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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

519 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 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

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy,
      Thanks for posting this link here.
      We have lost a truly excellent man. Rest in peace, John S.
      I do hope his passing will be noted on Z’s Blog. 😔
      Hugs and Love

  16. / Reply

    Jane update:
    –that was expensive lol–
    NOT broken, although an X-ray was still taken in case there was a bone chip.
    It’s an elbow bruise essentially; she drained it and gave me Bute and DMSO for it. Prescription is still stall rest and cold hosing until it heals. Also a shoe boil donut, as it’s caused by her resting her elbow in her hoof. Yay.

      • / Reply

        Ditto what Judy posted, Rebecca!
        So glad it is something treatable. Hope Jane recovers quickly and
        without further problems in the elbow.
        All the Best to you and Jane!
        Hugs and good Health

    • / Reply

      Although still unfortunate, all in all a lot better news about Jane. The old mare is hanging in there! She is so blessed to have you on her side.

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        Yes, it’s a lot better news. I am hoping she can pack on some more weight in the stall since she was still short about 25 pounds and I wouldn’t mind if she actually got a little fat!

  20. / Reply

    Jane update:
    She lost a little weight initially from the stress, but feeding her plenty of alfalfa (mixed with her usual Coastal) has perked her back up again, as well as getting out once a day to get her leg hosed/treated and to graze for a bit. She looks really good right now. Her leg is retaining a bit of heat, but not a lot, and the swelling is pretty well controlled now just by the stall rest. She has been equipped with her shoe boil donut since Sunday, and she’s still getting up and down as evidenced by the shavings all over her right side every morning, lol. Hopefully the heat will be all gone in another week or two.

  22. / Reply

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

    Have a pleasant evening and stay comfy and cozy. Love You. Hugs, JB

  23. / Reply

    Nymue breezed FIVE furlongs today, in 1:02 flat, good enough for 18/30. Three others turned in the same time – the unraced Iconoclast and She’s Our Ten, and Cherie’s six-start maiden half to Arabian Knight, Cromwell (entered for Saturday the 7th).

  24. / Reply

    Puca ’24: his name will be revealed on March 9! We have already done Final Four voting, and Final Round voting opened today.
    Jane: she now has a 12×10 daytime turnout pen attached to her stall to graze and help her mind out. Plus keep her moving a bit – her foreleg might benefit from doing nothing, but her SI joint and stifles are stiff from lack of movement. It’s a balancing act. The bruise is looking and feeling better, and she seems to be sounder on it. If she keeps progressing, in another couple weeks I’ll have a round pen for her to get more movement in, and from there start looking at some rehab exercises – mostly for her hind end.
    The biggest thing right now is she’s got thrush, which I have been battling on and off since we got her – I think her feet got overly neglected before we got her, and then last year was wet and didn’t help anything. So that’s fun. The worst one is her right front, which is more upright than her left already and likes to harbor stuff (the left is the one with the elbow bruise).

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      Dear Rebecca:

      Thanks for the update on NYM’s work at 5 F.

      You’re taking such great care Jane. Hope the weather stays dry so the thrush clears up quicker. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Rebecca,
      Thanks for the updates! Interested to know what Puca ’24’s name will be.
      Hang in there Jane! Hope the thrush will finally be conquered — you are definitely
      Jane’s rock and a fantastic care-giver❣️
      Hugs and Love,
      Marshall

  25. / Reply

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

    Hope you’re all having a wonderful day. Love and Big Hugs, JB

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