Happy LET’S ENJOY GREAT RACING SATURDAY!
Today is such a fabulous racing day around the country. My MIKIE is riding at Calder in their SUMMIT OF SPEED races this afternoon. This is a program filled with all sprint stakes. The ‘quick action’ going on there today will be such fun to watch. I truly want to wish Mike and all of the horses competing in these events the very best!
My dear pal, GIO PONTI, is entered in NY in the MAN O’ WAR-G1. He is trying to win this stake for the 3rd time in a row. I know a bit about this as well. I’ve done it a few times with a couple different grade 1 races. It is an accomplishment of note!
I know they have had quite a bit of rain lately in NY…so, from what I’ve heard, they will look at how ‘soft’ the turf is at race time. If too soft, GP may not run. So, please keep up on the updates concerning Belmont’s turf condition. If all looks good with the turf, his connections are stating he will run. I truly want to wish GIO PONTI the very best today. I have such an ‘endearing spot’ in my heart for this wonderful and accomplished horse! GO GET ‘EM, GP!
At my racing home base, Hollywood Park, in addition to the Swaps Stakes for 3 year olds, they are running the G1 Gold Cup this afternoon. This is one of the hallmark races of the entire meet. I want to wish all of the horses competing on the card today great racing luck…but I do have a special connection with TWIRLING CANDY. He is racing for people I know very well. The Craigs bred TC and also raced Candy Ride, his sire, who stands here at Lane’s End Farm where I now reside. Then the 2 other partners in TC, Farish and Wygod, are also involved with Candy Ride. They all know ME very well and have spent quite a bit of time with ME! Additionally, The Wygod’s bred and own my dear, dear friends LIFE IS SWEET, AFTER MARKET, and HARMONIOUS….who as you know…I spent so much time with at BARN 55.
I know David is in California to see this race. (This is TOO CUTE! He was at Barn 55 yesterday with MY JOHN enjoying all of my friends there.) He mentioned that TWIRLING CANDY will join the stallion roster here at Lane’s End when he is ready for that stage of his career. So, I do have a number of home ties to TC….and want to wish him the very best in this prestigious race. Needless to say, I’m sending him a HIGH HOOF for good luck!
I know that ‘oval’ at HP very well. I trained there all during my athletic career, raced on it for several important races, and schooled in the paddock often. My final racing retirement celebration was also held there…and the road by BARN 55 is named ZENYATTA WAY for ME! It is a wonderful racing venue that holds so many outstanding memories not just for ME…but for so many other amazing horses who have graced our sport for so many years!
How much FUN is all of this! I know the Gold Cup is on ESPN today as is the segment they are doing updating the fans about ME. Additionally, the PINCAY AWARD is being given to my beloved owners, Ann and Jerry! All of the other races will be broadcast on the various racing channels throughout the entire afternoon. It is truly one busy and exciting racing day!
I better get back to HANDICAPPING! It truly amazes ME how there is so much to learn and review when you are ‘studying the FORM’. It is so intriguing!
Here’s to great racing luck and handicapping to ALL!
Have one terrific day…and a lovely weekend!
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~
Z
From my serious side, I’ve heard Barry is doing OK. My John spoke with one of his assistants yesterday. He came home from the hospital and will need some treatments…but he is home, on the phone, thinking about his horses, and on the mend. Blessings to HIM!
Rosie…the DRF said she is out indefinitely and the TTimes said that ALL WENT WELL with her surgery. Wishing her a healthy and speedy recovery, for sure!
IN MEMORY OF…today, July 9th, would have been Bobby Frankel’s birthday. It is so sweet to follow the 3 year old colt, FRANKEL, who was named for him! I think Bobby would have very proud of the horse’s achievements to date and very honored by the thoughtfulness of Juddmonte Farms naming this colt for him!
judy berube
Dear Z Fans:
Mikey on Sassy Image in the Princess Rooney. Hugs, J.B. http://www.ntra.com/home#x
judy berube
Dear Z Fans:
You have to click on Video and then Click Princess Rooney. Hugs, J.B.
Signofthetimes
@Sharon Call, Judy B and Z fans
I guess it was a nice effort by ESPN and I am sure it was a huge
Coordination effort on Dotties part. But when watching it I
I was soooo very glad we have this website. Thanks so much
Dottie for all you do for us on this site.
judy berube
Dear D.J.
You got me laughing again. Glad your tires came today. Did you catch the ESPN segment on Z? Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Signofthetimes:
You’re spot on. Thanks to Dottie and Z’s Team we have the privilege of sharing in Z’s life. We’re so lucky. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Margaret:
Hope you’re better soon. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Katht Kimber:
I did not know the NY Park Dept. was doing that. That’s so sad. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Kathy Kimber:
Sorry for the typo in your name. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Kari Bussell:
You sound very happy in your post. Can’t wait to hear more. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Sarah Powell:
Feel the same way about the length of the segment on Z and Mikey’s ride (so Z like). Hugs, J.B.
Debbie
How incredible and fitting that they did a feature about you today. We recorded it and have watched it three times! You truly are one in a million. We’ve never been into horse racing until you came along. We had the privilege to watch you race two times. It was wonderful to hear all of the great things that they said about you today. You’re forever a Winner! Z- YOU represent greatness. Not just in your racing career, but seeing the impact you still make. You and your amazing team make this world a better place. I’m in awe that I got to spend my birthday in California with you before you left. It was the gift of a life time. It was a time in my life where I needed something to give me hope. Thank you.
Charlotte Farmer
@Dawn Conrad – My all-time favorite actor and actress is William Powell and Rita Hayward whose husband, Prince Aly Khan’s father was Noor’s owner before Charles S. Howard. They don’t make movies like that any more. Only Spielberg comes close to it.
@Kathy Kimber – I too love Pale Male and was enchanted to watch him in the original documentary that aired on PBS. I taped it and it is one of my prize possessions. God keep him safe.
@Alex the African Grey Parrot – Does anyone remember Alex? I have the book that Dr. Irene Pepperberg, who owned Alex, wrote. It is so heartwarming. Thanks to the two of them they were able to prove that Alex not only understood, but could think independently. Alex’s passing was so traumatic, but I remember thinking when I first saw them on PBS, that it would tough on Alex should Dr. Pepperberg pass before him. He would have never understood her absence. The Alex Foundation is still doing research into the minds of these wonderful birds, proving time-after-time the critics wrong, they have a thinking capacity well beyond their small little brain. I will never forget you Alex!
I love you Zenyatta!
DJ
To Kim: Thank you!
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To Margaret: I missed it too and do not have the pain killer excuse, even tho I feel now that I could use one! :) Sorry Sweet “Z”, I missed you. I hope the rest is helping your back and you are up and about soon, Margaret.
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To JB: No. I also have one of those families who seem to think that they need dinner! If that is not shocking enough, how about the Pizza Parlor! I voted for delivery, but the straw vote won.
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Thanks to all of the other ‘Outlanders.’ We watched together. Great fun! Even updates of the best commercials thanks to Khc :)
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To “Z” Dumplings: I hope you had the most fantastic time! Although, I am glad that I do not have to be subjected to your garlic breath! If you had those wonderful garlic fries without me….well, I’ll have to do what I did last time! Just don’t tell me about it!!
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Jane Wade
We weren’t home to watch the race on tv and didn’t get to go to HP today to see it live, so I taped the ESPN episode. How thrilled we were to see that Mario hung your’s and Madison’s picture to the top center of your “Welcome Home” poster! What an honor to have our granddaughter’s picture in your stall! Madison will always be your “biggest little fan”!
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Congrats to “The Dude’s”…thrilling finish!
Lori
Loved the update (not) on Zenyatta, all ten seconds of it. How disappointing, thanks ESPN. For all the commercials that aired during that hour, you couldn’t give the fans 5 minutes of Zenyatta at Lane’s End and talked a little bit more about her in retirement? Very disappointing update, if you can call it that.
Julie DuVall
We raised roughly $1000 today at The Second Race booth! Thanks to everyone who stopped by and donated change or bought raffle tickets — the foster horses truly appreciate it!
After the races we visited Lava Man. He won the Hollywood Gold Cup THREE TIMES during his career; only he and Native Diver have done that! He got lots of carrots and his favorite grain to celebrate his special day :)
Karen Gogue
Thank you John for allowing the crazy Z’sters to visit your horsey friends at the barn…BTW – your wife looked so gorgeous today (and all the time!) TOO CUTE she is!! One lucky guy…. :)
Karen Gogue
@ Julie DuVall
AWWWW, how special is that!?
harriett
You looked stunning on TV today. Beautiful shot of your coat and shining dapples.
AJ from CA
If ESPN took 2 hours of Z footage what did they do with the other 1 hour 59 minutes and 30 seconds? It was a nice tribute but would liked to have seen more of how she’s doing at LE.
Congrats to all the winners today.
Abigail from Montreal
@ Judy Berube & Kathy Kimber: Thanks so much for thinking of us deprived Canucks. MUCH appreciated!
For anyone interested, here’s the second piece that 60 Minutes did on Zenny awhile back (it sounds far better than whatever ESPN did today, judging from your comments!):
http://www.cbs.com/primetime/60_minutes/video/?play=true&vs=homepage&pid=CckLdWhFNhomCQRrzWas4EtxXlcp7i3a
signofthetimes
Here is article about Rosie’s second surgery; (swelling after the first)
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/63937/napravnik-has-second-surgery-on-broken-arm
signofthetimes
St John’s River Wins (for Rosie)
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/63944/st-johns-river-grabs-del-oaks-at-the-wire
Karen Gogue
Barbara Wood
WHAT? You didn’t see us dumplin’s at the paddock rail??? No, the crowd was there, don’t know how many, but most people came for the later races and Gold Cup….Gee, I need to take Terry Crow out there more often $$$ – big day for long shots! My horse Who’s Up won and paid $63.00! And wouldn’t you know it – you guessed it! – I WAS IN THE RESTROOM AND MISSED MAKING MY BET!!!! Groan and roll the eyes, GEEZ! Diana S. was the first of us to bankroll – you guessed it again -on John Shirreffs horse first race to show! Lucky ‘desert’ person, you!!
signofthetimes
Here is Bloodhorse article/video on Sassy Image and Mike Smith:
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/63942/sassy-image-snags-princess-rooney-at-wire
Karen Gogue
@John Barn 55
Judy Maass Gadwood was a very good ‘in charge’ person – except for the prison guard uniform she had on!!! LOL!!
Love you Judy!!! :)
Karen Gogue
Come on posters!! Post that ESPN video we missed today! Please….:)
Karen Gogue
@signofthetimes
Thank you for those posts.
Karen Gogue
Posters – that should be pretty, pretty pleassse….!?
Holly Zemba
Glad to hear they named a street after you, they should!!!