Happy Thursday to all!
I’d have to say, I’d be able to recognize this guy anywhere no matter what he is doing. It is MY JOHN and look what he is wearing….my Z HAT! On the back, it says… ZENYATTA…2010 HORSE OF THE YEAR! I don’t feel I’m being biased….but I really do believe it looks terrific on him.
One of our dear fans, Daniel Sigal, sent this photo to Dottie. It was taken at Del Mar last week and he thought she’d enjoy seeing it! As you may know, MY JOHN is a hat person. He wears a baseball type cap ALL OF THE TIME! As I’ve written earlier, we even played our own version of the HAT GAME when I was at Barn 55. TOO CUTE!
Thank you, Daniel, for sharing this photo!
Yesterday’s Del Mar Futurity sure had some anxious moments. Creative Cause is a wonderful 2 year old colt. He truly ended up getting the worst of it all when being crowded and bounced around from both sides during the final part of the stretch run.
As a result of all of this ‘bumping’, the inquiry sign was posted on the tote board as soon as the horses crossed the finish line. The Stewards, who are the ‘chief guardians’ to monitor our sport closely, immediately evaluated the different views of the video tapes involving this race. In slow motion, they are also able to review every angle of the action in great detail to aid them in making the proper decision.
Every race track around the country has its own set of 3 Stewards on duty each race day.
After much evaluation, they disqualified Majestic City and placed him behind Creative Cause. They felt MC was the horse who initiated the chain of events for the infractions which took place in the stretch. Drill remained the winner as they felt he just reacted to what was started by MC.
It is the official policy of racing that the horse who causes the interference MUST be placed behind the horse he or she bothered in the race. Thus, Majestic City originally went under the finish line 2nd…and Creative Cause 3rd. However, after the Stewards’ review and ruling, Creative Cause was moved up to 2nd…and MC was placed behind him in 3rd. This policy is true in every racing jurisdiction around the country. The Stewards work very hard to keep everything fair and carefully monitored for our sport!
RACING LUCK is also a very big consideration. You do need to have it. As you saw yesterday in the Futurity, a horse can inadvertently end up in a position where the opportunity to run his/her best race is definitely compromised!
With the Del Mar Meet concluding Wednesday, the balance of the horses will be leaving that track and returning to either Santa Anita or Hollywood Park to continue their training. The Santa Anita Fall Meet begins September 30th.
Starting tomorrow, on the Southern California circuit, The Los Angeles County Fair Meet at Pomona will run for the next few weeks. On the East Coast, Belmont Park opens tomorrow for their fall meet of racing!
That’s another great thing I love about our sport…it is always filled with action!
Have a wonderful day!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Robyn Mullhausen
Zenny, “your John” looks TOO CUTE in the hat with your name on it. He is still your proud Papa!
signofthetimes
@Terry Crow
From post #336
Curious, do you think a win the the Beldane would do anything for BL? Not sure BL is going to go to the BCC. Is it really worth it to compete and battle. BL is probably going to race next year anyway. The female track to HOY seems to be a little less compete against each other but compete against he boys. What do you think? You have so much experience and history in the racing game. Love your redneck comments. I went to college in southern Ohio near West Virginia and live for a couple of years in North Carolina so I can picture a lot from what you are saying and it keeps me laughing.
signofthetimes
@ Susan from TN
from post #336
Thanks so much for the description of the very large area they live in so all can have their own space. Whew!!!! Love the way you feed Chopper first. Was he a starved rescue ??? So glad things are getting better and knew you would be taking good care of Chester. Go to the FB page, and Chester is so cute, love him rolling. Love horses when they roll. It is the epitome of vulnerability and fun for them.
signofthetimes
So very true: Horses come first because if they don’t you won’t have a horse.
Sunny Boyd
Good evening Zenyatta,
a fetching hat, isn’t it?
Pillow chuckle:
There are worse things in life than death. Have you ever spent an evening with an insurance salesman? Woody Allen :) :) :)
Have a good night
signofthetimes
Thanks for the information on Julie Krone recent win in the UK.
She is such a very class act. A true female jockey, friends to all and respected by her peers. Cute with that “squeaky” voice and very non threatening. Will have to read some more on her career.
Have seen a few of her wins on HRTV when they review races of the past.
signofthetimes
@ Terry Crow
So very glad for Larry Jones, he so deserves to have his filly recognized after that issue with Eight Bells. I remember I was riding at the time of Barbaro and Eight Bells injuries and now realize that those issues exist, but there is so much more to racing. For the unaware public they only heard of those two instances.
Sharon
Dear Madam Z, how you go on about the trackside. I know you must miss the fun of flying as much as everyone misses seeing you fly. How are you getting along at the farm? Have you made any new horsey friends? Are you getting treated royally by your new people? Every day passing your new home fields on the way to work I think of what you might be doing and wish I could visit sometime.
Best wishes.
Peggy (N)
@Maureen, Oh my I saw the video by Oleta may times, couldn’t quit listening to it. I think I liked the 1996 Video and her Church video the best. Wow, just beautiful, can’t help but tear up. I knew it had many verses. I especially liked the one
YOu can get her on a Speedy Colt
Just beautiful, You made my day Thanks again, for telling me about it. Peggy
Peggy (N)
That should read You can get (Here) on a Speedy Colt. Oh my those fast fingers. Sorry
Michelle
There has been a lot of bumping lately in the big races. That is why it is so AMAZING that you won 19 in a row. I don’t know how you stayed out of trouble, I think the other horses just got out of your way Big Mama – LOL. Love you forever!
Linda Henderson
Classy hat! And yes, The Del Mar Futurity was rough.
Linda in NJ
Hi Zenny: Great post today. Yes, that’s right; all that action is what makes horse racing so exciting. Zenny, speaking of action and excitement, I have an idea! I Would Really Appreciate It If You Would Pass My Idea on to Your John and Dottie.
As Americans we are very obsessed with speed and sound. They talk about the speed of a race horse going from 0 to whatever in seconds and even a Ferrari can’t do that. However, when race horses break from the gates, only those fans that are at ground level (standing along the fence) get a sense of the speed the horses are traveling as they pass by. Those that are seated in the Grandstands or Clubhouse areas really don’t have the same perspective of that speed.
Here’s My Idea: I think it would be awesome to have microphones positioned at different points on the track so the sound of the horses’ hoofs could be broadcast into the stands. All fans would now be able to hear the sound of the horses’ hoofs as the pound against the dirt. I think hearing the horses’ hoofs would be most effective at the beginning of the race and then again as they all race down the home stretch. Think about how exciting it would be to hear the entire herd of horses as they race around the track. That would certainly get the fans all revved up. With the technology that’s out there today, it should be doable. It would be interesting to know John and Dottie’s thoughts on this. I think it would definitely bring more fans out to the track. Love you Zenny!!
Peggy (N)
@Dottie, Thanks for the info on the Delmar futurity. Wednesday was such a good day of racing. Felt so sorry for Creative Cause, He got bumped so. Sure hope he’s O. K. I heard that he was, so hope that’s right. Great Colt. Lol Peggy
Will miss Del Mar. But looking forward to Santa Anita and Later Hollywood Park.
candi cartier
zenny john is a great guy.
Jackie feinberg
Good evening Queen Z. Love the photo and the hat. I ordered mine the night you won HOY. I wear one and have the other one put away. I especially love the box it came in. It came from Zenyatta herself straight from her Beverly Hills office. LOL. Of douse I have the box too!
Not a whole lot of racing. Will be looking forward to Santa Anita opening. Dottie as always I find your post to be fun and informative. Thank you for keeping the Zenyatta Nation going!
Have a wonderful evening sweet Z.
Hugs and kisses
Jackie
signofthetimes
@Michele
I think John Sherriffs chose races that were out of the trouble zone for Zenny. Racing 2 year olds is very risky. They are trained, but very clueless and inexperienced. Colts are much rougher than fillies. So glad BL did not run the the Pacific Classic, those are a bunch a very rough boys. HDG was kept out of the way of harm by her jockey in the Woodward.
signofthetimes
@Linda in NJ
What a great idea. Thundering hooves are very impressive.
signofthetimes
Interesting have not noticed the Euros doing as much bumping and rough riding as in US. I guess Euro turf is bigger and less lending it self to tight turns. And all of the open cantering and galloping through the fields really is a whole different training that a quick buzz or two around the track and you are done in
the US.
judy berube
Dear Michelle:
Did you notice how in most of Z’s races her style was to come from behind the pack. Mikey used to take her sometimes five or six wide and close like the wind. That style, I think, kept her from being in a bumping match. The Breeders Cup Classic win in 2009 was exceptional. Mikey and Z made a move, a little different than most of her races, and she just went into another gear and closed to win. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Signofthetimes:
I think you’re so right. John S. waited for Z to grow into herself and turn into the graceful, balanced race horse that she was. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Signofthetimes:
So very well said about horses coming first. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Shari Voltz:
Lucky of group of children to have a teacher like you. How fun for them. Hugs, J.B.
Jan
@Barbara Wood. I live in Cypress, and our equine farms around here are bringing in horses from Waller County, where the fires have engulfed the area and have burned everything down. I have been going to a couple of the equine farms and bringing food, brushing, walking, and comforting the horses. It is so heartbreaking. Soot is all over the cars, floating in the air, and the smoke is suffocating. How is it in Waco.
judy berube
Dear Kim S.:
You’re so welcome. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Susan in Tn.:
Please let me and Terry C. know how you like the movie. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Sue Noel:
Wouldn’t it be great if we can all meet at SA next year. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Jan:
Our hearts go out to you and all in the middle of the fires in Texas. We prayer for all of you and the animals as well. Hugs, Judy and Russ
judy berube
Dear Brenda S.:
Hope you heal soon. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Dottie from CA:
Thank you so much for your kindness. Hugs, J.B.