Zenyatta @ Lanes End Farm

Zenyatta v Rachel Alexandra -- The Best

Awesome video . . . fingers crossed that this match comes together sometime soon.  The time is right.

Zenyatta Ready for Shot at Rare Vanity Triple

by Steve Bailey

Unbeaten two-time champion older mare Zenyatta tuned up on Monday for her attempt at a third victory in the $250,000 Vanity Handicap (G2) on Sunday as she breezed six furlongs in 1:15.20 on the synthetic Cushion Track surface at Hollywood Park.

Hollywood Park clocker and handicapper Russ Hudak said the six-year-old Street Cry (Ire) mare covered the final three furlongs of the move in :36.40. The breeze ranked sixth of nine timed workouts at the distance.

Unbeaten in 16 starts, Zenyatta will try to reach the winner’s circle for the third time this season following victories in the Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap (G1) on March 13 at Santa Anita Park and the Apple Blossom Invitational Stakes (G1) on April 9 at Oaklawn Park.

"It's been a lot of fun so far," said trainer John Shirreffs, referring to the fact that Zenyatta was supposed to have been retired following her historic Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) triumph last fall. "So many people came out to see her when we ran at Oaklawn and everyone was so excited.

"We're all so proud of her, so it's really great to see the love the fans have for her. We're hoping it's going to be the same no matter where we go [this year]."

Owned by Jerry and Ann Moss, Zenyatta won all five of her starts last season, including a 2½-length victory in the 1 1/8-mile Vanity under jockey Mike Smith. She also teamed with Smith to win the ’08 Vanity, beating Tough Tiz’s Sis by a half-length.

"This is her home, she's based here, you know, and the Vanity is a prestigious race," Shirreffs said of the decision to remain on the West Coast and go for the three-peat. "The fans here love her and we're glad to be able to give them another opportunity to see her run."

Zenyatta will carry the same 129 pounds she did in last year’s Vanity.

Grade 2 winner St Trinians (GB), who opened her five-year-old season with victories in the Paseana Handicap and Santa Maria Handicap (G2), both at Santa Anita, will carry 120 pounds as she enters off a sixth-place finish in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) on March 6 for trainer Mike Mitchell. She will be ridden for the first time by red-hot jockey Martin Garcia.

Other probable starters for the Vanity include Miss Silver Brook and Will O Way. Miss Pleasant, Third Dawn, and Wynning Ride are considered possible for Sunday’s race. Entries will be taken on Thursday.

Hollywood Park will give away Zenyatta bobblehead dolls while supplies last on Sunday.

Steve Bailey is deputy news editor of Thoroughbred Times

The Preakness is coming

Billy The Flank wants a dry Preakness. The sloppy conditions at Churchill killed all Billy's picks, and the unfortunate injury to Awesome Act is tough to take going into the Preakness.

For the Preakness, BTF is now liking Looking at Lucky due to AA's injury. LaL has Garrett Gomez (a/k/a GoGo) astride. Billy cannot believe that Super Saver and Cal "Bo-Rail" drew the first post position for this race, as it is tailor made for them. Billy still likes Lookin at Lucky closing from the outside from the 11th post position. BTF likes Jackson Bend and Mike Smith to Place, and Super Saver and CBR to show.

No Triple Crown winner in 2010!

Kentucky Derby Increase in Wagers, Attendance Up & the Rogers Host their First Annual KD Bash -

Despite the daytime heavy rain and scattered t-storms in Louisville, attendance and wagering were up from previous years for yesterday's Kentucky Derby.  Could this increase have been fueled by "girl power" and the recent horse racing press regarding fillies, Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta?  Not quite sure, but it certainly created greater interest here at the Rogers' home . . .

The Rogers first annual Kentucky Derby bash would be considered a success and fun was had by all with a nice sunny day.  At random horse drawings (pick a name out of the bag) sent prizes home with a few guests.  While "Super Saver" was one of the names not pulled from the bag . . . winners included the #2 horse - Ice Box - prize to Anita Rogers, #3 horse - Paddy O'Prada - prize to DSully and #4 horse - Make Music For Me - prize went to Richard Byrne.  Any of those lottery tickets produce any $$??

With a little more skill involved, $1 bets were placed on horses of choice with Dave Freedman and Chris Galeucia splitting the fishbowl of $ having selected Super Saver as their favorite to win.  Barb Robi & Debbie Byrne get a little extra credit for being the only gals to bring (wear?) a derby hat of some fashion - may these be required for entry next year?  Lee Muise helped out with superior chemistry skills, mixing up the freshly brewed Rogers minty simple syrup with just the right amount of bourbon, etc.  Pretty much everyone enjoyed a sip or two, or three of a famous mint julep for the occassion.  Food included the Robi's jumbo shrimp cocktail, baked onion dip, ChrisG's Kentucky Hot Browns (yum!), assorted cheese, fruit & veggies, Grandad's Grilled Steak Tips, Southern Chicken & Corn Chili, freshly baked corn muffins, Cobb Salad, Laura's Baked Pineapple Recipe, SheiLee's Baked Bean & Bacon dish & Carolyn's bourbon infused Kentucky Derby pies.  Anything missing?  Oh, yes, the lemon & raspberry tarlets that I have been eating ALL day . . .

It's Super Saver - - On to the Preakness Stakes!

Can Super Saver win the Triple Crown?  That would be a very nice feather in the cap of trainer, Todd Pletcher - who after 24 tries (and 4 horses in this race) finally has a big smile on his face now that his Super Saver, with Calvin Borel on board, won the Kentucky Derby yesterday.  Super Saver finished the race a length and a half in front of Ice Box and Paddy O'Prada.

SS has a short two weeks before he will travel to Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, MD for the Preakness Stakes on May 15. http://www.preakness.com/  Stay tuned . . .

Final Contenders List for 136th Kentucky Derby -

Pick your Horse!

More details on each horse take a look at http://www.kentuckyderby.com/.

Looking at Lucky
Ice Box
Noble’s Promise
Super Saver
Line of David
Stately Victor
American Lion
Dean’s Kitten
Make Music for Me
Paddy O’Prado
Devil May Care
Conveyance
Jackson Bend
Mission Impazible
Discreetly Mine
Awesome Act
Dublin
Backtalk
Homeboykris
Sidney’s Candy

Horsies that will Probably be in the Derby Line-Up

Update Monday, April 26

Final line-up of Kentucky Derby contenders will be determined on Wednesday, April 28 . . . but these are the horses that have been noted as of today, that will most likely race.  Time to start choosing your horse!

1. Lookin At Lucky
2. Sidney's Candy
3. Mission Impazible
4. Devil May Care
5. Discreetly Mine
6. Super Saver
7. American Lion
8. Dublin
9. Ice Box
10. Stately Victor
11. Endorsement
12. Line of David
13. Conveyance
14. Dean's Kitten
15. Awesome Act
16. Paddy O'Prado
17. Homeboykris
18. ??
19. ??
20. ??

Kentucky Derby Fever

Billy the Flank is looking at the race field seriously now. Eskendereya was Billy's first choice a month ago, but now Sydney's Candy and American Lion are vying for Billy's attentions. Stay tuned, and Billy will tell you where the smart money goes in this year's Run for the Roses.

Upcoming Derby Highlights - Hoopla

• Rascal Flatts to perform National Anthem
• Dodgers manager, Joe Torre, expected to have horse in Derby - Homeboykris

• LA porn stars headed to Derby - - see Shauna and Kelli at Angel's Rock Bar on April 29
• Diane Lane will be at Celebrity Lunch and will serve as a grand marshal for the Pegasus Parade.
• Judy Collins will attend the Kentucky Derby and walk the red carpet.
• MORE TO COME . . .

136th Run for the Roses ~ Details

• Saturday, May 1 2010
• Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY
• Post positions to be announced Wednesday, April 28
• TV coverage begins on NBC @ 5pm; race post time estimated at 6:15pm
• Kentucky Derby Red Carpet Special on NBC 4-5pm (food, fun & fashion!)
• ESPN coverage of the Kentucky Derby undercard 11am - 4pm
• $2,000,000 purse

Cake eating, beer drinking gal?

Zenyatta eats cake and drinks Guinness on her 6th birthday!

Love this article about Zenyatta!

Three Sites To Watch Horse Races Online

Three Sites To Watch Horse Races Online

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Kentucky Derby Contenders

In flux . . .