Good Morning,
Santa Anita is such a gorgeous facility. As you can see, the mountains in the background totally add to the overall environment. When you go to Santa Anita Park in the morning for workouts, they have the ‘CLOCKERS CORNER’ experience available to you at no charge. Just park your car, walk into the grandstand area, and enjoy yourself.
Rosie, who operates the CLOCKERS CORNER CAFE, is a terrific person who will go out of her way to help all of the fans. If you are in the area, going to workouts at Santa Anita is truly a wonderful way to spend your morning.
Additionally, on race day mornings, Clockers Corner is the location where they televise FIRST CALL on HRTV from 8 to 9 Pacific Time. So, you’ll also get to see this program being televised live while you are there.
I must say, though, just looking at those beautiful mountains glistening in the morning sun and watching the horses as they train…is worth the trip!
It is now the time of year in the racing calendar where the horses are ‘moving’ back to their individual home bases from the summer seasons at Del Mar and Saratoga. The vans are arriving at all of the different barns and the horses are carefully loaded on them and sent ‘home’. The tack, the staff, the barn offices…all must be shipped as well. It is quite a job…but it is amazing how ‘in stride’ people take all of this. It is part of racing…and everyone pitches in to make the move go smoothly and to be sure the horses are healthy and happy while all of this is happening.
With my Barn 55 friends, they are en route to Hollywood Park.
The last few days horses have been shipping back to Barn 55 from Del Mar. Several more will leave tomorrow. My John likes to ship a load of 6-8 at a time so they can settle in and get acclimated to their ‘new’ environment before another group of horses arrive. Some of the horses who trained at Santa Anita for the summer will also be transitioned to Hollywood Park. The decision on which location, Santa Anita or Hollywood Park, a horse is housed is based upon their personal needs, personalities, and which environment is better for them overall…to meet their training needs. It is something that is thought out very carefully and in great detail. The horse always comes first.
Throughout my entire racing career, I stayed at BARN 55 at Hollywood Park…except when I would be shipped to Santa Anita (or other race tracks) for a race. I absolutely loved the open spaces there. I had the 2 big grass areas for grazing and I loved my stall..#85. After almost 5 years in that environment, it truly was HOME TO ME!
Have a terrific day!
With Love,
Hugs to all~ (Del Mar…have a great closing day!)
Z
Cynthia H.
@Dawn Conrad: Thank you so much. I will be sure and tell Mom how many peplpe enjoyed it. Z hugs to you.
Karen Gogue
Thank you JAG! Must have Trina instruct me! LOL!!
Marilu V
Dear Zeny! Barn 55 will always be your home. I wish everyone a safe trip back to their homes. It’s amazing how much work, love and dedication is required to take care of all of you! Hugs and kisses, Marilu
DJ
To JAG: I loved your sharing! Thank you! Can’t wait until SA opens in a few weeks! So much closer to home..and my favorite.
DJ
Gary M: Looking for you! Would have liked to see your Picks. Last day at del Mar mandatory pick 6 payoff…was interested in your card, as always. My friend is picking…you have had good advice!
Margaret
Thanks Z you and your family are absolute treasures. You guys are the best!
Elizabeth G.
Maybe someday in the far future you will come and visit us back in California. We all miss you so much… but so happy that you have such beautiful friends and luscious pastures in Kentucky.
Trisha Veazey
beautiful track and facility almost but not quite as beautiful as you big girl
Love, hugs and kisses
suew
Zenny, Barn 55 will always be your home although you may occupy different quarters during your new career. Such beautiful memories we all have of YOU with John, Mario, Steve, Frank and the rest of the team. I love rewatching your races….you set a standard that others can only hope to achieve.
Gloria
Whoo hoo! Love seeing pictures and hearing about Santa Anita, the best race track in the world! Wishing John the most successful meet ever! I’ll always root his horses on to win! Hope all is well with Team Z and Big Mama Z! XOXO to all!
Ann Maree
Sweet Z…so glad YOUR JOHN is back at Barn 55…maybe he will have more time to post some training videos. We haven’t had any since July 13, but I know he’s been busy with his “babies”. Loved his interview with Jay Hovdey about life after YOU, and also about E! Can’t wait for E to have her first race! Big hugs! Ann Maree
Laura
Oh Z, these always make my day :)
Irene Caty
Glad to hear that all the horses are getting back where they belong. It is pretty hot here in Ca today. I want to know if dear John is still keeping stall 85 open and not useing it for another horse. I was hopeing he would. Thinking of you always and sending lots of love dear Zenyatta.
Jan
Zenyatta,
Beautiful picture. I bet everyone is glad to be back on their home turf. Sending love and kisses your way. xoxo
@CA Dumplings: How do we Texans become Dumplings!
Marty R
I’ve been wondering if the maintenence at barn 55 was finished so the Shirreffs Possee could go home. I so envy you Californians with multiple race tracks and double seasons. The Arapahoe Park Race Track has one season so it’s a long drought from mid August to late May of the next year. I’m so thankful for the videos on the internet and the tv coverage of the really “big” races. I’m trying to be a sponge and soak up all the information you wise and knowledgeable posters have about all things “horsey”. To think one horse could bring so many diverse people together in one place is truly phenominal. Of course, there is only one phenominal, Zenyatta.
Delrene
Dear Zenyatta – I have many wonderful memories of Santa Anita Racetrack and you. It’s not that far to go from Carlsbad, Ca – + sometimes we stayed over at the Hilton in Arcadia, Pasadena and one time Monrovia. I love the little town of Sierra Madre and we went hiking too. We make a weekend of it. Been to Clocker’s Corner and taken the backside tour. I recommend it for all visitors. On a clear autumn day it is so beautiful and Arcadia is such a pretty area. It is fun to recognize riders, trainers and feel like you are part of it, in a small way. Had breakfast at the cantina and sat and watched all the beautiful horses workout. I was there the year Giacamo won the KD and it was fun to see Mikey go by on a horse. Thanks for all the memories. Saw you there too! Best part.
Hope you are in the shade. In my backyard it registers 95 in the shade. Crazy for this time of year.
Enjoy – and will soon try Trina’s great instructions.
Delrene
Cynthia H – You did it!!! Great you tube video of SA Park -when it’s all quiet and empty. Beautiful venue. Hope someday all of you can come and see it.
Carole #42
Z..what a gorgeous picture of Santa Anita, wish I could be there. I’am sure you miss your barn 55 friends, they took such good care of you. Peppermint kiss on your nose. XOXO
Amy
Dear Z:
Many horses and other animals are being rescued by volunteers here outside Austin, TX. There is a huge wildfire. See — http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/volunteers-rescue-livestock-and-horses. Money is needed for hay and feed now. If you could get the word out, many Texan horses would appreciate the help! When I came to love you Z, I found love for all horses! Donations can be sent to:
Texas Lost Pines Riding Club (TLPRC) — non-profit
P.O. Box 309
Elgin, TX 78621
Memo: Evacuation
Kimberly Potter
@Sherry Drish~ cute joke! :)
@JAG~ What wonderful memories of Santa Anita…. lucky you!
@Especially Horses~ WOW…isn’t she a Beauty!!! Just WOW!
@Trina Nagele & Sharon in Seattle~ Here’s to BCC 2012 at Santa Anita…I am saving my pennies…
HUGZ
Zenyatta’s #1 fan in Montana!
Kimberly Potter
@Cynthia H~ Beautiful tribute to Santa Anita. GREAT job at sharing it with us. :)
MLV
There was a point in my life when I decided I wanted to go back to Europe, the place of my birth. Of course I couldn’t go without my beloved horse so after months of planning, we made the journey together. We flew on KLM and there were two other horses flying with him. KLM also provided two grooms to fly with the horses. They were at the back of the plane and many of the travelers never even knew they were traveling with horses.
During the flight I was allowed to go back and visit my boy several times. I would go onto the pallet that the horses were being held on and as I looked down below in the cargo area I could see all sorts of wooden crates and about six cars.
When we arrived in Amsterdam, there was a film crew and quite a few fans waiting for one of the horses. Apparently he was a big warmblood show horse, coming home to enter into stud. He was very nice as he came down the plank but my horse was the one that got all the attention. Being a typical Thoroughbred, he was full of spirit and came flying down the ramp, jigging the entire way. He was very beautiful and took all the attention away from the lovely warmblood. I had two uncles there who met me and they were just stunned at what a beautiful boy he was. And I was the proud momma.
Jamie
I’ve been going to Santa Anita for almost 50 years–it is AMAZING.
Love and kisses
Barbara Wood
@Amy–thank you for the link!
tony and sue
Zenny, YOU are an original. An exquisite being who captured our hearts forever. Those of us who saw you race saw greatness personified. Those memories of you, Barn 55 and all the tracks you graced will live with us forever. Thank You.
Debbie
hi Z! I’m watching TVG, Del Mar’s closing day and also Ken’s last day at TVG and Mr. Moss just called them and told Ken good luck in Sacramento. They asked him about YOU and YOUR baby and he said YOUR weight is good and YOU’RE happy so all is fine and they’re going to see YOU next week when they go to the sales… YOU are always on everyone’s mind! YOU are sooo loved!!! and I love YOU gorgeous girl xoxoxo
JAG from California :-)
I’ve wanted to share this link but kept having SENIOR MOMENTS! This organization is also on facebook ~ here’s to our service men and woman:
http://www.mnn.com/family/pets/stories/facebook-challenge-grant-aims-to-donate-100-service-dogs-to-vets-with-ptsd woman:
Jeanie
Dear Great One,
I saw you win your 12th victory last night — the Clement Hirsch in 2009. It never gets old — watching you loping along in the back, then winding up like a jet-powered phenom to just cruise by your competition who are beating themselves up to try to get ahead enough to win. I don’t think you even broke a sweat. And after the race, you turned around and looked at the tote board like you were reading it! Made me smile. You make me smile. You take good care, dear one.
Your humble J
JAG from California :-)
Oh, my!!! The temps have changed in Lexington! Z, you are having light rain and 59 degrees… wish we had some of that relief in CA! We are HOT HOT HOT!! Fire season… :-(
Margie
Hi Zenny, I know you have happy memories of beautiful Santa Anita! You brought your magic there and all in attendance felt it. I was just thinking of calling my sister (who used to work at Santa Anita) and asking her if she wanted to do a Clocker’s Corner run soon. And then I opened your diary and there you and Dottie were, talking about it. It’s a sign, I think!
@JAG – John Henry is my sister’s favorite (along with Zenyatta, of course!). She has a picture of him hanging in her home (along with Zenyatta, of course!). She gets kind of misty-eyed when she talks about him.
Cynthia H – I grew up about 2 miles from Santa Anita and your description is the view we saw from our home. The only thing missing was the steaming breath of the horses. My Mom loved the view of the mountains. By the way, my sister Charlene was so excited to learn you were on this site and your kind comments about her from Santa Anita days really touched her. I fear I may have failed to relay the message. Perhaps we’ll see you at Clocker’s Corner one day soon!
@Zenny – love you forever!