Rachel Explanation Needed

re: Rachel Explanation Needed

Woodswoman — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 18:46:40 GMT

Thanks, Ruffianruns, for thinking of me at the Lady's Secret even when you couldn't locate me because Hollywood Park had changed my seats. I was silently cheering for all of you who got to meet Zenyatta and her connections that weekend. The good news is that I was just a few yards above the finish line and winner's circle, and that was special seeing Penny Chenery there.

Steve, although this blog clearly started as a moving and much deserved tribute to Rachel Alexandra, I am in awe of the amazing community that has evolved from this and your other blogs. I don't post much, but rest assured I look forward to every column AND the responses.

I am delighted that John Shirreffs has announced Zenyatta's daily schedule prior to her departure for Kentucky. I am determined to get myself from the San Francisco Bay Area to LA to see Zenyatta graze on a Saturday afternoon and work on the track Sunday morning some time this month.

However, I confess I have no clue how to get into the backside at Hollywood Park. Everything from knowing who to talk to, to finding where the heck the entrance is. When I went to the Lady's Secret, it was the first horse race I'd been to in person in 34 years!

re: Rachel Explanation Needed

needler in Virginia — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 17:00:41 GMT

Ruffianruns.....yeah, well, you don't need to REALLY kick into gear until you get to the Kentucky border...at least that's the way Zenyatta would run it!

Glad I could make you smile, Zookeeper; there's nothing that won't make you stop missing him, but a smile helps a little. At the very least, you know you aren't alone. Everyone here hurts for you.

Cheers to ALL and safe trips.

re: Rachel Explanation Needed

ruffianruns — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 13:46:55 GMT

I have to echo Zookeeper's comments and thank you needler in Virginia! I'm so glad you like the poster. You better be waving it on 11/06!

1,325 miles, eh? Hmmm. Maybe I can make like Zenyatta and get my butt in gear!

re: Rachel Explanation Needed

Zookeeper — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 23:52:24 GMT

needler in Virginia,

Thank you so much for your kind words... and Carrot Breath DID make me smile, in fact it meade me LOL!

re: Rachel Explanation Needed

needler in Virginia — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 05:17:54 GMT

Hey, ruffianruns.........it's only about 1,325 miles give or take a mile!!!

Cheers and safe trips.

re: Rachel Explanation Needed

needler in Virginia — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 05:10:34 GMT

To ruffianruns and ALL those who got to HP for #19, I'm thrilled that you got a chance to meet the Big Hoss.......and before you come over all cranky, Zenyatta is, after all BIG, AND she is a hoss, so get over yourselves. All these posts have filled me in and I'm certain ruffianruns is glad of that, 'cause I've been hocking her to tell me EVERYTHING! My apologies for that. However, she did remember not to faint, so that's a big plus. And, best of all, not only did she get me a win ticket, but also a GREAT Zenyatta poster......... THANKS!!! What a good friend she is. And, if you're reading, ruffianruns, I've begun checking on mileage between you and Louisville!!! That's assuming you've recovered from the California trip, of course, AND that you've absolutely nothing else to do...............

Zookeeper, my heart hurts for you and your Streak, and his name would be great for a horse. HOWEVER, the very best name I've heard for any horse is Carrot Breath. I hope that makes you smile a bit.

Cheers and safe trips.

re: Rachel Explanation Needed

jayjay — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 08:44:43 GMT

Hope you don't mind me posting this Steve. Here's a cool video of Liza G singing to Zenyatta in person with John Shireffs videotaping it :)

www.zenyatta.com/.../liza-g-fly-sings-zenyatta-to-lady-z-in-person

re: Rachel Explanation Needed

ruffianruns — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 01:57:48 GMT

Hmmmm, maybe we were just a little starstruck? And our hearts were doing weird things with our brains?

re: Rachel Explanation Needed

Cleone — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 20:32:13 GMT

ruffianruns, I don't remember, either! I clearly remember hearing Dottie tell the story, but where the rider's name should be is a big blank!

re: Rachel Explanation Needed

Zookeeper — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 23:27:43 GMT

ruffianruns,

Sorry, I don't. All I heard was the praise and Slew (the blogger) came immediately to mind.

re: Rachel Explanation Needed

ruffianruns — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 15:40:23 GMT

Slew - I think Dottie said Migliore for the last name. Could he have been one of Seattle Slew's exercise riders? Help! Zoo, Anyone? Do you remember the jockey Dottie mentioned?

re: Rachel Explanation Needed

Slew — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 00:16:42 GMT

ruffianruns: Angel Cordero, but before him the TC was Jean Cruguet.

re: Rachel Explanation Needed

ruffianruns — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 19:03:10 GMT

Slew- You were in my thoughts during the entire two days. It's so weird, but I thought of you and Dr D so much considering I've never "really" met you! And Zookeeper's right in mentioning you. I think it was when Dottie was telling us about a famous rider (I'm blanking on the name!) who used to ride Seattle Slew. He rode Zenyatta one day and said that he had never felt that type of acceleration except with Seattle Slew. I think that's when Zoo mentioned you.

jayjay - I love your vision, but agree with Slew. We need to hang in a horse racing mecca... like New Mexico! Where the other 19 race winner used to live!

I also thought of needler, Woodswoman, and donkeyhotey who all got in touch with me or vice versa. I bought a $2 win ticket and blew a kiss to Zenyatta and sent love for needler, arranged to meet Woodswoman (but that fell thru when her seats changed unexpectedly), and had to tell donkeyhotey that there were already too many people in our group!

Nancy - Last but not least, Nancy, who posted on the last Secretariat blog as "Nancy." There's a "Nancy" and a "NancyP" on this blog, so I don't know which is which. Nancy asked me to kiss Zenyatta for her and tell her that she loves her and to come home safe. Nancy, I want you to know that while I didn't get close enough to actually kiss Zenyatta, I did blow her a kiss, told her that she was loved, and told her to come home safe, all for you!

Dr D - If you email me at pics.cec at gmail dot com I have some pictures for you.

You all have been SO WONDERFUL. It is so nice to share the story of our great adventure with people as excited as I am. Thank you all.

re: Rachel Explanation Needed

Slew — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 14:55:52 GMT

Jayjay: Noooooooo....Hawaii has no horse racing...find another spot...like Kentucky!

Dr. D: I think I'm in the same boat as you, so let's ditch Gilligan before he gets us lost.

To All: Thanks so much. You are all really special to me. You have no idea how thrilled and excited I was when everyone took off to HP to see the Zen. Even my toes tingled.

And Steve: you're the greatest!

re: Rachel Explanation Needed

jayjay — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 22:10:10 GMT

Thanks Slew, I thought about it when Dr. D was telling ruffianruns about buying the $2 win tickets and I thought, EVERYONE would have a $2 win ticket. At first I thought $20, then realize, hey...$19 WIN would look much much better. I bought 2 of them and two programs to go with it.

I'm going to put it up on eBay and auction it for 10 days, then I'm buying an island on the 11th day, build a ranch and buy about 30 horses. I'll take you "bloggers" to hawaii next summer with whatever's left of the sale. We can ask Steve Haskin to do the night time story telling of Slew, Big Red, Rachel, and Zenyatta while we all sip red wine over soft classical music and have TVG on our laptops...making bets :)

re: Rachel Explanation Needed

Zookeeper — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 16:04:06 GMT

Slew- You said "...blogging with Steve H. is like finding another family that welcomes you with open arms." SO TRUE!!! Our Blog Master is also an excellent Gate-Keeper. He turns away the naysayers whose sole purpose in life is to pee on everyone's parade. I've said before that this blog is a safe haven... for LOVERS, not haters. People on here tend to CELEBRATE, not denigrate and you are ONE OF THE BEST among us.

At the Shireffs barn last Friday, someone was talking about Seattle Slew in glowing terms. I turned to somebody (I think it was Ruffianruns) and said: "Boy! Slew would love to hear this." See... you WERE with us after all!

re: Rachel Explanation Needed

txhorsefan — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 15:08:01 GMT

Oh, my...where do I start? My heart is so full after spending time reading all the posts regarding the bloggers' visit with Zenyatta, our shared disappointment at Rachel's retirement and on and on. I think what Slew said this a.m. at 9:16 about this blogging family really expresses my feelings also. While I was watching Zenyatta's race a week ago I kept looking at the shots of the crowd, wondering if any of those excited, exuberant people were some of my blogging buddies! lol! So, yes, I've enjoyed the adventure vicariously through the posts you all have made here and I appreciate it very much, so thank you all once again. Thank you, Steve, for being the reason we feel so free to express ourselves because we know you are all heart, too. I'm going to try to find the you-tube videos posted by shortskinnylady, but please, Steve, could you send me the photos also?

Zookeeper, I'm so excited to hear that Runflatout is going back to Carla's barn! He must be doing so well and rarin' to go. Thanks for the update!

re: Rachel Explanation Needed

Dr Drunkinbum — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 15:06:34 GMT

Jim C.

I hope you can make it back here. You have had some very good posts.

Zookeeper

I love Raisinettes. I totally forgot about them. There have been at least ten horses named Asteroid. Other than that the subject is closed. We'll talk to you at the track.

Slew

You're right about family. There's some great people on here and they proved it when they got together in person. I would have liked to have been there, and had you there also but it would have been a struggle physically. I wasn't ready, but I've thoroughly enjoyed the adventure through their eyes. It was quite disappointing at first when no one one but Zookeeper was coming on to post, but they've more than made up for it. You were there in their hearts anyway. You're the matriarch, and Steve H is the patriarch. $19 ticket. Great idea but he should have bought a $102,107,190 ticket. 19-0 on 10-2-10, 7th race. I'd like to see him not cash that one !!!!!!

ruffianruns

I wasn't sure when you got here but was glad you were here with your interesting, and enthusiastic blogs. I still find this last adventure entirely amazing. Maybe you'll meet me and Zookeeper at SA and we can talk more about it. I'll save my questions and additional thoughts for then. Go Runflatout !!!! And Jaycito. I don't know what happened to Elite Alex, but he's another I like. I don't even want to think about the BC Classic anymore right now. Hip hip hooray for Steve Haskin and Zenyatta and her entire barn. Talk about good hosts !!!!!!! I heard Dottie talk on the radio. She's dynamic.

re: Rachel Explanation Needed

sherpa — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 14:00:12 GMT

Slew, your 9:16 AM comment says it all. So often, I find that your posts express what is in my heart.

re: Rachel Explanation Needed

Slew — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 13:16:50 GMT

I did recheck the DRF for B. Livingston's article, and found all of the pictures much more satisfying. Originally, I had seen only the final 3, and those are the photos I found depressing.

I firmly believe that 50 years from now, considering what she has accomplished, Zenyatta may be considered a myth rather than a flesh and blood marvel. I still find her exploits unbelievable. That is why I recommended saving everything from your HP visit, and passing it down through your family. I loved Jayjay's clever idea of the $19 ticket.

To be honest, blogging with Steve H. is like finding another family that welcomes you with open arms. I think you're all quite wonderful and exude warmth, and a unique and total love of the horse along with other treasured critters.

Dr D: What's wrong with us that we didn't make it to HP? Oh well, sometimes a vicarious adventure is better than none at all, and I feel that I have thoroughly enjoyed a day with Zen through many loving and star-struck eyes. Thanks so much for the adventure. I am just so happy for everyone.

re: Rachel Explanation Needed

Aluminaut — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 07:09:32 GMT

Um, Hi Steve,

Not that I'm desperate, but please send the blogger's group photos; especially the one with Zenyatta at the barn. My first request was late at night due to work, and may have been missed.

Thank-you very much.

re: Rachel Explanation Needed

NancyP — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 05:42:42 GMT

Ruffianruns and Zookeeper - Thanks for sharing the wonderful day you had with the GREAT ZENYATTA! I know it had to be the thrill of a life time! I wish every horse that races could have a team as devoted as her's. I'll check out the pictures on Youtube - thank you so very much for sharing them!

Zookeeper, I'm so sorry to hear about Streak's passing away. It is a difficult time.

Sincerely,

NancyP

re: Rachel Explanation Needed

Zookeeper — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 00:54:58 GMT

Dr Drunkinbum,

"Make them"??? I'm afraid those days are long gone, thank goodness! I'll look for the BonBons but I'm partial to Raisinets myself. Now, what about that asteroid???

Shortskinnylady,

As you can tell, we often stray from the topic. It's called Attention Deficit Disorder. Anything can set us off to some tangent or other, especially if Dr D. comes on... then, who knows where we'll end up?

re: Rachel Explanation Needed

ruffianruns — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 00:20:56 GMT

Dr D -

I love you. I think you've been told that before (by me?) on this blog. You deserve all the love you get. Thank you for placing my journey in that light.

I did come to these blogs, confused, about Rachel's second loss, among other things. April 30th. I remember the day well. That was also around the time the BP rig exploded killing 11 workers and causing so much damage. It was a SAD, SAD time. I think I dove headlong into horses to ease the pain. It's pretty mind boggling to think where all this has taken me.

Thank you so much for being a part of this journey.

re: Rachel Explanation Needed

Dr Drunkinbum — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 23:34:00 GMT

ruffianruns

It's funny how we end up here. And then it got you traveling, and to the track, and a thrilling race with energy galore. You met one of the greatest of all time just from being confused and hoping a little blogging would help. Isn't life interesting how we take paths based on little decisions. Now about that asteroid........