Hello,
Happy Thursday!
On Monday, I mentioned there are a number of different jobs at the race track. With these various occupations, one sees so many different personalities.
Rafael Mendoza is a gentleman who wears a few different HATS at the track! (No pun intended!) He tries to make work FUN! Rafael is an exercise rider for another barn. This means he has a job like STEVE did with ME. Each morning, he gets on horses for the trainer who employs him. Depending upon where the horses are in their training programs, he is aboard them for their required exercise each day.
What Rafael loves to do…is also have FUN while he works. For all of the different holidays and ‘special occasions’, he has a different festive hat he wears over his safety helmet. John happened to get this photo of him a few days after the 4th of July. From what I’ve heard, and seen while I was in California training, Rafael has very creative taste in HATS.
All riders (exercise riders and jockeys) must wear a safety helmet and a safety vest every time they get on a horse. This is mandatory in the quest to protect each person as much as possible.
The ‘other hat’ that Rafael wears is that of a VALET for a JOCKEY. Since exercising horses only takes place in the morning, many of these riders have a second job in the afternoon. Rafael works in the Jockey’s Room as a valet for different riders.
The job of valet is to take care of the jockey he is working for and his equipment. He is to keep all of his tack in good condition, make sure the rider has the proper silks in his cubicle for the horses he is riding that day, and then go out before each race and help the trainer saddle the horse. When the valet leaves the Jock’s Room to go to the paddock, he is carrying the jockey’s saddle and the pad that will be used on the horse…which holds any additional weight if needed.
For instance, when I ran carrying 129 pounds, Mike and his equipment accounted for the majority of this weight. The rest of it was added in the form of small lead weights which tuck inside the pad.
Weight is a big thing! That is why you see the jockeys weigh out after each race. The weighing process is done in the Jockeys’ Room before each race and then after at the scales in front of the grandstand. Everything is always monitored very closely.
The jobs of an exercise rider and a valet are extremely important in racing. It is great to see people like Rafael truly enjoying their work!
Have you ever thought about how many HATS you wear each day?
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Marshall (girl's name)
Oops! Sorry, I misspelled Rafael — got the artist’s name mixed up with the horse-artist! Goodnight to all! M.P. in NC
judy berube
Dear Brenda S.:
Thanks for the news. I disappointed though, I wish he didn’t have to go there. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear DMCQ:
Always enjoy your posts. Hugs, J.B.
KIMBERLY
Very informative… Thanks Dottie. Love ya Z…
Max
@judy berube. I know how you feel about Bernie, but this is the start of the breeding season in the southern hemisphere and those mares like American ones need high quality stallions. It is testimony to Bernie’s status as a sire. Not certain but I think that Street Cry also flew to Australia with other Darley horses. They will be back in Kentucky in about 6 months.
judy berube
Dear Max:
I guess I’m just feeling a little blue about some of the things we’ve been discussing lately regarding treatment of horses. He’ll be back about the time Little Z is born. Hugs, J.B.
signofthetimes
@ Judy B
I was shocked, too. Apparently he has been going there since
2007 and his first crops are racing well there.
Here is a link, scroll down, and there is a list of the stallions who are going/gone. Street Cry is one of them. It looks like they send about 20. It is very scary for me, but it is business.
http://www.stallions.com.au/stallions/latest_news.php?bloodhound_id=45793104&hemisphere=1
signofthetimes
@ JAG
I will also send a card. Thanks for posting this information for us.
Wishing all the Dumplings great fun, merriment and successful
handicapping this weekend. Sound like a fun one.
signofthetimes
@Marshall (a girls name)
Nina is almost sold out. I have number 52. Glad you are enjoying yours. I really love mine. It adds so much to my home.
signofthetimes
Dear Dottie,
Could you tell us who Rafael is riding? if it is not breaking confidentiality. The photo John took is so good of both of them.
signofthetimes
Was looking through thoroughbred horses for sale on line and saw a granddaughter of AP Indy for $3000.00. The folks who own her did not have time to race her. She is a beautiful mare. Maybe
and off the track job for her?????
signofthetimes
@DMCQ
Thanks for thinking of me. I think I missed the tribute from Kate Wheeler. Was it on another post?
signofthetimes
@Laura J
I would love to know some stories about Dynaformer on the track. I bet he was a handful. Yes, putting a bit in his mouth
would be a scary job. Like Sunday Silence and the peppermints Charlie used to give him, risking loss of his hand each time.
Do you remember Dynaformer’s jockey?
judy berube
Dear Signofthetimes:
Thank you for the link. I know, it is a business. Sometimes it just makes me sad. I love them all so much. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Z,
Goodnight and Sweet Baby Dreams. Love you so much, Judy and Russ
signofthetimes
@Judy B
I feel the same way. They fly across the world and what if something happens. They are all so valuable and really priceless.
They can not be replaced. It seems that only one or two could be
sent. I have a couple of really cute photos of Bernie after he did his two moneighs. He looks so proud with his big thick neck.
He has a little gleam in his eye, like look what I just did.
Barbara Grimaldi
Kim S–just sent 50 to the ranch–have to save those four horses
I really don’t care about stallions being scarce in Australia or South America–sending our great stallions there, flying thousands of miles, is way too punishing and risky for them. I’m sorry, but we should all be concerned about this. Send his good stuff in a test tube or something–don’t do this to great horses. I know I sound like an amateur who knows absolutely nothing about racing, but how would we feel if our Zenny was shipped that far? We’d all be in an uproar, and justifiably so. So why not for Bernardini and the other fine USA stallions? By the way, why was Ferdinand sent to Japan in the first place? Hopefully not as a stallion for breeding purposes…I am a definite worrier, sorry
judy berube
Dear Signofthetimes:
I know you do. You love him, Frankel, Street Cry and all of them as much as I do. They really do have distinct personalities. I worry that they have to make adjustments and adapt. I guess they get used to the new surroundings. I have to shake these blues. I left a link earlier on this Diary of a slideshow for this week. There’s a couple of nice photos of Frankel, as well all the other horses that won over the week. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Brooke in Mrs. Voltz Class:
Good for you. I Didn’t realize Dusty was a rescue. That’s wonderful that you’re taking such good care of him. You have a lovely teacher in Mrs. Voltz and she has a lovely student in you. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Signofthetimes:
Here’s the slideshow I referenced. Hugs, J.B. http://gallery.bloodhorse.com/SlideShow/default.aspx?gallery=080211
s (in San Diego)
Dearest Z…On a happy note…Love the hat on Rafael! People like Rafael brighten the day for those they work with.
On to the subject on so many of our minds and hearts…..I have a feeling that we as a group…may be able to make a difference. I have left a message for someone at TROTT to try to get more info on what I (we ) can do to help. Also, spoke to someone who spent years in the industry and says that certain track and states are much worst then others. He gave me some information on where to start my own investigating in order to have a better understanding.
@Gary, Thank you for your post yesterday…I found it very informative and I have to admit, got a good giggle out of your conversation with Z.
@Judy B…praying the blues fade away soon. But I know what you mean…I literly could not sleep for several nights after realizing the depth of the situation. Then after reading the articles and digging a little deeper, my dreams at night have been about these horses. Now…I am just more determined. My dream of retirement (a few years from now I hope) was to find a small place, outside of Califonia and rescue a few horses in need. I assumed it would be those who were no longer sound enough to work, or just getting on in years…now I know I want to do so much more NOW.
Blessings to all.
Kate Wheeler
Zenny, do you know how much you inspire each and every one of us to do good, and to share joys, sorrows and a hearty dose of humor just about every day? It is at this site, where we all come because of our love for you, that we have now called each other to action to do our part to stop the sale here of horses sent to slaughter in Canada and Mexico. I believe that if we put our collective outrage and energy to the task, we can significantly help those who have been struggling tireless over the years to save horses from this cruel fate, and maybe, eventually, can help to actually put an end to the slaughterhouses, or at least an end to their supply of horses from the States. In part, out of our love for you and the people in your life who have treated you with such care, we will do all we can. You and they are the true example of what the relationship between humans and horses can be. Although we know realistically that not all horses can live as gloriously as you, we want to do our part to assure that they at least can live a natural life. We act in your honor.
@signofthetimes: I posted a poem for you and Katlyn that had been sent to me by a friend several months ago when I lost my sweet and totally mischievous black lab, Mary Jane. It gave me some comfort. I was hoping it would do the same for you. It is near the end of Post #310.
J Smith
@Brooke & Zenyatta, oh how I would love to see a photo of Dusty. Zenyatta, do you think you could share a photo of Dusty with us when you get them? Hope you are having a wonderful summer Brooke, it’s so nice to see your posts on here.
Molly
@signofthetimes: Is it true that Street Cry and Vertigineux had another meeting in the breeding shed?
J Smith
@All good to hear of all the action being taken. I did post earlier on RIP Deputy Broad fb that it would be great if they could post ways in which we could help, as being the ‘average man in the street’I didn’t always know where to look to read up on actions already in progress. I also said that we should be respectful of one anothers opinions, as we are not always going to agree on everything, but as a place to go for links on issues, and to learn what is going on, it could be very useful. So as Sharon & Joan said, do check it out. I used to think facebook was the worst invention, until I discovered horse pages! You really can set it to total privacy and people cannot see anything but your name unless you want them to. If u sign up, just read the privacy settings, and set them. Maybe Trina could start a new business, setting up peoples fb pages! Ha ha,just kidding, don’t tell her I said that!
Joan, thanks for all the info.
Gary M, did u read Shari V’s post? I think more pillowcases may be at Derby on Sat. U’d better alert us so we can find it on TV if u are planning a ‘suprize’, you’ll hear me cheering from CA, and it won’t be for the horses, well, I suppose indirectly it will be.
Bernardini & Street Cry, don’t worry, those 2 have racked up plenty o frequent flyer miles and are treated very well. I don’t think it bothers them at all. Street Cry goes to Ireland as well, I think. My concern is, too much breeding! Who is going to look after all their offspring who don’t even make it to the track? In fact, I think I may write and ask that question.
Am I correct in thinking Harmonious is a Dynerformer filly? And look how mellow she is, at least, when I’ve seen her she is! Are any of his offspring known for being errr, head strong!
J Smith
As u r no doubt well aware, I never correct my spelling mistakes, but in this case, well, I don’t want Dynaformer coming after me!
Patricia
@ALL: I JUST CHECKED OUT VALLEY VIEW RANCH EQUINE RESCUE. THESE POOR BABIES NEED OUR HELP. THERE ARE USUALLY AROUND 200 POSTERS HERE DAILY ( GIVE OR TAKE) IF WE ALL DONATED $10. WE COULD RAISE $2000. TOWARDS THE GOAL OF SAVING THESE HORSES…
TO ALL WHO POST HERE, YOU HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE IN MY LIFE. THANK YOU
Brenda S
Dear Judy B – Good morning, I hope you had a restful night and I am so sorry that my post about Bernie gave you such a shock. Most times I feel like the “country bumpkin” on this site, the rest of you know so much more about horses than me so I assumed that you all would know. That should teach me about what happens when you ass u ME!!! Maybe I should start posting as the diary’s BUMPKIN DUMPLING. Have a good day Judy.
Brenda S
S J. Smith – You’re correct, Harmonious is one of Dynaformer’s and he was behaving in a much calmer way when we saw him three weeks ago. I asked if was better behaved since we had seen two years ago, there was no sign he’d been kicking the H*** out of his stall. We were told that he is somewhat better and he how has a small barn all to himself since he’s retired. He didn’t look too well the day we were there and the tour guide called for a groom to check him out but it was very hot and humid so he could just have been a bit overheated – I know I was.
Brenda S
@ J. Smith – like you, I’m not correcting typos. Sorry.