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Good for Racing

Mario Espinoza on TVG's "Good for Racing"
Mario Espinoza in TVG’s “Good for Racing”

Happy Friday!

Mario Espinoza, who was Zenyatta’s groom throughout her racing career, was recently featured in TVG’s “Good for Racing” segment. It’s a must-see for Zenyatta fans!

We’re so grateful for Mario and the role he played in Zenyatta’s life before retirement.

Enjoy!
Team Z

Reader Interactions

273 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Thanks Team Z. What a special treat.
    Mario- thanks for taking good care of all the horses and Zenny.
    Happy weekend to all.

  2. / Reply

    Dear Judy.Hope you have had an easier day and not in too much pain.A marvellous week of racing will come to an end tomorrow.Take care of yourself.Goodnight God bless you LM PC HT Cap Hercules Frank and all the sweeties.Love and hugs SheenaX

  3. / Reply

    I had the honor of meeting Mario at Hollywood Park. He is a true gentleman and took such great care of the Queen. He is indeed Good for Racing along with John, Dottie, Anne and Jerry and the rest of Team Z.

  4. / Reply

    Thank you, Team Z, for posting the video of Zenyatta’s beloved Mario. He took such great care of the Queen & I am happy that he is now Ziconic’s groom. I am sure that Zenny would run right to Mario if she saw him again today because of the special bond they share. I hope to be able to meet Mario at Saratoga this summer.

    Judy, how is your leg? I hope that it is just bruised & will heal quickly.

    I will keep you in my prayers, Vicki. Please let us know your results when the doctor tells you. I hope that whatever is causing your symptoms is something that can be treated easily & clear up quickly.

    Kathy, today’s devotional had a special meaning for me. It reminded me of the time a special friend & hero of mine passed away suddenly. I was very upset after going to her wake. The next morning, I went birding (bird watching) and Mother Nature helped soothe my sadness & grief. Working in my flower garden also lifts my spirits. There’s something about working with the earth or animals that has a calming effect.

    To Team Z & everyone on the blog, have a good weekend!

    • / Reply

      Dear Donna Z:

      At my sister’s insistence, had xrays done last night; nothing broken. It’s sore and swollen, but will be better with time. Thanks for your sweet concern. Love and Hugs, JB

  5. / Reply

    This video of Mario brought tears to my eyes. He is a most remarkable man and he was so crucial to Zenyatta’s well-being. She loved him and there is no doubt about that. She knew him when he went to visit after she was retired and went right up to him. Animals know when they are loved and she knew he loved her. Along with Carmen, they spent the most time with her. I am so glad Zenyatta had Mario in her life. Thank you Mario for all the care you gave this great, great horse.

  6. / Reply

    Thoroughbred Info on Friday June 19 2015
    California Chrome will return to U.S. in early July to prep for G1 Arlington Million,
    per co-owners @CoburnsofChrome.
    More from Thoroughbred Info
    This plan doesn’t seem to bring him back to California;
    he is shipping to Chicago for quarantine and to prep, according to owner statement

  7. / Reply

    Oh thank you so much for this post!!! I thought I had missed it and wouldn’t get to see it when some of the fans mentioned it in their comments. It just thrills me to hear anyone who talks about their love and appreciation of Zenyatta and especially Mario whom she so obviously loved. A special thank you to him for all his loving care of her.
    And I was glad to see that Ziconic closed out the clip with Mario though it wasn’t mentioned.

    Thanks again and love to all of Team Z, Zenny and boys!

  8. / Reply

    Mark your calendar
    American Pharoah will parade for the fans at Santa Anita Park on June 27
    which features the running of the Grade 1, $500,000 Gold Cup Stakes.
    NBC Sports Network will broadcast the race live from 8 to 9 p.m. ET.
    Santa Anita Park will also be giving away a free T-shirt on June 27.
    For details visit SantaAnita.com.

  10. / Reply

    June 20 Cherokee Devotional

    Most of us avoid major change. Our nature is to catch hands with something we are comfortable with and to walk a long way with it. Change can take place so naturally that it does nothing to upset the harmony, because we change with it.
    But everyone has known change that shook their foundations and left them afraid and unhappy. This is the place where profound personal change can move mountains. The unproductive feelings and fears drop away and a new challenge enters to boost and enliven the one that knows he can do it.

    The Red Man must leave the land of his youth and find a new home in the far west.
    Shabbona
    Potawatomi
    Circa 1800

  11. / Reply

    I was so sad for Mario to have to leave Z after all that caring for her. Seeing her prance away from the new paddock. How can the whole team bare to leave her.

  12. / Reply

    RIP Stavagante who has died following surgery yesterday after breaking down in the King Edward VII stakes.A son of Rip Van Winkle he was ridden by Frankie Dettori and trained by Sir Michael Stoute.Sympathy to connections.Hugs Sheena.

    • / Reply

      Very sad. RIP Stravagante
      Condolences to all connections; it is so hard to lose them.
      Hugs

  14. / Reply

    Thank you for sharing this very special video here for all of us to see and know that we can easily come back to it time after time. It is such a beautiful expression of exactly what is good for racing – all the people like Mario and all of Team Zenyatta. Thank you for letting us share in this small way. Zenyatta always lifts my heart.

  15. / Reply

    Dear Kathy.My faith has got me through the many changes in my life.It’s dull and grey here today and been raining at Ascot but have just seen the carriage procession.Her Majesty is in orange/peach today and Sam Waley-Cohen is in one of the carriages.I have been up the cemetery this morning ready for mum’s birthday and father’s day then visited my cousin so haven’t had much time to visit the furbabies.Zara has denied she’s pregnant!Fergie looked to be having fun yesterday.Both she and Diana lost their “HRH” at the time of their divorces.I had heard when William becomes King he will bestow the title on his mother again.Her Majesty does re-cycle her outfits in fact the Princess Royal wore an outfit on tuesday.from 30 yrs ago!!!Ryan has just been denied in a photo finish!!!Mr Fibbs is in the science lab helping Milo!Mango’s waiting her mum home.I was watching Monty on the perch last night about 1.30am looking down on the nest.He caught a Twaite Shad yesterday same time as last year.The “bobs”are so well fed!Have a wonderful weekend.Love and hugs to you,Kisses for Holly,Nikko and Sugar.SheenaXOXO

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena,

      I’m scurrying around this morning. Working today. So glad to read that William will bestow Diana’s title again when he becomes king. I’ll probably be dead when that happens, but nice to know! Thanks for all the info. I always learn so much from you. The furbabies are well as far as I know. Glad the “bob” are eating so well. All the fish near the Dyfi, BEWARE! Have a delightful day. Loved the pic of darling Ze in her sunglasses and cute little shoes. Love and hugs from me, kisses from Holly, Nikko and Sugar. Kathy XOXO

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena,
      This is a great video, eventually the youngest gets
      the most to eat and big brother is so full he can’t move!!!
      Love and hugs

  18. / Reply

    Just read that Vertingeux (sp), the Queen’s mom, died last year of colic. The author of the article stated that s/he did not understand why farms do not announce this earlier. She was 19. I agree. Sad news. Evidently there is a full brother to Z. May she rest in peace after creating and nurturing one of the most beloved thoroughbreds in history.

  20. / Reply

    OMGosh!
    Congrats to Undrafted, winner of The Diamond Jubilee.
    Brazen Beau….I am in love! Beautiful group! Great racing.
    Yippeeee, Frankie and a flying dismount.

    • / Reply

      Granddaddy of Undrafted is Big D. Welker bought him for only $50k. This horse is fantastic. Usually ridden in the U.S. by Uncle Johnny.

      • / Reply

        I hear Big D celebrating upstairs now! Thunder BOOM!
        How rewarding to keep him on the turf and watch him excel.
        Undrafted looked gorgeous entering onto the course, all horses did. Such a thrill watching those horses when they know it is showtime.

        • Another great U.S. turf sprinter is Bobby’s Kitten. You may recall that he won the Breeders Cup Sprint Turf last year with Undrafted following in 3rd. Bobby’s Kitten went from last to first in that race like a bat out of hell. It was an incredible win. However, the SA turf is far different from Ascot. Undrafted appears to like English turf, and he came home with a very nice win.

        • Dear Ann, Max and Z Fans:

          Congrats to Undrafted and Big D. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Ryan Moore finished last in this race on Due Diligence for Ballydoyle, and he failed to win the Queen Alexandra Stakes on the favourite Wicklow Brave. The racing gods have their ways.

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena,
      What a great race for Wesley Ward and Frankie,
      he loved meeting the Queen. Just read in the post,
      they ran out of time to train CC for the Coral Eclipse.
      I am kind of glad- Golden Horn and Free Eagle are definately
      in a class of their own, not sure he could have even come
      close in that race. CC is off to Chicago and the Midwest- it is Chicago
      hotdogs and pizza and back to urban city life. No more chickens,
      crowing in the morning and geese flying over head and the quiet
      countryside to gallop for miles and miles. CC put your ear plugs in!!!
      Love and hugs

  22. / Reply

    My daughter Melody and I can’t thank Mario enough for all the visits we were able to enjoy with Zenny at barn 55 at Hollypark when we had our race horses on the same shed row with Zenny when she was still a race mare. He also also helped visit Eblouissante when she was still running. John was there to say hello to us on two of those occasions. They were so gracious to us every time.
    Thank you so much.

  23. / Reply

    I loved this piece. So nice that Mario finally gets the spotlight himself. Clearly Zenyatta trusted him and liked him very much.

  24. / Reply

    RACE REPLAY VIDEO
    American invader Undrafted wins the 2015 Diamond Jubilee Saturday at Royal Ascot.
    http://www.hrtv.com/videos/race-replay-2015-diamond-jubilee/

    On the left side are Race Replays of Ascot Gold Cup, Queen Mary, & Prince of Wales

    Undrafted is trained by Wesley Ward, ridden by Frankie Dettori.
    Owner Wes Welker is NFL wide receiver.
    Winner of next race was Interception.
    FYI-Ryan Moore won Leading Jockey award this year.

    • / Reply

      Beautiful win by Undrafted. Well deserved award for Ryan Moore, a modest and low key kind of guy with enormous talent.
      Thanks for posting this, Keta.

    • / Reply

      What a race! Just wonderful.

      Makes me think “what if” and “if only” regarding California Chrome. Oh well, on to the Arlington Million!

      • / Reply

        Unlike Chromie, Undrafted is a well proven turf loving horse. He does not do as well on dirt. His trainer took him to England because he said that Undrafted prefers the English turf. His Roberto genes might be in play. Roberto won the English Derby with a U.S. jockey. His son Big D has sired some great turf horses who have won English classics such as the St. Leger.

        • Sheena has rightly pointed out an error in my post. Roberto was ridden by Lester Piggott in the English Derby. Piggott later abandoned Roberto and his American owner found a U.S. jockey to ride him in the Benson and Hedges Gold Cup. Roberto handed the then unbeaten Brigadier Gerard his only ever loss on the turf. The English have not yet recovered from that shock from Zenyatta’s grandfather. BTW when you see Roberto, you see Zenyatta.

    • / Reply

      Dear BGG:

      Thanks for posting Undrafted’s video replay. Wonderful win. Love and Hugs, JB

  25. / Reply

    Dear Max.Oh,yes we all know about the racing gods!!It was pouring during the Queen Alexandra I thought he had a chance to reach double figures there but as you say he is a very modest man.Lets the horses do the talking.Aidan was the top trainer at the meet.I am sure you’d have loved all his interviews.Back to normal now until the July meeting.You must be thrilled about Undrafted.Treve is well prepared for next week.Sheena

    • / Reply

      Did not hear any Aidan interviews but I’ll look them up to practise listening skills.
      The Queen Alex is one of my favorite races at Royal Ascot because it’s one of many in which the Moose refused to participate. Was surprised that Wicklow Brave did not do better for Mullins and Moore. Modern era or not, Fred Archer is hanging on to that record. He’ll be riding that pale grey horse over the Newmarket hills with a smile on his face.

  26. / Reply

    Thank you Mario for taking care of Zenny and loving her as much as the world. You are a true asset to racing!!!

  27. / Reply

    Americas Best Racing ‏-Get to know trainer John Sherrif’s assistant Eddie Cornier, who takes care of Zenyatta’s son Cozmic One

    One Morning at a Time for ‘Steady Eddie’ Cornier
    Julie June Stewart ABR on June 21 2015
    Edwin C. “Eddie” Cornier remembers clearly the day that changed his entire life. He was 11 years old and his mom brought him to Aqueduct Racetrack, where she worked as a groom for Joe Aquilino. –
    See more at: http://www.americasbestracing.net/en/the-latest/blogs/2015/6/20/one-morning-at-a-time-for-steady-eddie-cornier/#sthash.o2tQf5c6.dpuf

    • / Reply

      Really interesting. Love that photo of Eddie and Coz. Coz looks exactly like his momma. Beautiful shiny bay coat.

  28. / Reply

    Dear Max.I wouldn’t care to be on the hills of Newmarket during the night in case Fred turned up.!I was looking up Bend Or’s family and it seems there was some controversy about who his dam was.Rouge Rose and Clemence both foaled the same year and it is said the foals were switched at birth and that Tadcaster won the Derby.I may have some names wrong!Of course Bend Or was the nickname of the 2nd Duke of Westminster who was married to Arkle’s owner Anne.Bend Or was one of the gentlest horses.
    Frankel is certainly attracting the ladies he got a visit from none other than the pop princess Kylie!!BTW Lester Piggott won the Derby on Roberto in 72′.Sheena.

    • / Reply

      Still not known what really went on there as record keeping and keeping track of horses was not like it is now. There is also a mystery about the pedigree of Hastings’ mother, Cinderilla. There is however no mystery that she passed her charming disposition on to him. There is another very interesting thing about the Duke of Westminster. He was apparently named after the horse, not vice versa as is usual. His father really loved that horse. If you look at photos of Bend Or, Ziconic resembles him. If Ziconic runs like Bend Or, life might get very exciting, very quickly.

  29. / Reply

    Thanks to Team Z for posting the video of Mario. His love for her is so evident in the way he speaks of her. Hope he is enjoying being with The Red Prince.

    Vicki, praying for you that all will be well with your tests.

    Judy, You and Lola Mae take care and heal quickly.

    Safe trip to Divining Rod in the Ohio Derby. The Jacksons deserve good things.

  30. / Reply

    Tom Hall ‏on Saturday June 20 2015
    Dame Dorothy, 4yo f by Bernardini (A.P. Indy)
    o/o Woodman mare Vole Vole Monamour
    wins gr3 Bed o’ Roses H at Belmont for Bobby Flay

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