Good Morning,
What a weekend! There was such great racing around the country. My pals all ran wonderful races…and were so competitive. I am very proud of all of them.
On another note, it was a weekend of great PRIDE for ME! Not only did my owners receive the PINCAY AWARD for their contributions to our sport, but there was a fascinating one page article in Sunday’s LA TIMES sports section titled,
THE GREATNESS SOCIETY
Here’s a membership list for one of sports’ most exclusive clubs: The best of all time
By Douglas Farmer and Matt Stevens
In this piece, Farmer and Stevens have named the athletes for several major sports who are ‘the best of all time’ and a comment about each. They have listed them by the date/years each participated in his/her particular sport. Per their article, here are the “MEMBERS OF THIS CLUB”:
Basketball Guards: Bob Cousy, Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant
Basketball Centers: George Mikan, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Shaquille O’Neal
Women’s Tennis: Margaret Court, Billie Jean King, Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf, and Serena Williams
Boxing: Jack Johnson, Sugar Ray Robinson, Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, and Manny Pacquiao
Hockey: Gordie Howe, Bobby Orr, Wayne Gretzky, and Mario Lemieux
Football Quarterbacks: Sammy Baugh, Johnny Unitas, Joe Montana, Dan Marino, Brett Favre, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady
Soccer: Pele, Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi
Football Running Backs: Jim Brown, Gale Sayers, O.J.Simpson, Walter Payton, Barry Sanders and Emmitt Smith
Golf: Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods
Baseball Sluggers: Babe Ruth, Joe Dimaggio, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Ken Griffey Jr. and Albert Pujols
and
Horse Racing: Man O’ War, Native Dancer, Secretariat, Seattle Slew and ME…ZENYATTA!!!!!
What can I say! I am SO HONORED and SO INCREDIBLY PROUD! (Blush, Blush)
MY TEAM shares these emotions with ME! To have one’s name included on this list, considering the exceptional levels of achievement and prominence by the other MEMBERS OF THIS CLUB, is so incredibly humbling and quite overwhelming!
This is truly an extraordinary feeling for ALL OF US!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Paula Higgins
More and more people are finally getting the glory of Zenyatta. Looking back on her career and her last race with greater perspective, has only enhanced her reputation. She is one of the very greatest to have ever run. We know it and more people will arrive at the same conclusion.
@eveline I am so sorry about your horse.
Very sorry to hear about Balance’s filly also. They remind us that life can be very fragile.
Rhonda Clements
cannot think of any horse that deserves it more than our Queen Z, we love you Zenny. Thanks Dottie for keeping us involved
HappyHarriet
Dear Queen Zenyatta –
Congratulations over and over again. It’s lovely to see the awards still pouring in for Your Wonderfulness.
.
And Zenyatta – your sister, Ebby, has a way of expressing herself which all the Dumplings noted on Saturday. She lifts her right leg and holds it up as if she’s going to – is it possible – DANCE! She delicately lifts her right hoof and bends her leg just so, as if to stretch it out. Hmmm…. Very interesting!
.
Which brings me to our dear ENSIGN. What interesting news of the potential of a full sister/brother for the Queen, and the other updates you offer are so welcomed. You feed our minds and souls.
.
Linda in NJ – glad you got home safely. It was lovely to meet you and all others. Here’s hoping for more noteworthy days together.
.
Nighty night to Big Z and Little Z – HH
judy berube
Dear Z Fans:
Interesting article on the Three Year Old Division. Hugs, J.B. http://www.drf.com/news/muddled-3-year-old-division-regroups-title-push
relientkislove
Congrats Zenny! You deserve it (:
judy berube
Dear Z Fans:
Just watched the replay of Maestro’s race yesterday. Poor baby. He was really trying; it was in the stretch run of the race when he veered a little to the right into the 2 horse. Just bad racing luck; the 2 horse was right next to him. He straightened himself and finished well in front. He really ran a terrific race, but was disqualified to second place for interference in the stretch. Hope he didn’t get hurt from the bumping. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Z Fans:
First winner for Street Cry’s son, Street Sense. Hugs, J.B. http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/breeding-news/2011/07/09/street-sense-first-winner.aspx
Diana S
@Ensign: I too have wondered about Balance and am so sorry her foal died. V to Street Cry? Wow! Heaven and Earth can be moved afterall! Now then, who will train that gemstone on four feet?
diastu in tempe
Marilu V
Dear Zeny! Congratulations! We are so happy for you. What an honor to be in that list.
The ESPN coverage about you was done very well. I was so happy when the commentators said that your last race was in their opinion the best race of your life. I was thrilled at all their wonderful compliments about you. Zeny, you have earned your place in the history of horse racing! Hugs and prayers going your way. Take care, Marilu
judy berube
Dear Z,
Goodnight and Sweet Baby Dreams. Love you, Judy and Russ
Diana S
@trina: great news about Lisa’s Booby Trap! How many is that? And perhaps now a deserved retirement? Her trainer is such a sweet guy – I hope he has a few bucks in his pockets now and doesn’t have to sweat the small stuff.
diastu in tempe
Trina Nagele
@Eveline–So sorry to hear of your husband’s passing. Prayers for you both at this sad time. May Zenyatta, the Zenyatta community, and the good Lord above give you strength and courage.
Diana S
@Dumplings and Dumpling wannabes (that’s ALL of YOU!): I have name tags for the following and will make them for anyone who requests one. Lisa G; Linda Henderson; Marilu V; DJ; Carolyn; OraJean; Valerie Chase. If you are in CA, I will send them to Trina or Karen or Judy M-G and they can distribute since they will see you more often than me. For the rest – I’ll mail them. I think there should be a Dumpling chapter around every major racing venue! (Who, me? A megalomaniac? Nah. I just like company in my craziness!)
I better not see these on eBay!
diastu in tempe (the center of the universe) :-)
Trina Nagele
@Cara Ezzell—Yes, that’s Star Billing, a filly by Dynaformer, that John is training. She won the Senorita Stakes (gr. IIIT) in May and came in second to Sarah’s Secret in the Hollywood Handicap (gr. IIT) on the Hollywood Park turf course June 11
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/63535/no-denying-sarahs-secret-in-honeymoon#ixzz1RsC5hEPl
Trina Nagele
@Barbara–Congratulations and best wishes to you and your fiancé on your approaching wedding. Let us know how Zenny is included in the ceremony when the time comes, OK?
Valeria Cannon
Hi Lady Z, beautiful piece on ESPN, it was soooo good to hear some of the ‘talking heads’, including Jerry Bailey backtrack from what they were saying at the BC. Anyhoo, it’s about you pretty girl, it’s always been about you! Congrats on another prestigous award, may always keep coming, have you and the family ever thought about opening an Zenyatta musuem, who knows, maybe at HP., and money generated could go to your charities. (just a thought)
@ Street Sense fans, he also had his first North American winner on 10Jul11 at Arlington Park, a filly named Sweet and Lowdown. Were you aware that he has 114 babies on the ground? Looks like they’re getting ready to rumblllllle! ;)
@Uncle Mo fans, Uncle Mo arrived safe and looking gorgeous around 1pm EST along with R Heat Lightning. Can only imagine the party going on in that ‘party barn’! ;) He done ‘growed up’, and looking fierce!
Trina Nagele
The back story on Lisa’s Booby Trap, named in part for the owner/trainer’s deceased wife Lisa, an ovarian cancer victim who had said she wanted to come back as a racehorse. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/06/sports/06horse.html
@Diana S—Yes, Lisa’s Booby Trap is four now, maybe he’ll retire her this year.
Barbara Wood
@Karen Gogue–Is Ivin a horse or the husband? Both have been referenced here. I’ll pray for her in either case, but I feel dumb not knowing.
Good morning, Big Z! Hope it will be a nice day in Heaven-on-earth, Lexington. I hope our monstrous heat doesn’t reach you there.
LauraJ
@Valeria Cannon, do you think Awesome Maria will pay attention to Mo now that he is all grown up and handsome? Or will she continue to play hard to get? Poor Mo, he has such a crush on her. :-)
Mary Hale
It comes as no surprise that you would be included in such a prestigious club. You AND Team Z are the complete package. Love all of you for bringing happiness into so many lives. I have a picture at work of you looking into the camera with your tongue hanging out. It makes me smile everytime I look at it.
judy berube
Dear Trina Nagele:
I remember the story of Lisa’s Booby
Trap. Here it is for Z Fans that might have missed it. Hugs, J.B. http://www.saratogian.com/articles/2010/08/06/sports/doc4c5cabe09476d799067489.txt
Susan from Fl
Congrats to u! Peace & Happiness to u Z!
Eve
You are the best of all times. The more I watch horse racing the more I realize how great you are.
judy berube
Dear Diana S.:
How sweet of you to offer Dumpling Tags to those of us who live out of CA. I would love to have one. I’m in Rhode Island, so I can give you my address. Promise no e-bay. Hugs, J.B.
Barbara Wood
@Diana S– I’m nowhere near either coast (closest track to me is Lone Star), but I would love a Dumpling tag. If I can find a really cheap airfare out west, I would be on my way! Thank you so much for thinking of that. I don’t even know how to do E-Bay, so I’m no threat either–lol!
Tell us how to send adresses to you.
Linda E Ohio
@Eveline-I am so sorry to hear about your husband’s passing.
@Ensign-thank you for posting about Vertigineux being bred to Street Cry. How exciting! Never thought it would happen.
Zennie, you are number one on my list!
judy berube
Dear Trina Nagele:
If you haven’t seen it, here’s Lisa’s Booby Trap winning her first start in 2011. Hugs, J.B. http://www.drf.com/news/lisas-booby-trap-feel-good-story-2010-looks-ahead-after-successful-comeback
Roberta Smith
One of my favorite pics of you with your white “coat” on at the 2009 classic! Such a pretty girl you are Zenyatta!
Helen (Michigan)
Another Athletic Recognition. Well, of course! Zenyatta represents the Ultimate Thoroughbred Champion, She always will. No better equine specimen ever lived. That’s my opinion and it’s cast in stone. I am so proud to belong to this community of her fans and friends. You are all wonderful.
judy berube
Dear Valeria Cannon:
Thanks for the info on the Street Sense filly Sweet and Lowdown. Didn’t know about her win at Arlington. Guess we’ll be hearing more from his progeny. What a family Z has. Oh yes, Mo has “growed up”. I hope he feels as well as he looks. Hugs, J.B.