Happy Friday, Everyone!
Wow, it has been a very busy week in our industry. There is so much going on that I want to share with you.
First of all, I’d love to congratulate FRANKEL (GB) on his success in winning the SUSSEX S. (G1). He is now undefeated and has a race record of 8 for 8. FRANKEL (GB) is truly a sentimental favorite in my camp as he is named for a very dear friend. Jay Hovdey, in the DRF, wrote a special piece on all of this in a recent article. Dottie and Bobby were very close friends for years. Ruben Loza, who now works as one of MY JOHN’S assistant trainers, held the same position for Bobby for 25 years. Jose Luis….who currently grooms MR. COMMONS and STAR BILLING for My John…was a long-time groom for Bobby. “Chuma” (as he is known around the barn) is also such a hard-working gentleman. He has groomed so many other wonderful horses during his career as Medaglia D’Oro, Sightseek, and Intercontinential to name a few.
So, it was with great joy and pride that MY TEAM watched FRANKEL(GB) win #8 on Wednesday. A heartfelt congratulations to his owner and breeder, Juddmonte Farms, his trainer, Mr. Cecil, and the entire team who works with this exciting colt!
I’m sending him a special HIGH HOOF for a job well-done!
Both of the SUMMER MEETS on each coast are in full-swing….and this weekend, Monmouth Park has a wonderful stakes program including the HASKELL. This should be a very exciting race!
Then at Saratoga, several big stakes races are taking place including the JIM DANDY and THE THE RUFFIAN. These should be great to handicap and enjoy. At Del Mar, we have some very accomplished sprinters competing in the BING CROSBY. So much action!
From all reports, the dirt surface at Santa Anita is terrific! This is fabulous news. In California, they now have Santa Anita open for training in addition to Del Mar. Hollywood Park closes for the next 5-6 weeks to allow the maintenance crews to completely clean out the barn area and freshen up everything that needs to be repaired and painted. The track crew, headed by Dennis Moore, is given the opportunity to work on the track and the surface to get it freshened up for the upcoming year. This is traditionally done in CA each summer…one year Santa Anita is closed to accomplish these maintenance needs and the next Hollywood Park. This alternating system works out quite well for everyone and it really helps to keep everything in the best possible shape.
Thus, since nothing can be left out at Hollywood Park for this big clean-up process to take place…everyone and everything needs to be out of Barn 55. My John and his crew did a great job getting this organized and properly storing everything that was in MY STALL. It was all safely packed for the future!
So all of my horse BARN 55 friends had to relocate as well for the summer. They were split between Santa Anita and Del Mar. In the photo above, you see STAR BILLING on the left and EBLOUISSANTE on the right getting ready to travel. They are loaded on the van and on their way to Del Mar. They are comfy, cozy, the windows are open just right…and these girls are READY TO GO TO THE BEACH!
I gather “E” wanted to snack along the way.
The TOO CUTE part of all of this is that “E” is in the same exact stall on the van I always used. In California, I shipped on Vida and David Randall’s Ranch Runner’s van. That was MY STALL! They even put a plaque on the side of this stall with MY NAME on it. So, I guess for all practical purposes, I still get to travel right with them…..in spirit!
Have a FUN weekend…and enjoy RACING!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Gloria Jeanne
Great Day Zenny!!!!
Gloria Jeanne
I do hope that when everyone returns to Hollywood Park that all your things are put back in stall # 85. I would like to come and visit.
Love you Z and thanks for the wonderful update!!!
Enjoy your weekend.
Cheryl Smith
Happy weekend to you!
Chris Balmes
Seriously – you are all “too cute”. These posts are so much fun to read and I (like all the others) so look forward to them each day. Darling girls in the Van on their “roadtrip”. Hi to Z – hope you are having a wonderful day.
Hailey
Have a great day Z !!!!!
Jan
Zenyatta,
SB and E look so cute in the van for their trip to Del Mar. Hope you are having a fun Friday and keeping cool. xoxo.
Theresa
Really like this picture of E and Star Billing.
Eveline
Hi Zenny, lots of great racing this weekend, safe trips to all! Frankel is amazing. Hope your babysister likes the seaside, must be nice to get away from the noise of city life for a while.
Marilu V
My dearest Zeny: So good to hear everyone is doing well and spending their summer vacation outside of Hollywood Park. Change of location is good for all! Star Billing and E look so cute together and ready to go. Hope you are feeling good and baby is doing fine. Hugs and Kisses, Marilu
suew
Zenny, once again you give us wonderful insight into the world of horseracing and all the logistics that come to play when changes are made. I love that your name is a permanent fixture in the van…big girl, you will never be forgotten. You will travel ibn our hearts forever and in the minds of millions you are the horse of a lifetime.
Stay cool…this heat is unbelievable.
Any thoughts about entering politics? I still say your horse sense is light years ahead of any Washington politicians. ;-)
tony and sue
Hi Zenny, the picture above is “too cute”. Thanks for all the info on upcoming races…there is lots going on at the track this summer…but we still miss you bunches.
Bobbi
I can’t believe how much E looks like Z!
Pam Zacek,
wow, to cool, How cute is that, that your sister gets the same spot in the van, must know, and hold her head up, like this Plaque in here is for my Sister, big sister , to cool, and I hope Saratoga, shows, some races on my channels, Im sure glad everyone, gets a new stall for the big clean up, thats the best, My horse loved that one, and pranced back in, every time, she got that big one, done, I was really, tired, after them but she was a good girl and she got a good clean stall, I hope all your buddies, from barn 55 , get theres really cleaned, and all goes well, have agreat weekend, and hope its the good weather, for you, and all on the blue grass, not to hot, but rather, okay, so great weekend back Queen Zen,
Pam Zacek,
forgot to say she sure looks proud, that was your spot, and hers now,
The Kennedys in San Diego
Great photo of Eblouissante and Star Billing — they look so excited, but professional about their trip to the beach. And so exciting that they will be in our neighborhood. Quite an undertaking for all involved. We learn something new every day.
Cathy Braun-Emig
Have a Great Weekend Z! Stay cool :)
>^..^<
Sharyn
Just love the picture of the “girls” on their road trip to the beach!! Soooooo Cute! I’m sure they’ll enjoy that ocean breeze too! This will certainly keep the team busy travelling between Santa Anita and Del Mar. Enjoy your weekend handicapping all those races and that gorgeous grass under your feet!
Susie Cartwright
E is standing tall and straight in your stall!! All good things come to an end, they say, but how I wish I could see you race and dance one more time my beautiful Z. Stay well and take care of yourself. Thanks Dottie, for keeping our girl updated.
Kathy Baldwin
What a wonderful photo by YOUR JOHN. ;)
Thanks for another great and interesting
post ZENNY and DOTTIE! Hope you and all
YOUR SPECIAL PEEPS have a safe and very
blessed weekend! And the same to all of
you out their in the ZENYATTA NATION!
Kathy from SoCal xoxo :)
p.s. I will probably be at Del Mar this
Sunday. ;) HIGH HOOF to FRANKEL!
Brenda in TX
Ditto “high hoof” to Frankel – I hope he comes over for the BC & is racing again next year – I love racing this time of year – being able to see the horses that have come out of the triple crown in one piece (not too many this year) & seeing the new ones start showing up in the 2nd half of the season – then there’s the 2 yr olds that you hope to see racing again next year – It really is exciting – Can’t wait to see Shack come barreling out of the gate & wiping out the whole field !!! Safe trips for everyone … happy wkend Z
Shannon From Cool
Very cool update. Yes, thanks to Dottie the Wonderful for keeping everything on track.
alejandro baiocchi
can you get visitors to come see you and pet you? let me know
JAG from California :-)
AHHH Zenny, between the tears and the goosbumps, I’m almost (I said ALMOST) at a loss for words reading this… I knew Barn 55 packed up for the rest of the summer, but to see these two CUTIES all ready to go got me so choked up!!1 Yes, YOU are always with us in SPIRIT, Queen Zenyatta!! It appears Ebby got her good “to go!” TOO CUTE!!
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#8 for FRANKEL – my favorite number, Big Mamma! Your number in the 2010 BC Classic. The race that got you MORE FANS than people ever dreamed! 8 = INFINITY! How appropriate, Sweetheart!
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HIGH HOOVES & SAFE RACING this weekend!
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HUGS & MUCHO KISSES TO MY QUEEN Z and BABY z
Diana
E looks like a pro already. Must run in the family! Hugs and kisses!
Jeanie
Dearest Z,
You “gather that ‘E’ wanted to snack along the way?” Maybe you have a future future career as a comedienne? You are way too funny! I can believe there is a plaque in the van stall. It’s kind of like George Washington (the President, not the horse) slept here.
I’m really looking forward to all the great racing this weekend — both Saturday and Sunday. I didn’t see the Personal Ensign on the NTRA listing for the July calendar. I’m surprised by that. Anway, hope you have a great time this weekend rooting for your pals. Bye for now,
Your humble J
JAG from California :-)
p.s. Typo again!! Should read, “Ebby got her FOOD to go… geez Judy!! lol
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I also wanted to mentioned that I heard YOUR JOHN also takes the barn cats to Del Mar =^..^= I wonder how they like the ride (wink wink) :-D
Robin
Have a wonderful weekend playing in the sun and munching on the blue grass..
Forever yours…xoxoxox
Patti in Carlsbad
HOPE TO SEE “E” RUN AT DEL MAR…COULD BE SO MUCH FUN :)I HEAR SHE LOVED THE VAN RIDE!
judy berube
Dear Z,
That photo of the girls is so cute. E’s adorable munching a snack. Think it’s wonderful that your Sis travels in the same van and stall as you did. Glad the SA track is looking good. Dottie and all the other members of your Team who formerly worked with Mr. Frankel must be so proud and pleased with his namesake. Sure he is. Hope you are staying cool. Love you and love to all of you, Judy and Russ
Debbie
Thanks for a great visit with you today!! It made amazing memories to last a lifetime! I am so glad to see you so happy for myself! Love you!