HAPPY DEL MAR 2011 EVERYONE!
Today is the beginning of the WEST COAST SUMMER RACING SEASON at Del Mar. It is a race track that is also known by the phrase….”Where the turf meets the surf”.
When you are sitting in the grandstand watching the races, the Pacific Ocean is directly to your left. The ocean breezes are always surrounding you…and the environment is breathtaking. You literally get to see the waves roll into the shore and later watch the sunset while you are enjoying each race!
I remember Del Mar very well. I won the Clement Hirsch G1 there on 3 different occasions. They use the TRAKKUS system to monitor how fast the horses are moving while running…and they noted that I was closing in the 2009 Hirsch at over 40 miles per hour. NOT BAD…if I say so myself!
Dress is totally California Casual. Nice Walking Shorts, T-shirts and sandals are A-OK for most parts of the track. You do need to dress ‘up’ a bit if going to the Club House or Turf Club….but it is still summer casual and very relaxed.
MY TEAM tells Me the restaurants are fabulous down there. One can drive down to San Diego and eat on the water or stay in and around Del Mar and enjoy the local restaurants. I’ll share some of those with you as the season goes on.
Overall, it is a wonderful change in scenery and pace for all of my friends.
I truly hope that you get the opportunity to go RACING AT DEL MAR!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Lori
I would love to visit Del Mar someday. It looks beautiful. Though I’m sure it was more beautiful when you were there Zenny :)
Gloria Jeanne
Opening Day!!! Too bad I have to work – I remember seeing you race there. 2 Years ago I scrapped my leg trying to get a photo of you, it scarred so now I have a Zenny scar. way to cool.
judy berube
Dear Z:
Hope you are happy and having fun in the paddock with TT. Del Mar sounds lovely. Love you and love to all of you, Judy and Russ
judy berube
To Terry Crow and Alexandra Bowdoin:
Posted a link on Swaps on Diary #300 in case you missed it. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Sharon Call:
Posted a link on Sato (actually number of them you can view) on Diary #300. Hugs, J.B.
Kathryn Cogswell
‘The ocean breezes are always surrounding you…and the environment is breathtaking.’ And ‘Z’ ‘closing in the 2009 Hirsch at over 40 miles per hour.’ To see the waves and watch the sunset with the later races . .. what could be closer to heaven?
judy berube
Dear Signofthetimes and Z Fans:
This is a repeat post of Barbara Livingston’s most recent blog in case you missed it. It’s really beautiful. Hugs, J.B.
http://www.drf.com/blogs/evening-attire-tacticianor-and-line-thunder
Katie
I just love you Zenny. Thanks for the updates Dottie. You girls get me through the workday :)
judy berube
Dear Terry Crow:
Judy the Beauty won a Stakes race at Woodbine on 7/17/11. She went off as the favorite 1.95 to 1. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Laura J.:
You might already know Step came in second on 7/15/11 at odds of 10.80 to 1. Looks like he is feeling a lot better. Hugs, J.B.
Lisa
Im headed to del mar today!!
Debbi M
You make it sound wonderful and make me wish (just a little bit, mind ya) that I lived on the west coast….. Hope you are staying cool as the heat travels east.
Diane
wish we were still watching you race!
carolyn
ah yes, I remember your last Clement Hirsch well. We spent literally 2 hours stuck in DM’s parking lot trying to get out. DM needs to improve their parking situation! Big days there are hell.
Lorri
Momma Z & Dottie, I have heard of the great Del Mar, but have yet to visit! I will some day. Hope you are doing well and grazing on all that yummy blue grass! xoxo
Linda
Wish I was there.
Stella Bagwell
Dearest Zenyatta,
I’ve been counting the days for Del Mar to open. Even though I only get to watch via television I still thoroughly enjoy the races there–where the turf meets the surf!
You were so fabulous, Queen, when you ran in the Clement Hirsch–on all occasions! I think those were some of your most heart stopping races.
It’s my dream to some day get to travel to Del Mar during their summer racing season. If I’m lucky, your son or daughter might be running there—I can always hope! :)
Please be careful of the heat working its way eastward toward Kentucky. Perhaps you and Tasty Temptation will get some nice cool baths to keep you comfortable.
Love and hugs,
Stel
Sheri
That sounds beautiful! I wish i could go there! Love you Z! :)
Robin
It is a wonderful race track. Wish you a wonderful day Queen Z.
suew
Zenny, to celebrate opening day I watched videos of your races there. You still give me goosebumps…what a thrill to see you tearing down the homestretch!!!
Elaine
I was there watching your fantastic move at the Clement Hirsch! As always, you were fabulous! It was such a thrill watching you race and an even bigger thrill when I saw you at Barn 55 with your team and also when my sister and I were back there with you and Mario. I’ll never forget it!
Sue
Hi Z, Clement Hirsch G1 2011 will we see a cute Zazu or any other buddy of yours in the race this year? You are the best ever I love you. Sue
judy berube
Dear Z Fans:
John has Roxanne and Bobine in the 5th at Del Mar today and Mr. Commons with Mikey in the 8th. Hugs, J.B.
Cheryl Smith
Love you Zenyatta, thanks for the diary posts. I enjoy them so much!
Lucia
@JB: Thanks! I guess now that there is a racehorse named Roxanne we can’t dream about a possible Zenyatta filly with that name? Oh well.
_______________________________
@Zenyatta and Dottie: Thank you so much. I’ve never actually been to Del Mar– or lots of racetracks for that matter– but it sounds gorgeous. I’ll have to remember to go to it whenever, if ever, i happen to be in California; hopefully during summer racing season. Good luck to YOUR John and Mikey! :) Love, blessings, and hugs to all,
judy berube
Dear Sharon Call, Laura J. and Barbara Wood:
Thought all of you would like this link. Hugs, J.B. http://www.shadowmountainstables.com/horses_of_a_different_color.htm
Karen Mitchell
Hi Zenny et al., Your post today brings back such wonderful memories of each summer spent at Del Mar. My dad was a vet at SA, HP, and DM; he saw his “patients” (the TBs) seven days a week all year round, so our family’s summer vacation (for him it was a working vacation) were spent at Del Mar. It is a truly special place, both beautiful and so relaxed; even the horsemen seemed to be happier there. After reading today’s diary, I want so much to get back there for a day, either this summer or next, to experience all that you describe and more. As kids and teens, we spent most of each day either at the beach or at the race track (in the mornings with my dad as he made his rounds on the backside and in the afternoons at the races); the time there was sheer bliss.
@Terry Crow–thanks for the note and the memories of SA; perhaps we also share memories of DM as we may be in the same age range (I’m 70) and we both spent some time in So Cal.
@Everyone who found time to respond to my very late comment yesterday–thanks so much for your caring and support. This site is the BEST, thanks in huge part to Zenyatta and Dottie and the team, who are also the BEST and bring it out in all who love Z. I share all the wonderful feelings and thoughts you all express for Zenyatta.
LauraJ
@Judy B, I didn’t see Step’s race but got a notification of results. You are right, he is doing better. The thing that concerns me is that in both his prior starts he led for much of the race but faded toward the end. I don’t know if he just needs more conditioning or if his palate problem is not entirely fixed. Oh well, at least he is making some money. Maybe next time!
Lisa g
Ms Zenyatta, thank you. It has been so long since I drove down and did a weekend at Del Mar. It is truly beautiful. I love you…Lisa g
Allen
I havn’t been to Del Mar, but it sounds beautiful. Good luck to Mr Commons today.Z you and TT have a great afternoon grazing, and enjoy the sunshine.