Afghan versus Golden

In this video, there is no doubt that the afghan would win against either of my goldens. However, this one gives a duel to the finish!

Enjoy!

Rachel Retires

So on the heels of yesterday's post about Zenyatta, we have the news yesterday that her arch rival, Rachel Alexandra, will be retired, effective immediately. So much for a meeting of two of the most powerful women in racing...

Rumor has it, that this was inevitable, despite the fact that Rachel had turned in a bullet four furlong workout the day before. She never really returned to her three year old form throughout her four year old career, and the owners figured it was time to, as they put it, "introduce her to Curlin."

Zenyatta, meanwhile should now be a shoe-in for Horse of the Year, and looks to extend her amazing streak this Saturday in preparation for the Breeder's Cup Classic.

As always, the leave taking was done with class as exhibited by Mr. Jackson: "Rachel Alexandra owes us nothing. As a 3 year-old she set standards and records that no filly before her ever achieved. And I suspect it will be quite a while before a 3 year-old filly ever equals or surpasses her achievements. Although her fans were thrilled by a series of spectacular victories, I believe, they, as we, were simply awed time and again by her sheer beauty, courage and athleticism."

Let's hope she has a blissful retirement and takes to motherhood as easily as she took to the track.

The Powerful Zenyatta

So have you happened to read Oprah's Power List in the October issue? In it, she lists 20 women who "blew us away this year."

Guess who is #18? None other than Zenyatta--Queen of the undefeated streak--currently at 18 and going for 19 on October 2. Laura Hillenbrand has the following to say about the 6 year old mare:

"She's absolutely perfect at her profession, and that is very rare--not just in sports but in all things. It's difficult to win even one race, let alone 18. And Zenyatta has done it."

Click here to read the entire list and the rest of Hillenbrand's entry. Miss Z is certainly one for the ages. Glad to know Oprah is paying attention!

Crunch Time!

This is a picture of Sabina's dog, Maddie and me strolling the streets of Greenwich Connecticut where we were for a photo shoot earlier this summer. Strolling seems like a word that is not going to be in our vocabulary for a while as we are entering the home stretch for the book.

The editorial deadline is October 1--which feels like tomorrow--so things are a bit frantic on my end.

Forgive if my posts are sporadic. My priorities are pretty much: book, book and more book.

You can always keep up with our progress on our Facebook group, Lick Your Plate!

Lenny, a Disappointing Seventh

Lentenor finished a disappointing seventh out of eight in the Kent Stakes at Delaware Park yesterday. He broke well, seemed like he settled nicely along the back stretch but when he was asked to run at the top of the stretch, he just didn't have the goods.

There was some head bobbing as they turned for home--perhaps it was a lead change thing again--but Lenny never looked comfortable or actually, even interested, in getting himself up with the front runners in the second half of the race. Lots of discussion about whether or not he is a turf or dirt horse. I truly think he can run on either surface. I just think he was outclassed yesterday.

They were slow fractions but those were some nice horses that he ran with. Can he hold his own with them? Maybe but he still needs some seasoning and, frankly, he looked green and gangly coming down that stretch.

It is possible that he needs another bit of a hiatus until he comes into his own and is ready to pay closer attention to the business of winning. It is a timing issue and Dyanformers, as we all know, are characteristically, late-bloomers. You don't want to take his head out of the game, but you don't want him to continually be in races where he is chasing the winners.

Nicanor was perfectly placed and delivered the goods. Lenny's was a far tougher race and would probably do better in an allowance situation the next time out.

Wire to Wire for Nicky!

It's all Nicanor--wire to wire under Ramon Dominguez on the turf at Belmont. He went to the lead and stayed there--fending off a late running challenge from Skip a Date to win by a nose. He pulled away coming down the stretch when he felt the presence of other horses behind him.

Proof that Nicky likes to be a front runner and is capable of shifting into another gear. Let's hope Lenny has an impressive an outing this afternoon and that the Jacksons' racing luck continues.

Pickens Get Her Wish!

Great news from Madeleine Pickens--the Bureau of Land Management has agreed to her plan to create a wild horse sanctuary. They plan to start their pilot program with 1,000 horses very soon and hope to have all 36,000 horses in the near future.

Thanks go to Congressman Jim Moran who helped move the legislation forward.

Read all about this exciting development here.

Never doubt that a small number of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world!! Margaret Mead said it first.