Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Z's Diary

Diary Post #308

Off to DEL MAR! Photo by John Shirreffs

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

Reader Interactions

518 Comments

  1. / Reply

    LauraJ, Thank you so much! I never imagined that racing involved so much. I don’t know how all of you remember everything!
    @all. Thank you everyone for making me feel so welcome after my first post. I have never ( met) such a wonderful group of people. This I owe to the most beautiful horse I’ve ever seen, Zenyatta

  2. / Reply

    @All: In case it doesn’t get stated above, just wanted Charlotte to know it is BC 2012 I’m talking about at Santa Anita. I really think the seats will be cheaper than at Churchill too, and my offer still stands.
    @Terry Crow: I’ll work on it. Will make some calls this coming week.
    @JAG-the-insider: I could use your help.
    diastu the scheemer (sp)

  4. / Reply

    @Goldikova: YAY! Another “plain brown horse” makes ’em all eat dirt! Er – makes ’em eat SOD! She would be a great reason to blow the travel budget to make it to Churchill!
    diastu in tempe

  5. / Reply

    @signofthetimes: You’re welcome. I’m fortunate enough to be within a two-hour drive to two of the most beautiful and historical racetracks in the America: Belmont and Saratoga, as well as Aqueduct and Suffolk Downs. In fact one of the items on my bucket list is to see every racetrack in the United States. There’s nothing like watching the horses in the paddock, feeding the ponies carrots and mints, and cheering on your favorites while standing on the ground floor in a crowd of people, either by the rail or near the winner’s circle. That atmosphere to me is what makes horseracing the grand olde sport that it is.

  6. / Reply

    @Maggie N–amen! This site is SO not a waste of time.
    @Signofthe times–so glad all went as well as possible for your sweet girl. Having her leave you at home is so much better, I think. I’m not sure that would work for us, as we have another dog, and they are joined at the hip. Also, thanks for the info. on experienced riders, etc. That was new to me. And what I don’t know about betting would fill a book!
    Congrats to Coil and his team. However, I’m disappointed that Shakleford didn’t win. He’s such a game little horse, but the winner deserves our congratulations.
    Also, congratulations to Utopian! I’m sure Z will report to us tomorrow.

  7. / Reply

    @Signofthetimes, re: your comment concerning La Ville Rouge, a tidbit–Mahuba, dam of Man O’War, was sometimes referred to as “Fair Play’s Wife” because she was never bred to any other horse.
    –
    @Barbara Wood, you are correct, Afternoon Deelites recently joined the Old Friends family. Pops is still the movie star, though. I don’t think A.D. was there the last time I visited. I don’t recall seeing him anyway. Good sire.
    –
    @Judy Berube and @Sharon in Seattle, Hastings was indeed the source of crankiness in his descendants. He inherited his sour disposition from his dam Cinderella. Grooms had to carry broom handles in his presence. He could run, though. But I think you are right, Sharon. Regardless of what the Biscuit’s inherent disposition might have been, it was surely not improved by poor treatment. At least he had people whom he could trust and who cared about him (and he had Pumpkin too).

  8. / Reply

    Sorry about the typo – I meant “in America” not “in the America”, I usually proofread before I post my comments. Oh well!!!

  9. / Reply

    Dear Judy Berube, who boy,it’s a good thing you can’t see me reading how to hanicap: eye brows up as far as I can get them, eyes as big as saucers. Boy do I have a lot to learn!

  10. / Reply

    @Diana S, ITA Goldi is awesome! I got to see her last year at Churchill and am looking forward to seeing her four-peat this year (it’s a day trip for me, so no budgets blown).
    –
    The three-year-old scene is clear as mud. Thank the racing gods for the female handicap division. Go Blind Luck! Go Havre de Grace! Go Switch!

  11. / Reply

    Dear Laura J:
    Thank you for elaborating on the different styles of racers. You’re always so knowledgeable and spot on. About Seabiscuit, he was handled very poorly as a youngster and often used as a rabbit in races. He ran, I think, 35 times as a two year old. Tom Smith really gave him the confidence he needed to become the legend he is today. Hugs, J.B.

  12. / Reply

    Dear Maggie N.:
    Just enjoy. There’s nothing more beautiful than a Thoroughbred and we all share in the joy and magnificence that is Zenyatta. Hugs, J.B.

  14. / Reply

    @Baby Results 07-31-11
    .
    SARATOGA – Race 4 – My bomb was out there on top at 30-1 until deep stretch and held third. Granny was jumping up & down with her $11 show ticket, you would have thought she won a $1000. “Lionator” pulled up and was vanned off (More bad racing luck). I’m worried about him. A “Lion Heart” horse won it and a Lion won the 2nd race too. “Afleet Bandit” broke inward, brushed a rival, was straightened, he continued running green, swerved over heels, and finished well back. They ended up 3rd, 7th, and I hope he’s not dead last. -$6.00
    .

    @DEL MAR – Race 1 – WINNER – “Lookin for Jonesy” ($12.20) x 2.5 = $30.50 – $5.00 = $25.20. Jonesy hopped at the start and still closed well from last against a 46.5 pace. His time was respectable. Could be a good one to watch. Thank you “GOD” for throwing me a little bone on this Sunday. +$25.20
    .
    @Saratoga – I don’t want accuse anybody of anything in a public forum but I would to their face any time, any place! I put Wolfson, Dutrow, O’Neil, and a few others, who know who they are, in the same class, LOW!! Did you see that tail jump when Javier struck her? I rest my case Your Honor.
    .
    @TDN – Nice call on the top page. Congrats “Coil” – Thanks TDN
    .
    @DJ – Did you play him? Jonesy?
    .
    @Doreen – Thank you for the valuable info. I just don’t have time to read about them all. It would be nice to have a lot of good info on one board, all in the same place, and with “Trina’s Tip” (Good name for a Horse) it would be easy to find. Since we are all in this “Hurry up and wait state of mine” waiting for Z to foal, maybe we could turn this board into a semi handicap board for fun to take our mind’s off it till it happens.
    .
    @Diana S – You’ll get’em next time.
    .
    @Deborah Richman – Box means the numbers can come in any order in the exacta or the triple or the super. Straight means they have to come in the order you pick them.
    .
    @Barbara Wood – Why you are very welcome. Can I get you a tissue?
    .
    @Trina Nagele – Your Welcome – The best ever, everybody is saying it today. I shouldn’t get that much credit for the Dave story. I just copied and pasted from 3 different articles, switch around a few paragraphs, changed a couple of sentences, and added some of my thoughts and experiences. I only had to look up and check a few facts. It took me about 15 mins.
    .
    @Terry Crow – Your Welcome and you are spot on this time. I want to go doing what I love too, but that decision is not mine to make. Terry, I heard this one from a guy that works for Paul Pompa (IEAH Stables)
    .
    A pinhooker was headed to one of the big sales and he decided to take his 7 yr old son with him. The boy watched as his father move from horse to horse, running his hands up and down the horse’s legs and rump, and chest. After a few minutes, the Kid asked, “Dad, why are you doing that?” His father replied, “Because when I’m buying horses, I have to make sure that they are healthy and in good shape before I buy”. The boy got all upset, scared, and looked worried. His Dad said “What’s wrong son”? The boy looked up at his Dad and said, “Dad, I think the UPS guy wants to buy Mom”.
    .
    ………————–…………————What Can Brown Do For You?
    .
    @judy berube – Your Welcome and “consistent” is the appropriate word. I love employees like Dave, they show up every day, works gloves in their back pockets, lunch in hand, and ready to work.
    .
    @Sorry if I missed anyone.
    .
    -$1.00 today – $79.80 After two weeks. Nothing til Wed. Need a break.

  16. / Reply

    To Judy Berube, Yes I enjoy horses so much. If I leave my sub-division, I can drive 5 minutes in any direction and pass a farm that has horses. I love it. If I ever owned a horse, it would have to be a retired race horse, because they can never be ridden again, and after three back surgeries,it’s not very smart for me to get up on a horse. I sure do miss riding though

  17. / Reply

    Dear Gary Moulton:
    I’m laughing out loud. Never expected that punch line. Can’t stop laughing. Ha, ha. Glad to know you haven’t lost your sense of humor along with everything else. You’re luck is going to improve on Wednesday. Hugs, J.B.

  18. / Reply

    Dear Maggie:
    Sorry that you’ve had to give up riding. It’s good though that you can share your love of horses with all the Z Fans on this site. Hugs, J.B.

  19. / Reply

    Hi Zenny: Well a CA horse by the name of Coil won the Haskell. I understand he is the son of Point Given. I got to see Point Given at Three Chimney Farms a few years back. Congratulations to Bob Baffert! I am hoping Shackleford would win. But, oh well that is horseracing.

  21. / Reply

    Dear Doreen:
    Thanks for the link. Lisa’s Booby Traps story is so touching. I’ll be rooting for her. Hugs, J.B.

  22. / Reply

    Dear Z Fans:
    Won’t be betting but made these picks for tomorrows Maiden races at the Spa:
    Race No. 3
    9-12 Exacta Box Jacob’s Dream and
    Atitlan $4.00
    Race No. 4
    4-9 Exacta Box Thomas is Rockin and
    Play It Smart $4.00
    Race No. 6
    1-11 Exacta Box Stolldownbroadway
    and Paci Di Notte $4.00
    Race No. 9
    2-6 Exacta Box Dixieland Cowgirl and
    By M K $4.00
    Total Investment $16.00

  23. / Reply

    Good evening Zenyatta,
    Shackey almost did it. He missed it by this —- much. It was close.
    Hope you and your buddies are holding up in the heat. Make sure you position yourself so you get all that fan air blowing right at you. Stay cool Sweetie
    for Signofthetimes
    Light Traveller
    Labored breath before your final rest
    Surrounded by kin and kind
    Your freed spirit
    Rushing from a broken body
    To join the best
    Towards Frankie, the Saint and the light
    For your steps sure and to find
    Your one and only again another day
    But this time
    Without the quest of tired bones and mind Hugs, never ending walking away
    From the test of life
    Mastered with great generosity
    A true friend to mankind. ^..^
    All dogs go to Heaven “”

    Sleep tight Zenyatta and peaceful dreams

  26. / Reply

    @Sunny Boyd–lovely words to signofthetimes.
    Drat those extra 4 lbs. That might have made the difference to Shackleford. Well, that’s the way it goes.
    @Gary Moulton–I am getting ready to show my ignorance big-time. Where else to ask a dumb question but here, where I won’t be made fun of? I need to know what a pinhooker is. Where does he fit in between the breeder and the owner? Also, I never got an answer to my question about what a racing manager does. I figure you would know. Thanks in advance.
    Dearest Z–YOU are more precious to us than you know. What you have started here is all good, unlike so many blogs where snarly people show up to make fun of simple lovers of horses.(I could mention a few by name on Bloodhorse blogs) Hope you and Baby Z are coping with the uncomfortable heat and humidity. Talk to you tomorrow, Lord willing. Love you always –from the frying pan of central Texas.

  27. / Reply

    Hi again Queen Z. Congrats to Haskell winner Coil and Bob Baffert. Mr. B sure seems to have a lock on this race! @Linda in NJ, that’s great that you got to see Point Given at Three Chimneys! Bob B says it is still a mystery to him why he did not win the Derby that year.
    @DJ, curious, do you live in/near the desert? It did not rain anywhere near here or LA today (that I know of) and it is now almost 8pm. Sunday. It is a little humid, for us.
    @All, my Z story is that yesterday we had a sudden change of plans and spent the afternoon at the OC Tavern in San Clemente. It is a sports restaurant/bar and it has a special room for racing!! Betting machines, tellers and a very enthusiastic group of racetrackers. Very friendly staff, too. We even ran into someone we know from HollyPark! We think we counted 26 TV monitors with racing on from all over. The “Z” part of this story is that off to the side of the entryway is a bulletin board with Zenyatta clippings from 2010!!! It was very touching to read them–or at least look them over–again. And there, too was a $5 win bet voucher with THE BCC page from the program. Obviously a souvenir. A little later I noticed some photos on another door, along with a laminated DRF cover of YOU, Z, being declared Horse of the Year!! Nice! :)
    To add to the afternoon, there was a special handicapping session prior to Del Mar racing: Kurt Hoover and Zoe Cadman, from HRTV and other venues. Kurt always takes the summers off, so there he was in shorts and flip flops along with a goatee and mustache!! After the session there was a quick trivia contest–where did Zoe ride her first TBreds? Many names were thrown out, with KH saying, “close, closer.” When Rod said Prairie Meadows, he won a set of Del Mar drinking glasses!!The whole set up was fun. They stayed a while–once or twice I saw them watching the races and wondered how they were sizing them up from their professional p.o.v. Also, Zoe still rides horses in the mornings at Santa Anita, for those of us (I include myself here) who did not know this. It was a fun afternoon; too bad it did not result in winning tickets. :(
    P.S. Z, did you hear the TVG guys in Haskell post race analysis say that Coil made a “Zenyatta like run”? THAT my dear girl, says it all!!

  28. / Reply

    Dear Ann from Paramount, CA:
    Enjoyed your post. Hugs, J.B.
    Dear Sunny Boyd:
    Remembered my beloved dogs that have past with your words. Hugs, J.B.

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