Happy Friday!
It is always so hard for ME to believe how quickly time is literally flying by. It is already September 2nd….and the closing weekend of racing at both Del Mar and Saratoga. Labor Day is upon us…and students all over the country are returning to school.
I hope all of you enjoy your weekend and all of the great racing that is scheduled. The 2 year olds are starting to step up to stakes activity on both coasts….and then Havre de Grace is going to take on the males in The Woodward Stakes–G1. Additionally at Del Mar, the Del Mar Derby G-2 will be showcased. All the best to all of the participants and their connections.
Yesterday, a few dear friends of mine sent Dottie a link regarding an article in the September, 2011, issue of THE AMERICAN TURF MAGAZINE. The piece is written by Mark Shrager. In it, he is listing (in his opinion) the TOP 10 AMERICAN RACE HORSES EVER!
Guess who is there at #6? ME!!
Now this is very special…and I so appreciate Mark’s ranking. The list of horses and how he rated the TOP 10 are as follows:
1) DR. FAGER
2) KELSO
3) SECRETARIAT
4) SEATTLE SLEW
5) CITATION
6) ZENYATTA…….THAT’S ME! (BLUSH, BLUSH)
7) AFFIRMED
8) MAN O’ WAR
9) SPECTACULAR BID
10) JOHN HENRY
Click here for the article.
This is a list of some amazing thoroughbreds with massive racing accomplishments. I am so PROUD to be included with this elite company. Dottie was commenting to John last night that I AM THE ONLY FEMALE on the list. Also, I am the only horse to be included who ran in the last few decades. John Henry won his HOTY titles in 1981 and 1984. All of the other horses represent decades of racing before that time. This is truly significant and as I mentioned earlier, I am extremely PROUD and HONORED to be in such company.
I hope you enjoy the article, your weekend, and some great RACING! Cheers to great handicapping!
With Love,
Hugs to All~ (Thank you Camille and Jim for sharing this article with US!)
Z
Kari Bussell
This is Zenyatta Heart (tribute)
This is NOT mine-
One of the best videos of her ever in case you missed it or like me want to watch again. Love & Joy to All-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIf8gdfCRIE
Margot Grummon
Just a small addition to the top 10. Congratulations on your inclusion…..However, how were Sea Biscuit and Whirl Away overlooked. Guess I’m just old enough to remember.
Theresa Buck
I am so proud of you….you are the best…you challenged the best, beat the best…you came from the west..you were put thru the test…now you deserves to rest…muuah love you Zenny
JAG from California :-)
EXCITING NEWS!!!! :-)
Half-sister to Zenyatta will be cataloged for Keeneland November:
http://www.paulickreport.com/news/bloodstock/half-sister-to-zenyatta-will-be-cataloged-for-keeneland-november/#
Kari Bussell
This is Zenyatta Heart (tribute)
This is NOT mine-
One of the best videos of her ever in case you missed it or like me want to watch again. Love & Joy to All-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Llf8gdfCRIE
ABOVE LINK DOES NOT WORK I THIS ONE SHOULD
SORRY!
Kari Bussell
SECOND LINK WORKS!—–
Angie Martin
Super Congrats Zinny!! Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!
LauraJ
@JAG, which sister? I can’t get Paulick Report here owing to a site filter.
LauraJ
@JAG, you might be interested to learn that Z’s sis Balance has a foal in the upcoming Keeneland September sale, a colt by Street Cry. Her AP Indy colt was last year’s sale topper.
Alexandra Bowdoin
Dear Zenyatta, We are so proud of you and your achievments!! Your are #1 in my eyes!
Have a Great Long Weekend everyone and stay safe.
Jeanie
Dear Great One,
Your ranking on this list doesn’t surprise me one bit. You belong in that company. I will say that I am not a big Man O War fan. I probably would have rather seen Cigar on the list.
Your humble J
JAG from California :-)
The weanling filly is also a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Balance (Thunder Gulch), the dam of last year’s Keeneland September yearling sale topper Mr. Besilu (A.P. Indy), who sold for $4.2 million.
——–
Henrythenavigator (Kingmambo) was a champion 3 year-old in Ireland during his brilliant racing career, winning the Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1), Irish 2000 Guineas (Ire-G1), St. James’s Palace S. (Eng-G1), and Sussex S. (Eng-G1), and finishing 2nd in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). He stands at Ashford Stud in Versailles, Kentucky.
Terry Crow
Man O’War was a little before my time, racing wise, but I had the pleasure of seeing all the others on the list race in person. In my opinion, which I think is just as valid as the writer, you can put all these names in a hat and draw them out like they used to do with the post position draw in the Derby and you couldn’t go wrong no matter which way you ranked them. It is very difficult to compare horses from different eras, just as it is with comparing athletes from any sport. @Kathy Baldwin, Peppermint, Barbara Wood, Barbara Grimaldi, Judy Berube, Margie and signofthetimes–No matter how you slice it, Jerry Lewis got a raw deal. @Karen Gogue, Judy Berube, DJ, Barb France, Susan in TN, Kim S, signofthetimes and Trina Nagele-Thanks for the kind comments about the jokes. @Sunny Boyd-Very funny jo0kes from Phyllis Diller and Rodnery Dangerfield, two of my favorites. Here’s one from Rodney you probably know-“I don’t get no respect. My twin brother, he forgot my birthday.” I can see him pulling on his tie as he told that one. @Cynthia H-Well said. @Kate Wheeler-Saw on the news that a storm out of Mexico was headed for Louisiana- Hope it doesn’t affect you.@Kari Bussell and Susan in TN-You MIGHT be a redneck if you have ever stolen toilet paper from a public restroom. Today’s joke–A state trooper sees a vehicle on the Interstate doing 33 miles an hour and pulls the car over to make sure everything is OK. When he approaches the driver, he discovers that it is a nun. “Excuse me, sister, but are you alright?” he asked. She replies, “Oh, yes officer. We’re just fine. Was I doing something wrong?” The officer says “Well sister, you were traveling way under the speed limit and I was concerned that you might be having car trouble.” “But officer,” the nun said, “I saw a sign there about a mile back that said 33 and I know I wasn’t going any faster than that.” Chuckling, the trooper says “Sister, that was a state highway route marker, not the speed limit. This is State Route 33. The speed limit signs have a MPH at the bottom.” The nun replied, “Oh, now don’t I feel foolish.” The officer then said “That’s OK, but please try to be more careful. I would hate to see you get hurt.” Then as he turns to say good-bye to the nuns in the back seat, he notices for the first time that they are trembling violently and quite pale. “Sister, what is wrong with your friends? Can I escort you to a hospital?” The nun then said “They’re all right. We just turned off Route 150.”
Jo
Congratulations, Zenyatta! So thrilled to see you with the all-time greats of the sport, where you clearly belong! The legend will grow with time, too. What a blessing you’ve been to so many. Love to Z aand Team Zenyatta!
L
Ruffian should be on the list too.
Jo
@Kari: thank you for posting the Z video! So nice to see that one again…goosebumps.
Louise Castello
@LauraJ – Having grown up watching Secretariat, I have to agree horses aren’t raced anything like they used to be. Don’t you think, like human athletes, their endurance doesn’t build up enough? I’m no expert, but it seems like it would make a huge difference.
Daphne
Dearest Z-
You are #1 in my eyes! You could take them all on and take them all down! You are The Queen for a reason.
Love you and love watching your baby bump blossom!
Daina Ryan
Big Z – this article doesn’t surprise me a bit. Whenever I and company would be watching one of your races (none of them were into horseracing like me – I just forced them to watch :) – – I would tell them they have to pay attention (and they did) because they are about to be witness to one of the greatest racehorses of all time… something historical and we all like to be a part of that. You will most likely be very high on the list of the top 20 of the 21st Century. I won’t be around to see it but I know you’ll be on that list.
Cathy Marshall
I would add Forego to that list. IMO. Love ya, Zenny!
JAG from California :-)
FYI ~
EL CAJON STAKES @ DEL MAR 6:30 p.m.
Lover of Horses
You totally deserve to be on that list, Zenyatta! Though, in my opinion, you are the #1 racehorse ever!
Karen
Congratulations, Beautiful Zenyatta! You are Number1 to me and I am sure to many. So happy you are on the well deserved list. Have a great weekend to all. I love you Zenyatta.
Linda E Ohio
All I know Zennie, is if all these greats ran in one race, you would come flying in the end for another very close heart pounding, nerve racking finish-just like always. Love you.
dunie
To me, you are #1, Zenny!
mary bobolis
Wow! What a great article and so well deseved by you. Mmmm. No Rachael on the list…
Colleen in IL
You are the best!
Susan in TN
@Lisa- How wonderful about your stallion- that is amazing! Thanks for the info. Yes, I can picture Zenny doing dressage- gorgeous! And you are in Fayetteville? Well, I have had family there since the 1920’s! You might know some of my cousins (don’t know how old you are)- the Faison’s? Small world. My brother and I used to spend part of our summers there when we were growing up. I got my first horse there, a Tennessee Walking Horse. My second horse that I got as a teenager in the Chicago area was a Thoroughbred. I showed him in hunt seat. In those days, Thoroughbreds were the only breed doing that sort of thing (in my area). Dressage was just becoming known and I had never heard of Warmbloods at that time. I truly love ALL breeds, but there is something about a Thoroughbred in action that will take your breath away! Thanks for posting!
Paula Higgins
Zenny/Dottie this is so amazing!!! I have to get a copy of this magazine or just print it out. Zenny you deserve it and more. I know a certain sportswriter on Bloodhorse I would like to send this too LOL! In fact, I am going to trot right over to Bloodhorse and let him know. Charlotte Farmer, congrats on Noor’s reburial. Great job! The marker and flowers were perfect.
Susan in TN
Zenny- How exciting that you are on that list of greats!! Well- deserved, I might add! I am so proud of you-always!- but to be recognized in that way-wow! High hooves! That is an adorable photo of you and Matt- thank you, Mathea! I hope you shared the article with Tasty T, because you are so modest that I am sure she would be thrilled for you! LOVE YOU <3