Zenyatta

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Zenyatta News

Trevor Denman “One We Will Never Forget!”

Photo by Benoit Photography

Dear Friends,

Earlier this month, an ICON in our Industry, Trevor Denman, announced his retirement. For decades, his was the VOICE of thoroughbred racing in Southern California and countless Classic Races in our sport. Signature phrases defined his race calls. He’d begin a race saying, “The field is sent on their way” or “away they go.” As horses were running down the stretch, he’d add expressions as ?” Looks like she jumped in at the quarter pole”…” They would need to sprout wings to catch (horse’s name)”…” He’s out there moving like a winner” or “is coming like an express train” to name a few. Trevor’s ability to craft each race as an intriguing story sharing his knowledge of racing strategies, a jockey’s style, and his love for the thoroughbred became treasured by all.

On March 9th, Trevor did a wonderful interview with Mike Willman on KLAA830 Radio. He recounted the many spectacular races he called and the magnificence of the horses he watched race and thrill the fans. When Mike asked him which race call was his favorite, Trevor responded…” for years, it was the 1989 Preakness with Sunday Silence and Easy Goer going stride to stride, head-to-head, nose to nose as they came down the stretch.”

Then on November 7, 2009, the day Zenyatta won the Breeders’ Cup Classic, this changed. Her Classic WIN became his #1. Trevor commented he had called so many of her races and knew her running style so well. In preparing for the race, he tried to keep an open mind, not plan on any script, just let the race and the way it unfolded create the emotion for him to share with the fans. Going into the Classic, in his mind, she was the horse in the turquoise silks. Throughout the body of the race, he kept the fans aware of her position as she was such a fan favorite. “Zenyatta has a lot, a lot of ground to make up”…. was his one statement. As the race progressed, she was still far back, and he added…” If she wins this, she will be a super horse.” Once in the stretch, Zenyatta moved to the outside making up ground. He announced this to the crowd, and added…” Zenyatta is coming, flying on the grandstand side.” In this interview with Mike, Trevor explained he was watching her making this move and wanted his call to be in cadence with her strides. At that moment, his race call became one which echoed through the entire grandstand at Santa Anita: “THIS IS UN-BELIEVABLE! WHAT A PERFORMANCE, ONE WE WILL NEVER FORGET. ONE OF THE MOST SENSATIONAL EVER!”

Photo by Benoit Photography

Dear Trevor, Happy Retirement! We want you to know…YOU ARE ONE WE WILL NEVER FORGET!

With Love,
Hugs to all
Zenyatta, Her Fans and Family

Reader Interactions

499 Comments

  2. / Reply

    Dear Z, COZ, ZI, ZEL, ZIL, NYM, DC and Grandsons:

    Love and Big Hugs to all of you, JB🖤💛🖤💛🖤💛🖤💛🖤

  3. / Reply

    Nymue turned in her first half-mile today since coming to Fair Grounds, going the distance in 50.40, good enough for an 87/134 ranking. It is unclear who she worked with, but former workmate Iconoclast also went a half today, in 51.00.

    • / Reply

      Dear Rebecca:

      Just checked her chart on Equibase and saw that work. Looking good Sweet Girl.
      Thanks for posting info here.

      Love and Hugs, JB

  4. / Reply

    Dear Z, COZ, ZI, ZEL, ZIL, NYM, DC and Grandsons:

    Stay comfy and cozy. Love You. Big Hugs, JB🖤💛🏇🏻🖤💛🏇🏻🖤💛🏇🏻🖤

  5. / Reply

    Puca ’24 update:
    He put in his first breeze yesterday, going a furlong in 13 and change, out a quarter in 27 and change. It was what was expected and he did it nicely in company.
    The naming contest has not yet resumed, as the Jockey Club has yet to return or pre-approve the four names MyRacehorse is going to have us vote on. Two of the names are apparently from Resolute Racing and the other two are owner submissions; this was not disclosed prior to the name submission phase, as it seemed that the four names would ALL be MRH owner submitted. Interesting twist to the game. Now we wait and see what the names are. I am hoping they are so good that it’s hard to choose!

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      Dear Rebecca:

      Thanks for this update on My Racehorse colt’s 1 F work. Will look forward to knowing the name that’s chosen for him. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Amen to that. Rest in Peace John Shirreffs.
      Condolences to all family, staff, friends and the horses. 😔
      Hugs and Love

  9. / Reply

    Nymue turned in her second half-mile work since coming to Fair Grounds! My virtual stable email says it was 48.8 but the official Equibase listing has it in 50.4, likely with Reagan’s Isle. Ranks 87/134.
    Starting to think they stopped on Shuggy and he’s getting a break.

      • / Reply

        So, the email was right, but the website was wrong when I checked it immediately. Interesting. It would be cool if she worked with Englishman! At 48.80, her rank is 21/113 (I guess they also counted too many horses going 4f considering it was out of 134 earlier).
        —
        A total of 12 horses turned in that time, three from the gate.

  10. / Reply

    Dear Rebecca and Moshok:

    Thanks for the updates on NYMUE’s latest work.

    Rebecca, I think maybe SHUGS is taking a break. Hope he’s OK.

    Love and Hugs, JB

  12. / Reply

    Jane update:
    She came up with a swollen area near her left elbow ten days ago. After a week of cold hosing we got the swelling down and figured it was a fluke, she never stopped using the leg and I saw her running on it a couple times.
    Fast forward to Friday morning, and the whole leg is blown back up, so now she is on stall rest (we tore down a dividing wall in tiny feeding stalls to give her a 9×20 stall) and the leg is not really responding to cold hosing and liniments. Plus, I think it was buckling a little bit Friday night when I got her stalled… the working theory is a broken elbow, as the area is hot, tight, and tender to the touch. I am calling around to vets tomorrow to get X-rays and Bute for her. Prayers would be much appreciated.

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      Poor Jane. So sorry you are having to deal with this. Please keep us updated. We had a small setback with my filly a couple of weeks ago. She nicked her left-hind leg and swelling set in. She was given antibiotics and stall rest. Fortunately it was not serious and she has started galloping on the training track.

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        Dear Especially Horses:

        So glad your filly recovered and is back training. They can be so fragile.

        Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Rebecca,

      I hope Jane’s elbow isn’t broken and that a course of treatment can be implemented.
      Will keep Jane and you in thoughts and prayers. Sending positive vibes, too.
      Hugs and Love

  13. / Reply

    Dear Rebecca:

    So sorry to hear this news on Jane. I pray it’s not a break. Prayers for Jane and for you. Love and Hugs, JB

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