Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Merchandise

Announcing New Jaime Corum Print

“Breeders’ Cup Gold” by Jaime Corum

Jaime Corum’s newest release, Zenyatta: “Breeders’ Cup Gold,” captures the Queen in all her regal splendor amidst the scenic backdrop of the palm trees and awe-inspiring mountains of Santa Anita Park.

Perfectly titled, the piece captures Zenyatta in golden-toned hues reminiscent of the elegant and expressive style of the old masters. The wistful and poignant composition conjures afresh the memories of the great racemare and her thrilling 2009 victory in the Breeder’s Cup Classic at the historic California racetrack.

Presented in the statuesque pose familiar to all her fans, Zenyatta is featured looking back over her shoulder, evoking both her kind and inquisitive demeanor. Corum’s deft palette adroitly highlights every detail of the popular champion amidst the soft backdrop of the sun-soaked San Gabriel mountains, subtly summoning forth the majesty of her subject and surroundings. From her regal eye to her luminous rich mahogany coat, Zenyatta is meticulously portrayed, right down to the details of her racing tack and distinctive saddlecloth.

For the racing collector, Zenyatta: “Breeders’ Cup Gold” is also available in a gold foil-stamped limited edition signed by jockey Mike Smith, trainer John Shirreffs, and racing manager Dottie Ingordo-Shirreffs. Measures 22″ x 28″ and printed on the finest archival stock.

A natural companion piece to the artist’s 2011 popular print release “The Queen’s Dance,” and a great holiday gift for family, friends, and Zenyatta fans. Order yours now!

Reader Interactions

100 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Dear Team Z, The Mosses and Lanes End,

    How very gorgeous, a wonderful new print of The Queen.
    She looks stunning and ready to run. We so miss that
    part of her life, but are sooo looking forward to 12 Z on the
    track. We do have a while to wait for that !!!

    • / Reply

      Sign,
      Wonder when he will get his name?
      Making sure you are on your toes,Sign!
      12z and his buddies will really be something to look forward to!!!!

      • / Reply

        Dear Ann
        I am out and about in Cleveland, Texas today,
        But never fear, I will post that great answer when
        I get home.

        Hope your crow hoppers are enjoying the cool
        Weather. Am going to a draft horse event this
        Weekend, wonder if they crowhop. If they do,
        Better move quick, will let you know. HUM, maybe
        I should take up driving !!!! Horses that is !!!

        • HERE WE GO EVERYONE; IS THIS THE ANSWER EVERYONE IS LOOKING FOR////

          The Mosses DO NOT name their foals until during or after their 2 year old training year so they know their personality, racing style etc… ZENNY WAS NAMED AFTER HER TRAINING WITH THE MAYBERRY’S. REMEMBER DAVID INGORDO GETTING CALLED TO THE MAYBERRY’S THINKING Z HAD
          STRANGLES OR SOMETHING AND THEY SAID “YOU BETTER THINK OF A GOOD NAME FOR THIS ONE, SHE IS SPECIAL”.

          The Mosses always name all of their foals and horses, no contest.

  2. / Reply

    SPEAKING OF RACING, A LOVELY ARTICLE ABOUT “E”, ZENNY’S HALF SISTER
    AND HER DEBUT.

    GO GO GO E !!!

    Hollywood Park: Zenyatta’s half-sister makes long awaited debut
    By Steve Andersen

    Emiy Shields
    The 3-year-old filly Eblouissante, a half-sister to Zenyatta, will make her first start going 1 1/16 miles in a maiden race Friday at Hollywood Park.
    They have the same trainer, are starting their careers at virtually the same time of their lives, and both have avid followings.

    There is no way around it. All eyes will be on Zenyatta’s younger half-sister, the first-time starter Eblouissante, when she makes her career debut in the fourth race on Friday at Betfair Hollywood Park.

    “We’re looking at her as another first-time starter, trying to at least,” trainer John Shirreffs said.

    Shirreffs, who became nationally famous as Zenyatta’s trainer, knows that will not be easy.

    Zenyatta, who retired after the 2010 season as a winner of 19 of 20 starts, was named the 2010 Horse of the Year and captured the attention of racing fans nationwide with her 19-race winning streak. She lost to Blame in her final start, which came in the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs.

    With Zenyatta now a broodmare in Kentucky, there is no horse in California that grabs the attention of horse enthusiasts and general sports fans like she did.

    Eblouissante, a 3-year-old, lives in Zenyatta’s old stall at Shirreffs’s barn, and sometimes reminds the trainer of her older half-sister.

    “She’s such a magnificent-looking horse,” Shirreffs said. “She has a lot of characteristics of her sister.”

    Zenyatta was a massive racemare, and Eblouissante is similarly big, he said.

    Zenyatta is by Street Cry and is owned by Jerry and Ann Moss.

    Eblouissante is by Bernardini and is owned by Eric Kronfeld of New York, who bred Zenyatta and sold her as a yearling. Zenyatta and Eblouissante are out of Vertigineux, a mare by Kris S., whose first claim to fame was producing the millionaire Balance.

    Eblouissante has been in training with Shirreffs since the spring of 2011. She has had 45 recorded workouts since June 2011, and has been working steadily since early August. There were times in the past year, Shirreffs said, that Eblouissante was close to a race, but that he was not content with her condition.

    “I didn’t see any point in it,” Shirreffs said. “She’s grown so much.

    “There were a couple of times she was close to running and needed one more work and she had a growth spurt or lost some weight. I couldn’t lean on her and run her.”

    In the last month, Shirreffs said he has noticed improvement.

    “Her last three or four works, she has started to put it together,” he said. “She worked in company and was going after the horse in front of her. That was a big change for her.”

    Zenyatta began her career on Nov. 22, 2007, winning a maiden race at Hollywood Park over 6 1/2 furlongs. Eblouissante’s first start is over 1 1/16 miles.

    “Her best chance is to get into a nice rhythm,” Shirreffs said. “If she gets upset or gets hurried, it could go against her.”

    Mike Smith was the regular rider of Zenyatta, but Corey Nakatani will ride Eblouissante.

    “Corey has won about three races for me and I was happy with how he was doing,” Shirreffs said. “I wanted to give him the opportunity.”

    Kronfeld is scheduled to travel from New York for Friday’s race, which has drawn a field of eight 3-year-old fillies.

    Chestnut Moon, second by a nose in a maiden race at Santa Anita on Oct. 25, will attract support as will Belonging. Trained by John Sadler, Belonging was a fast-closing sixth in a maiden race at Del Mar on Aug. 12, her only start.

    Belonging is owned by Jerry and Ann Moss.

    • / Reply

      Oh, what a beauty Ebby is. She has such a dainty and elegant grace about her. She is the type of horse I instantly fall in love with. Would love her, even if I didnt know she was Zenny’s half sister. Cant wait to see her race Friday. The bottom picture is really cute of her trying to get a bite of Steve’s sandwich. Isnt there a photo of Zenny doing the same thing awhile back?

      • / Reply

        So very much agree with you.
        “E” is such a beauty, very elegant
        And leggy.

        Yes, remember that photo of Z and Steve,
        too.

      • / Reply

        I am so excited and also nervous about”Ebby’s” debut tomorrow. She is so beautiful. Something about her reminds me of a ballerina. Delicate but strong. I hav seen a few of her wrkouts, she is looking great. I just feel for John, he seems calm but I imagine his stomach is churning in anticipation. Good luck to her foe a safe race. I hope Ebby wins! I know Ann and Jerry have a filly in there, but on this one, I hav to go with Queen Z’s sis!

    • / Reply

      Thanks,Sign,
      I really LOVE the photo of Mr. Shirreffs patting her head, he is sitting on his pony.
      E is a BEAUTY and I wish her a safe trip,how exciting. Go girl,GO!!

  6. / Reply

    What a striking portrait of our Queen Zenyatta! Her magnificience is captured beautifully…it’s like I could reach out and touch her. Breeders Cup Gold is such a fitting name for her.

  8. / Reply

    Zenyatta you are Beautiful in Every picture. I told the children about your half sister. She is so pretty and part of you. I love you queen Z, Mrs. Voltz and Homeroom 215-217

  9. / Reply

    Magnificent! There are so many ways that the
    beautiful and regal look of Zenyatta has been captured
    and this is a fantastic portrait. Well done Jamie Corum.

  10. / Reply

    hi Zsters <3
    zenny's new portrait is pretty :)

    thx for the manowar links. i enjoyed them <3
    @pati- congratz on making into cazenovia college. i'm happy for u. :)

    hugs/prayers my friends <3

  11. / Reply

    Pati,
    Way to go girl!!! Congrats on your acceptance into your first choice school. Very exciting,keep at it,enjoy your SR. year and then…you are off, out of the starting gate. Go,Pati,Go!!!

    Team Z….the print of Z is the most beautiful ever. Thanks for making it available to us.

    Love all the tales from the BC.Glad everyone had a great time.

    • / Reply

      Of course! I had to tell my other family! My Z family is very important to me!

      I’m excited to get going! Study abroad, spend the summers at Belmont and Aqueduct, study horses, and continue my riding career. It’s going to be a blast.

    • / Reply

      Hadn’t heard that in a while.

      I went through and read some of the rumors about E. What a load of hooey. Though I will say this, in an effort to make it rain, there is always someone somewhere that’s doing the rain dance. It’s five o’clock somewhere, so happy hour takes its toll.

    • / Reply

      Vicki,

      Wow, this is going to be as exciting to wait for as waiting for Z13. Really exciting, but there could never be another Zenyatta, but oh my, the close runner ups would also be extraordianary.

      Vicki, it was so nice to meet you at BC. Hope to meet you again.

    • / Reply

      Wow great news!!!
      I am sad that Darley lowered his fee to $100,000. He did not have a very good crop last year. I have seen a lot of his progeny in the claiming ranks, wonder if he is not
      getting good mares ???

      • / Reply

        He’s getting good mares. You’ll see a lot of any horse’s offspring in the claiming ranks. Darley says they lowered his fee because they raised Hard Spun’s fee to $60K. Not quite sure why that makes a difference, but that’s the reason they gave. Maybe they wanted to offer a more continuous range of fees. They’ve got Bernie at $150K, MdO and Street Cry at $100K, Hard Spun at $60K, Elusive Quality at $50K, and the rest below that. Bernie’s their top sire because his offspring sell like hotcakes.

        • Dear Laura J,
          Did you see the explainstion on the Darley website.
          He is only high on the list because if historical #,
          Not sure he has had any graded or stakes winners
          This year. He is also the only stallion without the
          Little blue emblem Darley puts near each stallions
          Name. I think it was done on his productivity.

        • Dear Laura J,
          Here is the press release from Darley announcing fees; Street Cry
          is number one by Average Earnings Index. It seems he did not have any stakes or graded winners last year.

          Press release, November 13, 2012

          Darley in America announces fees for the 2013 breeding season

          The roster will be led by Bernardini ($150,000) who continues to sire winners at the highest level, illustrated in 2012 by his second consecutive G1 Travers Stakes winner Alpha and repeat G1 winner To Honor And Serve.

          Street Cry and Medaglia d’Oro will each stand at a fee of $100,000. Medaglia d’Oro has been represented by G1 winners Marketing Mix and Plum Pretty in 2012 and Street Cry remains at the top of the list of the nation’s leading sires by Average-Earnings Index.

          A fee of $60,000 has been set for Hard Spun, sire of two of America’s top three-year-old fillies of 2012 in Questing and Zo Impressive. These outstanding fillies are two of 27 northern hemisphere stakes horses sired by Hard Spun, a figure that represents the highest number for any sire ever at this stage of their career.

          Elusive Quality has had an outstanding year with his multiple G1-winning three-year-old daughter Elusive Kate, and the outstanding, undefeated juvenile filly Certify, a G1 winner in 2012 as well. He will remain at a fee of $50,000.

          In 2012, new stallion Lonhro was met with great demand during his first season in the northern hemisphere. The Australian Champion stallion of 2011 and sire since of Pierro, Australia’s two-year-old Triple Crown winner, will remain at $30,000.

          Desert Party ($7,500), whose first foals are weanlings of 2012, joins Girolamo ($15,000) at Sequel Stallions in New York in 2013. Girolamo covered his first book in 2012 and proved immensely popular with breeders.

          Darley’s Head of Sales, Charlie Boden, said, “We were confident that 2012 was going to be a big year for our sires and we feel the same way about 2013. Medaglia d’Oro, Bernardini and Street Cry remain in high demand but they’ve had to make some room for Hard Spun whose achievements thus far are simply incredible. Add to that Lonhro’s first US crop arriving in just a few months, we couldn’t be more enthusiastic about the new year.”

          For a full list of Darley’s fees in America, please click here.

          For further information please call Charlie Boden on (859) 255 8537.

          13 November 2012

  18. / Reply

    Paynter Update: Alex Brown‏ tweet on Thursday Nov. 15 2012
    Paynter, munching on his hay, after spending much of the morning outside.
    http://twitpic.com/bdgtj7

    Later tweet added: yes, and Paynter does look terrific.
    His coat is very shiny, despite the colder temps

  19. / Reply

    Remember this?

    Sue Noel
    November 9, 2012 at 11:31 am

    As i was driving home last night,I realized I had left out some of my more memorable experiences at the BC–I promise,it won’t be a book–but–how could I have left out my several lovely conversations with ZENNY’S JOHN and his beautiful Dottie??? When I first went up to him,I told him that I knew of his love for War Admiral and that I had brought the pictures taken of him on my Kentucky trip in 1950,explaining that I had done my best to get them restored. He said that he would like to see them and later,when I approached him ,he studied them cvarefully,dim as they are,then looked through the whole small photo book I had brought,with all of the pictures of Barnaby and Traveller,and the photos of me when I was 9 on my very first horse,The Blue Duchess. He was so patient,kind,and interested,I was thrilled. Meeting him and feeling his wonderful aura and energy was awe inspiring–it really made me understand how very fortunate any horse is to be in his stable. I did not hear about the pending weekend visit to Barn 55 until it was almost time to leave that evening and was unable to do it,but I surely hope that there will be another chance next year!! Dottie was so lovely and when I asked about Sophie told me they had had to run home to lert her out between the races and the party. I asked her to give her a hug from us when she got home. (When Ann and Jerry were leaving,I asked her to give Zwenny a hug from all the Zsters when she next saw her and she said “I literally will!”)

    Well Sue, you are not going to believe this, but I think I caught you on video spiriting John away to a corner to show him your book at the Z Party! Jack Van Berg was doing the auction and John was across the room and there you come! LOL! Too cute!

  20. / Reply

    @ Karen Gogue–Oh,I would love to see that sometime!! I couldn’t believe how sweet and patient he was–the War Admiral photos are so faded,even with the restoration they worked so hard on,but he COULD see him!! I looked at the Man O’ War video in todays messages and ,I swear,his face looks just like the face on my little lead horse that I got so long ago.

    The horse chiropractor came again today and tried the new saddle on Traveller–Sue is going to try it,but she is afraid,after the back surgery she had several years ago,that the position the saddle puts her in my irritate her back. We’ll have to see what happens. It is a type of saddle I’ve never heard of before—an International something,something–will have to get the whole name for sure and post it on here. She has talked about the old cavalry saddle she rode in as a kid and how wide it was. Maybe there’s an old Mc Clellan around that would work. I certainly think that would be good for Sue’s back,if we could find a really wide one for Traveller’s back. I can’t believe how lucky I was to find a beautiful used saddle that fit Barnaby so well. He seems really happy with it –I got him a really GREAT pad for it–I think it was 120.00 or so–it is really think and comfy . I’m all about everything for him being soft and comfy–with nothing harsh or hard. Have I ever mentioned the great halter I found for him at Dover,in their catalog. It is a Lami-Cel–the whole inside,next to his face,as well as the brow band and nose piece,are fleece. It is so soft against his skin,he seems to love it and I love how gentle it is on him. I swear,I would take him into my little studio condo (which is not much bigger than a big box stall!) and let him sleep under a blue blanket in front of the fire,if I could!!! Oh–I’m just SO silly over him!!

    Sue consulted an animal psychic so see if she could possibly give her some clues about Traveller.The psychic said she was getting messages from Barnaby–who thinks everything is about him–and he said something about November 15 th being an important day. At first Sue thought he was trying to tell us his birthday,but that sounds impossible (this all happened when I was in CA)–then,we figured maybe it was the day when his human Dad passed away–which is about when it must have happened,considering all that happened after that ,ending with his being at the feedlot in Fallon in March. I went out to see him today and talked with him for quite awhile-telling him I understood that it was a special time and letting him know that he is safe now and that I’m sure his daddy knows this and is glad. Don’t know how you all feel about such things,and am not sure about myself either,as there can be charlatans afoot in these matters sometimes,but,if he really DID communicate that,I wanted him to know I understood. I really believe his dad must have been wonderful and that he loved him very much because of the lovely temperment he has,and how well trained he is. You can never get too much love,I say,so I will shower him with it as long as I can!!

    • / Reply

      Sue Noel
      Tears! Sad tears & happy tears.
      This is lovely.
      Talking to our beloved animals is so important-yes, they do understand.
      Hugs,
      Keta

    • / Reply

      Dear Sue,

      So very interesting that you should mention the horse psychic. At our barn
      almost everyone has the horse psychic out to “talk” to their horse and
      hear what their horses had to say. Some of the women were giving each other
      gift cards to the psychic. It was very amusing to hear all of the things they learned
      about their guys and gals.

      So funny you should mention the fleecy stuff inside your bridle and halter. We bought the fleece attachment for Jethro’s halter and you would have thought a huge cat had jumped out at him when you came close to him with the fleece. So very much like a
      TB he raised his head high and raced around to the other side of his stall away from that terribel prey. So we rubbed it on his body over and over and over again, however he would only let one person put it on him and no one else so we had to quite using it.

      Goofy TB !!!!!

      As for the saddles, every horse is very different and they should have a custom fitting so they are able to work in an efficient manner.

    • / Reply

      I would love to see Barnaby w/ his new spike forlock.
      Thanks for the wonderful stories and life is grand ,when you can be silly over a horse!!!

  21. / Reply

    My acceptance fee has been sent! Now all I have to do is start saving money for dorm shopping. Oh my goodness, I still feel so young and yet, I now must grow-up. I hope my roommate doesn’t mind my old Disney movie obsession. Who doesn’t like The Lion King? Lol I know the lyrics to every Disney movie by heart.. My roommate might be very impressed, not at my voice, but at my lung capacity to carry out all the notes way longer than appropriate. :-)

    Where is GP Redneck Terry? I miss his redneck jokes and nice comments. :-(

    • / Reply

      Pati, You are so funny! You and my youngest daughter would get along great! She loves Disney still at 25 as much as she did at 6. Her favorite is The Little Mermaid (thanks to her, I know the words to every song from that movie). If your roommate doesn’t like it, so what? Keep on loving what you love! I know you will do great! Such an exciting time in your life!

  22. / Reply

    This is too cute! Game On Dude speaks out! Be sure and scroll down to read his comments on Chantel!

    Welcome to the Horse Racing forum.

    Game On Dude Speaks Out

    From:
    DogsUp (DogsUp)
    Last Visit: 10:46 AM
    Posts: 326

    To: All
    Posted: Nov 04 12 01:50 PM
    Message: 24826.1 (1 of 3)

    A conversation by Game On Dude

    Hey, I’ve got my pride and I have to make a living. I’m no furlong free-loader. I earn my hay. Of course I was going to go out and win my next race in the Awesome at Santa Anita after being beat by my compadre Dullahan in the Pacific Classic. And the public was betting on me. I don’t cheat.

    It was Dully’s, that’s what we horses call him, surface. Poly. Do you realize I broke the track record that day too. Only he went past me and up-ed the recorded for a lower time for the mile and a quarter. Can a horse say that?

    Anyway, turns out they took my stablemate away in a private sale deal, Richard’s Kid, and Bob’s hair turned whiter that day over the deal. We call him Richie Rich Kid. Rich Kid. Older horses can call him Kid, even if they can’t beat him on the track. He shows respect to those older horses.

    We both knew the private deal was coming and were sure hoping it would fall through. It’s what’s in the barn vibes. When you get scoped coming off your last race starving, thirsty and kicking your box down, you have an idea you’re up for sale if you get’a scoping.

    We had a lot of competitive friendship and kept an eye on each other’s backs. We still have natural instincts and fears even though there is a night watchman and a fire safety program. The hay, water and feed, and equipment is usually clean and sanitary ’cause the people here on the backstretch have a respect for any horse and care for them the same.

    I know that guy’s (Robert Baffert, trainer of Game On Dude) vibes. I’ve been around him when he is elated about a win or training into a race and the eletricity and confidence surrounding us. Witty, confident, fun to be around, maybe a rock star of the game. I remeber Mr. Baffert when he returned back to the barn after his heart surgery in Dubai. Of all the human vibes I have experienced, he gave off an aura of having meet with his salvation.

    Then, we were all one then, in it together, having gone through so much to get there.Then all that happened to Bob in a strange country, and away from his other family. Standing as a team just before our really significant challenge for the year, Dubai, I was the favorite. In a word, I’m a dirt horse. I paddled on that track.

    Want me to do my Brando imitation, “I coulda been a contender.” (shows his teethy smile and knickers) Hey, did you bring some mints and baby carrots for me to chew on. Do you like chewing on that cigar?

    So we come back to the states, I lose to Dully, and Joe (Torre part-owner GonD former coach NY) is a baseball coach by trade, so he walks out of whatever the dugout is in racing and signals to Baffert to get Chantal off and bring in Bajarano from the bull pen, which is in this case the jockey colony’s locker room.

    I’m not say’in but Bob had no problem with that because he wanted Bajarano to stay in his favor and not swing over to the Richard’s Kid camp. Gave him a double-out. Is that a baseball term? Can a horse say that?

    Now that Richie, my personal name for him. And I like to roll the ‘R’, is not my stable mate any more, I see him in an AM now and then. I’m still laughing. That they paid a rumored million bucks for that guy. Hey, he was running thirds to me.

    Well, the media got on our stories, I’m the fave and R-rrrrich-ie (GonD pushes his tongue to the right side to roll his Rs) is suppose to close from the clouds, nip me at the wire, so I’m second, again. Then the media would have a saga story. Jump on the Bafferts who are pissed-off about losing Richie to competitive connections. Then they beat him with his own horse for $3-million large. Miz Jill, Bob’s wife, actually got in a public shout with Richie’s new connections. (GonD shakes his head, way-up and down as to say, what the hay? Then snorts)

    Well, if the truth be known, once we were both in the saddling area, and waiting to be loaded in the gate, we horses, we can communicate, you know. And we know how each other feels about our plights in life.

    Like, we all pretty much feel terrible when one of us doesn’t return. Forever. We just choke down our food that night, so the tub is empty by morning. If not, we go through a lot of tests. They call it scoping.

    It was The Classic. Along the way, we expected as much from our owners as they expected from us. And it was going to be a ‘not today’ for them.

    You know, Chantal could have been in the mudiest, jockeys’ rough-ride-race and nearly gotten killed. When it came to the next race, there she was, all smiles, glad to go out there with me. All cleaned up, with our silks. I could always smell her not nearly dried shampoo in her hair. Confident. She had already put behind her that she could have got killed in the last. It was our turn. And I was the apple of her eye.
    We were connected.

    So Richie and I get to the gate, we’re loaded in. And go through the motions. I wish that HBO horse series had made it. I can act. And do as directed. I wouldn’t be a head-strong actor. I’m not that as a race horse, you know. Ah, I’m getting away from the point. The new vibes we were getting from our connections and the changes were not positive. Somethings up. Hey were just horses, not equine engineers.

    I think that colt Hansen went through the blue tail thing and those just little quirkie changes threw him off his head game. And he was tough mentally. If you Google him, his mare, his mom, was really tough on him. Wouldn’t even let him near the feed tubs some time. I loved my mom.

    So as I said, it was The Classic. And Richie and I expected as much from our owners as they expected from us. The vibes were all way too changed now.
    Unsettling. Was someone going to come for me next. End up in Japan or Dubai.
    And that would be to race, you know I’m a gelding. We didn’t cheat anybody, because our hearts were not in it. You always hear the horse had a lot of heart.

    And last I remember, the gates plunged open. I could hear the air wave of cheers from the stands. Some say, physically, I have tiny ears for my size.

    My connections would have to wait for about 2 minutes and ticks to see if they could salvage something out of their hopes, dreams and decisions, disappointments of the past 10 months. There I was with my new jock and the family was really not a family anymore. They say not to fall in love with anything in this game. And lots of us do.

    It was going to be a ‘not today’ for them. From what had gone on around us. People’s vibes to a horse. Are hearts were changed and just weren’t in it.
    ——————————————————————————–

    Posted: Nov 15 12 11:04 AM
    Message:

    My Chantal visited me at the barn today. I love that girl. A Mrs. now, you know. I’m still her Dude though. Such spirit, and melt-away smile. No matter where we are, Dubai,Del Mar, the first thing she says when she sees me, always in sing-song-sea-saw fashion, “Hi, Big Boy.”

    As usual, when we’re not all business getting saddled-up and readied in the paddock, checking-out before the parade and load, say a backside visit alone, she sneaks me in a nice horsey-bag of goodies. You wouldn’t expect me to call it a dogie-bag? In bags-full quantities we know it’s race horse contra-ban. That’s the fun of it.

    I could be wearing a full hood with a blind cup in both eyes and know exactly by the smell alone, them goodies and Chantal are approaching. Molasses cookies and unwrapped mints. And always know it’s her by the shampoo scent in her hair.

    All those guy jockeys smell the same. Like soap from the jockey shower dispensors. Sometimes you’ll see a horse sneeze, it’s all that jockey soap aromatic in the air between races, especially on mud days.

    Anyway, I inhale mints off her hand so fast some fall right out of my mouth and create a Club House for the ants. Did you know ants race?

    Sal the Baker. Sal’s Greek Bakery in town makes them and I get all the broken ones. Sometimes there’s some assorted other cookies in there. Sal usually sends a message to me through Chantal with the cookies cause they’re just for me. And she practically splits a gut laughing while telling me. Like one time, ‘Tell him. No more cookies if he’s going to get nosed out.’ Like, who’s crazy? I wonder if I can test positive for backlava?

    But I have some fun latter. As a horse. Trying to keep some snacks in my box until Bob does a check-in-look-around or my groom comes in to spin the floor. I once knew a trainer who wanted things to smell, look and be so clean that he made the backstretch people drink out of the cold water buckets to prove they were doin’ it right. Checking the checker.

    Got to laugh, when they smell heavy mint extract on my breath, they will actually ask me a question about it. Like I’m going to speak or confess, Chantal gave’m to me. Or, I went down to the Stable Kitchen on a break.
    (Dude rolls his eyes and makes as close a toothy smile as ‘humanly’possible)

    Molasses. Those connections of mine wanted to earn purse awards of 10-Million jack this year. And the only thing I get different than the rising and falling tag runners is sweet dark stuff mixed in with my grain tub. Better think about that the next time you think you got a sure thing or that you’re sure I’m going to run my geldings-off.

    Ya’ know that Shirreffs trainer use to give Zenyatta a Guinness beer and I think Sal the Baker would bake her a decorated recongnition cake. I’d like a cold one after some races. Between sweating and let’s not get into the Lasix thingy, I can lose a hundred pounds of water weight.

    Now I knew it would be the first thing out of her mouth. Chantal asks me why I didn’t take things upon myself and try to win the big one for my own satisfaction and glory. Those turf writers had me in for HOY with the win, especially if my amigo Wise Dan didn’t get a trophy uno. Andy and couple of guess guys out here on the West coast at least. Says she cheered-cried and hurt all at the same time but felt in her heart that she wanted me to win by three,four. For me.

    But tugging at her, that Bob, and the buck passer connections, excuse the pun, should lose as retribution for their public scorn of her. Not coming out of BC Classic stall gate 5 with me was a short-fall, make that a long-fall of nearly $300K for her. Cause our chances probably were better together. That’s a lot of molasses! (Dude projects his tongue). She said she knew as soon as Bejarano and I steadied first couple of jumps, her heart told her to cheer for me to win, no matter what. But knew that if she was up as partners, she would have possibly retired after being the firs woman to win the Classic. Maybe, got me to the front at 6-and-a-half, and then it would be~ catch us. If you can.

    And just like molasses, it was a dark and sticky situation for me that Saturday. I had a lot of people betting on me and counting on me. But I also didn’t have the same vibes, human emotions, voices and smells around me that I had since we all were a team. They said get us a big season of $10 million in sweet molasses. We might have even got the record. We’re looking at Curlin at ten-and-a-half large, and Cigar at about 9,999,999. Close but no Cigar, he-haw. That’s kind of like your LOL.

    Well here comes Bob now. By the way, ya know snow crop won a ton of Grade races here this year. And I’ll give him credit for his post races candor, not having got a trip to the Circle. And he told the press Rafael didn’t get me up front soon enough and he knew my chances would be slim from the get-go. At least that’s what I read. So you can’t blame me.

    My former stable mate buddy, Er-rich-chee’s, (Richard’s Kid) owner is out as Prez of Santa Anita. Those guys have the career life of an all singles pick six ticket. And now I’m just guess-in that the oval owner’s daughter, she’s a big-wig here, will go with Chantal for a cushy position.

    That way I’ll get to see her. Also that guy with all the black and white facial make-up and wears the tall caulks from KISS rock group has been mentioned as an idea man for next race season. That noise scares me. And he sticks his tongue out. I love Latin music and the smells of Spanish food outback. Heard the rock star tried to promote a water drink for track owner, Frank and failed. Maybe Frank doesn’t like Lasix. Cause the other horse water guy made billions and does.

    Yee-hennie–hennie-he. Horse water.

    • / Reply

      Karen,

      This is absolutely hilarious !!!! Love it.

      Heard today on HRTV that Mike Smith is going to ride Executive Privilege and unknown is to ride GOD. RB is on the outs with BB. Also heard a few years ago MIke was riding for him and won a bunch of races on someone that was one of BB really good horses and he took Mike off the horse and put Jerry Bailey on because he had won some races
      for him.

      I think BB lost something when he had that stent put in in Dubai, maybe it is coated with something that is making him goofy. When you don’t win, change the jockey, maybe he needs to change his training considering what happened to Paynter and Bodemeister.
      Those things were not cause by the equines themselves they were caused by humans.

      He came onto HRTV over the weekend with a Black and Silver Bodemeister jacket on saying that he was going to breed a mare to him because he is sooo fast.

  23. / Reply

    @Sue Noel–I always look forward to your posts. Please keep writing them.
    Great posts, all. Love the Game oN Dude account. Thanks everyone.
    Hope Z and Baby Z. both have a pleasant night. Love you both always.
    Not sure if anyone else has posted, but Bloodhorse has an article about a promising new drug for laminitis. I do so hope it is the real deal.

  27. / Reply

    Every horse needs hay! If you can’t buy a bale of hay for the shelter horses, as little as $4 will buy one for SHERR. http://t.co/aTkvfnxt

    It comes to be the time, when I call upon my Z family, the greatest group of people in the world, for $4. SHERR horses need hay, as the ponies from the Pearson county seizure have joined the barn, and everybody needs food. As a sister program of the fundraiser “Deck the Stalls” every single penny goes to the horses.

    I have a blog post of pictures and information about everyone’s condition prepared to post as soon as school let’s out.

    Here is one of the ponies from that awful raid. She was literally wild when we got her and her siblings and friends.

    She’s a classy lady who was abused and abandoned.This pony is being touched for the first time in the picture. Brave. http://t.co/FtH1mODh

  30. / Reply

    Doug Anderson‏ tweet: What a game.
    Sharp bloodstock friend says Eblouissante’s value if she never wins race is
    around 2 mill.
    That’s market price. Amazing

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