Horses. Thoroughbreds. Racing thoroughbreds. Champions. What names ran through your mind when you read the previous words? Secretariat? Seabiscuit? Black Gold? Northern Dancer? - Add the word undefeated. None of the horses named above were undefeated. There is only one undefeated horse running on the track in this month and this year, and her name is Zenyatta.
Secretariat was a super horse and an excellent stallion. He won the Triple Crown in 1973, ending a dry spell of 25 years. Overall, his race record was 21 races, 16 wins, 3 seconds, and 1 third. The great Man o'War, who raced for only two seasons, and carried up to 142 pounds per race, ran 21 times, with 20 wins and 1 second. Seabiscuit, whose first trainer disliked him and raced him heavily, ran 89 times with 33 wins, 15 seconds, and 13 thirds.
Zenyatta will never beat Kincsem's record, though. Kincsem was a chestnut filly, born in Hungary in 1874. During her racing career, she raced 54 times in 5 different countries, and went to the farm undefeated. Zenyatta is currently 19 and 0 in her racing career; her final race will be in the Breeders Cup Classic, racing 1.25 miles on a dirt track against the best boys in the world. I hope she will end her racing time with a 20th win.
There is another undefeated mare out there in New Mexico... her name is Pepper's Pride, and she, too, is 19 and 0. She has retired to the farm and the breeding shed, however, and is not currently competing. She raced only in New Mexico and won all 19 of her races in her home state.
The great English race horse Eclipse (best known from the phrase: "Eclipse first and the rest no where"), born in 1674 was undefeated in 18 races; Personal Ensign retired with a distinguished 13 and 0 record in 1988, and was the first retired undefeated champion in over 80 years. Many great thoroughbreds lost only won race: Native Dancer, Ruffian, Alleged, Forli.... The list goes on and on.
I love horse racing. I love the ambiance, I love the horses, and I love the competition. I hate the injuries, breakdowns, and deaths. I wish we were actually back in the 1600s when horses were not raced until they had reached the age of 4 or 5 - then we would have a lot less wear and tear on legs and hooves. But it's not to be. The majority of people today want things (and horses) that go faster and more quickly. I think everyone needs to slow down. Smell the sweet feed. Chew on some hay. Amble down a barn aisle on a warm afternoon. Sit back and enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of our large four-legged friends. Enjoy them while you can!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Stuff
A black swan
Somewhere in Scotland...
I think I'll use this as the graphic on my newbusiness card...
What do you think?
Books, Critters and Fall
Having just visited the public library, I decided I'd better check on some of my favorite authors to see if I've missed anything... I need to get a copy of Carolyn Haines' Bone Appetit, and Lillian Stewart Carl's The Blue Hackle; Blaize Clement's new Dixie Hemingway pet-sitting mystery is due out in January, but I don't know the title, as yet. I just finished Donna Andrews' Swan for the Money, and am looking forward to Stork Raving Mad... I also just finished the first two books in Clea Simon's series about Theda Krakow, a cat-loving free-lance reporter. I've greatly enjoyed all of them. I can't wait to get my hungry little paws on the newest books of these authors! It will be a literary feast for me and my kits! (I read aloud to them, you know... as well as all of the other critters I take care of.)
Lovey seems to realize that I was unhappy with her being down on the Boulder Creek Path last week. She's staying pretty close to home, and coming back inside to check on me at the desk every few minutes. Neddy still has a very high squeaky voice... I wonder if it will ever settle into a lower register. I sometimes think that the squeak I hear is Lovey, and then I turn and see that it's little Neddy talking to me. I'm still not quite sure how to describe his coat - it's definitely not short, but he has a ruff around his neck and ears, plus a tremendously plumed tail. The fur is extremely fine and where I'd think he would have highlights of red, he turns a blue-grey. I'll have to see what happens as he grows older. Today I'm getting ready to head for Brighton until Sunday morning. Thankfully, the family I'm sitting for always leaves me a vehicle, as it's a 45 minute drive to their house, and there are no bus connections for me. So I'll be able to run back home on a daily basis, take care of my kits, and walk both the Rs and Lucy each weekday. I'll miss sleeping with my kits, but will have four dogs and five cats as company where I'll be staying. It should be interesting!
I know that fall has arrived because I awakened Sunday morning to a strange sound. I laid there in bed and listened to it, trying to figure out exactly what that noise was... It was familiar, but I just couldn't place it. I turned over, and saw the curtains moving, and realized that the heater had kicked itself on. - That was the familiar, but not quite right, sound that I heard. So fall is finally upon us in the mountains and foothills. It was 38 degrees on the western slope at 10 p.m. last night. Sunday morning we had dropped down to 44, so I guess my heater had a very good reason to turn on. Even so, it's still very dry out there, and there is yet another wildfire burning to the west of Frazer and Tabernash, out on the east side of Sheep Mountain right now. The smoke is visible today here in Boulder. Usually, by the end of September, Boulder has had 2 inches of snow - but it doesn't look as though there's any in the forecast for the next 10 days or so, so I guess I'd better not count on it...
Lovey seems to realize that I was unhappy with her being down on the Boulder Creek Path last week. She's staying pretty close to home, and coming back inside to check on me at the desk every few minutes. Neddy still has a very high squeaky voice... I wonder if it will ever settle into a lower register. I sometimes think that the squeak I hear is Lovey, and then I turn and see that it's little Neddy talking to me. I'm still not quite sure how to describe his coat - it's definitely not short, but he has a ruff around his neck and ears, plus a tremendously plumed tail. The fur is extremely fine and where I'd think he would have highlights of red, he turns a blue-grey. I'll have to see what happens as he grows older. Today I'm getting ready to head for Brighton until Sunday morning. Thankfully, the family I'm sitting for always leaves me a vehicle, as it's a 45 minute drive to their house, and there are no bus connections for me. So I'll be able to run back home on a daily basis, take care of my kits, and walk both the Rs and Lucy each weekday. I'll miss sleeping with my kits, but will have four dogs and five cats as company where I'll be staying. It should be interesting!
I know that fall has arrived because I awakened Sunday morning to a strange sound. I laid there in bed and listened to it, trying to figure out exactly what that noise was... It was familiar, but I just couldn't place it. I turned over, and saw the curtains moving, and realized that the heater had kicked itself on. - That was the familiar, but not quite right, sound that I heard. So fall is finally upon us in the mountains and foothills. It was 38 degrees on the western slope at 10 p.m. last night. Sunday morning we had dropped down to 44, so I guess my heater had a very good reason to turn on. Even so, it's still very dry out there, and there is yet another wildfire burning to the west of Frazer and Tabernash, out on the east side of Sheep Mountain right now. The smoke is visible today here in Boulder. Usually, by the end of September, Boulder has had 2 inches of snow - but it doesn't look as though there's any in the forecast for the next 10 days or so, so I guess I'd better not count on it...
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Miscellany
A thunder and lightning storm rolls over the stadiumat Manhattan, Kansas
This long-tailed macaque has adopted this stray kitten,feeding and protecting it. It even tried to hide the
kitten with a leaf from the photographer's camera.
The night lights of New York City from theInternational Space Station.
Can you say light pollution?
Drop On Momma
My kits have a really wicked sense of humor, fun, whatever you want to call it. (Of course, they are mine, so I guess it's to be expected...) I rounded them up Monday night after 10, when it was time for me to go to bed. I did not see, nor had I realized, that one of the kits brought a very fat field mouse inside with them. All I know is that four times Monday night and Tuesday morning, and three times Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, Lovey jumped onto my chest, and when I roused enough to stroke her fur, she dropped said mouse on my face and/or neck. I awoke very quickly the first time; turned the lights on and tried to capture the mouse in a jar to place it back outside. I tried three times the first night and twice the second night. When either cat had the mouse in it's mouth, the mouse went totally limp. But as soon as the cat let it go, it would run like mad - usually across my pillow, onto my bedside table, then hop onto the floor. It seemed to take its rests while under the refrigerator. Apparently neither Neddy nor Lovey harmed it, as I caught it Wednesday afternoon, while the kits were out in the back yard. It was very fit, very aware, and still very fast. I was able to corner it, place it in the jar, and take it out into the front yard, where (hopefully) the kits won't catch it again. - And two days ago, Neddy had his six month birthday; he's quite a little man!
Tomorrow, I'll walk and then sit with Rosie and Remy. Tuesday I'll be going to Brighton, to care for four dogs and five cats. Luckily, the family there leaves a car for me to travel back and forth, so I'll continue to see my kits daily, as well as walking the Rs and Lucy, on her three days. I'll return home late Saturday, or, most probably, Sunday morning. Then five more days of the Rs and Lucy, and I get my vacation. Yippee!!
In Europe today, Workforce, who won the Epsom Derby, returned to his winning ways for trainer Micahel Stoute by taking the Prix de l'Arc Triomphe. Goldikova, the mare who won last years Breeders Cup Mile on the Turf, won the Prix de la Foret, and will return to the US to defend her title at Churchill Downs in November. It certainly looks as if there will be a lot of top-notch thoroughbreds from around the world at the Breeders Cup this year!
Tomorrow, I'll walk and then sit with Rosie and Remy. Tuesday I'll be going to Brighton, to care for four dogs and five cats. Luckily, the family there leaves a car for me to travel back and forth, so I'll continue to see my kits daily, as well as walking the Rs and Lucy, on her three days. I'll return home late Saturday, or, most probably, Sunday morning. Then five more days of the Rs and Lucy, and I get my vacation. Yippee!!
In Europe today, Workforce, who won the Epsom Derby, returned to his winning ways for trainer Micahel Stoute by taking the Prix de l'Arc Triomphe. Goldikova, the mare who won last years Breeders Cup Mile on the Turf, won the Prix de la Foret, and will return to the US to defend her title at Churchill Downs in November. It certainly looks as if there will be a lot of top-notch thoroughbreds from around the world at the Breeders Cup this year!
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Lovey Is Locked Up
It's halftime at the home field in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. My Gator team is down 3 to 24. *Sigh* But I'll continue to root for them. Meanwhile, two blocks from my apartment, I can hear everything happening at Folsom Field, where the Colorado Buffaloes are facing the Georgia Bulldogs. Currently, in the 3rd quarter, the Buffs are leading, 29 to 24. I haven't yet checked up on my other teams.
Lovey is under lock and key tonight, as we have the football game going on. I called her multiple times Thursday night, and finally went out searching for her. She was a block away, on the Boulder Creek Path, which is not lighted. Luckily, she called back to me as she ran in my direction, so I could figure out where she was. Neddy, in the meantime, was curled up quietly asleep in bed.
Zenyatta raced again today, winning by a half-length. She has now won all nineteen of her races. With her win in today's race, the Lady's Secret, she was automatically qualified for the Breeders Cup Distaff. Her owners and trainer, however, say if she recovers well from today's race, the final race of her career will be the Breeders Cup Classic, which she won last year, against the boys. Lookin at Lucky won the Indiana Derby this afternoon, and Haynesfield won an uncontested Jockey Club Gold Cup.
In 1998, we almost had a Triple Crown winner: Real Quiet won the Kentucky Derby by a half-length, won the Preakness Stakes by two-and-a-half lengths, and lost the Belmont Stakes by a nose. He has a a very decent record as a young and coming sire. Unfortunately, he died in a paddock accident earlier this week. Most people can't believe that a horse is a delicate creature. This is proof. Real Quiet was turned out in his paddock for his daily rest and recreation time. Once his lead was removed, he took a few steps, looked at some mares in an adjoining field, and reared. His groom said he usually reared and then ran around his paddock a few times before settling down and grazing. This time, his hind feet slipped as he reared. He fell heavily on his left shoulder, rolling onto his neck. His own shoulder broke five of his vertebrae, paralyzing him instantly. He was put down immediately. The thoroughbred scene has lost another good, young stallion.
Lovey is under lock and key tonight, as we have the football game going on. I called her multiple times Thursday night, and finally went out searching for her. She was a block away, on the Boulder Creek Path, which is not lighted. Luckily, she called back to me as she ran in my direction, so I could figure out where she was. Neddy, in the meantime, was curled up quietly asleep in bed.
Zenyatta raced again today, winning by a half-length. She has now won all nineteen of her races. With her win in today's race, the Lady's Secret, she was automatically qualified for the Breeders Cup Distaff. Her owners and trainer, however, say if she recovers well from today's race, the final race of her career will be the Breeders Cup Classic, which she won last year, against the boys. Lookin at Lucky won the Indiana Derby this afternoon, and Haynesfield won an uncontested Jockey Club Gold Cup.
In 1998, we almost had a Triple Crown winner: Real Quiet won the Kentucky Derby by a half-length, won the Preakness Stakes by two-and-a-half lengths, and lost the Belmont Stakes by a nose. He has a a very decent record as a young and coming sire. Unfortunately, he died in a paddock accident earlier this week. Most people can't believe that a horse is a delicate creature. This is proof. Real Quiet was turned out in his paddock for his daily rest and recreation time. Once his lead was removed, he took a few steps, looked at some mares in an adjoining field, and reared. His groom said he usually reared and then ran around his paddock a few times before settling down and grazing. This time, his hind feet slipped as he reared. He fell heavily on his left shoulder, rolling onto his neck. His own shoulder broke five of his vertebrae, paralyzing him instantly. He was put down immediately. The thoroughbred scene has lost another good, young stallion.
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