Good Morning All,
Yesterday’s results at Royal Ascot were quite interesting. FRANKEL, the 3 year old colt by Galileo out of Kind owned and bred by Juddmonte Farms, won again! This time his victory was by 3/4 of a length. He is still undefeated…7 for 7…which I can say from personal experience…is not an easy thing to accomplish. My sincere congratulations to FRANKEL and all of his connections!
GOLDIKOVA ran a very solid race and finished 2nd losing by just 3/4 of a length. Then, MY MIKIE finished 4th on his mount in the 2 year old stake. While in England, Mike also did a very nice interview which is currently being played on THE BLOODHORSE website. You might enjoy viewing it if you have a free moment!
Speaking of yesterday’s races at this historic race course, I wanted to share with you a photo of the human FRANKEL taken during the 1985 Royal Ascot Meet. Here he is, the real Bobby FRANKEL pictured on the left, attending the races with his friends Phil Werkmeister and Richard McCormick. Ann Eberhardt sent us this photo.
As you may know, the dress code on these racing dates is very specific. It supports a history of tradition. Formal day dress is required. Gentlemen are required to wear either black or grey morning dress, including a waistcoat with a top hat! Just imagine, all of these years later, we have a photo of Bobby taken at Royal Ascot…the same place where yesterday a horse named for him won such a prestigious race to remain undefeated. This is absolutely TOO CUTE!
I can only imagine that Bobby would be quite pleased…and so very, very proud!
On another note, in relation to American Racing, they have a HUGE PICK 6 CARRY-OVER today in New York. I gather this was somewhat aided by the results of the BELMONT! I know lots of people are studying their FORMS, CHARTS, PAPERS etc. this morning hoping to handicap all of the winners!
I better go study a bit myself! HOOVES CROSSED for all of you to GET LUCKY!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
J Smith
Trina N. & Judy, I most likely will go to HP on Sat. It would be a crime really, to miss Blind Luck & Switch. Would one of you post a meeting spot & time on Friday. Like, in the paddock near the tunnel, or something. I won’t be able to check until after 7 on Fri. Would be great to meet. Karen said she may go to.
J Smith
Trina N. & Judy, I most likely will go to HP on Sat. It would be a crime really, to miss Blind Luck & Switch. Would one of you post a meeting spot & time on Friday. Like, in the paddock near the tunnel, or something. I won’t be able to check until after 7 on Fri. Would be great to meet.
Diana S
Z Family: Love the idea of posting when planning a trip to one of the tracks, regardless of where, to meet up and visit in person. I’ll be heading to SoCal first week of July, so will hope to meet some of you. Have already discovered that Karen Gogue and I are from same place, went to competing high schools in same time frame. COOL!
@Michael Blowen: You are a rock star!
@Charlotte Farmer: My donation is enroute to MB’s keep for Noor’s final journey. I think this pilgrimage is worthy of TV news coverage! We KNOW there are media connections connected to Z’s connections, yes?
Looking forward to D-Day!
And, at 1:45 AM 6/16 here in AZ, also looking forward to horizontal and pillow!
G’nite all. diastu in tempe
DJ
Good night Sweet “Z”!
Thanks to all who took the time to vote for Y.O.U. to be the next Painted Pony! Especially a big thank you to Jamie who found the link. I would feel so sad if you lost :( for there is none better than you in my heart.
DJ
p.s. what a wonderful way to end the day, lighting a Zenyatta Candle and reading all of the wonderful prayers left by your adoring fans…
dunie
Sweet dreams, Zenny!
Kathy Kimber
Dear Zeny, such a great post. I’m so happy for Frankel. I lit a candle for you and I voted for the Z pony. I hope you have a really great day. Hugs
Lisa g
Ms Zenyatta, good, beautiful and wonderful morning to you and your special one. Have a wonderful day, I love you so. Lisa g.
Stu
Hey Zenny – what a terrific site you have here thanks to you and your connections. Our enthusiasm for you never lessens. We love you.
Stephanie
I love tradition that photo is great, Bobby would be sooooooo proud, he was a great trainer and to have a horse named after him do so well ! How r u feeling Zenny? I love u sweetie pie xoxoxox
Trisha Veazey
As always very informative and interesting.
Congrats to all the winners.
Hope you are feeling well big girl.
Love hugs and kisses
Sharon Call
@Cynthia H. Thanks for trying but I clicked on the link and got a message something to the effect that the video was not available. Darn!
Lauren
Dear Zenny – Hmmmm are you thinking of making a bet at Belmont today??? That is too cute Zenny. If you get any hot tips let me know. I hope you are feeling well and having alot of summer fun. Hugs and kisses beautiful girl.
Cynthia H.
@Sharon Call: Sorry about that, Sharon. I don’t know why it didn’t go through. I checked and re-checked the numbers, and everything looks correct. I am a total novice at this, so it is probably something I am doing incorrectly. There are several great videos featuirng “Ebby” and others on John Shirreffs’ Youtube site.
Amy K
Z’s DRF commentary on the weeks racing:
http://www.drf.com/blogs/merciful-end
Allen
Once again Thanks for the info Queen Z and Dottie. Congrats to Mike, and tell him great interview. Have a great day my Queen.
Abigail from Montreal
Having watched British racing for many years — on the flat & over the hurdles — and thinking about this as I watch Ascot this year on HRTV, I wonder if we couldn’t help the plight of all thoroughbreds by supporting hurdling (like what Istabraq, Desert Orchid & others did) as a viable alternative for horses who don’t do well over the flat. So many horses — Istabraq’s a GREAT example — who really don’t take to the flat (grass or dirt) do well when they have this option. It would give owners another option and open up a thoroughbred sport that is just HUGELY successful in the UK….What do you think?
Terry Crow
I seem to recall that when Bobby Frankel first came to California he was known mostly as a claiming trainer. Obviously, the cream came to the top and he had his share of top horses. He could train any man’s horse. I think a lot of trainers who have the reputation of only handling cheap horses could do the job if given the opportunity as Mr. Frankel eventually was. After all, there is probably more knowledge needed to keep claimers sound than if one is handed million dollar horses every year.
Lisa g
@Amy K: Too Cute, for sure. Thanks.
suew
@Amy K, you bet we miss her. Thanks so much for the link. It’s just vintage Zenny, isn’t it? What a beautiful face!
LauraJ
@Abigail, the idea has some merit, but also some problems that would have to be overcome. It could be a good alternative for some horses who have lots of stamina but insufficient speed, or who hate the starting gate. It would be particularly attractive for geldings. Here are the drawbacks as I see them: (1) If anything, jump racing is even more dangerous to horses than flat racing. Aintree is notorious—the question every year is not if, but how many, horses will be killed in the Grand National. I honestly don’t know how North American jumps racing compares in terms of safety to Euro racing. I do know that in order to expand its base of North American fans, it would have to be perceived as safe—or at least as safe as flat racing. (2) Lack of venues. Right now there is no incentive to build new, dedicated timber courses, so that leaves hurdles on existing turf courses. Not all tracks have one. At tracks that do have them, the jump races couldn’t be run concurrently with the flat races; they would have to be scheduled as separate meets. (3) North American bettors would have to be taught how to handicap jumps races. (4) Do we have enough trainers who can train jumpers, and do we have enough jockeys who can ride them?
Stella Bagwell
Dearest Zenyatta,
I am so enjoying Royal Ascot and I’m sure you are, too. Seeing people dressed as though racing is a royal and important sport is wonderful, indeed. As I know you would agree, since you always made sure your coat was picture perfect for the track! :)
Have a safe and happy day, dear Queen.
Love and hugs,
Stel
Terry Crow
@Diana S-Great idea about publicizing Charlotte Farmer’ efforts on behalf of Noor. I took the liberty of contacting Bill Dwyre, who was the sports editor at the Los Angeles Times before he retired. Bill now writes about horse racing part time for the paper. He got back to me indicating that he was interested in the story but is now covering US Open Golf and will be back early next week. Since I know that he is acquainted with Dottie he will probably contact her. He liked the John Shirreffs angle. Its not TV, but maybe something will come of it. Bill is a good guy and I have corresponded with him over the years about horse racing.
Karen Gogue
@ Terry Crow
:) :) Kudos – that’s what I’m talkin’ about! Run with it!
Abigail from Montreal
@Laura J: I agree — this could not be an overnight solution. There would need to be a long-term plan. Injuries — the Grand National is a steeplechase & I was more thinking hurdlers who do a number of jumps but also run over distances on the flat. Granted, horses get injured over hurdles too. So if it were worth looking into, people would need to consider that. I don’t really know if the injuries to hurdlers are more than to horses on the flat, though. Do you have any idea what, if any, the difference might be?
Karen Gogue
@JSmith
May go? – I am going – Wouldn’t miss that day of racing, great horses too!!! Will post Friday for spot to meet.
Penny
Hi Zenny!
The picture of Bobby is so funny; I agree, he would have probaby gotten a good laugh out of seeing it. I am glad that Frankle won and that Goldie ran second. Hope you are feeling well; any updates with the foal? XOXOXO
Judy (Maass) Gadwood ~ CA
ALL ~ The Trail of the Painted Ponies contest has closed ~ I hope you all got your votes in for ZENYATTA. I voted from both my work and home computers :-D I’d do anything for ZENNY!
————-
HUGS & KISSES, MY QUEEN XOXOXO
Lisa g
@Judy Gadwood, CA: I also voted for the Queen at work and at home. I know she will win.
judy berube
To Little Silver Charm:
Just watched your soccer video. YOU ARE ADORABLE. Hugs, J.B.