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
Charlene Crumpton
It is also my understanding that both Ruffian’s mother & father broke down in the same manner that she did. I believe this was after her death. Better breeding practices need to be put in effect. Europeans are way ahead of us in this. Also the age at which thoroughbreds are raced here needs to be examined. Way too young.
judy berube
Dear Terry Crow:
Did you ever see the concerts on PBS with Pavarotti, Domingo and Correras? They were wonderful. Hugs, J.B.
Christine in VA
STAY COOL ZEN STAY COOL
Margaret
Greetings from Rock Springs WY, where sadly in a few weeks all the wild ones will be brutally rounded up. This morning was great for shorts but by noon it was over 90 degrees.
&
AlarminglyI saw no wild horses on the 14 mile Wild Horse Scenic Tour. I did see a couple of small watering holes and three deer but that was it. Not sure if the horses have already been rounded up in a pre gather… Hopefully when I go back out in a couple of hours I’ll see horse or two.
Funny Z that you mentioned staying hydrated. I have been suffering a lot of muscle cramps and so forth for a while now. A week or so ago I tried Gatorade. After a couple of days drinking only Gatorade for fluids I feel a lot better.
Karen Mitchell
@Charlene Crumpton–I completely agree with you about match races. I was watching Ruffian’s race and I can still “see” the terrible image in my mind’s eye after all these years. And I, too, was elated that a Zenyatta-Rachel match race was apparently never really considered. Why anyone would want to take the chance with any horses, much less two of the greatest, is beyond me. And my late husband (a former jockey and TB exercise rider) told me a match race doesn’t prove anything; it’s just two horses going as fast as they can and the one who gets the jump usually wins (no strategy, no pace, no split second decisions to make). I, too, wish they were made illegal.
Sharon Call
@Peggy One. Regardless of why they did it, I think you have to admit that Ruffians owners made a really bad decision and should have listened to her trainer, Mr. Whitely, who didn’t want to race her in that match race at all and advised against it.
Sharon Call
@Judy Berube and Terry Crow. I’ve seen that show many times on our public broadcasting station, “The 3 Tenors”. Next to Pavarotti, my next favorite is Domingo.
Gary Moulton
@Terry Crow – I don’t mind beans if there cooked right. In that Tap It race there were 6 horses in the photo separated by one length, hd, nk, & no. It might turn out to be a key race. We have to watch who comes back from the top 6 although the time was just average. Two of mine were in the top 6. Had 5th, 6th, & 8th.
.
In today’s results at the Spa my first timer showed up for 2nd and ran a respectable race. But the other two, the only two with experience, were last and second to last. I had the last-last exacta, LOL, Still live in the Del Mar early Double, back with results later.
.
Speaking of country music, my favorite music is bluegrass and country. But I like all music if I’m in the right mood except Rap. But anyway, “Toby Keith” (Dream Walkin Farms) has a few race horses. His Big Horse is “Sherriff Cogburn” I think. He had some trouble at his Golf Course “BelMar”. Oh, funny joke too.
.
http://www.theboot.com/2011/07/21/toby-keith-golf-club-fire/?ncid=webmail2
.
@ judy berube – Thanks, I need all the luck I can get because my handicapping skills are not working right now, but also I’m trying to pick horses that have no history. In real life I don’t bet two yr olds for anything more then a buck. I don’t think they should run 2 yr olds or 3 yr olds for that matter but if they put them out there what are you going to do? I’m kinda doing this like the daily joke, or the daily prayer, and I thought it was cute because of all the Z baby talk, I want to play one baby bump box race for a buck at the two gems (DM & SPA) every day til the end of the summer.
tony and sue
Zenny, loved the photo of you doing your thing on the track. You were/are one of a kind. Steve and you had a magical connection, two minds as one.
Debbie G
@Terry Crow – Another great joke! I don’t particularly like country music, but even if I did it’s still a great joke. :-)
@Barbara Grimaldi – I visited Ruffian’s FB page a couple of days ago and “liked” her. :-)
Debbie G
@Judy Berube – You saw Pavarotti? Wow, that’s impressive. I’ve never listened to a lot of opera, but when he died I bought one of his CDs and I really enjoy it. He was incredible.
Kari Bussell
@Barbara Wood- YES!!!….She is one of the most beautiful, gentle, kind, loving souls I have ever met….even if she prides herself in having a Maine attitude ( LOLOL- her heart still shines through)….I know who YOU are on YT now Barbara!….Stephanie, Michele, & Cynthia and I became great friends a couple years ago and shared Zenyatta’s wonder together. In the process we formed true lasting friendships that will last a lifetime…I would honestly walk through fire for any one of them….I have also been blessed with many other lifetime friends along the way …(Anita in California, Jag, Diane,Fran,Bob..etc… ) and now many more like you and so many more here in Zennyland ….and it is all because of a amazing mare and Champion named Zenyatta and Our Forever Queen of Hearts!
Dottie and Team-Z You have our eternal gratitude…THANK YOU!!!
Ingrid in MA
Off Topic: Hey all Zenyatta fans – if you could please offer up your thoughts and prayers to the people of Norway – big bomb blast killed at least 7 people in the heart of Oslo,Norway (where the Nobel Prize is given out),they’re thinking it may be terrorist-related, and at least 28 kids were killed in a shooting at a kids’ camp. Like the other scandinavian countries, Norway is a peaceful country,and things like this just don’t happen there. So if you could keep them in your prayers, I’d appreciate it. (I’m not Norwegian,but I have visited there,and it’s a stunningly beautiful place with wonderful,friendly people.) Thanks,everyone.
It’s 100 degrees today here in MA, so I hope everyone is following Zenny’s advice and drinking,drinking,drinking their water!
Terry Crow
@Selene McCarthy-Glad you liked the joke. @Karen Mitchell-Wow, that is quite a group. Some people don’t consider him to be , but I would add Waylon Jennings to that group.@Judy Berube-The Three Tenors. I don’t know why I prefer Domingo. I guess it is just because of that recording with Denver. More of a common touch, perhaps.@Gary Moulton–My friend Steve tells me that Tap It Twice was claimed yesterday, so his career as an owner is temporarily on hold.
Delrene
Stay cool and well-hydrated…. Excellent advice for all.
Zenyatta – Mr. Commons looked great. You gave him some great pointers and of course, Mikey in the irons. I went to watch the early morning workouts yesterday and I’m learning so much. They are all so beautiful and the people are very friendly and helpful. Saw you last year and I like the idea of going again to celebrate and remember your 3 wins. We miss you lots, but know you are happy and healthy in retirement. I was trying to figure out how to approach your “John’s barn” and say hello and tell him and all your people how much we appreciate everything they do for the horses and how much we miss you. I ended up by Doug O’Neill’s barn and “your John” is on the other side. I may try and work up the nerve and try again next week.
Have a wonderful weekend all.
Dottie O. Moore
Thank you so much, Judy B., for the
video of our Zenyatta romping in the
snow. Does anyone know if Dottie S`s
real name is Dottie or is it Dorothy?
(Mine is Dottie.) God bless all of you.
Dottie in CA
Abigail from Montreal
Georgie’s angel just won the Schuylerville (sp?) at Saratoga. She’s a daughter of Bellamy Road whom I just adored. His Wood Memorial reminded me so much of Secretariat, I was blinking away tears. And Jackson Bend finally overcame his so-called losing streak — ‘so-called” because who he needed was Nick Zito. It was his first race since going to Zito. Yeah Nick!!!!
Abigail from Montreal
Here’s Bellamy Road’s 2005 Wood Memorial. ASTOUNDING performance by a great colt who needed more time to grow into himself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcRDqOyCpco
Maureen Brady
I just viewed the merchandise section. I would love another Zenyatta T but those are some of the ugliest Ts I have ever seen!
Terry Crow
@Gary Moulton-Captain Crow at $136.40 in the 9th at Woodbine. IT was my turfcraft release. @Debbie G-Glad you enjoyed the joke.
judy berube
Dear Terry Crow:
Did you play him? Hope so. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dottie O. Moore:
You’re welcome. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Ensign:
Is it true? Was Vertigineux bred to Street Cry this year? Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Abigail in Montreal:
Thanks for the video of Bellamy Road. He was owned by Mr. Steinbrenner and as a Yankees’ fan, I used to follow all his horses. He was a good one. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Ingrid in Ma.:
That’s awful news. Will remember them in our prayers. Hugs, Judy and Russ
Hailey
Have a great weekend Z !!
judy berube
Dear Debbie G.:
Along with his wonderful Opera CDs, he did one of all Neopolitan love songs. It’s one of my favorite CDs. Hugs, J.B.
Marilu V
Dear Zeny:
Always happy after I read your post. I hope the horses will be OK with the heat in Saratoga. Hugs and Kisses, Marilu
judy berube
Dear Gary Moulton:
Sounds like a good plan. Wow, a six horse photo. That’s rare. Good luck with you handicapping. Hugs, J.B.
DJ
To Ingrid in MA: A Prayer for Norway
………………………………
Father,
source of forgiveness and salvation for all mankind,
hear our prayer.
By the prayers of the people gathered here,
may our friends, relatives, and loved ones in Norway,
who have gone before us from this world
come to share eternal happiness with all your angels in heaven.
Lord, in your steadfast love, give them eternal rest.
For in you is our hope. We shall never hope in vain.
………………………………….