Happy Monday Everyone!
Well, I must say, I think it was a fabulous weekend for those of us who have a name beginning with the letter Z! My dear friend, ZAZU, ran an extremely impressive race to win the Hollywood Oaks- G2 this Saturday! I was so impressed when I watched her ‘cut the corner into the stretch’ and run down the leaders. It is not an easy thing to do, get through on the rail when there is not much space…..but she did it like a CHAMP!
Needless to say, I am very, very proud of her and sending her a HIGH HOOF!
Luck is such an interesting concept. It is an extremely important part of life, our business and sports in general. As an athlete, you always need to be on top of your game and in terrific physical shape when competing. Additionally, you need to be alert and capitalize on all opportunities when they present themselves…and in our sport have a bit of racing luck.
Look at the different situations with my MOSS pals this weekend. Cloud Man ran a fabulous race, in a very good time. At the finish, there were 2 noses on the wire. He just happened to have his head in one position and the other horse, Burns, had his nose bobbing in the right place at the right time at the finish line. Cloud Man truly ran a terrific race and we are very proud of his effort…yet, the luck of the nose bobs did not favor him and he finished a very game and close 2nd.
Zazu, on the other hand, had a different type of racing experience. When turning for home in the Hollywood Oaks, she was able to squeeze through on the rail…albeit….’scraping the paint’ as they call it. This term means she was so close to the rail that it was almost as though the paint on it rubbed against her body. She then took a deep breath, settled, and went on to victory. At that moment, had that hole on the rail closed…or even got the slightest bit tighter…she never would have been able to fit through there. This would have caused her to alter course and lose her momentum. These adjustments to her run down the stretch may have cost her the victory. Her experience in this instance is an example of favorable racing luck, combined with a terrific effort by ZAZU, a very competitive race, and I must say a fabulous ride by Joel Rosario!
Then yesterday, with my friend, Cozi Rosie, in the Beverly Hills-G3, she was somewhat compromised by the way things unfolded at the start of the race. The gates opened and Cozi broke, started to settle and get into her stride, when the horse outside of her crossed over directly in front of her path. This caused Cozi to do what is called ‘clipping heels’….which means her front feet and the hind feet of the horse crossing in front of her touched. When this happens, it causes the horse in the back, in this case Cozi Rosie, to stumble. The severity of the stumble is extremely important. If not too bad, the horse can regroup and get back into the race as soon as possible. Cozi did to finish a very courageous 2nd. This is always the hope!
In racing, seconds lost mean lengths. The old racetrack saying is 1/5 of a second is equal to approximately one length. Of course, many factors may enter into this as pace etc…but this is said to be a “rough” gage. That is why these split-second incidents can be the difference between winning and losing. All of these factors combine to further illustrate, reinforce and validate the statement…. RACING LUCK IS SO IMPORTANT!
As mentioned earlier, luck is extremely important in ALL SPORTS! Timing…when hitting a baseball, catching a throw from the quarterback or as one shoots a basketball …..does matter. When you are competing in a professional sport, you not only need to be prepared and talented…you need to be LUCKY! All of these qualities blend together to make sports fun, challenging and intriguing! It also adds to the viewpoint as to why winning is so special and deeply appreciated when it happens! On so many levels, it is such an achievement!
I’d like to add my congratulations to the filly, Inglorious, who beat the boys in the Queen’s Plate at Woodbine and Buster’s Ready who won the Acorn at Belmont Park.
Overall, I’d have to say it was a fun GIRL POWER winning weekend!
Enjoy your day!
With love,
Hugs to All~
Z
DJ
should add – at Hollywood Park! mmmm…those garlic fries :)
DJ
To Terry C: High Five!!
Lisa g
Ms Zenyatta, I was so hoping for a pic of the beautiful grey filly, Zazu. I have a special place in my hearts for the greys. She ran a great race, always does. Thank you for all the info given daily, when is your next scan..how are you feeling? I love you Big Girl, Lisa g.
Gloria Jeanne
Great Job – High Hoof to ZaZu and all the Moss Pals :)
I am hoping all is well with you Z… Miss you!!!!
Sheri Osborne
Well Im just glad no one was hurt! Luck is a big part of life itself! haha! Love you Zenny!!! :D
Sheri Osborne
Well Im just glad no one was hurt! Luck is a big part of life itself! haha! Love you Zenny!!! :D
Lisa g
@Terry Crow: Too Cute for Sure
Karen Gogue
Saw the interview after Zazu’s win with Mr. and Mrs. Moss on TVG. The beautiful Ann, beaming, and Jerry bursting with pride! Congratulations!
Wendy Hicks
Yahoo ZAZUUUU!
Terry Crow
@DJ-Very funny. I think I should work that into the joke.@Lisa G-Thank you.
Brenda
Another fantastic post and how true are your comments about luck, both in sport and in life. It takes talent but sometimes just being in the right place at the right time is what makes for success. The picture of Zazu is delightful and how wonderful that she won. You would have loved to see Inglorious yesterday, she sure helped to make a day for the girls, her stretch run was a sight to see. I forget to say on my last post on 282 that Chantal Sutherland rode Pender Harbor to a third place and I was so excited about Vic’s win on Inglorious that I forgot to cash in my ticket. It would have been nice to see Chantal back on Inglorious, that would have really been one for the girls.
Dear Judy Berube, thank you for your comment about Vic. You’re right – she’s a devoted fan and studies bloodlines with a passion. She’s seventeen, wants to be a trainer and would just love to be the first female trainer of a Ky Derby winner, preferably a filly.
Tracy
Zazu knows how to take a pic with her tongue hanging out like you Zen.Too cute!!
Ingrid in MA
Congratulations to all who ran! And an even BIGGER “High Hoof” that everyone came home safely!
Talk about Luck: You may remember that back in Feb. my car was broken into right in my own driveway. The worst of it was that my Zenyatta BC baseball cap had been taken. Well, my 3 graduating 8th graders,who’ve been with me for 2 yrs., so they know about my Zenny obsession, as a Good-bye gift for me, MADE me a Zenyatta baseball cap! Its a pink cap decorated with Zenny’s name and Zs in light green! They knew how sad I was that my orginal hat had been taken,and they made this for me on the sly to make me feel better. And I do! It’s a beautiful hat,one I’ll always treasure,from 3 wonderful kids I’ll always remember.
As much as I loved my Zenyatta BC Hat, I think I love this one just a little bit more! Lucky for me that one was stolen, or I never would have gotten THIS one!
Love you,Sweet Zen!
Hernan Tovar
Yes, my dear Zenyatta, High Hoof, For Zazu, for Cloud Man, for Cozi Rosie, I watch and I bet in all these races, they all were very good! I made a mistake I forgot to bet on Inglorious she was so incredible! I bet on Bowman’s Causeway, I lost… Well maybe next time. Love you my adorable Zenyatta, Ingrid.
Diane
HIGH HOOVES to cutie Zazu! What a great race for her. I hope
she’ll be running down here in Del Mar; I’d love to see and meet her
in person! I will sorely miss seeing you my dear Queen Z here in Del Mar this year since this is where I had the BEST LUCK in that I met you in person in 2009! But we are all sooo fortunate that your wonderful Dottie has the posts about you and your horse and human friends that I look forward to reading every day!
Have a lovely day beautiful Zenny!
Joanna
Yes, it was a great weekend for girl power! I have a great fondness for the gray girls, Zazu being one and I was thrilled at her victory. Inglorious’ win at Woodbine was such fun to see! Take care, Z. The girls are carrying on the torches of you and Rachel in fine style!
Hernan Tovar
To Judy B, dear Judy thank you, but my good handicapping went down the drain, last night I lost… HA, HA, hugs Ingrid.
Fran
Hi Z! Yes, all the horses were very courageous in their races; tremendous efforts by all and congrats to all of them! Hope your day is wonderful. XXOO!
DJ
Terry C: Definitely! Take five…
Martha Kinkead
What a weekend. I LOVE GIRL POWER!!! Thanks again for all the information. It is appreciated. Hugs to you and your team, Lady Z.
Eveline
@ all Zenfans- Steve Haskins did a weeklong tribute to Smarty Jones on BloodHorse.com It is super written( as is everything Steve writes) I think a lot of people on here will enjoy it. It is long and in 5 installments. I will post all the links and in no way I want to hog Zenny’s diary or make this a Smarty Jones one, but the story is really good, so if you have time, enjoy! http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/horse-racing-steve-haskin/archive/2011/06/19/smarty-jones-tribute.aspx
Arlene
Hi Zenny, CONGRATULATIONS to Zazu and all her connections. She’s a beauty!
Eveline
http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/horse-racing-steve-haskin/archive/2011/06/20/cinderella-story-continues.aspx
ESR
Thank you so much for all the information you provide on your site. We racing fans who love horses love this site!!! Continued good health and happiness to you!
Eveline
http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/horse-racing-steve-haskin/archive/2011/06/21/smarty-jones-hail-the-conquering-hero.aspx
Lover of Horses
I was cheering for Zazu too, Z! Love you, Sweetheart!
J Smith
It certainly was a fun Girl Power winning weekend. Lovely photo of Zazu, she is such a cutie, but all business on the track. Glad Cozi Rosie is ok, she made a fabulous recovery and came on strong at the end of the race. I have not seen Cloud Mans race, will have to look it up, sounds exciting. Great to see Inglorious thundering down the track in the Queens Plate, she looked great with a ‘here we go, outta my way boys’ kind of look. Luck plays an important role in all parts of life, sometimes we think we are not lucky because we don’t win things (I mean us humans who are not athletes) and we forget to look at the big picture, friends, family, health, job, time to spend enjoying life, we are lucky to have all those things. You could be lucky enough to win the lottery, but I believe you are luckier if you are happy and enjoying life. As team Z would say, Lucky Us.
Eveline
http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/horse-racing-steve-haskin/archive/2011/06/22/smarty-says-goodbye.aspx
Kathy Baldwin
I was blessed enough to be at Hollywood Park
for Friday night racing and all day last
Saturday to celebrate my Birthday, which
was June 23rd. I bet on CLOUD MAN and ZAZU.
The weather was great and had a wonderful
time! High Hoof to all! :)
Watched Cozi Rosie’s race on TVG. I believe
would have won, if not for the clipped heals.
Peace & Love,
Kathy from SoCal :)
Eveline
http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/horse-racing-steve-haskin/archive/2011/06/23/roses-for-smarty.aspx