Hello Everyone,
From Del Mar to Saratoga…which opens today….HAPPY RACING!
This is truly the DAILY DOUBLE of summer racing in our sport. It kicks into full swing today! You have Saratoga which starts the day on the East Coast…and then Del Mar on the West Coast to round out your day of thoroughbred enjoyment! During the next several weeks, there are so many options, so many great horses, an abundance of stakes races and LOTS OF FUN!
Even though it is exceptionally warm on the East Coast today, in the mid-90’s and a heat index of 100, the NYRA stated that the race meet will open on schedule. There are 2 stakes races on their program, the Sanford for 2 year olds and the James Marvin Stakes for older horses. The latter drew a field of very accomplished stakes winners going 7 furlongs. Both races will be very competitive and fun races to watch.
Each coast offers deep racing fields over the entire weekend. Have a great time handicapping, watching the races, and analyzing all of your selections! Additionally, HOOVES CROSSED for great racing luck for all of YOU!
Again, please take special care of yourself in this heat. It is really important for you to monitor your physical activities and stay properly hydrated! I know something about this. MY JOHN always monitored my hydration levels when I was at Barn 55. Due to my size and weight…and then in consideration of my physical activities as an athlete, this was a very, very important part of my overall well-being. That is why I know the great importance of monitoring one’s HYDRATION LEVELS!
Happy Weekend to all of my dear, dear FRIENDS!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Kimberly Potter
My Beautiful Zenyatta~ You Gorgeous Girl, please take care of YOURSELF and baby Z…and thanks for reminding everyone else to do the same.
@Diana_NV~ So sorry for your loss of your mare, you are in my thoughts and prayers…
@Judy Berube~ I totally agree with you that Mikey’s situation has been completely blown out of proportion and I won’t mention it again. I think we (Zenyatta Nation) have his back.
@ALL- Have a great weekend watching races, spending time with family, or whatever you may be doing. I will be watching races on Saturday and enjoying some time at the lake on Sunday. Most of all, be careful of the heat if you live in the part of the country that is affected. Here in my part of Montana it is 80’s-low 90’s. Nothing compared to the midwest-northeast. Hugs to all~
Love,
Zenyatta’s #1 fan in Montana!!
Kathryn Cogswell
*** Judy Berube: (Help!) The above link from yours for ‘s (in San Diego)’ copied from yesterday doesn`t lead straight to Stephanie`s FB & her picture of the mare, as yours does — it requires registering/a log in, but yours doesn`t. Can you do whatever it is you do to make this easier for viewing? I can`t. Thank you, Kc.
sherry drish
I AM GLAD JOHN AND TEAM ZENYATTA TOOK SUCH GREAT CARE OF YOU. I GUESS THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS YOU DEAR ONE ARE AND STILL THE QUEEN. THE FARM HAS A BIG JOB TAKING CARE OF ALL THE MARES IN FOAL TOO. I KNOW LANES END MUST DO AN OUTSTANDING JOB TOO. THINK COOL, BE COOL. LOVE SHERRY D. WV.
Sue
Hi Z, Love seeing you and hope you have a great weekend too. By the way what is up with PQ? I loved the photo of you and TT. I just miss seeing PQ with you too.
Kimberly Potter
@Terry Crow~ Love the joke…and I am a huge country music fan… :)
Abigail from Montreal
BIG racing weekend in the UK. The famous King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes is on Saturday & HRTV is covering it. Workforce, St. Nicholas Abbey, Rewilding (who beat So You Think at Ascot) and a very nice colt, Nathaniel are all entered. And at Saratoga, it’s the Coaching Club American Oaks with Plum Pretty, It’s Tricky, Royal Delta, Buster’s Ready and Joyful Victory. At Delmar, it’s the Eddie Read Handicap. WOW! What a GREAT racing Saturday this is going to be.
ZENNY: I love to see you on the track again. But it IS getting hard to choose between which is most beautiful: Zenny-on-track or Zenny-in-foal! Either way, you’re beautiful. Love you, big girl!
Robin
Happy Friday! Stay cool Zenny, have a wonderful weekend…love you always.
Kim Noble
You and Baby Bump stay cool and hydrated and know that we all love you both!
Lisa g
@Terry Crow, LOL, LOL, not a country western music fan…unless it is our very own Liza g.
Barbara Grimaldi
Precious Zenyatta, there is not one of us on this string who is not worried about YOU in this heat–and there you are, worried about US! Your gentility and compassion for others just knocks me out–and you are ALWAYS this way! What a beauty you are, inside and out. I’m presuming your barn is kept cool and that you get lots of showers and plenty of water to drink…
Today’s NYTimes had a good article on racing that pointed out the main challenges thorougbred racing faces today, and that paper has a wide readership. I just lost the link but will come back in a bit and post it.
The minute I heard about the Mikey incident I had suspicions about it being blown out of proportion or, somehow, that there might have been something unfair about the story as we heard it. Drunk drivers are a menace but this fellow was on his own road nearing home. At least that’s what we were told. Until I know all the facts, I’m siding with Mikey.
PLEASE GO TO RUFFIAN’S FACEBOOK PAGE and become a friend, just to honor her memory…so many of us can never forget her… SHE DIED HORRIBLY BECAUSE UNSCRUPULOUS OWNERS WANTED TO MAKE MONEY ON A MATCH RACE THAT KILLED HER AS SHE RAN HER HEART OUT. I have since learned that Ruffian inherited soft bones from both her parents, so she had no chance to survive such intense running efforts before she would break her leg bones. Yet her owner still risked her life to get money for the race…again, this makes the stewardship of Team Z shine like a diamond in the sky. Thank you Team Z for caring for our magnificent Zenyatta.
Barbara Grimaldi
Here’s the NY Times link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/22/sports/summer-relief-at-saratoga-just-in-time.html?_r=1&ref=sports
Robyn Mullhausen
LOVE!!!!!
JAG - California
*******APOLOGY**********
Oh, Zenyatta ~ I had someone hack my email while staying in a hotel in Utah. I was unable to change my password at the hotel (fear of hacking it again!) so I had to wait until I accessed my own computer. I’M SO SORRY TO EVERYONE who was affected by the “hackers”! I know some facebook friends got that “junk”, too :-(
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I will read your previous diaries when I have more time – I understand there are condolences from my fellow Z Dumplings – thank you!! {{{HUGS}}}
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I’ve missed reading your diary, Zenny!
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MANY HUGS & KISSES TO MY QUEEN AND BABY Z XOXOXOXOXO
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p.s. Dottie, I’m so sorry for the hackers! :-( :-(
Sharon in Seattle
stay cool, Zenny and happy, safe racing to all on this weekend!
DJ
To JAG: Blessings to You! Don’t worry, everything is fine here. However, thank you for the warning..would not have thought about that happening while staying in a hotel! Hugs and more hugs from Dumpling DJ :)
christa murray
2009 breaders cup coverage…SUPER CUTE video of Zennie’s dance moves!!! Queen of the Ballroom they say :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXWDdFYmhkI
s (in San Diego)
Kathryn and Judy..thank you for helping keep this going. I know a few more people have stepped up to offer to help support her, including someone who has a rescue in Ohio, till she gets placed.
Judy…I called a horse transport to get an estimate to bring her out here and went out to a couple of the boarding places late yesterday afternoon. Just not something I can do right now. But …I can “bail” her out and help support her for a while with her new “loving” owner. I know that person is out there:). I am praying she will becomes someones very own little “queen”.
Mary
soooo miss those Zenyatta racing days :(
Hugs and Prayers
Diana S
@Zenyatta I am so looking forward to following all the races over the weekend. Wish I could be at the track – ANY track – to enjoy in person. Good luck and safe racing to all, especially any Moss/Shirreff’s “kids”!
@Diana_NV: I’m sorry I neglected to send my condolences yesterday. Your Slewp girl was a hard one to lose. She at least had your loving touch at the end. For that, I so thank you!
diastu in tempe
Trisha Veazey
really do miss knowing that you would be running again and winning again and again.
Stay cool gorgeous.
I wish they would pospone the races for cooler temps., or at least race in the early am or pm. Hope all the entries will be safe and healthy. Those horses deserve more consideration.
love hugs and kiss and have a great weekend
Ida Lee
Wow…loved seeing you dancing again…take care this weekend..it is HOT..and we’re thinking about Mike.
Yvonne and Maurice
Hi Zenyatta. Just love you. I just came in and see that Saratoga is indeed running. I have taped both HRTV and TVG – don’t want to miss any of the action. Please stay comfy and stay cool, eat well for two and have fun with your BBFs. Love you, Angel in Disguise.
judy berube
Dear Z,
Love those blue leg wraps. It is exciting with Del Mar and Saratoga racing in high gear. Just hope everybody stays cool and safe. Please enjoy the shelter of your barn and fans that LE has for you. Love you and love to all of you, Judy and Russ
darlene
Hi Z love ya stay cool thoughts are with Mike
Maryyette
Love and support to Mike E. Smith – you are in our prayers always – take care of yourself and don’t be discouraged – God Bless You and your family and friends.
Kathryn Cogswell
s (in San Diego): Would it be better to send you or Keith something to help? She is stunning & his photograph, from a solid, nice barn, was comforting to see. THANK HIM, please, and you, too. Kc.
Barbara Wood
@Stephanie Lambert– If you are here Stepahine, (or anyone else who might know) I have a question. Are you the “lovedbysweetie” person who posts on youtube? I am a subscriber, and I LOVE the new “Horse of My Heart” video! It is awesome. Praying for a better year for you. Seeing Zenny was a good start!!!!
judy berube
Dear s in San Diego and Kathryn Cogswell:
Here’s the link to the photo. Susan don’t know how you want to have people interested in giving her a home to contact you. For those that don’t have Facebook accounts, maybe you want to leave something (e-mail, phone or mailing address) here on Z’s site so they can reach you. Hugs, J.B. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2203143967762&set=o.142579315768994&type=1&theater
Selene McCarthy
Electrolytes are the name of the summer game, and I am sure all these horses are getting their fair share, including Miss Z, or I guess that would be Mrs. Z now, heh, heh. @Terry Crow..loved your joke!
judy berube
Dear JAG:
Thinking of you. Hugs, J.B.