Z style. Beautiful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPpzP20Ln7k&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Kathy
Dear Max and Sheena,
All I can say is “WOW!!!” There’s just something about those horses that come from the back and then thunder past everyone for the win. Now where have I seen that before…?
Hugs,
Kathy
Vicki B. near Hollywood Park
Very nice, Thanks, Max!
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Max:
OMG, what an amazing finish; Z style indeed. The Fly was fantastic. Never saw a jockey ride quite like that. He looked like he was on a carousel horse. Love and Hugs, JB
Sandy (Northeast Ohio)
Just what I was going to say Judy (you must be a few seconds ahead of me here this morning). I never thought he could win that race at the point where the video starts. Woo Hoo to The Fly and his jockey. Thanks for posting Max!
Max
JudyB. Fly’s jockey is Ruby Walsh. He used to partner Kauto Star, but has moved to Willie Mullins in Ireland full time. Mullins from the stands thought that The Fly was too far back to win. The Fly however had other plans. He’s a small horse like his great granddaddy, Northern Dancer, but is full of the same grit and determination. You also have to stay way clear of that horse for fear of Fly bites. Mullins says that the Fly is always coltish.
Ann NC
Showing those young whips the meaning of endurance.
Congrats Team Hurricane Fly! Hope he had a brew!
Thanks, Max and Sheena for the news and replay.
Peggy (N) South Georgia
Max, what a race. Thank You so much.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Z Fans:
Nice video of Mr. Ramsey and Kittens Joy. Love and Hugs, JB
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/videos/13057/ramsey-farm-2013-ken-ramsey-and-kittens-joy
Peggy (N) South Georgia
Dear Judy
Thank You so much. Wonderful Find.
Just love Kittens Joy.
Sandy (Northeast Ohio)
Folks, if you did not stop to read Ashton’s post above (reprinted from a Steve Haskin guest column written by our own Cynthia Holt), PLEASE do yourselves a favor and go back. If this account of Hollywood Park memories doesn’t bring tears to your eyes, I don’t know what would. Another absolutely wonderful piece by Cynthia.
Terry Crow
Couldn’t agree with you more. An absolutely wonderful look back at what once was. I hope my daughter has some of these same memories. If not, I have enough for both of us.
Marshall (NC broad)
Dear Terry C.,
I am quite sure that any daughter of yours would have some of these memories and many more that are wonderful as well! Hugs
Dear Sandy,
Yes, Cynthia’s article is most definitely “brilliantly written”! I got tears in my eyes, too! Hope everyone here will take the time to read Ashton’s post.
Lots of Hugs
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Z Fans:
A slideshow of WinStar Farm. Love and Hugs, JB
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/slideshows/slideshow/a-visit-to-winstar-farm/a-visit-to-winstar-farm
Ann NC
Thanks, JB. Great photos, love the one of, Tiz.
Sue Fredrick Happy as a lark
Thanks Judy,
Loved the pics, Take Charge Indy looks fabulous, what a hunk, he seems to be all healed up. I’ve got to visit this farm someday so many beauties there. Hope you had a blessed Christmas. hugs
Marshall (NC broad)
Dear Judy B.,
Thanks for this beautiful slideshow!
Winstar sure has some gorgeous residents.
Hugs
Kathy
Wonderful slideshow! Thanks, Judy!
Janet Newman
Just heard the news that Jimmy, Black Caviar’s brother was euthanized due to the laminitis he was fighting.
Right now it is being tweeted all over.
Such sad news. RIP Jimmy
Janet Newman
here is a link the story I found
http://www.foxsports.com.au/other-sports/horse-racing/black-caviars-younger-brother-meets-sad-end-after-succumbing-to-debilitating-hoof-condition/story-e6frf41l-1226791563126
Sue Fredrick Happy as a lark
Janet,
This is just tragic. To think it all started with a spider bite. Poor baby never had a chance to prove himself. RIP beautiful boy.
Peggy (N) South Georgia
Dear Janet. Just so sad I am at a loss for words. Yes be with the Angels now dear boy.
Sandy (Northeast Ohio)
Very sad Janet. He seemed to be doing better for a while but . . . . Wish there was a much better treatment approach for this dreadful condition. RIP Jimmy.
Ann NC
Poor, Jimmy. RIP sweet boy.
HeidiK, Vallejo,Ca
I was so sad to read the news on Jimmy. I hope we don’t hear/read the same about Nickie!
Alex Bowdoin
I am very worried about Nic too! Here is the site to go to for lighting the “POWER UP NIC” Zenny Healing candles. http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=stnic
Marshall (NC broad)
This is just too sad!
RIP dear Jimmy — running with the angels now.
Hugs
Marshall (NC broad)
Thanks, Alex B., for the candle site — just visited it. All the best wishes for dear St. Nick. Hugs
Ingrid Arnone
Dear Jimmy, RIP!
Sad very sad, one more….
Thank you for the up date.
Hugs Ingrid.
Kathy
Just horrible news. RIP Jimmy.
Sue Fredrick Happy as a lark
Zensters,
Just wanted to mention that Michael’s Old Friends calendars are on sale, here is the address:
Old Friends
1841 Paynes Depot RD
Georgetown, Ky 40324
They cost $28.00, shipping and handling included, it is a donation for the retired thoroughbreds home.
Ingrid Arnone
Thank you Sue.
I will help them.
Peggy (N) South Georgia
I am sending for mine. Thank you.
Terry Crow
@BGG-Just heard this morning that Tyler Baze will return to race riding on Wednesday.
Barbara Wood (Texas)
@Ashton and Cynthia–thank you so much for your moving tribute. It just brings home the fact that even though time marches on, it doesn’t always do so nobly.
@Michele Moore–I am so gladdened by the fact that you now have insurance and are going to fight the good fight. Hugs to you, and may 2014 year be a year of healing.
Janet Newman
Just a sad day for me. Found a posting that Disintermediate, the 2 year old colt of Life Is Sweet by Smart Strike was euthanized back on December 10th after fracturing a pastern in training. Princess Arabella’s Tapit colt born this year also dies following a paddock accident.
Just sick to see the loss of these babies. It always bring the point home that these beautiful animals are so very fragile and there is always some ugly menace lurking in their lives that can take them from us.
I need to take a break for a while.
Alex Bowdoin
I am so sorry to hear about the losses of these babies…..Yes, the Thoroughbred is Very Fragile!! Poor Breeding decisions made many years ago. What is wrong with watching horses run longer distances and on Turf? How many 3 year olds this year retired injured after running 3 or 4 races? Many!!!
Terry Crow
Training methods are definitely different today. One of the handicapping angles in the old days was never bet on a horse which had not run in the preceding 15 days. Now, the experts are confounded when one does return after only two weeks off. I don’t know the stats, but I would be willing to bet that there were not that many breakdowns 40 years ago as there are today.
Peggy (N) South Georgia
Janet
I’m heartbroken.Just so hard to take. Rest In Peace Beautiful Babies.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Janet:
Oh how sad. This is just so devastating. RIP beautiful baby boy. Love and Hugs, JB