On April 1, 2004, "Little Tige" was born, by Street Cry out of Vertigineux by Kris S
You lit up the sky with your brilliance! You set all our hearts to dancing! You brought beauty, talent, accomplishment to a sport starved for some good news! You blew the doors off in every race you ever ran (even your last one was so spectacular as to melt the hearts of even the most jaded of minds)! You raised the handle, you raised the roof, and you danced your way into the hearts of millions.
As YOUR DOTTIE always said: "Every time she crossed the finish line, she carried all that is good about the sport with her."
And, as YOUR JOHN said: "There's not one thing about you that isn't exceptional....not one!"
Here's to you, Queen Z! You continue to bless us with your presence in the universe. You continue to dance and spread joy just by being who you are: "The best main track filly or mare we've ever seen." (Ellen Parker)
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AND SHE LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER!
"Little Tige" by Street Cry, out of Vertigineux by Kris S.
Momma "Z" Wow, what a journey it has been!
THANK YOU, Z, FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN US! SUCH JOY! SUCH BEAUTY!
Note: HOW TO WATCH RACES: There is a possibility that NBC or NBC Sports , or Fox Sports 1 or 2, may televise the Whitney, as it is a part of the Breeders Cup Win and You're In series. Check your local listings for Saturday. Other possible TV or Streaming outlets include www.DRF.com (West Virginia Derby and Gulfstream Saturday card); also: https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/ plus , of course TVG and TwinSpires.
Our girl has gotten world-wide attention once again, this time she has been enshrined and immortalized by an exquisite work of art by Neil Latham, "American Thoroughbred". We could have told Mr Latham that he would fall for "The Queen", and indeed he did, giving Zenyatta credit for providing the raison d'etre for his Magnus Opus, Mr. Latham had this to say:
"At that moment Latham knew that his journey had ended, he had captured the essence of the Thoroughbred. "All of my photographs portrayed the power and dominance of the breed, but it wasn't until Zenyatta that I was able to reveal the emotional, fragile side. It was the missing piece. I felt the finality and then a wave of sadness. I never wanted it to be over. It's hard to stop an obsession. But it seemed like there was nothing else to say, it had all been said with Zenyatta".
Yes, indeed, Zenyatta always has the "last word", and she is the "essence of the Thoroughbred." Yet, she is much more: Neil Latham's book has immortalized Zenyatta for those inside and outside the sport, as well, and in a strange way, I feel it validates how those of us who love this mare like no other and see her as the otherworldly creature that she is: We are not crazy.
CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN TO TEAM ZENYATTA FOR INDUCTION IN TO THE HALL OF FAME. CEREMONY AUG. 12.
*************************************** THE WHITNEY STAKES, AUGUST 6
2016 EDITION: This year's edition will feature Frosted, Effinex, Noble Bird (all three will carry 124 lbs), the rest 117, El Kabir, Comfort, & Upstart 119lbs. Post time is 6:18 ET.
In the 2015 listing of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), the Whitney tied with the Kentucky Derby as the top Grade 1 race in the United States outside of the Breeders' Cup races.
FROSTED favorite for Whitney In the 2015 listing of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), the Whitney tied with the Kentucky Derby as the top Grade 1 race in the United States outside of the Breeders' Cup races.
TDN Preview - Frosted Odds-on vs. Five in Whitney LEGENDS: LADY'S SECRET - HORSE RACING'S IRON LADY LADY'S SECRET, winner of the 1986 edition of The Whitney Handicap, another in the ABR "Legends" series. In 1986, the year she was named Older Female and Horse of the Year, LADY's SECRET had 15 starts, winning 10, including the WHITNEY, and what has to be a record 9 GRADE 1s. She never failed to finish at least third in three other Grade 1 contests against males in the Met Mile, Philip H. Iselin Handicap and Woodward Stakes (2nd).
Six fillies have won the race: Black Maria (1928), Bateau (1929), Esposa (1937), Gallorette (1948), Lady's Secret (1986), and Personal Ensign (1988).
Esposa after winning the Wilson Stakes at Saratoga (Property of Blood-Horse Library)
ESPOSA: Another Saratoga sensation -- and a winner of THE WHITNEY, but one who is likely unfamiliar to most of us. One of the biggest stars of the 1930s, she definitely made her mark at Saratoga. ESPOSA, indeed was a star every bit the equal of those more recent and familar to us, including Goldikova, Zenyatta, Rachel Alexandra, Tepin, etc. and who routinely challenged and beat males.
Racing in the 1930s against a strong group of male horses that included Seabiscuit, War Admiral, and Discovery, Esposa held her own against all of them, and—on one memorable occasion—even defeated Seabiscuit. She won the 1937 Whitney, and in 3 more renewals of that race she came in second to Discovery twice, and to War Admiral, once. She was the Champion Handicap mare in 1937 and 1938.
She was so good and ran over a period of 7 years from 1934 through 1940, I marvel that her name isn't more well known. And maybe it is, but somehow she escaped my attention. To view a photo of Esposa with her first foal Esteem: http://www.ebay.ie/itm/231986241371
Note: Zenyatta and the other Hall of Fame inductees in the Class of 2016 will be honored in the special ceremony on Friday, August 12, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 EDT. 2016 Hall of Fame Class
John Shirreffs calls it his Camelot, those days from late 2007 to late 2010 when he was the keeper of a flame that burned so brightly that it set the Thoroughbred racing world aglow with enthusiasm not seen since the sport’s Triple Crown heydays of Secretariat, Affirmed and Seattle Slew.
Referencing Camelot always triggers this: “One shining moment.” In John’s Camelot it was “one shining moment after another shining moment after another …” You know what’s coming. Those multiple moments revolved around the great race mare Zenyatta – 20 in all.
Along the way she won three Eclipse Awards as best older female in America, was acclaimed Horse of the Year in 2010, as well, and became the first – and still only - female to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic (2009). And during that time, she ran off 19 straight victories. In her final race, her attempt to repeat as Classic champion, she fell a head short after another of her signature dashes from last place. Even the loss, Shirreffs said, could have been one of her best races. Read more at source
Past Performances includes following races: Test S.-GI, SAR, West Virginia Derby-GII, MNR, Waya S.-GIII, SAR, Groupie Doll S.-GIII, ELP, Whitney S.-GI, SAR, , , Sorrento S.-GII, DMR, La Jolla H.-GIII, DMR
Note: After a race has been run, return here and click on CARD for a replay (about a 20-min delay) Also: DRF has a great race replay site which includes chart and Beyer speed figure. http://www.drf.com/spro/stakes-results Note: Mountaineer (West Virginia) and Louisiana Downs have state-bred racing festivals; full list at the BloodHorse Race Index link above.
FRIDAY
5:40 ET Hall of Fame S G2Sar$200,0003yo8.5f T R9CARD
SATURDAY 1:00 ET Maiden Sp. Wgt Sar $83,000, 2yo, 1 1/16 mi R1 CARDBrooklyn Bobby 4:25 ET Lure SSar$100,0004+ R8.5f T R7CARD
4:35 ET W. Va Governor's S (L)MNR$200,0003+8.5f R7CARD
4:40 ET Groupie Doll G3ElP$100,0003+ f/m8f R9CARD 5:02 ET TEST S G1Sar$500,0003yo f7fR8CARD 5:21 ET W. Va Derby G2MNR$750,0003yo9f R8CARD
5:40 ET Waya S G3Sar$200,0003+ f/m12f T R9CARD 6:18 ET WHITNEY *G1 BCSar$1,250,0003+9fR10CARD 6:30 ET Super Derby Prelude (L)LaD$100,0003yo8.5f R6CARD
6:40 ET Sorrento S G2Dmr$200,000 2yof6.5f R4CARD
6:54 ET De La Rose SSar$100,0004+ f/m8f T R11CARD 7:33 ET Maiden Sp'l Wgt Dlmr $63,000, 3yo f 6 1/2f R6 CARDLady Pamela 9:10 ET La Jolla H G3 Dmr$150,0003yo 8.5f T R9CARD
10:10 ET Downs at Albuquerque HAlb$175,0003+9fR6CARD * = Breeders Cup qualifying
2:30 ET Duchess SWO (r) $125,0003yo f7f AW R4CARD
4:47 ET Wonder Where SWO (r)
$250,0003yo
10f T R8 CARD
5:40 ET Alydar SSar$100,0004+ R9fR9CARD
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Curalina seemed to relish the off-going at Saratoga last Sunday as the chestnut miss splashed home an easy winner of the Shuvee H. (G2). Lady Shipman returned the winner's circle with an easy triumph in the Royal North (Can-G3) at Woodbine last Sunday.
UPCOMING MAJOR NORTH AMERICAN STAKES Date Race Track 8/5 GII Hall of Fame S.
SAR 8/6 GI Whitney S. SAR GI Test S. SAR GII West Virginia
Derby MNR GII Sorrento S. DMR GIII La Jolla H. DMR GIII Groupie Doll S.
ELP GIII Waya S. SAR 8/13 GI Arlington Million
AP GI Beverly D. S. AP GI Secretariat S. AP GI Fourstardave S.
SAR GII Best Pal S. DMR GII Adirondack S. SAR GIII Pucker Up S. AP GIII
American St Leger S. AP
In Honor of Shared Belief whose life and career were shortened on December 3, 2015, when he succumbed to a sudden and deadly attack of colitis. His fans, his owners, his trainer and all of his connections have shared their feelings about the loss of this wonderful champion. Jim Rome, one of the owners, has publicly mourned his "horse of a lifetime" and what it means not only to have been privileged to own such a horse, but what the loss means to him personally:
"Thoroughbred racing is a sport filled with the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Some of the most thrilling and surreal moments of our entire lives have occurred in this sport. Unfortunately, today we have suffered our most devastating. We have lost Shared Belief."
"Immediate shock upon hearing the Champ had passed suddenly turned to extreme sadness. You never really get over something like this, you just hope to get past it. And in time, we will. And we will as a team. All of us together."
"And truthfully, we have asked ourselves if it’s all worth it. If you truly love the animal and you’re in the game for the right reasons, how could you not ask yourself that question? In other words, as devastating as this loss is, given the chance, would we do it all over again? And the answer is yes."
When I started seriously following Thoroughbred racing, one of my early realizations was the extremes of the highs and lows of the sport. I questioned early on how trainers and owners, and others involved directly with the care and training of these magnificent creatures dealt with the emotional extremes, the emotional roller coaster. If you are afraid of your emotions, if you think it's not manly to cry, then you are in the wrong game. Some days you get your heart wrung out like a dishrag, and others the joy and thrill of that win that comes at the end of a long road of ups and downs, just sends you over the moon, only to come crashing down again because of a senseless accident or injury that ends a career before it has begun.
Mucho Macho Man
Yet, no matter how tough the road, I think most would say being involved with the horses is worth the price, that it is addictive in a positive sense, that their lives are enriched by their involvement. I don't even own a horse, and can't get to the track very often, yet I've had my heart stomped on only to come back for more. I pulled so hard for Mucho Macho Man for 3 years, that he would one day get to win that big race -- for what reason did I feel so invested in one horse?
Fort Larned breaks the hearts of Mucho Macho Man's fans in the 2012 Breeders Cup Classic in a thrilling battle to the finish. Mucho came back and looked like he might get there.
In 2013, Mucho Macho Man gets his revenge in a blanket finish with last year's winner and an invader from overseas, Declaration of War - This win brought tears to my eyes for Moochie.
El Vino - Zenyatta's workmate
Less accomplished horses have touched my heart, as well. For what reason did a low-level claimer get under my skin and cause me to want to help in re-homing him, or how sad I felt at the loss of El Vino. I have to tell you, growing up I couldn't even watch a Lassie
Sarbonne - Also worked
with Zenyatta
movie because the sound of that music would cause my throat to constrict and tears would sting my eyes before the movie even began! Yet, I constantly subject myself to the ups and downs of a sport that is guaranteed to break your heart and the next moment, take you to the highest mountain. Why am I still here? Even though my voice is small among so many, I somehow feel I make a difference in bearing witness for each and every Thoroughbred that crosses my path. To leave the sport would be like abandoning all of them, to saying, they don't matter. So, I'm hooked, I'm stuck, and gladly so. In the words of Priscilla Clark in her tribute to Zenyatta:
"If you love Thoroughbred horses you go through life hoping that you can see just one more in whose presence the clouds fall away to reveal the mountaintop. It can take a generation or infinitely longer for such a horse to arrive, a horse that is capable of carrying the human heart. For the last one hundred years we know them all by name, but Zenyatta brought to us a beauty that was a tonic for the soul. She allowed us to believe in the impossible, and it was the light of her being as much as the thrill of her races that got us dancing. Zenyatta was transformative."
A story of redemption. Recently, a program at Saratoga has garnered much praise in restoring bruised and battered men and women coming back from the ravages of war. Called the "Saratoga Warhorse", the only way to explain the program and how it works is to watch it in action. Saratoga Warhorse A story of redemption and renewal, and hope.
Then, in 2015, Bob Baffert has been carried to the mountaintop one more time. This time he was rewarded -- no, privileged -- to sit atop that mountain and feel the glow of reaching for the stars and having the stars embrace him, and all the connections, of the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years. In the culmination of taking home the prize no other Triple Crown winner has even had the opportunity to try, winning the Grand Slam of racing, the Breeders Cup Classic, Baffert has sometimes been at a loss for words to express his emotions. Often, he has referred to the "spiritual nature" of his journey, as here in the day following the Breeders Cup Classic, he reveals that he is at a loss for adequate words.
There's no question in my mind that there is a spiritual connection between man and the horse that has existed for centuries. As I stated in the beginning, my current situation does not afford me much personal contact with the horses. I have a friend who does eventing and she has a couple of horses that when I feel the need to get up close and personal, I go out just to be around them, to smell that distinctive "horse smell" that to me is intoxicating. To gaze into those soulful eyes, to rub that soft spot on their nose, to feed them carrots and treats, for me, brings me a sense of peace and order in my life. There's just no way to explain it, but here's Richard Migliore trying to explain what he feels in the presence of a Zenyatta or a Seattle Slew.
Yes, Zenyatta is special, otherworldly, even, but, to a certain extent, every horse has the spirit of Zenyatta, of a Seattle Slew. All carry within them the ability to touch our hearts, to reach into our soul, and to engender a desire to help even in small ways to work towards a day when they all are appreciated and cared for. They can't all be as accomplished as these two great horses, or of an American Pharoah, or a Shared Belief, but they all deserve to be treated as if they were!
If you want to help, even in a small way, there are many horse rescue and re-homing groups worthy of your support. A list of organizations and their credentials are listed at Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. You, too, can make a difference in a horse's life.
Momma "Z" Wow, what a journey it has been!
