Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Ziconic

Catching Up with Ziconic

Ziconic and Sarah Pollock, Reaching Some Jumping Goals at Templeton Farms
(Photo Credit:  Chelsea Schmitz, Stories Told by Film)

Dear Fans,

Winter has been both busy and a lot of fun at the Farm.  Despite that it is February and the middle of Winter, the California Central Coast has felt more like Spring.  This has benefited our ability to train outside instead of just the covered arena every day.  So Ziconic gets to spend more time with Sarah enjoying warm up and cool down on the track that weaves through Templeton Farms and in the jumping court – his happy place.

We had some BIG FUN at the Farm earlier this month with our good friend, Chelsea Schmitz, Stories Told by Film.  Chelsea started her career as an equine photographer, and now focuses on weddings and events – BUT, she has not lost her eye or touch for horses.  We love what Chelsea does and think she has captured the essence of Ziconic during this photo shoot.  And one of several things we can confirm that Ziconic shares with his Mom, Zenyatta; They ALWAYS know where the camera is!

Ziconic Sharing Some Love with Linda at Templeton Farms
(Photo Credit: Chelsea Schmitz, Stories Told by Film)
Ziconic and Sarah at Templeton Farms
(Photo Credit: Chelsea Schmitz, Stories Told by Film)
Ziconic and Sarah – Both Smiling – at Templeton Farms
(Photo Credit: Chelsea Schmitz, Stories Told by Film)

We were so honored to have Jen Roytz, Executive Director, Retired Racehorse Project, visit us last month!  The love and effort this organization generates to support Thoroughbreds after their racing careers is truly AMAZING!  The next Thoroughbred Makeover will be October 7 – 10, 2020, Kentucky Horse Park, with 616 entries accepted – WOW!!  This is where brother, Cozmic One, made his debut competing for the 1st time and came in 5th!

Ziconic, Sarah, and Jen at Templeton Farms
(Photo Credit:  Linda R. Moss)

As mentioned in our last post, one of our visions and dreams for Ziconic is to have a role as an Off The Track Thoroughbred (OTTB) Ambassador for the West Coast and beyond.  And as he continues his OTTB transition, we truly believe he is indeed becoming a great inspiration as a Sporthorse.  Last December 2019, we sponsored a jump to support CARMA and The Thoroughbred Holiday Classic Horse Show at the LA Equestrian Center. We think this turned out GREAT!  So, we are very pleased to have our jump represented at the next Thoroughbred Classic Horse Show Spring 2020, March 21 – 22, 2020 at Galway Downs, Temecula, CA.

Thoroughbred Holiday Class Horse Show Sponsored Jump at the LA Equestrian Center
Ziconic, Sarah Pollock Sporthorses & Templeton Farms 
(Photo Credit:  Screen Shot taken from Horse Show Video)
Thank You to Our Wonderful Sponsors
                     (Photo Courtesy of The Thoroughbred Holiday Classic Horse Show, LA Equestrian Center) 

Please Note:  Unfortunately, Ziconic will not be attending this show at Galway Downs, but we do have plans in the future, so please stay tuned.    

If you have been following Ziconic on Facebook, you know he has become quite the Jolly Ball player.  This has become an everyday occurrence that can go on for 15 minutes at a time.  Z-Z, as everyone in the barn calls him, has learned how to “fling” his Jolly Ball, which then ends up in his neighbor’s walkout until someone retrieves it for him.  He not only has mastered his twirl; he enjoys having an audience – no surprise!

Video Credit: Sarah Pollock at Templeton Farms

Ziconic’s grandsire A.P. Indy passed away on Saturday at Lane’s End. Heart-felt condolences and R.I.P. to Lane’s End, Family, Connections.

Sending Joy & Hugs!

Reader Interactions

521 Comments

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy,

      Thanks for these informative articles. Hope everyone stays coronavirus free in the Saudi trip and elsewhere. Curlin’s filly, Spice is Nice is a beautiful chestnut girl! Best wishes to all for safe and sound racing in the Davona Dale at Gulfstream.

      I hope adopting the rules at Churchill and Keeneland will help to ensure safer conditions for all TBs and that it is something all the other tracks will enact, too.

      Hugs and Love

  2. / Reply

    Hi everyone,
    I think it is safe to conclude that poor Hovey and Mother Nature are at definite odds this week! Looking forward to seeing how the Saudi Cup turns out – lots of nice horses from all around the world. Very brave of all of them – horses, trainers, grooms, jockeys, etc – to travel to such far distant shores for this one. Have a great weekend!
    Sandy

    https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/blog/hovis-friday-diary-life-before-the-winds-of-hell-is-a-distant-memory-708597

    • / Reply

      Dear Sandy:

      Thanks for our Hovis update; never a dull moment.

      Yes, Godspeed to all the horses going on Saudi Cup Day and everywhere. Safe and sound all!

      Love and Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Dear Judy,

        Joining you in wishing safe and sound racing to all horses and riders on Saudi Cup Day and everywhere.

        Stay safe and warm, my friend. It seems some extreme weather might be heading your way. Here in NC, the rollercoaster weather continues — we will be in the 70’s next week. Complete yo-yo season, weatherwise. Crazy!

        Hugs and Love

        • Dear Marshall:

          Have had same yo-yo weather here. Two days ago in the 60s; tonight, 20s. Now looks like teens forecast for tomorrow evening. Love ya. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Sandy,

      Thanks for our weekly visit with Hovis! Oh my, Mother Nature does hold all the cards. Poor Hovis, the storm struggles continue. Hope our boy can stay dry and manage to catch some “haylage”! Hang in there, Hoverine!

      Hugs and Love

    • / Reply

      Judy,
      Thanks for posting the race. I had a yoga class and missed it on TV. I didn’t understand much of the call but sure could see that move Max made. He looked as if he could have run on. Hope all the horses came out of it okay.

  8. / Reply

    Dear Z Fans:

    Karma; MAX wore the same No (7) today that he wore in the Kentucky Derby. WOW!

    He really showed off his Street Cry genes today. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Horse Karma is The Best.
      Way to go, Champ. Happy for Max and his connections.
      7….7th heaven for Max.
      Now, come home and stay safe, be happy.

  9. / Reply

    Judy,
    Congrats to your boy Max. He keeps proving what a good horse he is. My boy Mucho
    Gusto didn’t do as well. I am so happy for Max, all his fans and his team. In mind little mind he will always be the Derby winner. Safe trip home to all the horses especially our American horses.

    • / Reply

      Dear Shirlee:

      Mucho G put in a really great effort; you could see he was getting tired, led most of the way. I will always feel in my heart that MAX won the Derby too.

      Rooting for your Curlin’s girl, Spice is Nice in the Davona Dale at Gulfstream coming up an hour from now.

      How about those US horses; 1, 2, 3. Hope all horses came back safe and sound. Love and Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Dear Shirlee:

        Spice’s Dam is a daughter of my boy Bernardini; Uncle Johnny aboard. Godspeed; safe and sound. Love and Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Dear Z Fans:

        l stand corrected. Just realized US horses finished 1, 2, 4 and 5; Max, Midnight B, Mucho G and Tacitus. Third place was Golophin owned Benbatl. Congrats to all of them. love and Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Dear Shirlee and Z Fans:

        Just realized US horses finished 1, 2, 4 and 5 in the Saudi Cup; Max, Midnight B, Mucho G and Tacitus. Godolphin owned Benbatl finished 3rd. Congrats to all. love and Hugs, JB

  10. / Reply

    Judy,
    Perhaps the Derby was a blessing in disguise for us, the fans. If he had won he might be in the breeding shed right now rather than thrilling us with his talent and beauty. Hope he keeps on racing this year. Of course, how could he top today?

    • / Reply

      Dear Shirlee:

      You make a very good point. But, I read today that the West’s have sold 50% interest in MAX to Coolmore, so I don’t have much hope for his racing as a four year old. We’ll have to wait and see. I hope he doesn’t shuttle. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy,

      Thanks for posting this link. It is nice to hear the English call — I could make out a little of the first replay, (maybe French? with a scattering of English). This was much clearer.
      WOW! Maximum Security really showed what he is made of, didn’t he? Way to go, Champ! Big Congratulations to Max, LS, Jason Servis and all connections!! Also, great racing from Midnight Bisou and Mike, too! Well done. Hope everyone came back to the barn safe and sound.

      Hugs and Love

  12. / Reply

    Dear Shirlee and Z Fans:

    Spice is Nice ran second to the other favorite in the race Tonalist’s Shape. Congrats to both girls. Love and Hugs, JB

  13. / Reply

    Midnight Bisou I’m so proud of you and Mike. You had true grit today! I had my MS T-shirt on and your Breeder’s cup cap on wishing the impossible would happen. It was not meant to be, but you were fantastic! Lindal

    • / Reply

      My opinion,
      Midnight Bisou she was the best horse, she was last….And finish second!!
      Love her big big hugs to you and Mike!

      • / Reply

        Dear Ingrid:

        Thanks for this link. Yes, Midnight Bisou ran a great race and great ride by our Mikey too. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Ingrid,

      Thanks a million! It’s even more exciting when you can understand the call completely. ?

      Hugs and Love

      • / Reply

        Dear Judy and dear Marshall:

        You welcome, yes indeed she is a great horse.
        I he is a great horse also.
        Big hugs Ingrid.

    • / Reply

      Thanks for the race video.
      MB is an amazing girl.Great race for her. Smart and brave on the rail. Beautiful run.
      Midnight, give Mike a big nip on his backside for the over use of his whip.

      • / Reply

        My Dear Ann:

        You spotted the whip use before any of us. Was so intent on watching Max’s outside/inside moves in the replay the first time I saw it, I didn’t see anything else.

        You’re something else. Love Ya. Hugs, JB

        • JB, I first read about his whip use below and then tried to watch this race.
          Must say, we here in the US are blessed with wonderful racing film.
          I appreciate their on the rail footage, but it was hard following and placing some of the racing order in this footage. At the same time, this video really puts you on the horse and made my heart beat faster! Gulp!!!

          Anyway, I do love Mike, a kind caring jockey. Sorry this had to happen.

        • Dear Ann:

          Agree, I couldn’t really see MB and Mikey clearly in the video. They were on the rail the whole race I think. Love and Hugs, JB

  15. / Reply

    Dear Z Fans:

    Congrats to Ete Indien on his gate to wire Fountain of Youth win today.

    Dennis’ Moment, BC Juvie winner, finished last. Didn’t fire. Praying he came back OK. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy,

      I hope Dennis’ Moment is okay, too and that it was simply just not his moment today.
      Congratulations to Été Indien and all connections on the Fountain of Youth win!

      Hugs and Love

      • / Reply

        Dear Marshall:

        Ete was so impressive in his win today; he’s a grandson of War Front. Yes, I hope DM is OK too.

        Congrats beautiful boy. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Z Fans:

      I made a mistake in my post above. Dennis’ Moment didn’t win the BC Juvenile; Storm The Court did. DM’s last win was The Iroquois Stakes. Sorry about that. Love and Hugs, JB

  17. / Reply

    TDN Europe has a video in English of the Saudi Cup. There was so much great racing on Saturday in the States and overseas.

    Congratulations to all the horses and their teams. Saudi has Girl Power too! Looking forward to Dubai.

    Thanks everyone for posting all the information on the horses, jockeys, connections, and races. A wealth of information is here in one place.

    We have so much excitement coming up in the next few months: Dubai, Z’s baby, Triple Crown, Royal Ascot, and everything in between.

    Cheers, good health, and stay safe.

  18. / Reply

    I saw on face book that Mike is being fined severely for over use of the whip on Midnight Bisou. I am really disappointed in Mike if this is the case. I’m going to watch the race again and see if this is true.. She ran a heck of a race but think Max was the best yesterday. My boy, Mucho Gusto really went into him and hampered him.

    Did anyone else see this anywhere else other than Face Book?

  19. / Reply

    Just saw this on Bloodhorse.com. He was fined $200,000 and banned for 9 days. The article said he struck MB 14 times! They seem to be very strict in Saudi Arabia about use of the whip. Irad Otiz was also fined and suspended for over use of the whip.

    • / Reply

      Dear Shirleeinindy:

      Yes, I saw the report on Mike and Irad on the Paulick Report. I am stunned and disappointed too, assuming this is completely true. Will re-watch the race as well. The competition is so fierce. Were any other jockeys fined?

      The Paulick Report article lists the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia rules governing whip use. I wonder how they compare to US rules.

      • / Reply

        Dear Ann:

        I hope not too. She’s a brave Warrior Princess; kept right up with boys. Girl Power! Love and Hugs, JB

  20. / Reply

    Dear Shirlee, Carolina and Z Fans :

    Our Peggy sent me the article from BloodHorse today about Mikey‘s ban and fine. Very unusual for Mike; he usually hand rides and shows the whip to the horse, not using it or striking minimally. That’s one of the reasons he’s always been a favorite of mine way back to his days in NY.

    J Ortiz has been reprimanded before here at home for aggressive use of the whip I think.
    They would have banned V. Espinosa for life for his striking American Pharoah well over 25 times in the 2015 Kentucky Derby. Will really have to study the replay to see what Mikey did. Difficult to pinpoint if you’re not able to highlight and slow down the video as the racetracks are able to do.

    Hope beautiful Midnight B and all the horses came back OK. Read in BloodHorse trainer Romans said Dennis’ Moment looked good today; no injuries. I hope that’s so. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy B:

      Thanks for the information on Dennis’ Moment. I am really hoping he and all the other horses recover well from their races.

      I had forgotten about Victor’s use of the whip on American Pharoah. Excessive for sure. He was fined $300 for excessive whip use causing a break in the skin on Stellar Wind back in 2015. That was hardly a deterrent for his future races.

      Mike has been one of my favorite jockeys for some time. In past races, I’ve heard the race commentators say he was hand riding and never un-cocked his whip. MB was trying so hard and she was so close to winning. The temptation to win that huge purse is overwhelming. I am trying to understand. I just do not like the whip, period.

      I hope there is a positive outcome. How about a bonus for winning the race without using the whip and deductions for each strike?

      Peace and hugs to all.

      • / Reply

        Dear Carolina:

        I feel exactly as you do about use of the whip. Great suggestions!

        Yes, this unlike Mike. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      I agree with you all about Mike and the use of the whip. I could barely watch it was bad. Midnight Bisou came out of it looking great, thank God. There is a picture of her on facebook. I am sure the publicity that Mike received stung more than the fine! I’m sure he has learned a valuable lesson. Lindal

  21. / Reply

    Dear Z Fans:

    Correction to my post above: Jockeys J Ortiz and I Ortiz were fined at Saratoga for careless riding, not overuse of the whip. Love and Hugs, JB

  23. / Reply

    Dear Z Fans:

    Keep watching Maxi’s moves yesterday. Mucho was getting more and more tired and veering into Max’s Lane. Max moved from outside, went inside around the right side of Mucho and then turned on the burners and burst to the front. Only other horse I ever saw do that was Zenyatta in the 2009 BCC. They do share those Street Cry genes! Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy,

      Yes they do! Absolutely brilliant. Thank you a million + times, Street Cry!

      Yay, Z and yay, Max! Never give up.

      Hugs and love

    • / Reply

      Dear Z Fans:

      i don’t know my left from my right. Maxi went around Mucho inside (left side not right side). Never did have a very good sense of direction.? Love and Hugs, JB

  24. / Reply

    Good job, Max.

    Not a fan of the whip either. What is the point if the horse is giving his/her all?

  30. / Reply

    Judy,
    I agree with you that Mike never seemed to me one to get whip crazy. I wish we could ban the whip here in the US. Victor’s treatment of AP was terrible in the Derby. He must have received a real talking to afterwards as in future races he seemed to use much more restraint. To be honest with you, I have not cared much for his as a rider since then.

    On a happier note. Congrats to Wise Dan and Game On Dude. Hope they both get into the Hall of Fame.

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