Good morning everyone,
I hope you have had a very nice week. I have. It has been quite relaxing and peaceful here at Lane’s End.
Right before my team left Barn 55 for the summer (remember they had to take everything out for the every other year cleaning process) a friend of Anita’s (John’s sister) came to visit the barn.
He is an artist named Pema. He brought John a lovely piece which is meant to bring ‘good luck’. What a very sweet gesture on his part! Many thanks to him. For people in racing…luck is a very precious consideration!
In looking over the entries for this weekend…..the races look to be very exciting. Again, as seems to be the case during the summer seasons, there are quite a few major stakes races running around the country. They have definite implications as far as the road to the Breeders Cup is concerned.
David is currently at Saratoga for the next few weeks working. They have a yearling sale there next week. He also enjoys the opportunity to visit with the other horses he has purchased for clients and see the ones that have grown up from the matings he has planned for their owners. It is always so much fun to touch base. We horses….are like his dear friends!
Sarah will also be going to Saratoga to work for a few weeks. This is great news as Dottie has asked her to get some ‘fun photos’ from that venue for us to share with you in the diary. This will be so special to get an up to the minute report on the Saratoga happenings from these two people we know so well.
I’m off to stay cool under one of my favorite trees. Have a splendid weekend…enjoy the great racing…drink lots of water to stay hydrated….and most of all enjoy your time with your family and friends.
With love,
Hugs to all~ (especially my John’s mom, Mary Jane, who is truly not feeling well at this time)
Z
signofthetimes
@Kari Bissell
Oh yes!!! Rock Hard Ten, a real looker. When I saw him in stallion directory, I was in awe. Would love to see him at LE.
@Brenda S
Sooo lucky to see Curlin and Rock Hard Ten at LE. Glad they enjoyed the peppermints.
@DJ
Really love your prayers they are very inspirational and often hit on issues all of us face everyday. Thanks.
@JudyB
Thanks for the Symphony or Horses video very beautiful, what Zenny is about.
DJ
To signofthetimes: Thank you very much. I will be happy to cease posting them if others feel as JT. They are not for me… I already have read my morning prayers which are often different ones than I post :)
signofthetimes
@JAG
Thanks so much for posting the Battle of the Exes video.
I am sorry it was hardly a match between a Hall of Fame
Jockey and a woman with 11 years jockey experience on the track. There is so much tension between them and sooo many years (6) of fighting and competing. The best person won MIKE SMITH and he truely was a gentleman to even participate.
This woman should have realized how lucky she was to be
dating and engaged to a wonderful man and put the track out of her romance. To want to “kick his butt” is not someone who really wanted a lasting relationship with a very nice person like Mike. He did not get where he is without a very competative spirit.
I would love to see the race between P Val and Julie, much better skill match as jockey’s.
Sorry for getting on my soap box about this.
signofthetimes
Here is a very funny video some friends sent me from my Barn a few years ago, it is the Budweiser Clydesdales in a Snow fight.
Would Zenny have fun with this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eT6RdtSRP3c
Sunny Boyd
P. S.
What’s going on with the Breeder’s Cup selecting Santa Anita/Ca instead of The Belmont. An article in the DRF suggests favoritism, unfairness by the Selective Committee. What’s behind it? Aby any clues?
signofthetimes
Pema thanks for all of the racing luck you brought this weekend.
Horses safe and sound to return home.
Go Shakelford in the Travers !!!!!!
signofthetimes
Here is a lovely video titled Equestrian a Life worth Risking
Everything. I found it when Judy B posted her Symphony:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeUhD0C4s3s&NR=1
Sunny Boyd
@ DJ
I appreciate it if you didn’t. Thanks
signofthetimes
@Sunny Boyd
Guess it is Breeders Cup Politics !!!!
Sunny Boyd
didn’t post prayers. Thanks
Not all the time anyway.
Marshall (girl's name)
Queen Z, love you to bits!!
@Kari Bussell, you are the BEST!
@Catherine Uhner, very best wishes to you and smooth sailing with your transplant.
@Terry Crow, thanks so much for the welcome injections of humor! Love those jokes!
All the best to all our Zenyatta Family!
signofthetimes
@DJ
Agree with “custody of my eyes”.
I often look over posts as well.
DJ
To Sunny B: I see. A few more and I will not. No problem!
signofthetimes
@Kari Bissell
Will have to look up No Biz like Show Biz. Thanks
signofthetimes
Here is the Whitney video for anyone who did not see it:
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/64389/tizway-decisive-winner-in-whitney-handicap
signofthetimes
Dear Zenny,
Hope you had a wonderful relaxing day and thank Pema for his wishes for luck. Your Mike won and the best jockey won. Hope you and Bernie are Tangoing while he is in Australia. Sweet Dreams and hope John’s mom’s health is improving. Having an
can create rewarding challenges. XXXXXOOOOO
Marshall (girl's name)
@DJ, thanks for the Isaac Watts prayer. That is my favorite hymn – except for the Christmas caroles. All the best!
@Tarheel Mom, congratulations on your win in the Honorable Miss today!
@Sean Avery, fantastic victory in the Vanderbilt Handicap today!
@Tizway and Turbulent Descent: Congrats to both of you for your victories yesterday!
Congratulations to the winner of the Hambletonian, too!
Delrene
Perservered and was able to see your video made for Dottie’s birthday. It was really cute. Thaks Kari B for your efforts.
Barbara Grimaldi
I’d like to say something about the match race. I deplore them because of their danger to animal and rider. And this one was just a marketing ploy. The man was given the best, most experienced horse and the woman was given a horse not quite on the first horse’s level. All that patter before and after the race was so rehearsed and marketing-oriented. Neither jockey should have done this, but they must have been paid a lot. Neither came off as good guys. I said on one of my first posts here that I was at Belmont when Ruffian went down and that vision still haunts me, so match races seem crazy to me. I’m sure you all feel differently, but that’s what I wanted to say.
DJ: I’m not a praying person and am probably a deist, but I do not mind your prayers as you take them from so many different writers that they interest me because I never seek them out. So I’d like to thank you for adding a bit of comfort to this diary. I hope you don’t stop posting.
SIGNOFTHETIMES: I have always loved the Clydesdale commercials. What magnificent animals they are!
JUDY B: loved the little lyrical equestrian film…I’m not much for jumping horses–I’m afraid to watch! But this was a sensitively done film and beautiful to watch. Thank you.
DOREEN: you and I fear the same thing, so the only other way you can get the site address is if you are near a track where other dumplings go, or you live near other dumplings. This part is hard for me because it is open to all, but I’m as cautious as you are. I’ll try to think of a solution.
BRENDA S: just saw your lovely invitation–I will try to get a room there, as I respect privacy–my own and that of others. Maybe I’ll luck out and we can ride back and forth to the track together and hopefully meet other dumplings!!!! Thank you for your kindness. By the way, I am a soccer fan big time and MU is one of my top two teams (the other being Barcelona). Also love the USA teams. We would have lots to talk about!
SHARON IN SEATTLE: I’m having a devil of a time not posting my private information on this site and at the same time getting dumplings to the site. Perhaps I’m too cautious. Are there any dumplings in Seattle (great city–I loved it there) whom you may know? I am not an editor on this site so if I post it stays forever–I cannot delete. As I told Doreen above, this is a problem I will have to work harder on.
About activism, I’ve been active in animal rights since 1981 and worked on projects for many types of animals in many places, but I never worked exclusively for horses before. My dedication to them grows, thanks to beloved Zenyatta (and Dottie).
Got to hit the sack now to get up early in the morning and work on tweaking the site…hugs and high hooves to all
DMCQ
Zenyatta, I have been back several times to see You near the tree in the pasture. It reminded me of one of my all time favorite children’s books, THE GIVING TREE, about the tree that gives everything it has to give for the boy who grew up knowing the tree. The tree is like You, in that You gave all of us the benefit of Your amazing talent. Now You are guiding us by Your model that Your amazing talent can still be celebrated through Your participating in Your generous way to make sure charitable activities succeed. Leading the way for Your world, Dottie has acted as your voice to teach us about Your world and kept us in virtual contact with You. We are so very grateful to have this special place to share our thoughts with You and Dottie and all of the friends we are making here.
To all the Z Dumplings, I am grateful to you for letting me participate in this group! So many of you have become so very special to me. I have just a few notes to catch up.
@Khc: I so admire you and was glad to see your recent comment.
@JAG: I’ve been frequenting the candles again :)
@Abigail in Montreal: I enjoyed getting into the links you posted.
@Kari B: I enjoyed the Lippizaner links. I saw one of the traveling groups in Montgomery @ two years ago. Though the arena was almost shabby and needed work, the Lippizaners gave a marvelous show and took me into their performance so much that I forgot the surroundings. Also, I have loved the recent posts for Dottie as well as The Mouse Story which you found and shared. I shared it on my page and hope that the children and adults will see it.
@Catherine: I will be thinking of you on Tuesday.
@Gary M: So very sorry about what happened to you! Actually, that was very scarey to read about. I hope you check in every day, so we know you continue to be OK.
@Laura J: Thank you for advice on visiting horse farms and how to find tours.
@Jeanie: I’m looking for some affordable cases for you. I’ll let you know if I find any.
@DJ: Thank you for your morning and evening mediations/prayers. So many of us look forward to those that I hope you continue to post. Those who don’t want to read these have the power to self edit and scroll on by.
@Terry C: I look for your posts and you never have failed to make me smile! Though I think you have to be a certain age to understand some-fortunately I’m there and can. Another benefit for being eligible for the senior discount!
@Barbara Grimaldi, Barbara Wood, Diana S, Karen, Judy Berube, JAG, Shari V, Susan in TN: Just want you to know that I look for you and appreciate your somments and links, kindnesses and sincerity.
@ all: Signing off. Time to walk McDude. Zenny, I’m looking forward to seeing what’s up for tomorrow!
DMCQ
Not somments-comments. I know, typos are ok, but I just couldn’t leave that one uncorrected. Probably more up there so I’m not going to re-read the post.
signofthetimes
Just saw the video of the Galileo by Egyptian Queen (Storm Cat)
on the Fastig Tipton site (consigned by Lanes End agent). Born
in Ireland.
He look just like Frankel !!! Gorgeous head and tall lean body.
A beautiful individual. Hip #115
Kari Bussell
@Terry Crow -Yes he finished 10 in 2007 (I think , bad with time) Kentucky Derby…He won Wood Memorial
showing great heart…and others. I also loved his story his owner Elizabeth Vanondo named for her recently deceased husband who was in show business.
@Signofthetimes- I have some videos of him saved in favs…I’ll post one.
@DJ- Your prayers bless me and so do you. :)
Kari Bussell
*named him*
signofthetimes
Oh yes, the Curlin’s are very cute. I think two are filly, chestnut like him muscled but with very feminine heads. There is a grey Curlin as well. I think a colt. Did not look up the Dam. They are three beautiful individuals.
If anyone is interested in a look, there are video’s on the site of all of those for sale.
judy berube
Dear DMCQ:
Thanks for your kind words. Always enjoy your posts. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Signofthetimes:
Going to check out the Fastig Tipton site. Thanks. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Barbara Grimaldi:
Glad you enjoyed the video. It is beautiful, I think. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Signofthetimes:
Thanks for the great links. Hugs, J.B.
Kari Bussell
Nobiz Like Shobiz-The Works
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrkNx-qX-8o
Footage of him is rare. This is the best I could find…not mine.