Happy Tuesday!
Today is an exciting day at Santa Anita. It is the first day horses will be permittedto use the ‘new dirt main track’ since the renovation has been completed. They will be able to go on the main track to jog and gallop this morning for the first time. Such terrific news!
As many of you may have read, the dirt surface on the SA main track has been completely redone. A great deal of planning, organization, and scientific study goes into this process.
The man behind the scenes responsible for orchestrating this project is Ted Malloy. John and Dottie go over to Santa Anita at night to check on the horses John has stabled there. While doing so, they take SOPHIE for a little walk and go out and check the surface. My John has visited with Mr. Malloy countless times as this renovation has been taking place…even to riding around in the golf cart with him to inspect certain sections of the track.
To explain the track renovation process “very simply”, all of the work needs to be accomplished in stages. It starts with detailed research concerning the types of materials needed…and then purchasing them. Once all of the ingredients are on-site, the crew can start work on the actual ‘track’. The old surface needs to be removed. The track is taken down to the ‘base’ and inspected along with the drainage systems etc.
The next step involves mixing the materials together to create the ‘cushion’. This ‘cushion’ is then put on the base of the track. It is approximately 6 inches of material. Part of this is a bit more compressed and becomes the PAD for the track. The remaining portion which is about 3 1/2 inches deep is the more ‘fluffy’ part of the surface. This is what you actually see when you are looking at the track.
Normal scheduled maintenance is required using harrowing and water to keep the 3 1/2 inch ‘fluffy’ part of the cushion ‘consistent’….all the way around the entire oval.
Needless to say, CONSISTENCY is extremely important! This is so significant for the horses, of course, but also for those who enjoy handicapping our sport!
Thank you so much, MR. MALLOY, for adding your great knowledge and experience to our Santa Anita dirt track!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Margaret
Not again!
Joanna
Very cool information…I had no idea but could only imagine the planning and effort that goes into a project like this. Thanks so much! For Z and friends, have a great week; try and keep hydrated!
Jean in Seaside
Thanks, Zen. Never knew how the track was constructed before, so this is extremely interesting. Hugs back to you.
Brenda in TX
thanks for the info Z – almost everyday can be a good learning experience – enjoy your Tues
Georgia Harper
Hats off to Mr. Malloy!!! Hope this makes the track safe for all that will be racing. It would be so fabulous to have the Breeders Cup come back here!!!!!!!!
Margaret
Holy Smokes! I almost don’t believe it! Thought I was first yesterday and now today I am!
It is with a lot sadness that if you haven’t yet heard two horses were killed over the weekend by a drunk driver up in the Pryors. Cloud by the reports I’ve heard is fine but Admiral and his son Climb’s High were both killed.
We have so few wild ones left in the first case and now this. I first saw a picture of Cloud about two years ago, he stole my heart then and there.
Love ya Z, but today I’m just left sad, defeated and overwhelmed by the needless loss of two horses by a very very selfish young man.
Elizabeth
Hello, beautiful girl! Hope you are keeping cool today.
Thank you so much for sharing this information with us – very interesting. I appreciate how you educate all of us on the finer points of your sport – I have learned so much from you! -:) Also, thank you for introducing us to all the important people who contribute so meaningfully to every aspect of horse racing – as you have always said, it is truly a TEAM effort!
Have a wonderful day, Zenyatta!
Love,
Elizabeth
Mary
Thanks for the blog today Z….it is nice to have Dottie and John help you with so much knowledge. I know that track has to be perfect…we want no horses or riders hurt. Hope you are having a good week Z…hugs to you…and hugs to Dottie and John. :)
Laura
Awesome!!! The dirt looks so much more different than the synthetic! (:
DJ
Dearest Sweet “Z” and little “z”,
Thank you for the ‘Inside Information!’ The Track looks beautiful. I am so looking forward to visiting SA! Del Mar is just a bit too far for me. Thank your John and Dottie for the photos. I can just picture little Sophie Sherriffs testing out the Track :) Yes, TOO CUTE! And…Thank you Mr. Malloy! Every thing worthwhile takes effort, and you are without a doubt, the right man to oversee the job!!
Gloria Jeanne
Cool Zenny – I hope this process will help the horses to not get hurt… I know this last session a lot of horses didn’t do so well.
Thanks for the update.
DJ
To Terry C: I looked for your joke of the day. I will check back later tonight. Missed your combination of charm and wit!
Gloria Jeanne
I am glad that John takes a lot of interest in the track conditions – I think that is very important.
Robyn Henderson
Thanks alot for the change of the track surface. I witnessed far to many deaths on that track last season.
Penny
Does it make you want to run? I bet it would be fun to roll in the dirt but not this year; after the foal is on the ground. So, how do you feel?
XOXOXO,
Penny
Fran
Wow, Z, that is very interesting. They do the same sort of thing for jumping arenas for show jumping. How are you doing this fine Tuesday? Hope all is well with you and your friends. Have a wonderful day Z! xxoo
Gloria
Wow, Big Mama Z! Those are great shots of the new Santa Anita track! I LOVE SANTA ANITA, so thanks for explaining the new track. Very excited for the autumn Santa Anita meet. Hope you and junior are staying cool, sweet girl. Love to you and all of Team Z!
Irene Caty
Hi Zenny, I did’nt know that John had some horses staying at Santa Anita. The main track is looking good and it is a good thing that John is takeing extra care to checking it out to be sure it is all going right. He is such a special person how he looks out for the complete well being of the horses that are under his care. John and Dottie are Great people. Thanks for the post and Love you Queen Z.
Allen
I have helped rework a few football fields, and the process is about the same.I thought a football field was a big project, there is no way I would even consider doing a race track. Tell Mr. Malloy I admire him and his work. Have a great afternoon Z.
Susan Edwards
Are you getting any electrolytes in your food or water to keep you hydrated?
Jeanie
Dearest Z,
I hope this track is completely safe for your friends who will be running on it. That is my biggest concern and I suspect John’s too.
Glad you are keeping up with what’s going on back in your old stomping grounds. As always, my best to you and your growing baby bump!
Your humble J
Trisha Veazey
Z thanks for including education along with you daily posts. Interesting. Cushiony to protect precious feet.
Love hugs and kisses
Jan
Zenyatta,
Thanks for the very interesting info on track reconstruction. Hope you are enjoying your day. Stay healthy and cool Big Mama. :)
Heidi Kruckenberg/DinkyDiva
That’s good news about Santa Anita. I also heard through the grapevine that the BC will be held there next year again! Wooohooo for Santa Anita!!
Hugs, Z… How’s the baby doing? Can’t wait until Feb and March to see the two most famous foals!!!
Ann Maree
Hey, Sweet girl,
–
The Breeders Cup, as I’m sure you are aware, has your images all over the place in marketing the event for this fall. Also, and I know Dottie has told you this, there is a 2012 Breeders Cup Calendar, and people are asked to vote for not only (1) which horses to be included in the calendar, but also, (2) for the COVER! Your faithful and loyal fans have been out there voting like mad and you are approaching nearly 500 votes so far. I kind of feel sorry for some of the other horses….most have just a few, though some have 60 or 70, but you are far ahead of the field! HOOVES CROSSED that you will be on the cover of the 2012 Calendar!!!
–
Loved the info about the resurfacing at Santa Anita! Sure takes a lot to know about your sport.
–
Big hugs. Love you and miss you! Ann Maree
Roxi Cook
Great news that Santa Anita is doing more to ensure additional safety for their racehorses. There was a big wreck at Del Mar during the last race on Sunday, and I know one of the horses was euthanized, but haven’t heard how the other 3 or 4 horses who fell and their jockeys (who went flying) are doing. Horses giving their all on the track are just so beautiful, but in an instant, lives can be lost. Wishing safe workouts and racing for all!
Carolyn Caswell-Brown
@ Margaret: I follow the pictures & info on Cloud’s band on Facebook but hadn’t seen this come up yet. I am sorry to hear about Admiral & his son. Sure do hope you’re correct and Cloud is O.K. I think he is around 11 years old now. What a free-spirit and a beauty! Long may he live in good health.
@ Zenny: Great pics and info on Santa Anita. When it’s said that a track has a deep cushion, does that mean some tracks make the “fluffy” part thicker or is this based on the material that is used? I hope you have big fans & LOTS of water in your barn to help deal with the hot, hot, hot weather. Peppermint kisses back atcha. . .
LOVE & PEACE
sherry drish
@BARBARA, SO SORRY TO READ ABOUT THE HORSES BEING KILLED. WHEN IN OCEAN CITY,MD. A WOMAN STRUCK AND KILLED THE SENIOR MARE IN A BAND OF OCEAN PONYS. SHE WAS SPEEDING. THIS IS THEIR HOME AREA TOO. PEOPLE JUST NEED TO FOCUS MORE ON DRIVING. THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE NOT DOING A GOOD JOB ON THE DRIVING SKILLS. THIS ALSO MAKES ME SICK. I AM GLAD ZENNIE IS SAFE AT THE FARM. LOVE TO ALL, SHERRY D. WV.
Ann Maree
P.S. Here is the link for the Calendar Poll:
http://www.facebook.com/breederscup?v=app_214506075227746&app_data=action%3Dcontest_view_entry%26id%3D619891#!/breederscup?sk=app_214506075227746
May have to copy and paste.
Ann Maree
Trish & Mike in Colorado
We’re not even betting at Del Mar, waiting for the great handicapping at Santa Anita. Hooray for dirt !!