Happy Monday to All!
It’s Labor Day! It is so hard to believe that it’s technically the last day of summer.
Today at Del Mar, the race track is hosting a group who serve in our Armed Forces. MY JOHN was a Marine during his time in the service. He is going to visit with the guests today at Del Mar and participate in some of the activities with them. I gather the executive offices told MY JOHN that even if some soldiers were not really familiar with racing…they did know about ZENYATTA! (That’s ME!)
Hearing this is very special to ME! (Wink, Wink!)
MY JOHN is going to speak with the group later in the morning. We’ve heard they were going to ask him for some ‘handicapping tips’. Dottie was teasing him last night that he better start studying the FORM for the entire Monday card quickly! I’m sure he will do very well!
One of the things I remember fondly about BARN 55 is all of the YOGA type exercises we would do. My dear trainer would have ME do lots of stretches all of the time to help ME in any way possible.
Well, I gather he has his exercise riders doing the same thing. John was buying yoga mats to use at the barn the other day…so individuals could stretch any time needed. Michelle took this photo of MAX, one of the exercise riders, after he completed the daily training exercise with 3 fillies: Harmonious, Star Billing and Gelila.
From all reports, MAX agrees with ME. These stretching techniques really work!
I’d also like to send a special HIGH HOOF to Havre de Grace. Last Saturday, she ran a great race at Saratoga winning her Grade 1 with style against the boys!
Enjoy your LABOR DAY! My Team and I so appreciate all who defend our country…and those who work so hard each day to make everything in our lives better.
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~
Z
Irene Caty
Love you always Zenyatta and will always remember your wonderful racing days. You were always the shining star in the sky and you are still that special star and your light shines very bright. Waiting for your baby Wink Wink to be born and I bet that it will be a special shineing star also. That will be a very special time for you, I wish I could see it happen. Will be waiting for yor post tomorrow, Zen!
Susan in TN
@signofthetimes: The FB page is “Chester and Friends.” It is listed as a “community” page (don’t know if that makes a difference- it seemed to be the best choice when I set it up). Hope you see it!
@Quarterhossgal: Sounds like encouraging news!! Will wait to hear from you.
To all who commented on the Sweeties (last post and today’s)-they THANK YOU! <3
Barbara Wood
@Quarterhossgal–thanks for sharing your good news with us! Most of the news we’re getting these days is bad, so we are thrilled that your girl is doing better. Hope you have caught it early and can restore her to health.
Diana S
@quarterhossgal: Such good news, even if it is a baby step on the way to her recovery. Your mare is surrounded by the good karma of hundreds here. Maybe you can’t see it, but I bet she feels it. Keep the updates coming.
diastu in tempe
CAbred
@Anne: The John Shear Inside Information video is on his facebook page.
Vicki B.
@Susan in TN – Smitten is good!
@signofthetimes – You’re right in your prediction about the Seattle Slew quote from Steve Haskin’s article, as you wrote to Trina.
and @Terry Crow – you may be right about the way people forget over the next 40 yrs., but like you said, except for “Personal Ensign, not one top horse has retired undefeated.” If I could wave a magic wand, and change the result of her final race, would I? — a part of me still wants to have that exhilarating experience I expected, but most of my feeling about the meaning of it all, has changed, and I think it’s really better as it turned out. But we can talk about it, anyway.
judy berube
Dear Signofthetimes:
You’re welcome. Hugs, .B.
judy berube
Dear Gary M.:
Breaking even is great. Good for you. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Quarterhossgal:
Good news. Hope things keep improving. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Z,
Goodnight and Sweet Baby Dream. Love you so much, Judy and Russ
OraJean Stevenson
Dear Zenny,
Happy Labor Day ! to you and all your wonderful TEAM !!
I enjoyed the races from Del Mar and Saratoga, on TV, this afternoon.
Have a great week. Fondly, OraJean
Trina Nagele
Sleep tight, sweet Z, till the morning light.
@Debbie G—Great comment about horses that are loved, and a wonderful story of Paul Mallory and Seattle Slew! Please tell him the Z-sters send him their greetings and wish him all the best—we would love to hear more of what he has to say about his beloved Slew.
@Terry Crow—Cute statue joke.
@Vicki B and “Charlie” in NJ—-Love that Kincsem!
@Trish and Mike—Very interesting post about Havre de Grace’s pre-race behavior!
@Joanna—Thank you for the info on Euro fillies.
@Shari Voltz—Say thanks to your hubby from all of us for his service in the Navy. I bet he looked super handsome in that uniform, too?!
@Dawn—It’s very satisfying to read the story of your brother Duane’s return from Vietnam. I remember how you shared earlier that he knew you had always wanted a horse, and before leaving for Vietnam, he bought the beautiful bay filly Cinder for you and surprised you (and your parents) with that ever so special going-away present. How sweet is that!
@John Shirreffs—Thanks for your service in the Marines.
@Michelle—Good Biblical advice with regard to waiting for your Boaz. Too cute!
@Quarterhossgal—I am so glad to hear there are positive signs of recovery for your mare. Please continue to keep us posted.
@All in the path of the fires in Texas—Praying for your safety.
Patricia
@all
I drove out to Loma Rica ranch in Grass Valley to check out the spot where Noor had been located. Ever since I heard what Charlotte was planning, I’d been driving past Loma Rica and visiting the racetrack and ( sheepishly) telling Noor to be patient, a new dawn was awaiting him. I thought I’d read that Noor was buried in the middle of the track but his grave was far west of center. At any rate, when I arrived, there was a peacefulness , almost like a sigh, around the site and surrounding area. I stayed for awhile taking in the broken fence railings and weedy, overgrown land. I could still see in my mind all the shining mares and their foals from long ago. There was this sense of release finally, that the property could now move forward to it’s next phase of life. It had finally given up all it’s ghosts… I doubt I’ll ever go back…
Kate Wheeler
Zenyatta, are your ears a ringin’? There has been much discussion on this post about your last race in the BC Classic in 2010 and your receipt of the 2010 Horse of the Year award. I for one believe you truly deserved it in 2010, and even though you didn’t “win” the Classic, it was your most breathtaking and magnificent race ever, and you truly won the hearts and minds of even your most ardent critics. Notably Classic winners have been voted Horse of the Year only 42% of the time since the inception of the Eclipse awards, so the 2010 award to Z was not unusual.
@Terry Crow and Signofthetimes: I’ve enjoyed your debate. But I agree with Signofthetimes, Z deserved to be voted Horse of the Year for what she did in racing and for racing in 2010.
In racing, Zenyatta won more Grade l races than Blame. In the Classic she beat all the same “best male horses” that Blame beat. She earned the same Beyer Speed Figure in the Classic as Blame. She never lost to any horse by 4 lengths going away like Blame lost to Haynesfield in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. She showed up big time and ready to fire for every single race, not only in 2010 but in her whole career, and her only lifetime loss was by a few inches. In 2010 she tied or broke records for consecutive wins, Grade l wins and earnings. Z’s 2010 racing performance was phenomenal.
What has been even more phenomenal, however, is what Zenyatta did in 2010 and still does for thoroughbred racing. She brought crowds, new fans and unprecedented and glowing media attention. She brought goosebumps and thrills, joy and, on one occasion, heartbreak. And she never stopped dancing.
Zenyatta was the horse of the year in 2010. She is the horse of the decade. She is, so far, the horse of this century. And, I’m sure we’d all agree, we will never forget her.
@Patricia: Your narrative about Loma Rica ranch in Grass Valley after the recent departure of Noor was quite lyrical. Thank you so much.
@Quarterhossgal: Hurrah for your mare’s improvement. I hope she keeps it up. We are pulling for her and for you.
@Signofthetimes: i agree with you that Rachel Alexandra’s exhausting campaign as a 3 year old in 2009 probably cost her her 4 year old racing year.
Kim
Hi Zenny, how do you like our weather? Ninty-Eight on Saturday, 58 on Monday. I can guess which you liked the best. Love your posts. I’ve found myself saying “too cute” a lot lately! Love you, big mare.
LauraJ
@Kim, it’s a great day to be a horse!
Sunny Boyd
Good morning Zetty,
running with the wind in your mane, in the early hours of the day, aren’t you? You and T. T. have a great day! :) :) :)
Marriage is nature’s way of keeping us from fighting with strangers. Alan King
:) :) :)
Sunny Boyd
@ Kate Wheeler
Great kudos for Zenyatta :) :) :)
Linda in NJ
Hi Zenny: I hope you had a great Labor Day weekend. For me, I was so busy, and had a wonderful time. I recently started taking YOGA classes myself. I can honestly say I have noticed a big difference in my mobility. This is great advice for all your Z-fans. Take care Zenny.
JAG from California :-)
Hello Big Mamma!
I’m writing this on Tuesday because I had not idea you worked on Labor Day ;-) SILLY me!!
**********
Kisses & Hugs to Queen Z and Baby Z XOXOXOXO
Paul
Zenyatta, you are absolutely 100% right about how fast time goes by. It sometimes seems like yesterday that it was 10 years ago. There were some great races on this past weekend. I went to a football game on Saturday, however. Unfortunately, that meant missing many of the horse races. That will happen 6 more times this year for football purposes. Taking myself away from the horse races on TV takes some real doing on my part, but I have been a fan of my team for a long time too, and I won’t stop being a fan of theirs just like that either. I’m between a rock and a hard place on this issue. Once again, congratulations to all horses who won their races. It was nice of John to hang out with the soldiers at Del Mar and help them out with horse racing tips. It is a real honor that they knew about you, Zenyatta. Another brush with greatness for you, girl! You brought up another fond memory of yours from barn 55 which involved you and the other horses doing yoga exercises as well as the exercise riders. If I could exercise with you, I could get really excited about exercising!
Alene
Zenny, Everyone knows you…You are THE GIRL!!! The BEST ALWAYS….Love YOU Alene
Sally (B)
Happy belated Labor Day Z and your team family. Your words are always so welcome to read. I feel so good when I do.
love you with 2 kisses on your soft nose, one for baby z