Happy Monday to All!
It is the beginning of another wonderful week! I am enjoying all of the time I’m spending each day with my friends here at Lane’s End.
I just had a long chat with MATT…in between bites of my favorite grassy treats. We reviewed the entire weekend of fabulous racing. There were so many impressive winners in the various divisions. I absolutely LOVED seeing my pal, GIO PONTI, return to the winner’s circle again. His race was so impressive. I am SO PROUD of him! To stay at such TOP FORM and to COMPETE AT SUCH A HIGH LEVEL for years…is not an easy task. He and his connections deserve a big HIGH HOOF for doing so!
Some of my other personal friends also performed very well. On Saturday, SWITCH ran a very contentious 3rd in her return to the sprint arena at Keeneland. She will be sprinting again in her next start. I must also say, my 3 year old Barn 55 friend, MR. COMMONS, did a fabulous job to close in such fast fractions to be a very strong 2nd in the Oak Tree Mile. He clearly ran his highest speed figures to date…and he is a 3 year old running against older horses. This is not easy to do! The ability to move forward and continue to make steady progress as he has done is always important when one is competing at these graded stakes levels. My compliments to BOTH!
The 2 year olds, competing on 3 different types of surfaces this weekend: dirt, turf and Keeneland’s all-weather track, truly provided a great deal of excitement! Members of this age group are now at such an important time in their careers. In many instances, they are now being introduced to the concept of ‘going around 2 turns’ in their races. The ability to perform well at this is something that can truly begin to separate ‘the men from the boys’ in the future…so to speak. This is especially important as we begin to look for the ‘classic type horses’ who will be moving onto this stage at the Breeders’ Cup next month and also as 3 year olds next year.
Congratulations to ALL of these athletes and their connections for definitely providing the sport with exciting performances in these prep races.
The next few weeks will be so important to all of these horses and their ‘teams’ as they prepare for the World Championship Events. I remember every bit of it all so well!
Here’s wishing EVERYONE the best!
With Love,
Hugs to All~(It is getting exciting!)
Z
Marilu V.
@ Dear Trina N: Thank you so much for the beautiful and touching poem you made for my birthday in Post 347. My bday was Sept 23. I am so sorry I missed it. I am overwhelmed by your thoughtfulness. So happy you forwarded it to Karen G for me. Thanks Karen. This is a wonderful way to start the week. Hugs to all! Marilu
Lynne
A blanket? Really? What will you do when it actually gets cold?
JAG / California :-)
If this article wasn’t previously posted ~ great read about Zen!
Star Search: Fantastic fillies
http://espn.go.com/horse-racing/story/_/id/7069395/superstar-filly
Fran Doos
Happy Monday Z! I like your blanket. Bet it keeps you nice and toasty. Have a wonderful Monday sweet girl! xxoo
M. Kern
Happy Monday Queen Z. What a lovely picture of you and Matt. Wow! Gio Ponti is awesome this weekend. I am so happy he won. I was rooting for him. I was screaming so hard in front of my TV that I scared the heck of my two miniature schnauzers. Have fun outside with you buddy Tasty.
Patricia Emery
Thanks for the updates! Congrats to Gio Ponti…have a great week Zen! XOXO
JAG / California :-)
Surgery Planned for Here Comes Frazier
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/65463/surgery-planned-for-here-comes-frazier
God bless him! Praying he comes out of this okay; not to run another day, but to live a content life :-(
signofthetimes
Recent news on Hear Comes Frazier, JL raised
His right hand, but did not strick him with the
Whip. He may have spooked when he saw the
Hand raise up. To have surgery in a week to 10 days
Too risky now.
signofthetimes
@JAG
You beat me, not near computer to post, thanks
And hope you had a great time at SA.!!!!!
Daina Ryan
Z/Dottie & John – first – go Mr. Commons!!
I just wanted to share a fun story being that John is training Mr. Commons who we all know is an Artie Schiller baby. We’re always watching the Artie babies as the person Artie Schiller was a friend of my family. He grew up in Bay Shore NY on Long Island(not far from Belmont Racetrack) – he owned a local bar (known as Schillers to this day) and worked a good portion of his life at OTB so little do I need to mention he loved the horses. He became sick later in his life and during that time the late Bill Entenmann (also grew up in Bay Shore w/Artie) called Artie and said “Artie – I have this horse that I’d like to name after you but I needed to ask you first” and Artie says “What!!?? Are you crazy!!??? Artie Schiller!!??? Well, go ahead but Artie Schiller??? And the rest is history. Artie spent the last years of his life traveling around with Artie (the horse) and owners having an experience that he would never have even dreamed of..a champion horse named after himself – – thanks to the Entenmann’s & Tom & Denise Walsh.
signofthetimes
@Ann Maree
The info you relayed about Hear Comes Frazier
Was just posted a few minutes ago. The article as posted
Yesterday and today said “when JL hit him with the
Whip”. Whether you hit the horse or raise your arm and
The horse has never seen that movement before they
May spook as he is a baby. The point
Made is it is a team responsibility and
The whip is not the culprit. There are a whole lot
Of communication issues from human
To human that fell through the cracks with this situation.
As is evident from the article that JAG posted.
signofthetimes
@Ann Maree
In addition, just because someone is nice
Does not mean they should not take responsibility
For this tragedy, which I am sure they feel aweful
About.
Allen
Great weekend of racing. Congrats to Mike he had a first on Amazombie, and a second on Mr Commons. I had a busy weekend, went to pickup my two TB in Ky. Havn’t been able to get my grandkids away from the barn since. They love there horses. Like your blanket Z. Hope you have a great day my Queen.
signofthetimes
@Diana Ryan
Great story about Artie Shiller. Talking head on HRTV
said John talked about how the “Artie Shiller” horses
Are very strong and aggressive, it has taken him a long
time to get Mr Commons to relax without fighting
With him. Wow Mr Commons was awesome in that
Race, too bad one of the older guys won. Hope he is
Still going to go to BC.
Jan
Zenyatta,
Looking Radiant and Relaxed.
Lot of prayers for Here Comes Frazier.
signofthetimes
@Judy B
I guess Matt won’t be a midwife. Really likes Margaret’s
Link to foaling and with all that Info the title seems to fit.
She is going to have to really bond and trust a human
To get through her foaling experience. Who knows
Zenny my just pop out Z/B get up and start munching
Hay????
Margie
Hi Pretty Girl, glad to see you enjoying your time with Matt (I bet we all wish it was us instead). Love you!
I’ll be saying extra prayers for Here Comes Frazier. This breaks my heart and is just so upsetting. It makes me so grateful that you had a safe ride all the way to Lane’s End. Hi to Tasty, Dottie, John and Sophie along with my thanks for all things Zenyatta.
Brenda S..
Great win for Tiz Gianni,your John and Mikey. Congratulations.
JAG / California :-)
Congrats TIZ GIANNI / Shirreffs / Mikey!!
Jamie
As far as two-year old races, Union Rags ran a fantastic race in the Champagne, overcame trouble and was very professional for a 2-year old. He is trained by “Barbaro’s trainer Michael Matz. Love and kisses to the beautiful mommy-to-be.
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/65435/no-way-to-bottle-up-union-rags-in-champagne
Jan Doyle
Hi Baby girl. You look so cozy in your blanket. Really enjoyed the races this weekend until Here Comes Frazier accident. I will keep him in my prayers. Hugs …
Mary
I love seeing the daily post….never tire of it Z…I have this at the top of my bookmarked favorites to click on daily. You look so warm in your blanket…they take such good care of you. I bet Matt cannot wait to get to work to see you daily. Hugs to you Z…
Debbie G
You look so beautiful and healthy, Zenny. Matt is such a lucky guy. I love you, pretty girl! :-)
My prayers are going out to you, Here Comes Frazier.
Terry Crow
Catching up on the posts–@Judy Berube-Glad you (and Russ) enjoyed the joke. @Brenda S-If you don’t yet belong to the 4-H redneck club, you ARE a charter member of the Z redneck club. @Trina Nagele-Glad you enjoyed the joke. However, didn’t see anything in your JAG poem about her prison uniform.@Deborah Richman-Thank you. @Debbie G-It means you are a member of the redneck club. Loved Robert Stack’s sunglasses in Airport. @Susan in TN-Very funny. This is why you are the president of the redneck club. @Vicki B-Thanks for the link to Melody Thomas. In the film, which was made 35 years ago, she was dressed in attire fitting the time (1902) and looked much different from her current photos. The Shootist is an excellent film. If you see it, tell me what you think about the comparison of Ms. Thomas to Kari Bussell. Not in looks, but in attitude. To Kari Bussell and Susan in TN-You might be a redneck if you think harass is two words. You might be a redneck if your momma tore her best dress possum hunting. You might be a redneck if your hankercheif doubles as your shirt sleeve. You might be a redneck if your next of kin has hooves. Today’s joke–The Pope ws scheduled to visit a small town in New England so all of the residents are dressed up in their Sunday finest. All of the residents were lined up on main street hoping for a personal blessing from the Pope. One local man was sure the Pope would stop and talk with him. He was standing next to an exceptionally down-trodden looking bum who didn’t smell very good. As the Pope came walking by, he went over to the bum, leaned over and said something to him. He then walked right by the local man. The man couldn’t believe it, but then it hit him. The Pope didn’t to him because he is concerned about all the unfortunate, poor and feeble people. Thinking fast, he gives the bum $20.00 to trade clothes with him. He put on the bum’s clothing are ran down the street to line up for another chance for the Pope to stop and talk to him. Sure enough, the Pope walks right up to him, bends over close and says “I thought I told you before to get the heck out of here.”
Susan
You look great Z-Very stylish for sure-what designer are you wearing?
Great weekend of racing-loved Mike and Amazombie, Mr Commons and of course Gio Ponti. How could you not love a horse with that much heart-he is a champion.
The accident with Here Comes Frazier was heartbreaking. He looked OK, then as minutes went by he started to look lame. He’s in a great clinic-High hooves that they can repair the break and he can live a good life with care.
Love You Z
The Kennedys in San Diego
More on Here Comes Frazier.
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/65463/surgery-planned-for-here-comes-frazier
sharon in seattle
@ Judy – pluggin’ along here in Seattle – thanks for your kind thoughts!
Zenyatta/Dottie — I’ve meant to mention this way earlier, but I love how your posts reflect so much generosity and good will toward other equine competitors — I can just imagine Gio Ponti looking over the field before the Shadwell and breathing a sigh of relief when he doesn’t see Zenyatta!!
judy berube
Dear Terry Crow:
Loved the redneck jokes and the Pope joke. Thanks for bringing a simile to our day, Judy and Russ
The Kennedys in San Diego
@Sue Fredrick — We hope to see Blind Luck next weekend. We understand (unconfirmed) that Take Control had a fever causing the 10/7 scratch.
judy berube
Dear Signofthetimes:
I’m already praying for that kind of easy, simple delivery for Z. But what you say is so true. She trusts easily I think, because she’s experienced nothing but love and kindness from humans. So the fact that Matt is her major caretaker and with her every day, she will trust him no doubt to be there with her when her foal is born. I hope, as we all do, that the birth is easy and safe for Z and the baby. My gosh, Z’s half way there already. Hugs, JB