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
Jan
Zenyatta,
Del Mar sounds so CA Chic.. Have a fun day Big Mama.
Kim J
Hey everyone! Vote for Zenyatta to be in the 2012 Breeders’ Cup calendar at the Breeders’ Cup World Championships facebook page :)
judy berube
Dear Charlotte Farmer:
Safe traveling to you, your boyfriend, Kathy K., Diana S. and beloved Noor. Hugs, J.B.
Delrene
Amen to that Carolyn! ( See above post about Del Mark parking) We were stuck there for just about the same amt of time. I do hope parking on the big days has improved. It was a real free for all. I think I got home around 9:30P.M.!!! But, looking back what I remember most was the excitement of watching Z do it again – I think it was Reinterval who was very close, but you did it as always!!!!! And we had gone in earlier that week to see you coming down the track in an early morning workout. Many people there, to catch a glimpse of your Highness. Sometimes in the morning maybe only a handful. Not so when you were there. I’m staying away from opening day, too crazy. Would like to have seen Mr. Commons and some of the other horses, but will go over tomorrow for an early morning visit to watch all the horses workout. Luckily I’m about 20 minutes away. Hope it is a safe day for horses and riders. Thank you Dottie, looking forward to some of your favorite spots for dinner, etc. Lived here since 1969!!
Sarah Powell
@Kathryn Cogswell As long as we play hide and seek, he’s fine. I’ve been known to trap them in boxes and take them in the ATV across the road to a secluded area with a creek and turn them loose. Other than insects, it’s pretty tough for me to kill anything. I’ve raised more baby rabbits, squirrels and birds than I care to count.
Sarah Powell
@Barbara, Celeste and any others in the mid-west just want you to know that I say a prayer every morning for a weather change for all of “ya’ll” – fingers, hooves and paws crossed. It’s been a rough summer.
Christine in VA
great posts today Zen Pictures were fantastic.
Terry Crow
@Judy Berube-Thanks for the link to the Swaps article. Brought back a lot of memories. He was always my favorite horse. I do not believe that the trainer ever let him go all out, probably because of his physical condition. However a mile and 1/16 in 1:39 is pretty impressive. @Kathy Baldwin-We are, indeed in the same ball park, age wise. I remember going to Del Mar before the freeway went all the way and you had to get off and go down PCH. All of those little cities were speed traps. I spent an entire summer down there in 1965. I remember Shoe, Longden, Taniguchi, the Moreno Brothers and Valenzuela. My favorite horse was How Now. I was listening to a commercial for Del Mar the other day and the old Bign Crosby song that they used to play before the first race and after the last one was being sung by someone I did not recognize. How can they do that? @Charlotte Farmer–What happened to Bing Crosby’s song? Is nothing sacred? Bill Dwyre sent me a note that you had contacted him. Very classy of you. Today’s joke–Somebody asked for a cowboy joke so here it is–An usher at a movie theater was making his rounds when he noticed that a cowboy was sprawled across three seats, unconscious. The usher tried to wake him up but the cowboy barely mumbled a reply. “Get up sir, you are only allowed to take up one seat,” the usher said. No response from the cowboy. Finally, after many minutes of trying to wake up the cowboy, the usher called the police. An officer came and also had no luck. He finally said to the cowboy “Where did you come from?” “The balcony,” replied the cowboy.
Sue
Hi Z, I just turned on my TV to watch a horse racing channel I get. The second race at Del Mar’s post parade was being shown. The cameras swung to the left and I saw the ocean. The view was just as perfect as you described. I hope you never stop posting your diary. It is the highlight of my day. Again I love you. Sue
Theresa
Zenyatta – my family and I went to see you at Del Mar last August and I have to say it was the best day of the summer. We’re going to the Clement Hirsch stake race again this year but it won’t be nearly as exciting!
Mary Copelin
Dottie and Queen Z I think that post 300 was the best of them all. Dottie, you never cease to amaze me with how well you write and how effectively you “channel” Z. What you wrote in 300 is basically what I think of and appreciate about you.
@ Karen Mitchell – your post was so moving.Bless you and your family.
@ JAG – I am glad you are back with us again, but my heart goes out to you. Hope to see you again in the near future.
Tatia
Happy Del Mar 2011 Day! I really don’t follow the CA tracks (yet – I’m still fairly new) but I would like to wish the best of luck to Mr. Commons riding in race 8 (along with the Shireffs and your Mikey, Z.) Safe Trips and a fun day for all!
Maria K.
I will be camping by the beach next month with my RV so I will go to Del Mar one day. It was a lot of fun the last three years when you were racing. I will miss you this year. I love you and enjoy your first summer in Kentucky.
Tatia
Shirreffs – my apologies….I got excited and forgot to fix my typo. Oh, y’all know who ya are….Good Luck today!
Victoria
Yes — still thinking about that completest picture of you posted yesterday. It captured so muchof your calm yet fiery spirit — oxymoron, I know but you have it all, fro A-Z, fro soup to nuts and from nose to tail. Love, v.
Sharon Call
@Judy Berube. OK, here is your latest challenge from me. I’ve been all over the Internet including Akindale TB Rescue and can’t find a picture of Line of Thunder. Can you help? BTW, I just noticed on Akindale’s facebook page that LOT is going to be shipped to KY, Brandywine Farm. I thought she just got to Akindale a few days ago? A lady named Serenasong saw her on July 16 and said LOT looked good but seemed very depressed. Now she’s going to be shipped again from NY to KY. Poor girl – no chance to settle in. Hope this is her last trip and she has a chance to make friends.
judy berube
Dear Barbara Wood:
You’re welcome and thank you. Hugs, J.B.
Sharon Call
@JAG. I’m so sorry for your recent loss of your sister, Mary. It’s always so hard to lose a loved one. My heart goes out to you.
judy berube
Dear Sharon Call:
It’s the same for me when I read that poem. That gray Pinto sounds really unique and beautiful. Hugs, J.B.
Terry Crow
@Karen Mitchell-I apologize. I mistakenly referred my last post to Kathy Baldwin. It was meant for you. Used to see Desi Arnaz at Del Mar all the time along with, believe it or not, J. Edgar Hoover. It is good to “talk” with someone who has seen the things I have seen.@Kathy Baldwin-sorry for the mistake.@Judy Berube-I”ll keep my eye on Judy The Beauty.
judy berube
Dear Sue Fredrick:
You’re welcome. I loved all those horses too. Trigger was Roy Rogers’. Was Buttermilk Dale Evan’s horse? I also absolutely loved Silver, the Lone Ranger’s horse and Black Beauty as well. Remember Gene Autry’s horse, Champion? Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Terry Crow:
I will too. Will add her to my Horses to Watch list on DRF. Hugs, J.B.
Peggy (N)
Hey Zenny, I would love to visit California, Del Mar and Hollywood Park. Maybe one day I will get there.
Zenny I just had to tell you something today that I just think is Too Cute. YOU HORSES will just do anything to get your names in the news, want you??????? (On fox News today) there is this former racehorse named “Caper” down in Florida that got loose from his boarding area and wandered into a family backyard through a gate and somehow got into a swimming pool….Yep a swimming pool. They had to get a Veterinarian to the site and sedate him and finally got him out. He was Thankfully not harmed at all. Zenny, I just had to give you a (Giggle today) I think this horse was pretty smart myself….I’m here in South Ga and it is just terribly hot here. I can fully understand how he might love the pool. They just could not get him out without force. A trip to the pool sounds pretty good to me too right now. We’ll go for now you have a wonderful evening. Please be a very good horse and take care. Love Ya Always, Peggy
Pat Cannon
If I lived in California I would go to Del Mar but I live in southern Indiana (across the river from Louisville). My wish list of places to visit include both Del Mar & Saratoga.Oh well atleast I can dream.
Barbara Wood
@Sarah Powell–thank you so much for the prayers for rain. We need them badly.
Still no word from Kari Bussell? I’m getting worried.
We know where Dawn and Shari are.
And I bet Karen Gogue is working busily on you-know-what.
Zenny, you don’t even have to work at being beautiful or lovely or smart or kind. You are our kind of girl.
Peggy (N)
So glad Smarty Jones arrived safely in Uruguay. We’ll keep you in my prayers Smary and will be so glad when you safely return to the U.S. God be with you. Love, Peggy
Terry Crow
I would like to ask the Zenyatta nation a question. Is anyone out there receiving tons of e-mails asking you to purchase on-line pet products?
Peggy (N)
Sorry Smarty I do know how to spell your name. Hugs & kisses Peggy
Maryyette
Have a wonderful Wednesday, sweetie! Love to you and little Baby Z! God bless you, your family and friends and all horses and those who care for them everywhere, including all the wonderful folks who send love and good thoughts here –
Barbara Grimaldi
Dearest Zenyatta: I’m not much for flights anymore because flying has become such an ugly ordeal, BUT–I’m in NJ and have never seen Del Mar and based upon what you said here, and other Z fans said, I am going there next year!!! I, too, was in the Navy, Doreen, and has some TEMACDU at San Diego and didn’t realize the track was even there! So long ago. Kathryn Cogswell, your words are so poetic I’m going to take a guess and say you are a professional writer. You and so many others here are a pleasure to read. Margaret, the BLM has always been the enemy as far as I remember. Can anyone cite ONE instance when the BLM did anything to benefit animals and not ranchers and farmers and utilities and big business interests? Please educate me and tell me what you know. When I see BLM or Fish and Game, I shudder because I know they are arms of the government and have an agenda that often does not favor the animals they are hired to advocate for and protect. Again, if I am wrong with this, correct me, but heaven help the animals in the USA if only those two government agencies are watching out for them. Thank heaven and the universe that there are so many really good humane organizations looking out for our furry, hoofed, scaled and feathered friends. My mind is filled now with dreams of Del Mar!!! Thanks everyone!