Happy Wednesday!
The summer weather has been beautiful at Lane’s End. It time to break out the fly masks and watch Baby Z shed his furry coat.
Zenyatta and her colt are both happy and healthy. Baby Z will be as tall as his mom in no time!
Thanks to everyone who has sent in questions for the experts at the farm. We are continuing to accept submissions, so head back to the last post if you haven’t asked yours yet! Check back in the coming weeks to see answers to some great questions featured in the blog.
In the meantime, enjoy this video of Z and Baby hanging out in the paddock.
Have a great day!
-Team Z
Jan S. / Houston, TX
HRTV said he might have sustai
ned a career ending tendon injury. ;(;(;(
signofthetimes; President Texas Chapter RNC
It is really not career ending injury physically,
It is the best choice for him by owner and trainer,
he could recover and run again in 3-6 months according to
Dr. Hunt.
Karen Gogue / Oh B♥by Oh!
DRF on IHA!
http://www.drf.com/news/ill-have-another-scratch-belmont-stakes
LauraJ (Cincinnati OH)
Rats.
Glad they did what’s right for the horse, though.
I guess I’ll root for Dullahan, Paynter, or the Eddington boy with the strange name.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Laura J.
Guyana Star Dweej. Wow, say that three times. He has the same Dad as Step so I like him too. You’re so right; they did the right thing for IHA. Hugs, JB
LauraJ (Cincinnati, OH)
If I try to say that three times, I will get a cramp in my tongue.
Step ran today–06/08. Wasn’t a good race for him, but he was claimed back by his previous owners.
Brenda S..Ontario, Canada
No Triple Crown, but the news is more devastating for IHA’s connections if he will not be able to race again.
Darlene Daniels
What devastating news. God Bless you I’ll Have Another!
Karen Gogue / Oh B♥by Oh!
THANK THE RACING GODS! The connections did the right thing by IHA! Hope he’ll be able to race another day healthy and sound. So happy it is not life threatening!
What a huge disappointment for the racing world though – and us fans!!
L♥VE Auntie Judy aka JAG / Southern CA
Yup! Those Racing Gods pulled a heartbreaker with our Zen in the 2010 BC – fate dishes stuff out; we have to “accept” it whether we like it or not :-(
The “good news” is IHA didn’t break down during a workout (although there was that near miss with the loose horse) or break down during the race! Thank you Lord for giving DO the foresight to scratch IHA…
jag
Karen Gogue / Oh B♥by Oh!
IHA has been retired … on our local NBC news live now.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Z Fans:
Just found out IHA is not going in the Belmont due to tendinitis in his left foreleg. As Brenda S. has posted, this may be a career ending problem.
Grateful that this was found and that he did not race which could have been catastrophic. Absolutely wonderful horse and so sorry that IHA and his connections won’t get his chance at the TC. Horses can be so fragile; just makes our Queen Z and her racing record even more miraculous. Everything was perfect for her. She had the right Owners, the right Trainer and Team and she had Heart and Courage. Most importantly, she was Sound. Hugs, JB
carol in utah
Watching on TVG right now…he is retired
carol in utah
IHA is at conference …little red is beautiful..so sad
Linda B from Va PMHCNS, LPC
sad to hear that IHA has an injury that will end his racing. I hope for this dear animal a happy “race is over home “like our dear LOVED Zen.
Love ya team Z and Lane’s end staff.
zenyen
The racing luck.
I think this may have been coming on gradually.
Good for the connections for pulling him, rather than rolling the dice and hoping for the best.
Jenna
He is so adorable! So friendly!
Barbara Brayton
oh, how sad. But at least the horse came first. what a shame.
Jenna
RE: IHA: Thankfully, he’s retired. I think he would’ve won the Belmont but the most important thing is his health. Good for him. Now he can retire. Maybe he’ll end up at Land’s End :>
Trisha from VA
Awwww, so sorry that IHA has an injury and will not be able to run in the Belmont. I was so looking forward to his win. Hope he is ok and gets well soon.
It won’t be the same but at least Mike is on board.
Have a great race weekend everyon
Love hugs and kisses
Karen Gogue / Oh B♥by Oh!
IHA will lead out the post parade for the Belmont tomorrow – very classy move on the part of Belmont.
Darlene Daniels
And I bet there wont be a dry eye in the house!
Rosemary McCauley - Pres/AZ/New Mexico RNC
Additionally, I bet there won’t be a dry eye in homes all across America! Will IHA be saddled and with Mario up?
My sympathies go out to IHA’s connections but I am glad that in the end they made the decision they did. Hopefully we will see IHA run again and I have no doubt we will see Mario again.
zenyen
I would be very surprised if they put Mario on his back.
Not only the weight but also that would give him all the *signals* he was going to run. IHA would not understand when he didn’t.
signofthetimes; President Texas Chapter RNC
This horse has the beginning of a tendonitis, not a broken leg.
Lets get realistic about this. He can be walked the the post parade
without a problem.
When we humans get shin splints after running too much, we don’t put ourselves in a wheelchair for a month !!!!
Sally B. (cherish Z- Wi.)
Karen, I guess all of you know already about IHA! His dreams fell short, but what an accomplishment he has. It is too bad for the swolen tendon but the decision to scratch was the BEST. They thought of the horse and his future. I think it is awesome that he will lead the way tomorrow!! I did not read that. Thanks, Karen
Karen Gogue / Oh B♥by Oh!
Yes, they did not say who will be up. Probably his exercise rider Garcia.
The Kennedys in San Diego
Classy indeed!
Karen Gogue / Oh B♥by Oh!
HOOF HOOF HOOFRAY FOR I’LL HAVE ANOTHER!!! He’ll get his last HOOFRAY from the crowd.
http://www.nyra.com/belmont/stories/June082012d.shtml
zenyen
Ugh, no I disagree with this.
This is publicity for the track and the human factor.
The poor horse is going to think he’s going to run and then utterly confused when instead he’s taken away. Remember the uproar over breaking routine on a horse? This breaks his routine.
Come to the paddock
Get saddled
Rider Up
Post Parade
Gate
Run like the wind.
Only it will be:
Come to the paddock (with all that chaos)
Get saddled
Rider Up
Post Parade (on a sprained ankle through the BOG that is the Belmont sandy track)
Walk off … wait WHAT?!?
It would be like getting all excited for your vacation only to stand on the curb and watch everybody else drive off.
A paddock parade or a track parade between races WITHOUT equipment would have been less confusing for the horse.
This is Belmont trying to keep their attendance up with a gimmick for the fans.
Karen Gogue / Oh B♥by Oh!
Yes, I agree with you on this too! It is a nice gestutre anyway – lets see if it comes to pass – maybe an outcry NOT to do it. The horse is retired now, why not give him a great send off to the pasture? We will see if they go through with it.
zenyen
A great send off could be a paddock parade or an unmounted parade in between races.
Having him ‘lead the post parade’ does NOTHING for the horse, except excite and then confuse him.
LauraJ (Cincinnati, OH)
Presumably his connections know him well enough to think it won’t bother him.
signofthetimes; President Texas Chapter RNC
Agree with Laura J.
IHA has a very mellow personality. He already knows that he is not going to run as he has quit training and is being treated, probably with an continuous ice wrap on that leg and probably bute. IHA knows his leg hurts as he was holding it up after the gallop in AM June 8. Horses know when they need help and he is getting it.
Don’t think it will be an issue for him as even when he is racing and
in the post parade he is a reasonable guy.
Zenyen
Good.
They did a paddock parade before the Manhattan.
Mary Lou
That little one is really looking like his mom now that the baby fuzz is going away…He even has her look in the eyes…Watch Out world the thunder will roll when that one grows up…Momma looks as beautiful as ever and looks like she could race the wind and WIN…
TX for the pics and up dates…
Pati- Prince Z Future TC Winner
Look at it this way. These three years until the first baby Z is off to the race track is the longest we will have to wait until we see another baby Z run.
suew
What happened to IHA is just another reminder how special our Zenny was on the track. To have raced as she did and at her size makes it even more remarkable. She came from great stock but had the greatest trainer and team in the world. God Bless them all.
Sally B. (cherish Z- Wi.)
I agree with you full heartedly suew and Barbara Wood!! Thank you God for Z!
signofthetimes; President Texas Chapter RNC
Zenny never faced any grueling series of races like the Triple Crown against
as many competitiors as IHA has faced and won. She probable would have been sound, but one never
knows.
Barbara Wood (Texas)
I hate that for IHA. Every time this happens, it makes us all so grateful that YOU, dear Z., retired safe and sound and not as a young three-year-old.
I also hate it for Mario. But a catastrophic injury would have been awful.
I’ll still be very interested, but I hope others not so involved with horses won’t find something else to do instead.
L♥VE Auntie Judy aka JAG / Southern CA
Barbara, I’m sadden for Mario, too. Such highs for weeks, then an extreme low… As DO said, nobody died (thank God!), and that IHA will live – just not racing!
I agree with you about why we love Zen even more. The kid-glove care John S gave her all those years! I remember being overly concerned each time she raced… when she finished, I fell into a puddle of tears of JOY!! John put her health and safety FIRST! As should ALL trainers who have a brain!
JAG
lizzie
OK, I know nothing of horses, but wow, baby Z’s build is identical to Mom. I believe we are seeing future greatness.
One more observation: Z’s eyes show so much love and happiness. I no longer worry about her like I use to, its apparent that LE folks have fallen in love too! They now know…..
Happy weekend to all.
Brenda S..Ontario, Canada
Karen, I agree, a classy move on the part of Belmont to honor IHA and his connections. So sad that we’ve lost the chance at the TC after so many years without. I was hoping to see it happen, and I thought he had a really good shot at it, plus Vic and I were going to be cheering for his Canadian connections.
Sad news here in Fort Erie, our pretty little track will be closed at the end of this season so this year will be the last time the running of the Prince of Wales, the second leg of our Triple Crown will take place here. I can’t believe that 115 years of history will be gone and the provincial government doesn’t seem to care. They have closed our hospital, it’s now just an “urgent care” center, (a fancy name for a walk-in clinic) they closed the slots at the beginning of April and I have to wonder how long it will take them to say they are closing Fort Erie itself since there’s not much left.
Good luck and safe trips to all tomorrow.
Karen Gogue / Oh B♥by Oh!
That is so sad about Fort Erie! It seems not many care about history anymore!
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Brenda S
I thought I’ll Have Another would win the Triple Crown. So sad that he won’t have the chance.
Know how you feel about your Fort Erie track closing. We had two horse race tracks in our state. One was Lincoln Downs. Opened in 1947 and was changed to a greyhound track in 1977. Two years ago it was changed again to just a casino. The other was Narragansett Park. It opened in 1934 and closed for good in 1978. Seabiscut, Whirlaway and War Admiral ran there in the 30’s and 40’s. I still miss having live horse racing in our state. Hugs, JB
signofthetimes; President Texas Chapter RNC
WOW, Judy B.
To have a track where all of those past greats ran. Must have been
very exciting to go to the races in RI.
Joan
Thank you for the new photos/video! Bit of an early birthday present for me! I’m so happy to see them both looking so well and happy.
carol in utah
Officially bummed …
…
IHA to lead parade…I heard Mario too…how about Lava Man?
…
I know we love Mikey on Paynter…but…
GIRL POWER…Rosie rides a long shot ..
Also…Street Life is Z’s “half-nephew” isn’t he?
if I got it right…his grandpa is her pop..think hr has a good chance
What go ya’ll think?
Karen Gogue / Oh B♥by Oh!
Paynter has a great chance, if he doesn’t burn himself out too soon!
I do like Street Life!
Sue Fl CPRC
Me too! I think Street Life looks just a bit like Z. Go Mikey
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Carol:
I like Street Life’s chances too. Yes, his sire, Street Sense, is a son of Street Cry. Hugs, JB
signofthetimes; President Texas Chapter RNC
I bet Lava Man will be ponying IHA at the head of the post parade.
Max
Sign. I am looking forward to seeing Lava Man. I love that horse.
zenyen
http://www.nyra.com/belmont/stories/June082012d.shtml
Yes by all means, lets keep exploiting the horse for that all mighty dollar. Go NYRA, gottah find some way to try to get those fans into the seats.
This is publicity for the track and the human factor.
The poor horse is going to think he’s going to run and then be utterly confused when instead he’s taken away. Remember the uproar over breaking routine on a horse? This breaks his routine.
Come to the paddock
Get saddled
Rider Up
Post Parade
Gate
Run like the wind.
Only it will be:
Come to the paddock (with all that chaos)
Get saddled
Rider Up
Post Parade (on a sprained ankle through the BOG that is the Belmont sandy track)
Walk off … wait WHAT?!?
It would be like getting all excited for your vacation only to stand on the curb and watch everybody else drive off with no understanding of why you were left behind.
A paddock parade or a track parade between races WITHOUT equipment would have been less confusing for the horse. As I recall they paraded Zenyatta in minimal equipment and without Mike Smith on her back and in between races so she wouldn’t be confused.
Karen Gogue / Oh B♥by Oh!
Judy B.
Thank you for all your great links!! Enjoyed them all!
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Karen G.:
You’re so welcome. Always enjoy everything you post. Hugs, JB
Karen Gogue / Oh B♥by Oh!
Blush! Blush! ♥ my heart :)’s ♥
Karen Gogue / Oh B♥by Oh!
LA Times and Shirreffs on IHA out of TC.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-0609-ill-have-another-hollywood-20120609,0,5792525.column
Darlene Daniels
Thank you Karen.
That was a very interesting article. I didnt think about the financial impact this would have for so many. I feel bad for everybody.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Kare G.:
Thanks for the link. John Sherriffs’ comment says it all. Hugs, JB
signofthetimes; President Texas Chapter RNC
Great article from LA Times, KG.
John is right, 1200 to 1300 lbs on one leg at a time.
Zenny did not compete in anything close to the Triple Crown intensity.
Her races were well spaced and she a a once a year meet with the
best boys internationally. Big difference.
Did not realize that IHA was facing so many more competiors
each race than any of the other TC winners. He had already
won against 40 other horses.
Marty R / Colorado
My goodness. It seems things change by the minute. The only happy news is that I’ll Have Another can get better in time. Kudos to his connections for doing the right thing for him. Everything else is just….sad. I don’t know what to think about his leading the post parade. If Lava Man is with him, I think he would really be confused. I will still be watching, it’s still and important race. In line with what Barbara Wood said, I hope the rest of the country will stay interested as well.
Barbara Livingston took some very stunning pictures of the rest of the contenders. I apologize if this has been posted before.
http://www.drf.com/blogs/2012-belmont-stakes11-12-contenders.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Marty:
Thank you so much for this link to the BL’s photos of the Belmont lineup. Don’t know anyone who takes better photos than she does. They are all beautiful horses, but isn’t Union Rags one handsome devil! Hugs, JB
Max
Judy. Rags was my pick before IHA came into the picture. I am going with Rags again. He is a beauty, and his story is interesting. Go Rags.
My main hope is that all of these wonderful horses come home safely, and that IHA heals well and gets a long, happy retirement. As for Lava Man, it is back to work. I think that Lava Man is looking better than ever. His second career is just getting going. You rock, Lava Man.
Sandy (Northeast Ohio)
Marty,
Thanks for the link to these great pictures! So nice to have an “image” in my mind of these horses before the race starts. Nice to have for reference and reviewing tomorrow!
Sandy
Karen Gogue / Oh B♥by Oh!
WOW! Thanks Marty!
T.Buck/Texas
he is a cutie like his mother