Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Z's Diary

Diary Post #283

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

Reader Interactions

306 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Zeny I’m so pround of Zazu’s impressive win and so happy for the Moss’s. Big weekend for all you buds. Love you big girl: Hugs

  2. / Reply

    @Sue F.
    ‘They’ always say that about my hair – YOU SHOULD SEE MY HAIR NOW Z GROUPIES!!!
    TOTAL LUCY AND THEN SOME!!!! Think Bozo the clown, more like it!!!

  4. / Reply

    Thanks to J.B. and K.G. for the belated
    birthday wishes. :) Hugs right back at ya!
    Oh, and what a wonderful photo of ZAZU and
    Joel Rosario! :)
    Continued blessings to all in the Zenyatta
    Nation,
    Kathy from SoCal

  5. / Reply

    @Karen Gogue: I doubt if there is any Bozo to it kiddo. Your to neat no matter what. Thanks for all you are doing for us. Big Hugs coming at you.

  6. / Reply

    Thank you for sharing the adorable picture of Zazu! She is another beautiful Z filly! I think racing luck does have an important role to play in the outcome of these efforts and I’m glad that luck was on Cozi Rosie’s side when she had that stumble – it was a scary moment, but she recovered very well. Again, thank you for sharing this wonderful diary with us!

  9. / Reply

    @Judy Gadwell: Loved the pictures you are such a lucky girl what a wonderful day you had and forever day to remember and Ebby so beautiful. Keep it up lady for all of us. Thanks also for the great posts and the links you give us. It all keeps me so imersed in horse racing and I”m so happy about it all can never thank you and everyone else enough

  10. / Reply

    Kerri Bussell: Just to let you know if I don’t see a post dayily I worry a bit. Glad to know all was OK. You have such a special gift you keep sharing with us. My e-mail is posted above. Please e-mail I’d like to visit with you about something.
    Hugs Lady

  12. / Reply

    TO ALL: Drats I’ve got to go, for some reason the people in this house seem to think they need supper. TEE HEE. No pun intended taking care of the family is something that helps keep me going. Forever hugs to all

  13. / Reply

    Our dear Zenny, what a great post today. Congrats to Zazu and Cloud Man on their great races. You know, after reading what you and Dottie wrote it only reinforced how GREAT you were on the track.
    Twenty starts and almost 20 wins. If you had stuck your tongue out, like your dear Ann said during the BC last year, the race would have been yours. You always seemed to make your own luck…but then John’s angel was always on your browband so heaven was guiding you home. You remain such an inspiration, Zenny. Kind, genuine and full of spirit. We’re giving you the highest hoof of all just because you will always be our Queen.

  14. / Reply

    Zenny, Love this post and all the great information you gave us. You certainly know all about strategy and luck although you seemed to make your own luck on the track. There will never be another like you. A really High Hoof is being sent from me right back at you.

  15. / Reply

    @Kathy K.

    Ahhhh….well the Z Groupies KNOW the story on my hair! Thank you.. it is I should thank All of you! Enough said! :)

  17. / Reply

    Yes…Zazu was FANTASTIC! So was Cloud Man..except for the dreaded headbob. Love them both.
    @Eveline…Thanks for the link. I love Steve Haskins and Smarty Jones.

  18. / Reply

    Dear Judy (Maass) Garwood:
    Thanks for the “down memory lane” link. What a beautiful girl she is. Hugs, J.B.
    To Z Fans:
    Great posts and links today. Hugs, J.B.

  19. / Reply

    @ ALL ZEN FANS ~ My last name is GADWOOD :-D I assume Zenny did a typo with those cute hooves. TOO CUTE! That’s okay, I recognized myself. Thanks to all of you who made such kind and thoughtful remarks regarding my visit! Yes, I’m indeed a lucky, lucky girl!!!! I have to pinch myself sometimes! Dreams do come true… If I died tomorrow, I’d die happy :-D

  24. / Reply

    @Debbie,Paula,Lisa G,Judy B,and Sharon – my students are awesome! They actually had a “moment of silence” for me after the ’10 BC Classic…they knew how sad I was. They weren’t all that into it until the filter on the school’s computers went down,and I showed them some Zenyatta races on youtube. Then they got all excited about it. One boy even asked me every Monday about any races over the weekend,if anything exciting happened. Those 3 kids were the last of my original class,so the gift was even MORE special.

    While I’d LOVE to get my authentic hat back, this one means just a little bit more. Wish I knew how to post a pic on here so I could show you all. But I’m such a techno-klutz I’d probably shut the whole site down if I tried!

    Thanks for the kind words!

  26. / Reply

    Hi again,
    @Eveline: Thanks for the link to the Smarty Jones articles. I saw his races and hoped he would get the tripple crown and was dissapointed when it didn’t happen. I enjoyed the articles and learning his journey after. Prayers for his safety and happiness. You too, Zenny. LOL, Arlene

  27. / Reply

    So proud of Zazu. Wish I could have been there to see her arrive at the finish line. Z is the key letter. It can’t lose. Remember that, when you are naming your little offspring, Zenyatta. I love you. XOXOXOXO Your birthday pal, Shirley

  28. / Reply

    Dear Ingrid in Ma.:
    They sound like great kids and if they’re anything like my grand kids with computers, maybe they can help you post a photo of the hat on Z’s Facebook page. Hugs, J.B.

  29. / Reply

    Hi Zenny: Yes, this weekend was very exciting. Zazu’s performance was breath taking. Cloud Man’s near win was thrilling and Cosi Rosie was amazing! Very exciting race days out in CA. Zenny, how are you doing? I am sure you enjoyed the beautiful weather in KY this weekend. At least here in New Jersey it was very nice weather. Take care, Zenny.

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