Good Morning Everyone,
I sincerely hope you had a great weekend! Mine was quite nice and very relaxing. I’ll share some current photos with you during the next few days.
I thought all of the weekend racing was quite captivating. I was especially pleased to see Bernie’s son, STAY THIRSTY, win the Jim Dandy Stakes-G II at Saratoga. Bernardini also had some other nice winners over the weekend. This is great news! Congratulations, BERNIE! I’m sending you a HIGH HOOF!
On another note, I am very pleased to share some information with you this morning. It is so special to touch base with an ‘old friend’ and keep up with how he or she is doing. This weekend, Dottie was able to get an update on my PONY PAL, HOOTIE, to share with ALL OF US. You have seen HOOTIE in countless photos with ME…accompanying ME back and forth to the race track. While I was in training, he was with ME on these walks the majority of the time. He has been my very dear friend for years.
One of the many jobs at the race track is to be a ‘PONY PERSON’. In this position, you and your ‘pony’ (which is often a retrained retired race horse) work with different trainers and accompany certain horses from their barn to and from the track. A man named Freddie Wilson owned HOOTIE and he was a pony person at the track. Since I really liked HOOTIE and got along so well with him, MY JOHN worked out a schedule with Freddie so HOOTIE could be MY PONY in the mornings! As we have written in a previous Diary, after I retired….so did he. HOOTIE was adopted by TROTT of Southern California and now has a second career working with them. In the above photo, he is getting his daily “SPA TREATMENT” from Dee, on the left, and Susana, on the right. Per Bonnie, who updated Dottie on all of this, he is truly one of the BARN FAVORITES. HOOTIE has truly become part of the TROTT TEAM!
TROTT is a wonderful organization which ‘adopts’ horses from the racetrack and retrains them for their NEXT CAREER. So many dedicated people work endlessly trying to accomplish this goal to help horses. The organization is volunteer based and the hard work and loving care given by these people is truly appreciated by all of US! MY TEAM and I have also worked to help raise funds for TROTT. I loved the one T-shirt they did with ME on it. MY JOHN came up with the words to be placed underneath my picture stating……’DANCING AGAIN IN 2010′.
I have been told that TROTT is currently planning a Del Mar Charity Fundraiser. They are a 501(c)(3) organization. It will take place on August 28th at the San Diego Polo Club from 6 to 11 p.m. More details may be found on their web-site….TROTTUSA.ORG.
I also understand that Liza G. Fly will be singing at this event . I hope she sings the song she wrote and recorded for ME! I must say…I DO GET A KICK OUT OF LISTENING TO IT! (Blush, Blush)
Watch it here…ENJOY!
With Love,
Hugs to All~ (Great to hear from you, HOOTIE! I’m SO HAPPY to see you again!)
Z
judy berube
Dear JAG:
Thanks for the link on Prime Suspect. You looked very lovely in the end of Z’s training video. Hugs, J.B.
Barbara Grimaldi
Thanks to every Z-person here who sent me kind words after my fall. The walkway was crowded with people so the tree root was hard to see. MY MONDAY BRIGHT SPOT!!!! I have my Dumpling Badge!!!!!!! Thank you thank you thank you, Diana! So delighted to be part of this really wonderful group of caring new friends who know and love racing and who adore Zenny as I do!
judy berube
Dear Sharon Call and Kari Bussell:
Great idea. Kari, please do that. Hugs, J.B.
Diana S
@Judy Berube – my mind is mush! “Humpty Dumpty Dumplings” was for Barbara Grimaldi, as were the hopes for fast healing! Sheesh.
@”It’s my birthday and I’ll space if I want to – – – ” (Only “Over-the-Humpling Dumplings” will get that.)
@Terry Crow – arresting officer? Dream on, boy.
@DJ: Wine is a sacred drink – be happy with your splotches.
@Hootie: You are such a sweet boy and I am so happy you are being surrounded by appreciative humans and given lots of love. You deserve it so much for your long career taking care of the elite ones, most especially our Z!
diastu-looking-for-walker-where-am-I-again?-who-are-you?
judy berube
Dear Sharon Call:
Didn’t know about that. Will try to find out what happened with Lisa’s Booby Trap. Hugs, J.B.
Diana S
@cynthia h: We can dream, and there is power in positive thinking. If the nod goes to SA – it will be a Z Dumpling blitz for sure!
diastu in tempe
Karen Gogue
@Diana S.
Please don’t make me give you a virtual birthday kiss!! (but I know someone who’d like to! That’s for me to know and you to find out – so there! If you are good, maybe I’ll tell you on your birthday next year!) But it’s ok if Zenny kisses you with those soft sloppy lips! Mmmmm, now that’s the kicker – nothing can beat that for your special day! Enjoy!
judy berube
Dear Sharon C.:
You can view the race here. Click Saratoga, 8/1 and Race 7. She was definitely pulled up. Can’t find an article on what happened just yet. Hugs, J.B. http://www.nyra.com/Saratoga/Broadcast/Video/Video.shtml
judy berube
Dear Karen Gogue:
Happy Birthday. Hugs, J.B.
ZENYATTALOVERAMY!!
so cute zeny! love you!oxoxoxoxox FROM YOUR BIGGEST FAN AMY.
JAG from California :-)
LISA’S BOOBY TRAP RACE RESULTS :-(
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/SAR/2011/8/1/7/rachel-alexandra-s
I’m a fan of Booby…
judy berube
Dear Diana S.:
Thank you again for all your work in sending us our Dumpling Tags. You are a special lady. Hugs, J.B.
JAG from California :-)
The link I shared above about LBT – she was eased up. I didn’t watch the video included until afterwards. I hope she is okay!!! :-(
Cynthia H.
@Diana S.: Your birthday today? Hope you have a super-special one, and that your candle wish comes true! You bet there is power in positive thinking!
Hootie looks so happy and well-loved. He did a great job of companioning you, dearest Z, over the course of your career, and deserves a wonderful home in retirement.
Thank you very much for providing the link to your theme song, written and sung by the fabulous Liza G. Fly! What a great video! One never tires of watching it. Thanks also for plugging the TROTT event on August 28th. It will be a terrific evening, for a very special organization!
J Smith
Trott Party Details direct Link http://www.trottusa.org/trott_del_mar.html
Mike Smith & Jack Van Berg (Alysheba’s trainer) are being honored with Inspiration Awards, for all they do to inspire others to help charities. Golf Cart Polo! Many of you love Marcy’s horse drawings on fb, she will be there displaying work, along with other talented artists. Liza G Fly sang at Trott’s Ky Derby Party, the Zenyatta song was the highlight and everyone asked her to sing it again! So I know she will sing it for us this time, what a lovely voice she has. Don’t forget ME! I’ll be there, I volunteer with Trott. If any business owners in the San Diego area happen to be reading this, we could use some more sponsors at various levels, pls contact Bonnie through Trott website to see how you can help. Thanks for your support everyone, and BIG THANKS to Zenny & Dottie for letting everyone know about the event. P.S. added bonus, why not come to the party instead of fighting traffic after the Pacific Classic! Also, tix may be a tax deduction, of course, check with your tax professional, tax laws seem to change every 5 mins.
judy berube
Dear JAG:
Me too. She was pulled up. Looking for more news. Will post. Hugs, J.B.
Charlotte Farmer
@Hootie – You definitely are having a wonderful life and I am glad that you have found a new career.
You new found career reminds me of a scene from Seabiscuit where Chris Cooper as Tom Smith is talking to Howard over a campfire. Someone wanted to shoot this horse with the injured leg and Chris convinces them not to; “You don’t throw a whole life away just because it’s banged up a little bit.” He goes on to list all the things that the horse could be used for.
I am glad that life is treating you so kindly after having escorted the fair lady Zenyatta on so many occasions, then retiring at the same time! After all, how could you follow that?
Susan A.
Liza G. Fly–You are a great artist!
Thanks for Zenyatta’s song!
Susan, M.A.
judy berube
Dear Karen Gogue and Diana S.:
I’m messing up now. Happy Birthday to you Diana and to you, Karen, whenever it is. Hugs, J.B.
Christine B
Hi Z and Dottie,
I just wanted to thank you for posting about Hootie & Trott! I own a Trott adoptee & he is a wonderful, gorgeous boy & my 27 year old OTTB’s best friend. I now volunteer with Trott too. They have many fine horses for adoption and the fund raising events are great fun. The Del Mar party promises to be very exciting as well! I also plan to go down to meet Hootie in the Fall as he only lives about three hours from me. Thank you for providing such a great place to visit & chat & for bringing awarness to all of our beloved ex-racers who still have so much to offer. Have a splendid evening everyone!
Christine in Nor Cal
judy berube
Dear Kari Bussell:
So that’s JAG in both the videos. OK, got it straight. Hugs, J.B.
Barbara Wood
@Diana S– Happy Birthday!! How do people find out these things??
Shari Voltz
OH Zenyatta I love you so much. You make me smile. There is so much love that pours out from your soul and your families. I heard a sad story about a racehorse that is still bothering me but I won’t talk about it. Your site makes me feel so good inside. Hootie is too cute. I think you would get along with any horse sweet girl. I also want to say YEA to Stay Thirsty!! I am so happy for him and his family. He has good talented genes. Well sweet girl I am off to walk the dogs. It is hot out but they still love their walks. I am sending you many Hugs and Kisses, Shari XXXOOO
judy berube
Dear Terry Crow:
I wish. Hugs, J.B.
Shari Voltz
@ I forgot to mention I sing your ZENYATTA song everyday. A couple of times a day. I LOVE IT :)
judy berube
Dear Bridgett:
Me too. I’ve been waiting for Stay Thirsty to come into his own. Late Bloomer, like Dad. Always thought he’d be a good one. Hugs, J.B.
Christine B
@ J Smith. Thanks for posting the link to the Trott event. I’m not techno saavy enough to do that. Looking forward to seeing you at the Party. Should be even more fun than the Santa Anita fund raiser if that’s possible. :}
Barbara Wood
@Terry Crow–oh good grief!! All this time I thought our Terry was a man. And if I’m right, the group picture shows you on the right. I was so wrong. Duh! What a knucklehead I am! First I thought ‘diastu in tempe” was Latin, and now this. Please don’t expel me from the Dumpling Gang..please! LOL. Terry, I guess, is like Chris. It can be either. Please forgive if I ever refer to you as “he”. Now that brings up another question: is “Ensign” male or female?
judy berube
Dear Z Fans:
Well, Race 9 at the Spa in my imaginary bets, horses I choose ran 3rd and 5th. Would have lost $16.00 for the day. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Z Fans:
Having a bad brain day: “horses I chose” Ha, ha. Hugs, J.B.