tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82559562444679147892024-03-18T21:35:02.279-07:00The Second Racerace . retire . rehomeSharla Sanders, Founder, The Second Racehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666339622660709498noreply@blogger.comBlogger120125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255956244467914789.post-90042086596231997992012-02-09T11:29:00.000-08:002012-02-09T11:38:40.166-08:00Thoroughbred Aftercare Allliance is Launched<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrDT5jofbbUIS6yYyW3DuP-u43PrTo6GZLvkidCvt-UO71pyk09Z2aTHq54zGCLAHQXbnMKreEpykOLT-_o3m0E2MC8gJ9X6mXzMcEsfYkhom1RFNJFSTsBLGA2Q7lxyxsWXnW1nIxJ4/s1600/website1000.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrDT5jofbbUIS6yYyW3DuP-u43PrTo6GZLvkidCvt-UO71pyk09Z2aTHq54zGCLAHQXbnMKreEpykOLT-_o3m0E2MC8gJ9X6mXzMcEsfYkhom1RFNJFSTsBLGA2Q7lxyxsWXnW1nIxJ4/s320/website1000.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707221967887986370" /></a><br /><br /><em><strong>The Second Race was very happy to receive a copy of this Press Release today announcing the creation of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. Please read more about this exciting development for ex-race horses. </strong></em><br /><br />For Immediate Release:Contact: NTRA Communications: Eric Wing212-521-5316 ewing@ntra.com<br /><br />THOROUGHBRED AFTERCARE ALLIANCE IS LAUNCHED New York, NY – February 9, 2012 - <br /><br />A broad-based group of Thoroughbred industry stakeholders announced today the establishment of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA)—an organization designed to serve as both the accrediting body for aftercare facilities that care for Thoroughbreds following the conclusion of their racing careers and a fundraising body to support these approved facilities.<br /><br />Funded initially by seed money from Breeders’ Cup, Ltd., The Jockey Club, and Keeneland Association, the TAA is comprised of owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, jockeys, aftercare professionals and other industry groups. “It is our responsibility as owners, tracks, breeders, trainers, jockeys, bloodstock agents, and anyone who has a stake in the game to take responsibility for the aftercare of these great animals who are the keystone of our sport,” said TAA board President and Thoroughbred owner Jack Wolf. "Securing support and funding from Breeders' Cup, The Jockey Club, Keeneland and so many other great organizations speaks to the credibility and importance of our effort and is so greatly appreciated.”<br /><br />Additional support of the TAA has been provided by Adena Springs North, CARMA, Fasig-Tipton, The Jockeys’ Guild, New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, The New York Racing Association, Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company and Thoroughbred Charities of America. The organization also received staff support from Thoroughbred Charities of America, the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA). The NTRA will continue to provide that support on an ongoing basis. The TAA will accredit aftercare facilities based on a Code of Standards covering operations, education, horse management, facility services and adoption policies. <br /><br />Simultaneously, the TAA will raise funds on behalf of accredited facilities via institutional contributions that are to be directed 100% to program services rather than to fundraising or general administrative costs.<br /><br />“The Breeders’ Cup is proud to be one of the initial funders for the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and fully support the TAA goals of an industry-wide, annually funded program committed to the placement or second-career retraining of retired Thoroughbreds on a national scale,” said Craig Fravel, President and CEO of Breeders’ Cup, Ltd. “Through the contributions of our sport’s stakeholders, we can help ensure that our horses are treated in a dignified manner throughout their lives.” “The Jockey Club’s involvement and support of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is a natural extension of our other ongoing efforts in the area of Thoroughbred aftercare,” said James L. Gagliano, The Jockey Club’s President and Chief Operating Officer. “The accreditation and proper funding for aftercare facilities will greatly enhance the well-being of our equine athletes, and we encourage other groups and individuals from all segments of our sport to support this Alliance.” "Thoroughbred aftercare is something that touches us all," said Nick Nicholson, President and CEO of Keeneland. "We are proud to do our part, and I know that virtually everyone else will be equally proud to do theirs in order to make the TAA an ongoing success." <br /><br />The TAA, a 501 (c) (6) non-profit organization with a 501 (c) (3) subsidiary, will fill out its staff and provide additional updates in the coming months. The TAA offices will be based in Lexington, Ky.<br /> ###<br />Photo by Cecilia FelixSharla Sanders, Founder, The Second Racehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666339622660709498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255956244467914789.post-66935268555755571922012-01-21T12:14:00.000-08:002012-01-21T12:19:26.450-08:00Children as Activists The Million Horse March<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRS1BNHeMv2hw0jIENVIEdcVbvntrpQmAAHqZYww6OzM4qh_o1Cv4QxeCCBFNi97I3VRSTPH_14FRTnaibDP795XUsmtE63WLQAF3OKXNOftEDE_Wl9Egf43yOhgCt9bY2AfROBzlP1w/s1600/zatannaarrivingathernew+home.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRS1BNHeMv2hw0jIENVIEdcVbvntrpQmAAHqZYww6OzM4qh_o1Cv4QxeCCBFNi97I3VRSTPH_14FRTnaibDP795XUsmtE63WLQAF3OKXNOftEDE_Wl9Egf43yOhgCt9bY2AfROBzlP1w/s400/zatannaarrivingathernew+home.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700182075337458018" /></a><br /><br /><strong>From the Facebook Page of The Million Horse March</strong><br />In an effort to help Save America's Horses from slaughter, Equine Welfare Alliance in cooperation with Congressman Jim Moran and Prime Minister Alex Atamanenko, is conducting a Children's Letter Writing Campaign to Congress, the President of the United States and the Canadian Parliament.<br /><br />We are asking that parents, teachers, riding schools, therapy centers, all engage their children in the civic process of affecting positive change through the petitioning of their governments. We have lesson plans written by the United Federation of Teachers Humane Committee, which parents and other adults may take to the schools for them to use. <br /><br />The Million Horse March – Children's Letter writing Campaign is modeled after Wild Horse Annie"s 1971 program which was instrumental in the passage of 1971 Wild Horse & Burro Protection Act.<br /><br />Join them on the Equine Welfare Alliance Children's Page http://www.equinewelfarealliance.org/ <br />Our goal is the passage of Senate Bill 1176 and House Bill 2966 the American Slaughter Horse Slaughter Prevention act and Canadian Bill 322 An Act to amend the Health of Animals Act and the Meat Inspection Act (slaughter of horses for human consumption). <br /><br />Final date for submission of letters is March 20th, 2012 with presentation in DC on March 27th, 2012. <br /><br />Letters, poetry, drawing, etc which convey what horses mean to the children can be sent to the following address<br />Million Horse March - Children's Letter Writing Campaign<br />Attn: Jo-Claire Corcoran<br />301 Tazewell Avenue<br />Bluefield, VA 24605<br /><br />The address for the Canadian Letters will be:<br /><br />Million Horse March - Children's Letter Writing Campaign<br />ATTN: Chelsea Burton<br />Box 127<br />Chalk River, ON K0J 1J0 <br /><br />The due date for the letters is March 20, 2012 and the presentation will occur on March 27, 2012. See MoreSharla Sanders, Founder, The Second Racehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666339622660709498noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255956244467914789.post-26084044707869739832012-01-14T13:41:00.000-08:002012-01-14T14:49:45.684-08:00If You Can't Say Something Nice....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2kunpPhNbPHCTs0jb5i8rNZx58tS86etw9vWQcZYHFi1o4PmSYSkpEMzaCVzo_qYLAhujNYHPZcUPolfNLdlaeaWlTj3iqX1hzeUn711JdKvqLQ1wcdtL4ENN-MA4t2VL5H9Lqx8h7c/s1600/redalertday1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2kunpPhNbPHCTs0jb5i8rNZx58tS86etw9vWQcZYHFi1o4PmSYSkpEMzaCVzo_qYLAhujNYHPZcUPolfNLdlaeaWlTj3iqX1hzeUn711JdKvqLQ1wcdtL4ENN-MA4t2VL5H9Lqx8h7c/s400/redalertday1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697606507574570978" /></a><br /><br />Today we received a criticism that I felt was worth responding to in a public manner so that whomever the person was that stated their comments anonymously on our blog post yesterday regarding "A Conscious Decision" can read our response and for those that don't understand what we do can see our response. <br /><br />The person wanted me to know that the majority of owners and trainers do care about their horses and take care of them after their retirement from the racetrack. I agree, if they didn't my phone wouldn't ring. Simple as that. The person also stated that I repeatedly "bash owners and trainers" for their lack of responsibility in caring for their horses when their racing days are over. That there is an implied "tone" to what The Second Race publishes. I laughed at first, and then decided to respond formally. <br /><br />My response is...prove it....prove that I personally or The Second Race as an organization repeatedly bashes anyone. My response is you will be hard pressed to substantiate your claims. I on the other hand do not say things about what trainers or owners do if its a negative, you will rarely find me ever re-post statements that others make, articles posted or get involved in the he said-she said that you often find on Facebook and other media outlets (or any racetrack). If you can find where I have done that, let me know I'd love to see it. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtzPesTQvjU_zWBgAE2YoUy6l8SjTsMSFCZcMeHz0qVEoUfy4w3NlB4bWtRnj7txK5cJ_o6rhHlyhNA4fYmTiXEbqcZHSMuE45bKyr4bjlF8MUR-LVQWffsLwofexFkBXdxkmvduw_3gs/s1600/redalertday3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtzPesTQvjU_zWBgAE2YoUy6l8SjTsMSFCZcMeHz0qVEoUfy4w3NlB4bWtRnj7txK5cJ_o6rhHlyhNA4fYmTiXEbqcZHSMuE45bKyr4bjlF8MUR-LVQWffsLwofexFkBXdxkmvduw_3gs/s400/redalertday3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697611610227427122" /></a><br /><br /><br />This person said that they used to be someone that trainers called to place their horses and that groups like mine are nothing new, the only thing "new" is utilizing social media to place horses.<br /><br />I agree there has been a network of private individuals and groups for years helping horses find new homes. Most worked quietly behind the scenes and did and still do, great work. However, if this person has been around the track as long as they state they have, than they know too that there has been a network of folks that have been on the backside taking horses straight to the slaughter lots, match racing and other less than perfect endings for years. That is a fact that cannot be argued. I have literally just missed "the truck" in the years that I have been doing this. Tremendous inroads are being made by many inside and outside the industry to ensure horses are taken care of and this should be applauded regardless of who is doing the work. The Second Race isn't interested in stepping on toes, and we are simply another vehicle to help those that need it. Nothing more, nothing less. However I feel that we have made an impact and will continue to do so. We have irons in the fire now that can substantially help. I guess that means we will have more detractors, but we will also have more "wins" when it comes to a horse finding a new home or career. Many of these "irons" will require numerous groups and individuals working together collectively. Perhaps this person will think differently about our efforts, or perhaps not. Time will only tell. <br /><br />This person said that they know "of several owners and breeders that will have nothing to do with The Second Race since certain comments and posts were made". Hmm this morning I was in the barn of three prominent trainers. They had no problem asking me for help along with the breeder that I visited earlier this week. I know how often my phone rings, I know the number of messages I receive and I know the numerous emails I receive requesting assistance every day. There are numerous horsemen to use us, or someone else. Makes no difference to us, but it won't be because we "bashed" them. <br /><br />This person also felt that I wasn't aware of the distinction between horses directly off the track and those that have to be "rescued" several years later by groups like mine. The Second Race to be clear was formed and uses the "niche" of a transition team in tandem with breeders, race tracks, owners, trainers as an option to place horses. It would not be in the best interest of The Second Race to not have good working relationships with all of those entities. It's not logical to state that we "bash" them.<br /><br />When we rescue a horse off an auction lot, or purchase one off of Craigslist or any of the numerous ways we find horses years off the track, we rarely EVER call the former owners, breeders or trainers. That isn't our style. Many others cannot make that claim and create problems going so far as having volunteers not being able to go to auction lots to flip lids to see tattoos, because the broker on the lot doesn't want the trouble. The Second Race will often, in working with those that go to auction lots looking for ex-race horses not say one word about who the horse is to ensure that the folks that like to "out" former owners/trainers can't do it. So again, you need to prove your ascertains of our activities that "bash owners and trainers". <br /><br />Whatever nerve I have touched with this person I feel that its too bad that this person has decided to post untruths instead of working with us and adding value to our network to help horses. Seems this person could be a valuable resource. Everyone is allowed to have an opinion, but responsibly temper those thoughts with the truth please. We are pro-racing, we are pro-breeding, we love race horses and enjoy the horsemen we meet every day in the game. That is a fact. <br /><br />I am so confident of the work that we are doing that I had no problem publishing the comments for all to see. I am not afraid of the words, because I think they do not have merit. I appreciate that the person did say a group like The Second Race has the opportunity to do good work. I agree, and we do what we can. Ironically, as I write this public response, umm who was doing the "bashing" exactly by their comments? <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIHTTRbezMnbbe5YtDjihHuyypRqGPlVpc8VrV40bT-vy0WbsfgnH-wBjwXqyHa4nu5lhXjBYn9r8AS2p853PDaiVpbCR14KgtwM67_AU_aS7ozkyX8LdrAM5Kr8vjNkpZpiAM_Xpmzdg/s1600/redalertday.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIHTTRbezMnbbe5YtDjihHuyypRqGPlVpc8VrV40bT-vy0WbsfgnH-wBjwXqyHa4nu5lhXjBYn9r8AS2p853PDaiVpbCR14KgtwM67_AU_aS7ozkyX8LdrAM5Kr8vjNkpZpiAM_Xpmzdg/s400/redalertday.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697609364982396706" /></a>Sharla Sanders, Founder, The Second Racehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666339622660709498noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255956244467914789.post-65117530625575764862012-01-13T10:21:00.000-08:002012-01-13T10:25:58.393-08:00A Conscious Decision<em>We are reviewing some of our past blog posts that we think are worth repeating. Here is one regarding making a responsible choice when deciding to own a race horse:</em> <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOIdN_LHSJwOkLm8hnfld4gn25gAFMSihPQmibEaWzeVwMtET_Le1d5Li0TkvqbR8upN_KkryBICcxYrCGOtRbTxWANcT49wtYJZffzewQZAuYIdh4HCRMenPIIzOFyuGgZXyQzPrSDI/s1600/winnerscirclespringshouse.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOIdN_LHSJwOkLm8hnfld4gn25gAFMSihPQmibEaWzeVwMtET_Le1d5Li0TkvqbR8upN_KkryBICcxYrCGOtRbTxWANcT49wtYJZffzewQZAuYIdh4HCRMenPIIzOFyuGgZXyQzPrSDI/s400/winnerscirclespringshouse.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543938624214853538" /></a><br /><strong>"I am a great champion<br />when I ran, the ground shook<br />the sky opened<br />and mere mortals parted <br />... parted the way to victory<br />and I met my owner in the winners circle<br />where he put a blanket of flowers on my back" (<em>from the movie, Dreamer</em>)</strong><br /><br />How many of us have had the thrill of being in the Winners Circle? Whether your horse is the favorite or a 55-1 long shot, nothing matches the thrill of winning! Your horse, your time to celebrate! The excitement is the same for the millionaires and the syndicate that has 25 people buying into a $ 15,000 claimer, its the victory that we remember most.<br /><br />But after the excitement, the back slaps and the high fives, the horse that brought the victory goes back to its barn and may or may not ever win again. <br /><br />When that happens, what happens? <br /><br />That choice is equally the responsibility of the owner and trainer. Both work in tandem to ready the horse for its race, and both should be responsible in ensuring that when the horse can no longer perform, that it finds a responsible, safe vehicle for retirement.<br /><br />Becoming involved in horse racing is a choice for every person that participates in it, only the horse bred to race doesn't have a choice in the matter. That doesn't mean that they don't want to run, that's an argument for another day (and one that we won't debate--as we know that horses are bred for and love to run). The choice is made (based on his or her abilities) to become a race horse. If a human can make the decision to consciously breed the horse, break the horse, train the horse and race the horse. Then that same conscious decision should be made to provide a retirement for that horse after it can no longer race.<br /><br />A race horse is a <strong>created</strong>, dependant animal for our pleasure and entertainment. Only education and the truth provided by the race track industry will ensure that owners (including new and prospective) and trainers employed by the owners understand their responsibility to their investment....when the finish line is no longer an option.<br /><br /><em><strong>To learn the process of surrendering a horse to The Second Race or for our assistance in networking to help place a horse go to our website page http://www.thesecondrace.com/servicesprovided.htm</strong></em>Sharla Sanders, Founder, The Second Racehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666339622660709498noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255956244467914789.post-66948952478261736762012-01-12T10:02:00.000-08:002012-01-12T11:25:04.013-08:00A Rainbows End the Story of Judges Decision<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CyI4IlyV-CRu4S_JxymE_ztgjLJr-Q-ru61IBtFWTnPfU5yqYyveoBYBUSqf4NSJ4Uex9f4LB9B__FCWZ5iRsfq7vkcYYGQcLdsFMn7whH28fHSoLhrXBgt7EMPNDaymv2G4NDFc9is/s1600/judgerainbow.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CyI4IlyV-CRu4S_JxymE_ztgjLJr-Q-ru61IBtFWTnPfU5yqYyveoBYBUSqf4NSJ4Uex9f4LB9B__FCWZ5iRsfq7vkcYYGQcLdsFMn7whH28fHSoLhrXBgt7EMPNDaymv2G4NDFc9is/s400/judgerainbow.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696804780881033570" /></a><br /><br />The Second Race will feature a story on at least a weekly basis of a horse that needs to be adopted through us or in conjunction with another group we have partnered with to help a horse. We are kicking off the new year with the story of Judges Decision aka "JD" who is looking for his forever home. The Second Race was told in July 2011 by JoJo of a horse on Craigslist that was for sale for $ 500 and in someones backyard. A horse on Craigslist is a daily occurrence and so are the notifications to our offices that one is in need. We don't respond to many of the posts, we simply can't. However something about the forlorn look of Judges Decision made me want to help. And then in an ironic twist a personal friend of mine actually rode Judges Decision and earned his first stake race in America on him. Where "JD" had been from the time he left the winners circle to being advertised on Craigslist is a bit of a mystery, with few gaps filled in. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_t02nXCSU7CbOuZMQDWlywNNQzqZwTBd2_qDCNbAqQsWcnZCVUAxm0e0j4RhzqwtcXWxhogdcKjV6YrKv_ogY7UkGg1au8QiYbZn1wK4xMzCJ1evOskaNoyVZ1WN7enDmPnXkv4EDpg/s1600/Judges+Decision+then%255B1%255D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 303px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_t02nXCSU7CbOuZMQDWlywNNQzqZwTBd2_qDCNbAqQsWcnZCVUAxm0e0j4RhzqwtcXWxhogdcKjV6YrKv_ogY7UkGg1au8QiYbZn1wK4xMzCJ1evOskaNoyVZ1WN7enDmPnXkv4EDpg/s400/Judges+Decision+then%255B1%255D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696792411271903170" /></a><br /><br /><br />JoJo a friend of The Second Race agreed to take him in after his purchase. Here are her words regarding the day she met him and the progress he has made to this day:<br /><br />It was the ad that caught my eye, with this picture of a pitiful looking skinny old horse. Normally, I would have said something like, poor old guy I hope he finds a good home; but he pulled at me through that picture and I had to go see him that day. I called my friends, Sharla at the Second Race and Deborah at Emerald City TB Project told them about the situation and they both saw that he needed help; we were going to get him out of that situation, the net was cast.<br /> <br />I called the number on the ad and was given the address of where he lived by a very disinterested female who could not or would not give me any information about him over the phone. She just said go here and I will meet you there. So I went there. My girlfriend and I pulled up at a pasture along the side of the road; I looked beyond the fence and saw the grey standing across the way. The grey stood away and just looked at me. His dark eyes searching wishfully, his nose to the air; did I have something to eat? or was I going to eat him? <br /><br />The pasture gate was padlocked and there was no way to get in, or out; so we waited, and waited, for the owner to show up but she never did. I called and did not hear back from her. A couple of days later I was able to reach her. I told her I was still interested in the gelding and really wanted to see him, could she please meet me again? She agreed and once again I went out to the location and waited and waited. A woman came out of the house adjacent to the pasture; I asked her if I could come in and look at the horse as I was waiting for the owner to show up. She told me she did not have the key to the gates, but if I could squeeze through the side I could come on in. She was a renter, I thought it strange that she didn't have a key to the gates on the property, what if there was an emergency and a horse had to be taken out? This “pasture” really is a dirt lot there wasn't a blade of grass or green anywhere within the fences, but there was plenty of tall green grass outside and just out of the reach of a hungry horse.<br /> <br />I walked up to the grey gelding for the first time and saw how skinny he was, his feet were flared and chipped. He put his head in my arms and looked me straight in the eye. That did it, I told him then and there he would not be left behind. I wasn't sure how he would react to me, he stood quietly and patiently while I put the halter on him and easily walked him into the renter’s back yard. I gave him a couple of cookies and he hung out with me eating some grass and leaves. About that time a car pulled up; I put on my happy face and asked her if she was the owner of this beautiful grey horse and that I was interested in buying him. She said she was anxious to get “rid” of him, she did not need another mouth to feed and I told her I was ready to take him home and wanted to clear up the business part of the deal. She told me her step-daughter was out of town and she would take the money. I wasn't comfortable giving her the money so I said I would be back to pay for him and pick him up when the girl returned. That was the longest couple of days of my life. <br /><br />I finally got a hold of the owner. She was a young blonde girl with two toddlers at her side. She explained to me that she got him as payment for babysitting someone's kids and that she really did not want a horse, but she thought she could get some money for him. We had the trailer and we were ready to go. Oh, what if he won't load? He hopped right in. It was such a happy day for me and I felt so thankful to Sharla and Deborah for seeing the need and without any hesitations, stepping up and helping to bring him out of that situation. He was coming home to foster with me.<br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzH6jgDKasf2obQ3C7CpxKLAV_-fUpbsCB_rUwyKuIaTTa8axaM2nwyLcVFSQsXkpYeechNp3se8jb2WMLZu7aLOWaiand6twQHEu_1VM9CrrJ65GNW7Q-uymyfsWyIuy_vj3lHfjCIo/s1600/judgepickup.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzH6jgDKasf2obQ3C7CpxKLAV_-fUpbsCB_rUwyKuIaTTa8axaM2nwyLcVFSQsXkpYeechNp3se8jb2WMLZu7aLOWaiand6twQHEu_1VM9CrrJ65GNW7Q-uymyfsWyIuy_vj3lHfjCIo/s400/judgepickup.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696805054467744658" /></a><br /><br />JD never was a million dollar winner. The wins were elusive for him, and he was claimed and ended up with his last racing owner in 2003. I contacted her and she recalled him, but didn’t have any memories, she only had him for a couple of months and then “found him a good home”. The reality of this world hits me hard; one loss, one bad day can have such an ever-lasting effect on a horse. Green pastures are not guaranteed for most of these horses that are bred to run and sadly the majority end up like JD, lost and forgotten.<br /><br />It has only been a few short months that he has been with me. He has come from being a skinny depressed horse; to being beautiful, healthy and happy. He has a nice conformation and looks very much like his sire (Lit De Justice). His character is loving and willing. He just started with a trainer, who works with him under saddle once a week. She was surprised to find what he already knows; his walk, trot and canter cues are spot on, he knows his lead changes. He’s collected and flexible. She is sure that he has had some formal training somewhere in his past. We are continuing his lessons and he is always surprising us.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHH_VTJ2NBR1OBv9yDQZyThv93IYJQclJ-94zf22Ax_EH4w5RalJzwG5jZF-jhLDWRIG4GiYt53tJPK2geZ7XgkaJn48MZYyT8Z2Y5ed7eHQxf6-J6oWb8ebmVlCBSNQRwcD5Tk9ayoQ/s1600/JDridinglesson1Dec2011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHH_VTJ2NBR1OBv9yDQZyThv93IYJQclJ-94zf22Ax_EH4w5RalJzwG5jZF-jhLDWRIG4GiYt53tJPK2geZ7XgkaJn48MZYyT8Z2Y5ed7eHQxf6-J6oWb8ebmVlCBSNQRwcD5Tk9ayoQ/s400/JDridinglesson1Dec2011.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696805371301938418" /></a><br /><br />I wonder what his life was like; how he ended up in that situation what led him there? Someone loved him and cared for him at one time. He went through some hard times,but like the rainbow at the end of a storm he is special and loved again.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDmWEs1JeocOlw1Fx_MgHl-SkaWlVWZ3a-2_IqoS1u36H2xBQixQ4Ov9kWbWq4GhL8QdcKxE1JUWmaHFu_eoOmUEqZy-SmoL_aI7Ow4E1lgTvuyLvYeOSgEJTs8VCO-KCat-jo1w0WWI/s1600/judgesdecisionlesson1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDmWEs1JeocOlw1Fx_MgHl-SkaWlVWZ3a-2_IqoS1u36H2xBQixQ4Ov9kWbWq4GhL8QdcKxE1JUWmaHFu_eoOmUEqZy-SmoL_aI7Ow4E1lgTvuyLvYeOSgEJTs8VCO-KCat-jo1w0WWI/s400/judgesdecisionlesson1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696790742913095474" /></a><br /><br />Judges Decision is available for adoption through either The Second Race or Emerald City TB Project. His adoption fee is $500. To request an adoption application contact us at thesecondrace@gmail.com He is currently located in the Sacramento area (Northern California).Sharla Sanders, Founder, The Second Racehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666339622660709498noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255956244467914789.post-80627717737811630282012-01-10T09:14:00.000-08:002012-01-10T10:06:51.481-08:00Sometimes You Feel Like a Nut<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKvGCCN4b97KlHCV151XLHXgQ3yU1aOA8qqIsFuHx_vxqlljVkpUolbNMC65B7zQW-5hnx3LTFtMvD92Kns2r_s3U8NlrdMfYv0LKF9bqQEJDz3sDwD7rVl0lMzzGOtpPAoCNKPeqq49w/s1600/squirrel-8865.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKvGCCN4b97KlHCV151XLHXgQ3yU1aOA8qqIsFuHx_vxqlljVkpUolbNMC65B7zQW-5hnx3LTFtMvD92Kns2r_s3U8NlrdMfYv0LKF9bqQEJDz3sDwD7rVl0lMzzGOtpPAoCNKPeqq49w/s400/squirrel-8865.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696053545900492418" /></a><br /><br />I live in an area of Pasadena, CA where there seems to be an overabundance of squirrels. I am situated not far from the San Gabriel Mountains and perhaps through several generations these furry creatures have found their way to living in the old pine trees in our neighborhood. I am a beach girl, as in the "O.C" and I didn't see them growing up. <br /><br />All this to say that squirrels amuse me. Well maybe not so much, but who would think that this morning one of these scampering rodents would teach me something. <br /><br />Squirrels need "tools" in order to survive. That got me to thinking much like the squirrel that uses my roof line to travel quickly from tree to tree gathering his food source, using the tree and a rock or other tools at time to crack open the meat of a delicious nut, The Second Race needs tools to sustain itself.<br /><br />When The Second Race was originally envisioned in 2009, it was to be a national network, a private for profit business. It was not going to be a "rescue" of any sort and it was not going to take in horses (for at least three years into its growth). It was going to help those that already did that work facilitate the growing trend of social media (Facebook, Twitter, Blog Posts and Online Communities) to more quickly place horses into new homes. It wasn't going to be a wide net for all horses, but a specific niche that I felt was missing in the market (all race horses and those bred to race would be eligible for assistance). And a there was going to be a tool (that I still don't want to discuss), that would be unlike any of its kind to help those looking for horses find one in need. <br /><br />The Second Race in 2009 had a 10 year business plan. An online community was created (and still is paid for but never launched). Facebook was utilized to gauge interest and a website was created. Twitter, still in its infancy didn't seem to click with me personally, my thought was it was a bunch of self absorbed people that needed to alert anyone that was just as self obsessed of their every move. I didn't see the value of it three years ago for what we were going to do. (We recently returned to Twitter and use it for specific purposes--but not placing horses). <br /><br />The funny thing about a business plan, its as good as the time given to make it happen. Its as good as the tools used to implement it and its only as good as the paper its written on. If the squirrel doesn't climb that tree to get to the "fruit" of its labors, its all for not. A business plan, any business for that matter must stay a step ahead of its competition, it must listen to its customers and it must be able to redirect and reinvent itself to stay relevant in a fickle world. <br /><br />The Second Race answered that need by opening itself up to taking in horses, this was done by a complete leap of faith, that has had its hiccups along the way. Lots of lessons have been learned since that time and continue to be learned. Mistakes made and feelings hurt. Egos run rampant in this industry and we have had our detractors. But we have had solid alliances from the start. The Second Race had to change its path and unfortunately many of the original initiatives and goals have been shelved. The Second Race had to begin the process of becoming a non profit. Not having a large source of income to spare to file our paperwork, I did it myself. As much as I believe I am a bright accomplished person, we can't always do everything and should have used financial resources and legal help. So because I didn't I had to re-do my paperwork several times. In the process of redoing it (our filing) we had grown so much that we re-did our mission, included new board members, and created an advisory board of race horse trainers to assist us. All the while not a non profit, but taking in more horses. We absolutely put the cart before the horse in this case. And as the squirrel knows that he has to store lots and lots of nuts in the ground to sustain him through the winter, our pending non profit status will help us feed itself so that we can go back to using our mental resources in growing The Second Race to the next level. To return to our original intent which was to be a national network to quickly and efficiently help those that help ex-race horses of any breed re-home their horses and move on to helping the next. <br /><br />That squirrel that I watched this morning scurry from branch to branch with a frenetic but calculated purpose made me remember why I started The Second Race and what will help us succeed for the long haul. We have to have tools in our arsenal, just like the squirrel needs the assistance of the earth, the tree, the nut working in unison, we too need to work in tandem with many sources to help us increase our brand and sustain our dream and mission. <br /><br />In the first 90 days of 2012 we are going to do what we can to finalize our non profit status, we are going to do everything we can to re-home the horses we currently have under our roof, and then we are going to dust off our original business plan using the tools of the knowledge and experience we have learned in the past 2 1/2 years and we are going to get back to the basics thereby able to replicate ourselves in several ways to help many more horses in 2012 which all along was our goal when we started The Second Race in 2009.Sharla Sanders, Founder, The Second Racehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666339622660709498noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255956244467914789.post-82640663062834877692011-02-13T21:14:00.001-08:002011-02-14T08:04:29.224-08:00The Second Race's Valentine<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40v0P4RpfV9C-aQesoyH3G0KjJIRmqy8KvLqs0XucwtdIdBAGGQ9o7jso2fX3XsmV7uFcEXRyxuMsGr-e8sEaD8n_d2J6OonUrRz6-VHfnZMKHKHz0jTxa2yrwaAyEUcWUBLVjlxiIps/s1600/1ferdinand.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40v0P4RpfV9C-aQesoyH3G0KjJIRmqy8KvLqs0XucwtdIdBAGGQ9o7jso2fX3XsmV7uFcEXRyxuMsGr-e8sEaD8n_d2J6OonUrRz6-VHfnZMKHKHz0jTxa2yrwaAyEUcWUBLVjlxiIps/s400/1ferdinand.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573419102293462402" /></a><br /><br />Last night I watched the HRTV "Inside Information" episode on Ferdinand. I wanted to watch the original airing of the show, as Ferdinand holds a special place in my heart, and unknowingly the hearts of many horses alive today, due to the death of Ferdinand.<br /><br /><br /><br />A reporter years ago, wanted to know what had happened to Ferdinand and she began the process of tracing where Ferdinand had went since his original sale to stand in Japan...the answer was one that many could not fathom....he had been sent to slaughter. This news changed the trajectory of my life and many others. It wasn't possible that this had happened. How could a lovely horse, a Kentucky Derby winner no less, meet such a violent end?. <br /><br /><br />When Ferdinand ran, I wasn't a regular racing fan. I knew about him, but wasn't at the track on a weekly basis as I am now, I didn't grow up in racing, and never saw him in person. His reported slaughter was shocking to me. I didn't know about "racing's dirty secret", as it was later dubbed in the press. Because of Ferdinand, I went on to learn so much about what happens to some race horses when their careers are over. <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyXct8Vv62oC5taa_EZRtism-79n0BgfUbycCI6X-zmNmSsEG-_k2-UlNm3IbcS7OIYpoGR4HnIDXhfwXaChNA2aDK1H3_WBWdZpazZysdh3q58VD0IVSf5jUr3xuBrAnhgxNQ2sOiVGo/s1600/Ferdinand_i_070814.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 175px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyXct8Vv62oC5taa_EZRtism-79n0BgfUbycCI6X-zmNmSsEG-_k2-UlNm3IbcS7OIYpoGR4HnIDXhfwXaChNA2aDK1H3_WBWdZpazZysdh3q58VD0IVSf5jUr3xuBrAnhgxNQ2sOiVGo/s400/Ferdinand_i_070814.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573409442062534018" /></a><br /><br />To read more about the news story that broke in 2003, read Ray Paulick's article here:<br /><br />http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/17051/death-of-a-derby-winner-slaughterhouse-likely-fate-for-ferdinand<br /><br />The Second Race was born from the death Ferdinand. His life is a daily valentine to the horses that we have in our foster program and to so many others since his unfortunate demise. The Second Race in a small part, hopes to pay tribute to each racing hero by changing the lives of many race horses in the years to come. <br /><br />Ferdinand may not have sired many winners, he may have faded from the collective memory prior to his reported death, but he gave birth to the saving of thousands and thousands of horses since 2003. <br /><br />I know that The Second Race would not exist without Ferdinand being the winner he was and I know I wouldn't be blessed to live the life I do and help the horses we have, without the lovely Ferdinand, our special valentine. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGEyXjk7Xot1Ui7HdONLPM-mVrC9fqX3eN5AvLy4qBdvBUvHLjObAinVYauIhTySiyWyWdxsxoAqy1W3TGzfNZ5XOtzWAvGKKVVH7XCHjQEUw4UJLk0t5yep4ySwKnrGpqzMzikPeOY8/s1600/valentinebutt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGEyXjk7Xot1Ui7HdONLPM-mVrC9fqX3eN5AvLy4qBdvBUvHLjObAinVYauIhTySiyWyWdxsxoAqy1W3TGzfNZ5XOtzWAvGKKVVH7XCHjQEUw4UJLk0t5yep4ySwKnrGpqzMzikPeOY8/s400/valentinebutt.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573571510967142178" /></a>Sharla Sanders, Founder, The Second Racehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666339622660709498noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255956244467914789.post-19398288451331861712011-02-13T14:30:00.000-08:002011-02-13T14:51:28.438-08:00"Perfect Timing"-- a Tribute to a Three Time Kentucky Derby Winning JockeyA follow horse enthusiast wrote me an email to share the story of Isaac Murphy and how she had, had a similar experience in 1996 when she visited the Kentucky Horse Park. She said that she too, had a pull to wonder more about this Isaac Murphy. Now I am intrigued about his story. <br /><br />Here is a reprint of the article that she sent to me...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48lrwRZsdpv8Ix7iGvxpw4WgF6k-OEEE3c27rqyje2bxx2Y5Dx0REn9zSc1ngSMt83ANx2lZIV29kHeA7ImRqb0CC_2p9Jn-2B4GAUpx47TFupPG_Ni8_PpZnVvX3idMaM_De5aVS70g/s1600/110210murphy_aurora_standalone_prod_affiliate_79.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 319px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48lrwRZsdpv8Ix7iGvxpw4WgF6k-OEEE3c27rqyje2bxx2Y5Dx0REn9zSc1ngSMt83ANx2lZIV29kHeA7ImRqb0CC_2p9Jn-2B4GAUpx47TFupPG_Ni8_PpZnVvX3idMaM_De5aVS70g/s400/110210murphy_aurora_standalone_prod_affiliate_79.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573305498774794018" /></a><br /><br /><br /><strong><em>Kentucky voices: Black History Month valentine to racing legend<br />By Patsi Trollinger </em></strong><br /><br />It's February, and I ought to be shopping for a Valentine for my husband. Instead, I find myself wanting to send a message to a man who died in Lexington 115 years ago this month. <br /><br />He was black, and I am white. He was a born a slave; I was born free. He became a celebrity, earning headlines in New York newspapers. I have managed a few mentions in my town's small daily paper. Isaac Murphy had a life that was totally different from mine. That's the reason he could become my ideal teacher. <br /><br />It was February of 1995 when the Herald-Leader ran a very brief article about him. I read it once and was desperate to know more. The article contained a grand total of four sentences, buried in a column in the sports section. <br /><br />The facts were clearly stated: Murphy had been the first jockey to win the Kentucky Derby three times. And yet, 100 years later, he was mostly forgotten. A track in Florida had decided to name a race in his honor.<br /><br />Holding that tiny news clipping in my hand, I was overwhelmed by a burning question: How could a person accomplish something so extraordinary and then disappear for decades on end? <br /><br />The question propelled me to visit the Kentucky Derby Museum and the library at Keeneland. At first, I just wanted to know Murphy's story and understand why he had been cheated of lasting fame. <br /><br />But it turned out there was no way to answer the personal question without coming to terms with something larger. <br /><br />Murphy served as my teacher as I tried to understand the great — and terrible — forces in American history that could turn a slave into a hero and then send him, broken-hearted, back toward oblivion. <br /><br />Which brings me to that thank-you note I'd like to send him during this chilly February that is Black History Month.<br /><br />When I was in school, I liked studying history and was fortunate to have exceptional teachers. But not even the best of those teachers had the power to make me really feel our nation's history. <br /><br />Grief and hardship during the Civil War came alive for me only when I learned about the travails of Murphy and his mother. The sudden appearance of black achievers after the war seemed much more exciting because Murphy was there in the thick of things, enjoying newfound freedom. The violent backlash and resistance that arose from disgruntled whites in the 1890s felt like a personal affront because it helped end Murphy's career — and probably his life.<br /><br />With no teacher to give me credit (and no certainty that any publisher would ever care about the book I hoped to write), I found myself willing to slog through stacks of books and old newspapers.<br /><br />Murphy became my mentor and perhaps my obsession. During one return trip to the Kentucky Derby Museum, I bought a decorative magnet that depicted an old sports trading card bearing Murphy's photo.<br /><br />After the magnet had been on our refrigerator for several days, I told my husband that sometimes I felt as if Murphy were keeping an eye on me. The next morning I discovered a "speech bubble" taped beside Murphy's head with a pointed question: "Hey, Patsi, have you written that book about me yet?"<br /><br />Eventually I did finish the book, and I was careful to thank my husband and my daughters for putting up with my research obsession that lasted several years. <br /><br />But in this particular year (when Murphy would have celebrated his 150th birthday) and this particular month (the 115th anniversary of his death), I want to thank him. He's been a teacher, an inspiration and maybe even a friend. His picture still clings to my refrigerator. <br /><br />Patsi B. Trollinger of Danville is author of Perfect Timing, a picture-book biography of Isaac Murphy, recently released by Benjamin Press of Perryville.<br /><br /><br />To see the horses that didn't run in the Kentucky Derby, but are just as deserving of winning another "race" as they are adopted to a new home or career, see our website at www.thesecondrace.comSharla Sanders, Founder, The Second Racehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666339622660709498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255956244467914789.post-89978733693209823462011-02-09T20:05:00.000-08:002011-02-10T06:50:11.678-08:00An Early Valentine<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcoFhgd6_mGztrMOGLsO9jCb-Gd863YbtFGEKZpzgSGYCIqxt5tvmfayAiBKEG0ofJCvEUdGzBWy2PWLZ6vfvGra9A-Qnr07V6wgLUg_diJMm3piNRlc2oDNcaYu0sy012yA7X3xuH3aE/s1600/winterbird.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 318px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcoFhgd6_mGztrMOGLsO9jCb-Gd863YbtFGEKZpzgSGYCIqxt5tvmfayAiBKEG0ofJCvEUdGzBWy2PWLZ6vfvGra9A-Qnr07V6wgLUg_diJMm3piNRlc2oDNcaYu0sy012yA7X3xuH3aE/s400/winterbird.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571907408093376530" /></a> Photo by Anna Priest<br /><br /><em>Anyone that devotes their energies to a cause such as animal retirement, knows that there are a lot of lonely hours spent trying to figure out where to place an animal or find a way to accomplish that which may seem impossible...many times you receive a polite thank you and other times none at all. You have to daily find the thanks in your own heart. <br /><br />Fortunately, The Second Race had an early Valentine's Day "gift" come its way in the form of a lovely note sent to us by a friend of someone that had adopted the beautiful filly, Winter Bird pictured above...with permission, The Second Race would like to share their perfect valentine....</em><br /><br />Hey Sharla,<br /><br />Hope you had a great day and before I say anything else I want to thank you for all you do along with making horsey girls dreams come true.<br /><br />I just spent one of the best days of my life with Rayanne helping her with extra preparation that she thought she needed on top of what she had already done for the arrival of Birdy, it was awesome seeing the brand new feeder bucket she had bought along with the water bucket and salt lick all set out in an almost perfectly graded corral : ) The halter and lead rope she had hooked on the gate she has had since she was a little girl, she told us the story of saving up her allowance and telling her Mom that, that was what she wanted to spend it on.......it fits Birdy perfect and the color suits her to a "t".<br /><br />Ray kept checking her phone and putting it down in different places making her more of a dither than she already was, when the gal called for exact directions as she had driven past the street we walked down the driveway and saw the trailer coming up the road, I knew exactly how she felt and when the back of the box was finally opened Rayanne just lost it and so did I : )<br /><br />She unloaded really well, it took her while to find her land legs after the haul.... but saying that she settled in extremely fast!<br /><br />I'm so happy for Rayanne, it was like being little kids again at the local stable dreaming that horse was yours and now it is....thank you so much for letting her have Birdy, she is one of the ones that so deserves it : )<br /><br />Best Always,<br /><br />Fiona~<em></em><em></em><br /><br /><br />To see other horses waiting to make dreams come true go to www.thesecondrace.com We have several horses awaiting adoption and their own Valentine.Sharla Sanders, Founder, The Second Racehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666339622660709498noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255956244467914789.post-77258282140476209312011-01-28T08:10:00.001-08:002011-01-28T09:39:15.191-08:00Fight On Gino-- The Naming of a Race Horse for Gino Fighting Cancer--A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of seeing the good side of racing when I learned that an unnamed race horse in the Doug O'Neill barn had been named for a new friend, fighting cancer.<br /><br />In recent months many of us had learned of the story of Gino Buccola and have attended fundraisers to help with his medical expenses. Including the owners of a three year old chestnut, Mark Verge of WestsideRentals.com and his breeder/owner Jack Sisterson. "Team Gino" had a new member, Fight On Gino.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQBIpcDr6x73DqLDp7BPg5e4CCA75UAdTkdGXhtUVQkQlAzZB_ilsRM6NHyIipfiZYJogDaWgPKIZvjLT9YJI3BgAy1cwZOPgYvGEeANm2yzEtwzHXUYAb6aVnZgG4-Qj2zDj3JDntPo/s1600/fightonginowithgino2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQBIpcDr6x73DqLDp7BPg5e4CCA75UAdTkdGXhtUVQkQlAzZB_ilsRM6NHyIipfiZYJogDaWgPKIZvjLT9YJI3BgAy1cwZOPgYvGEeANm2yzEtwzHXUYAb6aVnZgG4-Qj2zDj3JDntPo/s400/fightonginowithgino2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567271412003850610" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYTKb7KiZA_BPtf8SBctwPTGvKu63loilhHHNeGH4i2IqMU6AzgO-CPBGjpq8i2z6jWWz9cbQgw3TOaS37OlOl-_tfQadG8B8l3vorANSpQUwOlQAxg3nwvFTzQvhkgtArNuG_bF3YU68/s1600/fightonginowithgino.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 339px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYTKb7KiZA_BPtf8SBctwPTGvKu63loilhHHNeGH4i2IqMU6AzgO-CPBGjpq8i2z6jWWz9cbQgw3TOaS37OlOl-_tfQadG8B8l3vorANSpQUwOlQAxg3nwvFTzQvhkgtArNuG_bF3YU68/s400/fightonginowithgino.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567272838102573970" /></a><br /><br /><br />Gino was born with the race track in his blood. "My Dad and Grandpa used to own horses with Walter Greenman years ago, Bright Orphan was one of their bigger horses they owned. My Dad was a general contractor so he was done with work everyday with time to go to the races at age 23. My Mom worked out in front of Santa Anita selling the digests, so everyday my Dad would ask her out on a date, and everyday she would nicely decline. One day my dad had a huge tip on a horse that he had been waiting to run, so he bet a $ 20 ticket to win on the horse and walked down and gave it to my Mom telling her "when this horse wins, I'm gonna make a lot of money today, and your gonna go out on a date with me later." Sure enough, it won, and my Mom went out later with my Dad, the rest being history". <br /><br />Gino remembers trips to Santa Anita as early as 9 years of age including sneaking out as a senior in high school to make trips to the track and bet and be back to class by the afternoon. "It made sense to me (the racing form and sheets) My thing is that its like taking a test, the more I examine and study the form and figures, the better I do, something will pop out at me that I didn't see before, that's where I find the 10-1 or 20-1 horse". <br /><br />If your in Southern California USC is a staple and the name jumped out at me as a life long USC fan. The name Fight On Gino, has a double meaning as it turns out the USC cry "Fight On" means alot to Gino too. "When my Grandpa was in high school he was a very good football player for Lincoln High in Los Angeles and he was being recruited by USC. USC was one of the only schools that recruited him, but he ended up going to war, and when he came back from Korea he never ended up making it back to USC but he was always a big fan of them for giving him a chance. He loved USC forever, and it was passed down to my Dad and his brothers and then to me, we have been HUGE Trojan fans for 60+ years, and for me my entire life from day one". <br /><br />Gino went to work at TVG and I remember him during the 2010 Del Mar meet, he had an energy that was infectious, and he mixed well with the other on air personalities. Gino started at TVG by being invited by a friend to come to the studio in Santa Monica and hang out, make some bets and have fun. "After talking to a few other producers, they offered me a job right away as a producer's assistant, working behind the scenes doing race replays and getting background information for our (the producers) shows". "The month of March was one of my biggest and best months as far as betting goes, and soon after hearing how well I was doing, TVG would have me do little spots from the studio where I would talk about the horses I liked. The show Gate Crashers is where I really started to make myself as a main-stay so I would come on once a week and mention a horse I liked for each race". <br /><br />I remember watching Friday Night Fights, it was a lot of fun and there was always Gino pitted against a veteran handicapper at the track. A weekly battle with the young upstart and a seasoned guy. The stipulation was that if Gino lost more weeks than he won, he would shave off his hair on air. The segment extended to Del Mar. "The best memory I had was the last week of my show when my hair was on the line. I received $ 400 to bet on the last race of the day. My horse won and I went crazy happy on TV (keeping my hair), that was one of the best days of my entire life, when the pressure was on I nailed it. The horse was Dearly Concerned and I will never forget that day". <br /><br />All was perfect in Gino's world when in the fall of 2010 he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and began undergoing chemo treatment and battling cancer. Gino's prognosis is good. He has many people behind him, and with the joyous way he tackles each day, he is truly an inspiration for many. <br /><br />That same inspiration led to the naming of the chestnut for Gino. Jack Sisterson said "We named the horse after Gino because we wanted to show support for Gino and thank him for everything he has done considering what he has been through and going through at the moment. He is a role model in life and should be proud of himself. So far, Gino the horse shows great fighting spirits and if the horse has even the half the characteristics, determination, energy, and will that Gino has, he will be a winner!" <br /><br />A Facebook page has been created for "Fight On Gino", follow his progress as he trains for his first race and carries the hopes of many. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15E-cNZeiWwOrJCmml-chyCcvMIR-eteshS6so6BVxfSnZJxorX-MEQ9hKiOFpjELFPEM1VBmTdugiFK5IHMzPEXqlVE1Ve6tAc6pd3vwSPWHkkucQ9ED6E8TnM_E4R6Ienufmj58sew/s1600/fightonginowithgino3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15E-cNZeiWwOrJCmml-chyCcvMIR-eteshS6so6BVxfSnZJxorX-MEQ9hKiOFpjELFPEM1VBmTdugiFK5IHMzPEXqlVE1Ve6tAc6pd3vwSPWHkkucQ9ED6E8TnM_E4R6Ienufmj58sew/s400/fightonginowithgino3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567273099859405746" /></a><br /><br />The Second Race wishes both Gino and Fight On Gino well....see you both in the Winners Circle!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEM82DbLQsBBqU-3XrsSzytszW8Q_jdeE10lPuhQfDbNasbmHDPZGRkBbHoVXQNBBkM9ifnlq2-K6uD9sXkMavmku8lbpy7MEb6T1ERT7cEzgi-YUBaNZLoNRkULhHt6r3z5Bnv6KEPeQ/s1600/fightonginowithgino1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 337px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEM82DbLQsBBqU-3XrsSzytszW8Q_jdeE10lPuhQfDbNasbmHDPZGRkBbHoVXQNBBkM9ifnlq2-K6uD9sXkMavmku8lbpy7MEb6T1ERT7cEzgi-YUBaNZLoNRkULhHt6r3z5Bnv6KEPeQ/s400/fightonginowithgino1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567273575982880530" /></a><br /><br /><strong><em>To view horses no longer headed to the winners circle, that are looking for a new home or career, go to our website www.thesecondrace.com or visit our Facebook page.</em></strong><br /><br /><em>Photos by Cecilia Felix</em>Sharla Sanders, Founder, The Second Racehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666339622660709498noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255956244467914789.post-66277920623783581382011-01-25T16:07:00.001-08:002011-01-25T18:51:09.595-08:00A Full Circle DayMonday started out as any other day with planned activities and horse work to be accomplished. What I didn't know at the time was that the day would be a "full circle day" for me and would be profoundly moving as well. <br /><br />I arrived at Santa Anita and went to see a trainer regarding a filly that had been injured the day prior during morning works. I had been told about her injury the night before and was following up on her prognosis and if our services were going to be needed. At that time, it was still up in the air, the owner didn't want the horse anymore of course, and the trainer wasn't sure how badly she was hurt. I told them to keep me posted. While at the track enjoying the morning works, I was called by another trainer to take in a filly that too had been injured during the morning. She had a fracture that was beyond the scope of what The Second Race was able to adequately care for, there was a possibility that surgery would be required. It haunted me for the rest of the morning that I said "no" to a horse. I felt bad that we couldn't provide the necessary care for her. Logically, we won't be able to say "yes" to all, but emotionally for some reason it was difficult. Perhaps because the other pretty grey filly didn't look like she was going to be able to be helped as well.<br /><br />After leaving the track, I proceeded to the January mixed sale at Barrett's. The sale features yearlings, racing prospects, race horses and broodmares. Its a mixed bag of horses, that some cynically say are the ones that are basically a "fire sale" of horses. <br /><br />I went to the Bloodstock agents that were expecting me, having been contacted that there may be a couple horses that would need homes, should they not sell. After leaving some brochures for a few other farms and agents represented in the sale I proceeded to the pavilion to watch the sale. The year prior it was distressing to The Second Race that there didn't' seem to be much of a market for the broodmares; visibly pregnant and under some stress. Many did not have bids, and we had vowed this year to be prepared to provide homes for them should the same happen this year. We were prepared with vans and caring folks to have room for up to ten horses.<br /><br />This sale felt a bit different, and it seemed there were enough buyers. The horses weren't selling for much, but at least they were garnering bids. When to my surprise a beautiful horse appeared before me, I soon learned it was E Z Warrior that was being sold as part of the Zayat holdings. E Z Warrior had been a $ 1.2 million dollar purchase as a two year old at Barrett's. He had 15 starts and earned $238,448 winning the Hollywood Juvenile Championship Stakes at two, and won the San Miguel States at three. He entered stud in 2010. Now here he was 5 years after bringing a large sale price, being offered for sale. It just struck me as ironic. He sold for $ 5,700 my friend and I stepped outside the pavilion to snap a few photos of him that the handler graciously allowed us. E Z Warrior was clearly not comfortable being in the environment. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRxWGXhLO8hM88NuwFq7YHYPFF0z2MSElaMyTaLoWNsX5eWJK4fEn2kdMFAfu5PntpG9FYA5c3W0xcCY6ZtxKCzua5QYgDbKt7Ft5X-vwTdyw690HA54ied1FVDimU4MfDgXuh0x5c9w/s1600/5387612057_85e2b49270_b%255B1%255D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRxWGXhLO8hM88NuwFq7YHYPFF0z2MSElaMyTaLoWNsX5eWJK4fEn2kdMFAfu5PntpG9FYA5c3W0xcCY6ZtxKCzua5QYgDbKt7Ft5X-vwTdyw690HA54ied1FVDimU4MfDgXuh0x5c9w/s400/5387612057_85e2b49270_b%255B1%255D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566307732631082306" /></a><br /><br /><br />In the meantime the trainer with the grey filly, came up to me to tell me he wouldn't be sleeping tonight, as he had made the decision that she needed to be put down. He walked away, a weight on his shoulder. <br /><br />Soon a very handsome gelding went through the sale and did not have a bid. He looked to be perfect for the show ring and I went to the bloodstock agent and introduced myself and our services. I said that if he didn't have a home to go to, or if there weren't other plans for him, I would be happy to take him. I was assured that he would have a home by one of the grooms that works for the agent. But she had a lovely grey open mare that if she did not have any bids, she would call me and give me the mare. I asked a friend to track her, and received a call two or three hours later that she had sold for $ 1,000-- she had a home.<br /><br />It was time to leave and go to Hollywood Park, I was taking a friend to LAX with a short visit beforehand to see Lava Man. I hadn't visited with him since Santa Anita had re-opened and was hoping he would remember me. I was happily greeted with his tongue shooting out of his mouth as he does when he sees me with a small nicker and lots of head shaking to hurry up and see him. It was the salve that I needed for a hurting heart. The filly that I had said "no" to, was still on my mind. I decided to take a look at her. <br /><br />She was in fact a beautiful filly, and that only made it worse. Now I felt obligated to help her emotionally, was it a good idea that I had done this, I didn't know. She was delightful but I could see a visible difference on her back end and knew that we really couldn't help her. <br /><br />While walking back to see Lava Man, I saw a plain bay horse with the sweetest doe like eyes, the kind that draw you in and make you melt. He had the perfect name in Spanish which translated to Cookie Monster. I went to him and he immediately won me over. I cupped my hands and he laid his muzzle within the palm of my hands. He just kept it there and let me kiss his whiskery dough like muzzle over and over again. How did he know that this was exactly what I needed. It was then that I realized it was a full circle moment. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0T6WqjCvHWnY2UYO1TwSVzyIyS4weHjVuojkXPobgps1ihAfgkw58i7eSNwtCFnfUqjJwnScISq6e49e4ruQ6nSuVyhKUb8ReEe91y27Evx1WSeCZHhOZB1SL-7CNd9TrzN5WsVZs1XM/s1600/cookiemonster.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0T6WqjCvHWnY2UYO1TwSVzyIyS4weHjVuojkXPobgps1ihAfgkw58i7eSNwtCFnfUqjJwnScISq6e49e4ruQ6nSuVyhKUb8ReEe91y27Evx1WSeCZHhOZB1SL-7CNd9TrzN5WsVZs1XM/s400/cookiemonster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566313471512132850" /></a><br /><br /><br />The Second Race hadn't been able to help any horses that day, as much as we had tried, but the horses that evening, helped us to be okay with it too. <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIS509V7AQxwvAVEraORTqqmhH02IgHz1qFLA3kFdjPIaoG5E6kpk7OGOdp9R-fxj7HiV7xYdT7GDjOFu059_6UPR3rTi6abyLGWXjwqWTuVQ6UR-hnFWRg1i-PVYVseW7HNKdMF4wqzw/s1600/lavamanflowers.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 278px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIS509V7AQxwvAVEraORTqqmhH02IgHz1qFLA3kFdjPIaoG5E6kpk7OGOdp9R-fxj7HiV7xYdT7GDjOFu059_6UPR3rTi6abyLGWXjwqWTuVQ6UR-hnFWRg1i-PVYVseW7HNKdMF4wqzw/s400/lavamanflowers.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566281222737809250" /></a><br /><br />To see the horses that are waiting for a new home, visit our website at www.thesecondrace.com or our Facebook page. <br /><br /><em>Photo of Lava Man by Doug O'Neill Racing </em><br /> <em>Photo of E Z Warrior and Galetta Monstruo by Julie Ziek</em>Sharla Sanders, Founder, The Second Racehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666339622660709498noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255956244467914789.post-41877554363476788452011-01-18T08:13:00.001-08:002011-01-18T09:02:38.841-08:00Zenyatta-- Took Us to the Mountain Top<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1st64QxNN5B2b91wpQULgRA1QvdIRZ8xM2FMsWwVOoPm_wbAKIoGMYBgXfrxsw6qcgH91exrZENO2_drm_Y8ZtS9045jQv8qAM3T3diN_51ldVk09wwFhWM9VE23JL-050TqkcBBa3w/s1600/ZenyattaMoNeighs5-22-10+310+E3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1st64QxNN5B2b91wpQULgRA1QvdIRZ8xM2FMsWwVOoPm_wbAKIoGMYBgXfrxsw6qcgH91exrZENO2_drm_Y8ZtS9045jQv8qAM3T3diN_51ldVk09wwFhWM9VE23JL-050TqkcBBa3w/s400/ZenyattaMoNeighs5-22-10+310+E3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563566676172843202" /></a><br /><br /><br />If you don't love horse racing, and you don't love Thoroughbred race horses, you probably won't understand what took place last night at the Eclipse Awards in Florida. The Eclipse Awards is the pinnacle, the Academy Awards or Grammy's for horse racing and breeders of these most magnificent athletes.<br /><br />Zenyatta, after two previous nominations won Horse of the Year last night. A literal scream escaped my body when the words "Zenyatta" were announced. I saw Ann Moss look as if she thought she heard the words, but wasn't entirely sure, as if she was in a dream. Well the truth was she has been in a dream, we all have, the dream of seeing a once in a life time horse. At least my lifetime.<br /><br />I missed Secretariat, I missed Ruffian, I missed Seattle Slew, I missed Man O'War and I missed Seabiscuit, whom I know in their time was the "horse of the year". But a horse of a life time, only perhaps Secretariat was the last that collectively took a nation on a ride. But I missed it, and so I only have Zenyatta to say--- you are the horse of my lifetime. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfvC2vSaUmJETnNy5cNha2fpyS8zC0E8a66hXQJvHBs0-BPehA_A4oA59-m8To7Ilpqu48F87Du99PUkVCo0K1YANQr6Jw_g9GK97TYBX9yOJty_jACqg_Y7rC32UqljUgFfHl9OVdtwM/s1600/zoephotozenyatta.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfvC2vSaUmJETnNy5cNha2fpyS8zC0E8a66hXQJvHBs0-BPehA_A4oA59-m8To7Ilpqu48F87Du99PUkVCo0K1YANQr6Jw_g9GK97TYBX9yOJty_jACqg_Y7rC32UqljUgFfHl9OVdtwM/s400/zoephotozenyatta.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563567204488737730" /></a><br /><br /><br />Everyone has their reasons why they fell in love with this particular horse, everyone has their own experience and some of us were fortunate enough to have had access to her majesty. She was magical off and on the track. Before her retirement (the first time), I had the great pleasure of meeting Zenyatta. I remember just looking at her and soaking in every single minute of it. I didn't touch her, didn't even ask if I could, if I did perhaps I thought it won't be real. But she was, and on subsequent visits to her, often I would just sit back and soak her in again. I would enjoy the reaction of others, and relive my own first time experience. I had the opportunity to take my friends to see her, and it was always a joy, as if giving something that didn't belong to me, but was more precious than a Tiffany blue box.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqc2J5VNAOzBaN1zGbRPj0q0LSabjrS4fR0ZudmQ2hSUe5nLU27GKjwsZAWAJgwGEHWh9RH8gsl8oRXNCcvzWxBftPdV3vP8fY79GGbOmKwf2gtd8qRaXvimt5Oc7JApKx_c5zLzxi8o/s1600/ZenyattaMoNeighs5-22-10+311+E2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqc2J5VNAOzBaN1zGbRPj0q0LSabjrS4fR0ZudmQ2hSUe5nLU27GKjwsZAWAJgwGEHWh9RH8gsl8oRXNCcvzWxBftPdV3vP8fY79GGbOmKwf2gtd8qRaXvimt5Oc7JApKx_c5zLzxi8o/s400/ZenyattaMoNeighs5-22-10+311+E2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563560979742720786" /></a><br /><br /><br />When Zenyatta narrowly missed the Breeders Cup Classic in 2010, she returned to Hollywood Park, her kingdom, her special place where her adoring fans lined up every single day and were allowed access to her. She accepted each and every gift, every tear that filled an eye, and every awe struck race fan with a grace that was human like. Always knowing she had taken us to the mountain top, to the pinnacle and last night, she received the award she deserved.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GE4MNLeohUSXw9Aerr692b3Mv4PtsiICOt87KieVOwBI1rCeJtBmP88zbv190JUQ7Xylf5FeKVLIOM1Ooi0wXiJpWbxP7z2wTOtiuHUkJ5fwYaczmubM__hbhMJTeD77VuHGoI_vO3g/s1600/zenyatta+apple.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 355px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GE4MNLeohUSXw9Aerr692b3Mv4PtsiICOt87KieVOwBI1rCeJtBmP88zbv190JUQ7Xylf5FeKVLIOM1Ooi0wXiJpWbxP7z2wTOtiuHUkJ5fwYaczmubM__hbhMJTeD77VuHGoI_vO3g/s400/zenyatta+apple.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563570052944061122" /></a><br /><br /><br />Race horse retirement received its due as well. The Second Race wants to thank Jerry Moss of mentioning Tranquility Farms, race horse retirement in general and how the public and industry have the responsibility to embrace and support the work that many of us do across the United States.<br /><br />Mary Lou Whitney, eloquently stated that there was a responsibility to the horses, that no horse should ever go to slaughter again. Both gave the necessary attention to the plight of race horses and our hope is that in the afterglow of Zenyatta's win, that the public will donate to their favorite race horse charity in the name of Zenyatta.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivdoa2Uqub1sK71p54cWEdB5h8ml12QrY4TUnOHKs2ITk_Fba_vZYxT5jJMX75O3L5HBL7HKx_uyjoYqO3V1fGcS6T7pOXziyBtUJIGEEv9qpdKycAbUq5qzqKkJEYF1YdHN4N-xUHy1I/s1600/zenyatta+and+mike+del+mar.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 326px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivdoa2Uqub1sK71p54cWEdB5h8ml12QrY4TUnOHKs2ITk_Fba_vZYxT5jJMX75O3L5HBL7HKx_uyjoYqO3V1fGcS6T7pOXziyBtUJIGEEv9qpdKycAbUq5qzqKkJEYF1YdHN4N-xUHy1I/s400/zenyatta+and+mike+del+mar.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563570394468371378" /></a><br /><br /><br />For those that were not able to see the Eclipse Awards here are the words so perfectly written. Thank you Team Zenyatta, thank you the voters for getting it right. Your choice was tonic for this soul. <br /><br /><br />http://uservideos.smashits.com/video/gDf8ZmdSm2E/zenyatta-poem-by-priscilla-clark.html<br /><br />To see the horses that The Second Race has for adoption or are available for sponsorship visit www.thesecondrace.com<br /><br /><em>Photos by Cecilia Felix, Julie Ziek and Zoe Metz</em>Sharla Sanders, Founder, The Second Racehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666339622660709498noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255956244467914789.post-55153262358015303062011-01-13T22:11:00.000-08:002011-01-13T23:25:07.553-08:00Featured Horse--- Topper Shopper to The Second Race<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_w4umskbaJiS5hJWMhorhPwbQIUrlNPm9g1DGn20brNEjLwu0RyJ-_wZQV_vHTbADtG3p41ll16brync1FR4aTdGbuaCSrvFUpZosW_zAL5ddlPCpSXnH3ksirHmm5XVNCkRTlysCASg/s1600/toppershopperjan20111.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_w4umskbaJiS5hJWMhorhPwbQIUrlNPm9g1DGn20brNEjLwu0RyJ-_wZQV_vHTbADtG3p41ll16brync1FR4aTdGbuaCSrvFUpZosW_zAL5ddlPCpSXnH3ksirHmm5XVNCkRTlysCASg/s400/toppershopperjan20111.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561930773214532178" /></a><br />Not often in the course of the work that we do at The Second Race, do we have the pleasure of having a horse retired to us that we have spent much time with over the course of their racing career, however such is the case with our latest arrival, Topper Shopper.<br /><br />Topper Shopper (Old Topper) was foaled at Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, a beautiful breeding facility in the Santa Ynez Valley, CA. Tommy Town is a respite from the world, and I have had the pleasure of being guests of Tom & Debi Stull on a few occasions. On one such visit, there was a character of a chestnut, that I grew fond of right from the beginning. Topper Shopper looked so much like his sire. I still remember the first time I saw him, he was back from the track on a vacation and this large white muzzle was peering out from under the stall webbing. I found him often in this position over the weekend, and I am certain he spent many an hour trying to figure out how to crawl out from under his stall. He was interactive and enjoyed our frequent visits to him during that stay. <br /><br />Topper Shopper won early in his career at the age of two; and was a promising race horse from the start. Before starting The Second Race, I volunteered for CERF (California Equine Retirement Foundation) and especially enjoyed painting with horses (yes, the horses actually painted their own masterpieces) to benefit the ranch. Topper Shopper was also a favorite of the owners at Tommy Town Thoroughbreds and a commissioned painting was done by Topper Shopper on another visit to the ranch.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfoC8_W22Km7mFiCsUg4dd8bQ54ReuhC0fAMqlcCuq5z_0CssCeqL0gPWZV4X-06dFFsDkeb9G3nuhtPXIIjOFCXgIV9QCv6HnmzK1VUPetmXl_AOuMrFLF6fGJdjpbq8ekx72yY9YLI/s1600/toppershopperpainting.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfoC8_W22Km7mFiCsUg4dd8bQ54ReuhC0fAMqlcCuq5z_0CssCeqL0gPWZV4X-06dFFsDkeb9G3nuhtPXIIjOFCXgIV9QCv6HnmzK1VUPetmXl_AOuMrFLF6fGJdjpbq8ekx72yY9YLI/s400/toppershopperpainting.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561929574838290018" /></a><br /><br />Along the way Topper Shopper was claimed and it wasn't until recently that I saw him again in Doug O'Neill's barn after an absence. Topper Shopper was sidelined in 2009 for a surgery to his leg and after healing up, was brought back into training. <br /><br />His current owners were very fond of him, and hoped that he could return to his winning self, but decided that if he wasn't able to compete at the level he had left at, then it was best to not continue having him go down the claiming ranks and retired him. It was a difficult decision for them after investing in his return, but a good one to make as well. <br /><br />Topper Shopper earned over $ 345,000 during his racing career, and has the distinction of being the second highest money earner for Old Topper to date, behind Top This and That (who ironically resides in retirement at CERF). When Topper Shopper arrived last Friday to our foster facility, he bounced right out off the van and showed off for anyone that wanted to look. He was just as flashy and charming as he was when I first laid eyes on him. A smile came across my face, and it is going to be a pleasure helping him find a new home. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYyXeDTtMEi7W9q32Wc8TlWVVjFh7fsAm0m_hlwSqIgeHn8Cz9_fEQzD6T0GpIk7YWZmQlO4Y7RG9MT11jb8bIEgU0kN5vRv77qZbYNeM6bsDhDZp47pdUmE-8WJr6p7Axo21l6tX5Byw/s1600/IMG00108-20110112-1513.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYyXeDTtMEi7W9q32Wc8TlWVVjFh7fsAm0m_hlwSqIgeHn8Cz9_fEQzD6T0GpIk7YWZmQlO4Y7RG9MT11jb8bIEgU0kN5vRv77qZbYNeM6bsDhDZp47pdUmE-8WJr6p7Axo21l6tX5Byw/s400/IMG00108-20110112-1513.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561925264753589570" /></a><br /><br />A very young six year old gelding, Topper Shopper would do well with an experienced handler, he is playful and bright. We believe Topper Shopper will make an excellent horse for a new career and he would relish and enjoy learning. <br /><br /><em>If you would be interested in learning more about Topper Shopper or any of the other horses owned by The Second Race, contact us directly at thesecondrace@gmail.com or visit our website at www.thesecondrace.com </em>Sharla Sanders, Founder, The Second Racehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666339622660709498noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255956244467914789.post-75784872935848318722011-01-10T10:59:00.001-08:002011-01-13T23:34:07.529-08:00For The Love of a Race Horse<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JnzbzFiolrfw4vuv1I_KVCMT5nz3RHTpU0ua50oqXSLxHTV1GR12OsmSFBU9bHkqYUkbfV4TdRuMw62jZ5PasLL-PvNGiU1TUZjJ8o9EbwT2QVGR2sIXIDphcSqLd4QzfQXXlQZ2U0k/s1600/IMG_8790%255B1%255D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JnzbzFiolrfw4vuv1I_KVCMT5nz3RHTpU0ua50oqXSLxHTV1GR12OsmSFBU9bHkqYUkbfV4TdRuMw62jZ5PasLL-PvNGiU1TUZjJ8o9EbwT2QVGR2sIXIDphcSqLd4QzfQXXlQZ2U0k/s400/IMG_8790%255B1%255D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560634166126416034" /></a><br /><br />Most of us around race horses each day, know and understand "Don't fall in love with a race horse; especially a claimer". Race trackers are a wonderful mix of colorful and devoted people. They love their work, love the horses and most go about their jobs understanding that horses come and go. <br /><br />As a fan of racing and with the pleasure of being able to spend hours in many barns, I can attest that up and down shed rows there remains many a horse waiting for a heart to become attached to it.<br /><br />So was the story of Thomas Baines. Thomas didn't start out as a claimer, there were high aspirations for him and even a hint at Derby contention. He ran and placed in several races, but on Saturday found himself in for a tag. Attached to that tag, the love and devotion of my friend.<br /><br />I think as a fan, you remember your first horse, the one race horse that started it all for you. And more than likely, it was a famous horse, a big horse! And most of the time you don't have the opportunity to ever, touch, see or smell that horse in "real life". Ah but when you do, it changes things. <br /><br />Thomas has tons of personality, and draws you in. So he was a likely candidate for a first crush by a new fan, and first heartbreak at seeing the red tag hanging off his halter at the end of a race. That piece of jewelry is one a person never wants to see handed to a horse they love.<br /><br />My first time was a horse like Thomas Baines, a horse named Will. Why he was the first to capture my heart, I won't know. Could it be because he is grey, could it be because he was delightful and stole your heart with the first glance? Could it be that he would push the opening of the pen gate towards you, as if to say come on in, and sit with me for awhile. Could it be that he would literally be willing to spend the day following you around from place to place? Could it be that the same puppy dog in the barn, was a thrill to watch on the track? Who knows, you love who you love. <br /><br />Going in and out of barns you never know which horse will pop its head over and look at you with both amazement and attention, that first mutual glance...and your smitten all over again. <br /><br />And you never know when that same horse will break your heart, but really would you have it any other way?<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz8j2nfXosHu7ujvKRQQDmfTXCoIr2TTG6pJtANc_GVzWEzP8a2tvV2lQhI76LcLojdtZkuDVyKlrBkSrKwz7q3Foju2Okw36rtxVX1mSFlHP39leXDasM-T81BxyL1qx_Wpj2BQ6mtro/s1600/willclaimed.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz8j2nfXosHu7ujvKRQQDmfTXCoIr2TTG6pJtANc_GVzWEzP8a2tvV2lQhI76LcLojdtZkuDVyKlrBkSrKwz7q3Foju2Okw36rtxVX1mSFlHP39leXDasM-T81BxyL1qx_Wpj2BQ6mtro/s400/willclaimed.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560639670419818402" /></a><br /><br /><em>Photo of Thomas Baines by John Chun. Photo of Will from Del Mar after being claimed in 2007 from the Winners Circle. </em>Sharla Sanders, Founder, The Second Racehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666339622660709498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255956244467914789.post-3765429307972529282011-01-06T11:24:00.001-08:002011-01-06T11:50:12.955-08:00The Cost of a "Free" Horse<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJx3VsN5H_FmwF0foUmyjiq8V75UZCsp9FPAMSB4t5yLyOL0t6n0ZzgXVfcqqg1CWxlDwfbFCeaHvFkBylXv0Atd7R-BY0CqPAtKI-xli9hdkEJ5ncijGtnsKHBhi-xplkl-v9pzZFMYY/s1600/runamuqjuly2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 241px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJx3VsN5H_FmwF0foUmyjiq8V75UZCsp9FPAMSB4t5yLyOL0t6n0ZzgXVfcqqg1CWxlDwfbFCeaHvFkBylXv0Atd7R-BY0CqPAtKI-xli9hdkEJ5ncijGtnsKHBhi-xplkl-v9pzZFMYY/s400/runamuqjuly2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559162359547972866" /></a><br /><br />At the inception of The Second Race, we wanted to be as easy a resource as possible for both the adopter and the trainer/owner asking for assistance. This included offering "free" horses to our network of potential adopters. While the idea of a free horse, is tempting, a horse is never free.<br /><br />Nor is the responsibility of the adopter to ensure that the horse finds a happy and healthy home and life. The Second Race has discovered on occasion in the past 18 months, that those that received a "free" horse from us, didn't perhaps have the "buy in" needed to ensure that their new horse was a forever horse in their care. Let us explain.<br /><br />When, Sharla Sanders the founder of The Second Race worked in middle management at a number one mortgage company in America, she was responsible for the broker division and managed 46 employees. The division went from having three separate managers, to just one (Sharla) in a years time. There were lots of disgruntled employees, change is hard for everyone and managing expectations was important to the success of the company. Sharla and her manager a VP determined that there had to be "buy in" from the employees in order to reach our goals. A bonus plan was re-designed whereby all members of the team had to collectively reach benchmarks, goals and exceed expectations together, for anyone to receive a bonus. At first, this was not well received, but in a very short time everyone learned they had to work together to get their increase in salary, in other words, they bought into the mission of the company and expectations. Without doing this, those that did well would expect their bonuses and those that did not, continued to do sub par performance. Its all about the buy in, you have to feel that you are invested in order to make something matter to you, its just human nature. Anything given and not earned is never appreciated in the same manner.<br /><br />Taking that same thought process into consideration, The Second Race has decided that beginning this month, there will be an adoption fee for our horses. $ 500 will be required and the adopter will be responsible for the Coggins/Health Cert and transport should a horse go across state lines. The Second Race paid for the shipping of horses, and Coggins and found not only was this costly, but it was easy for someone to consider "giving back" a horse or attempting to transfer a horse to another party, because as mentioned above in our opinion, a stake in that horse was not present.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjvuoP2krzeRxwFu65WKGSyghKgSEwWCtnzIICEXVwJOPbmL8HzZMRuAZRQyDxkXPERT66Bug7hT2GB7uZaUqHKKz3Fx_1A3l2fCKw5KT3DSIdmhFYBOOYapLn-mAfl0vKF1zAm92OMI/s1600/runamuqjuly.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 190px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjvuoP2krzeRxwFu65WKGSyghKgSEwWCtnzIICEXVwJOPbmL8HzZMRuAZRQyDxkXPERT66Bug7hT2GB7uZaUqHKKz3Fx_1A3l2fCKw5KT3DSIdmhFYBOOYapLn-mAfl0vKF1zAm92OMI/s400/runamuqjuly.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559156472201542322" /></a><br /><br /><br />Our mission is to continue to provide an easy transition from the race track, lay up farm or breeding operation for the horsemen, but we also believe that an adopter should be more vested in the adoption of one of our horses, and so therefore the change in procedure. Please note, if a horse is not owned by The Second Race, the horse will still be offered for free, unless the current owner agrees that some type of fee should be attached to the horses adoption. These will be on a case by case basis. <br /><br />One way to find out about the cost of horse ownership is to do research prior to adoption. Here is a recent book written by a life long horsewomen that clearly and easily shares her years of experience. A horse is a lifetime (a horse's life span can be as much as 25 years) commitment, and should be treated as such.<br /><br />To read more about <strong><em>'What A Free Horse Really Costs' </em></strong>or to order the book go to Diane Mollers' website http://www.freehorsecosts.com/ A portion of her book sales, will benefit a rescue organization, Habitat for Horses.Sharla Sanders, Founder, The Second Racehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666339622660709498noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255956244467914789.post-40975412305111496362010-12-31T08:17:00.001-08:002010-12-31T08:50:50.759-08:00Happy New Year & Our Resolution for the Horses in 2011<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQr8zEvuH0KWk_XyMPB1y7Kd3_C1AK6V3ettLXGtlX8qwNiMsU1KrzImu9c7-e9EEfV5dCse5sIaqr-IKLzAa4ORaNvh54a02RCA49RFPQ2T65aq_m2PUueWgoell0jkOcLO1exxjAzBo/s1600/016_16.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQr8zEvuH0KWk_XyMPB1y7Kd3_C1AK6V3ettLXGtlX8qwNiMsU1KrzImu9c7-e9EEfV5dCse5sIaqr-IKLzAa4ORaNvh54a02RCA49RFPQ2T65aq_m2PUueWgoell0jkOcLO1exxjAzBo/s400/016_16.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556882745680609522" /></a><br />Happy New Year! The words are always filled with hope that the following year will be easier, kinder and better for each of us. This is also the time when we reflect on our accomplishments, and disappointments, and how we can reach our personal goals or change something we would like so to improve ourselves.<br /><br />The Second Race is no different. We have had accomplishments and road blocks along the way in 2010. We have learned much and have had to re-think some of our plans. We have targets that we missed and some we achieved ahead of schedule. Most importantly we realize that there are many things we can do better. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhREBefqpLG7DZkWH3YWqtS0PBtENFP9fZeydr3BJpfCxqqbdwcGo7ESKGfvJOXrEj6Xjtm8QjCFBRFtvmZ9vqrhFOoPJOVeTLkP3lXGH3fAtZQyT0hA-YMhHmsbT5ZMSNy_f9fSrQMPN8/s1600/006_6.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhREBefqpLG7DZkWH3YWqtS0PBtENFP9fZeydr3BJpfCxqqbdwcGo7ESKGfvJOXrEj6Xjtm8QjCFBRFtvmZ9vqrhFOoPJOVeTLkP3lXGH3fAtZQyT0hA-YMhHmsbT5ZMSNy_f9fSrQMPN8/s400/006_6.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556882733903546322" /></a><br /><br />Our goals for 2011 are:<br /><br />1. To be awarded our non profit status and to begin applying for grants with our newly appointed grant writer.<br /><br />2. To create an Advisory Board to better serve The Second Race combining industry professionals with equine experts outside of racing.<br /><br />3. Launching our Online Community<br /><br />4. Obtaining stalls at a local race track to transition horses off the track safely and quickly into our foster program.<br /><br />5. Working with other non profits to partner on several projects that have been discussed; bringing them to fruition<br /><br />6. Better placement of horses; quicker turn around time--using advertising sites to place and adopt our horses. <br /><br />7. Conduct three fundraisers in Southern California, and one in Northern California<br /><br />8. Begin building a national data base that will serve as the 'for profit' foundation for The Second Race and will allow for 100's of horses to be placed each year.<br /><br />9. Creating brand (marketing awareness) using media, newspapers, online communities, etc. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Jw8Gfc2eGkrwKEMu4a-sDb1oJXVZYMe3GD5hTHqT9lMbTBkPB5zdLRNsCAY4SsBhsypaoa92cYhLxBpD3xzTr1JziZmt3TWTmVYxN_wemfqSnIHwEiJQYVwybq03KdBFJvWxfTNlCm0/s1600/059_59.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Jw8Gfc2eGkrwKEMu4a-sDb1oJXVZYMe3GD5hTHqT9lMbTBkPB5zdLRNsCAY4SsBhsypaoa92cYhLxBpD3xzTr1JziZmt3TWTmVYxN_wemfqSnIHwEiJQYVwybq03KdBFJvWxfTNlCm0/s400/059_59.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556882741022317266" /></a><br /><br />Our commitment to ex-race horses and those bred to race is strong. We have a foundation built that will propel us into the New Year with bigger, and better ways to serve. We need our network of supporters to help us, and we look forward to your efforts to help the horses with their "second race".<br /><br />Best wishes to all in 2011 and good bye 2010!Sharla Sanders, Founder, The Second Racehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666339622660709498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255956244467914789.post-72929079321070627592010-12-10T09:53:00.000-08:002010-12-10T10:42:03.668-08:00Ahhh Feels Like Home & Photographs in Black and White<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDSJav8JTlvP0WdCH-LZztBmNDB_DKZKmY_AN8ilhJu9R-7EED6Uxg34DfjOF_aQuuEmTGzQMxmjRJIWiXT2rtVaYuXswTbfcdR1wtM9FjK19G5Z9uuX2UR_lkTuuESLZYfOT53eVdaA/s1600/050.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDSJav8JTlvP0WdCH-LZztBmNDB_DKZKmY_AN8ilhJu9R-7EED6Uxg34DfjOF_aQuuEmTGzQMxmjRJIWiXT2rtVaYuXswTbfcdR1wtM9FjK19G5Z9uuX2UR_lkTuuESLZYfOT53eVdaA/s400/050.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549113665620640530" /></a><br /><br />On a beautiful sun filled Tuesday morning I made the pilgrimage back to my mecca, Santa Anita Racetrack and Clockers Corner to see the new dirt track installed during the summer and fall meets at other race tracks. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUWXYVGPiSxqFA9JhfUmxZDTmF1msVw9V6Qhea-j6muHqro2qAJGA5Rg5U3-nZBLCsg0IFE14LT1YqhSNk8zoBSrAEs2kN1Yssx5Yt_U7iBoOkucbpoKM4F6XleC6w6W7P_JF_n93KEE/s1600/044.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUWXYVGPiSxqFA9JhfUmxZDTmF1msVw9V6Qhea-j6muHqro2qAJGA5Rg5U3-nZBLCsg0IFE14LT1YqhSNk8zoBSrAEs2kN1Yssx5Yt_U7iBoOkucbpoKM4F6XleC6w6W7P_JF_n93KEE/s400/044.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549115285551251778" /></a><br /><br /><br />There was a distinct "buzz" and excitement in the air as horsemen gathered with owners and racing fans to see the new track. Gary Stevens, Jim Cassidy, Mel & Gary Stute among others were stationed throughout Clockers holding court and sharing their thoughts on the resurfaced track with each other. Jim Cassidy, trainer told me that there were about 350 horses on the grounds and most were jogging over the dirt, getting a feel for it with good reports. The mood was jovial, with everyone from the guard gate to the cafe saying hello and wishing each other well. There is a community at a race track that is unlike any other I have experienced and it was nice to be "home" again. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_uKYp2VecT_6OyuWvfXeQLJJzjpRJFFQIYOzABy1KrC3XtHqyHwWz5CBAPZeEy_PuTh8zSWMDLiX6_OJtiLi5kYVEAvHSW80IKLNbdlFGHYYFIcYyuWjSHF9Pk1QE_2mZ57AdAqVo12s/s1600/046.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_uKYp2VecT_6OyuWvfXeQLJJzjpRJFFQIYOzABy1KrC3XtHqyHwWz5CBAPZeEy_PuTh8zSWMDLiX6_OJtiLi5kYVEAvHSW80IKLNbdlFGHYYFIcYyuWjSHF9Pk1QE_2mZ57AdAqVo12s/s400/046.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549115480908680834" /></a> <em>James Cassidy's Evening Jewel out for a morning look around.</em><br /><br />I loved being back at my favorite track. There is nothing like the glorious foothills framing the horses as the work in the mornings. It's "my church" and it welcomed all of us in attendance, with a long exhale and a good to be home hug. <br /><br />Speaking of morning works and the backside of a race track, there is a new coffee table book by photographer Juliet Harrison that is sure to be a hit with anyone on your gift giving list. <br />The book, Track Life, is a culmination of four years of trips to the track at Saratoga Springs, New York.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3jRU6PlTfCJ_0vmqD4-neCPRsnDG-VnkE-i-Ma9CmjEwKd01sn-tyjYfhSGcUqQwai7QYkGVHY2Whw6sa69QgrfuoNbOvpD8ShzgcWzNeCXZfKw0tqHmIOk9nxrS6PNjHKPOxJE4i6z8/s1600/TrackLife5%255B1%255D.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 334px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3jRU6PlTfCJ_0vmqD4-neCPRsnDG-VnkE-i-Ma9CmjEwKd01sn-tyjYfhSGcUqQwai7QYkGVHY2Whw6sa69QgrfuoNbOvpD8ShzgcWzNeCXZfKw0tqHmIOk9nxrS6PNjHKPOxJE4i6z8/s400/TrackLife5%255B1%255D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549118509686794594" /></a><br /><br />Juliet shared with us, "it is hard being a traditional B&W photographer in that setting. I spent the first two years trying to figure out what my vision, my imagery would be of the track. Standard track photography would not satisfy me. Taking distant photos of horses on the track during the race as they sped by did not work. Not in Black and White. Not having the flash of color to draw the viewer’s eye, made race photos in B&W basically boring". Ms. Harrison's inspiration came from what I too find inspiring and that is the life on the back side, the preparation of the race horse before and after their race. "These are the things that I found interesting to photograph. And they are what I have chosen to share. Track Life is my vision in film. And I see it as a thank you and homage to the experiences I have had there", says Juliet. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xqybYLoNmlfzNSMmdVcV-FTwVfQeDZnkue6Nd8HtCO3ZIfqwsPyCsC8ZEELb-mOpbnO8EeEflneXKcUmfym7NWXYz4jJax2hhmld6BfSe_1lPFUGtIeo38nUolJVo5uBMkUWJEcIlFQ/s1600/423-13a+copyright%255B1%255D.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 255px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xqybYLoNmlfzNSMmdVcV-FTwVfQeDZnkue6Nd8HtCO3ZIfqwsPyCsC8ZEELb-mOpbnO8EeEflneXKcUmfym7NWXYz4jJax2hhmld6BfSe_1lPFUGtIeo38nUolJVo5uBMkUWJEcIlFQ/s400/423-13a+copyright%255B1%255D.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549119734613520018" /></a><br /><br /><br />Ms. Harrison is generously donating a portion of the sale of her book to two organization's ours, The Second Race and LOPE, in Texas. We appreciate the beauty of the subject, the art of her images in black and white, and the support of ex-race horses. <br /><br />To purchase a signed copy of Track Life, go to julietharrison@earthlink.net or purchase directly from Blurb (the book won't be signed). The link there is http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1723125Sharla Sanders, Founder, The Second Racehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666339622660709498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255956244467914789.post-89731565904079549742010-12-09T10:57:00.000-08:002010-12-09T11:48:51.796-08:00Our Holiday Letter to You<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5yDyBoOKwEmfe9pwfLWj_PDX_KhtUDcMx4A2eUP_eIN90xysOOYG8Z58CCYBnxDAKSlPa_HNy6VhwW0I2-3_XKENB8thpL6Nlst7rLa7NfZ6U3wnGfcg4m95PsVL0gpv3Q8VYbPiQ6o/s1600/barndecorating9.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib5yDyBoOKwEmfe9pwfLWj_PDX_KhtUDcMx4A2eUP_eIN90xysOOYG8Z58CCYBnxDAKSlPa_HNy6VhwW0I2-3_XKENB8thpL6Nlst7rLa7NfZ6U3wnGfcg4m95PsVL0gpv3Q8VYbPiQ6o/s400/barndecorating9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548759240780769378" /></a><br /><br />Do you give the horse his strength or clothe his neck with a flowing mane? Do you make him leap like a locust, striking terror with his proud snorting? He paws fiercely, rejoicing in his strength, and charges into the fray. He laughs at fear, afraid of nothing; he does not shy away from the sword. (Job 39:19-22) and so begins the opening lines in the movie ‘Secretariat’.<br />I thought it so fitting that the opening voice over would speak to the beauty, the strength and the fearlessness of the horse, and my mind in the dark theatre went to the race horse. The race horse bred to succeed, to compete at the highest level, to go bravely forward and fulfill his or her destiny.<br /><br />Of course not all horses bred to race even make it into training, let alone a race track in America. The odds are against a race horse that does make its first start to have much of a career beyond the national average of 4.1 starts for its entire career! Yes, its entire career and most race horses that do start, start at the age of two or three.<br />So from the hopes and dreams of a breeder, trainer, or owner come literally thousands of horses born each year to fulfill their purpose for being bred, to be a race horse.<br />Race horses are a thrill; they capture your imagination and take you on a ride that lasts less than two minutes. Nothing compares, in my mind to the athleticism of the horse.<br />It’s been our privilege this past year to help 53 horses safely move on to their next career, home or permanent retirement while working with owners, farms, lay up facilities or trainers across the United States. <br />In April of this year we were able to expand our services by providing a foster facility in Valley Center, CA that was donated to us by the ranch’s private owner. Without this generous donation we would not have 15 horses owned by The Second Race that are currently awaiting adoption (some are completing their rehab before being available). Our mission this year has been fulfilled in ways we couldn't have imagined when we began The Second Race in June 2009, our time frame has leaped ahead to accomplishing our goal to be a national network for retired race horses and those bred to race.<br />Our nonprofit status should be granted any day. We are working with several groups to support our mission including other non profits, equestrian trainers, lay up farms in and out of the state of California, and race tracks which are encouraging us to partner with them to provide a safe harbor for the horses from their tracks.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6hsNU5jVHMNRfXL7n6LnuqkIY93BbGiXmB8k2uY5mf_laBHxraSo-SJaZ87_GWO1T9b3YC-gU2HTMg5zqHqBKXLPKtap0nDlo0Ft_J2BWJ8nTMiU09dOEwTfWj8INVSXggCiuRq77gs/s1600/barndecorating32.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6hsNU5jVHMNRfXL7n6LnuqkIY93BbGiXmB8k2uY5mf_laBHxraSo-SJaZ87_GWO1T9b3YC-gU2HTMg5zqHqBKXLPKtap0nDlo0Ft_J2BWJ8nTMiU09dOEwTfWj8INVSXggCiuRq77gs/s400/barndecorating32.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548760513558430146" /></a><br /><br /><br />With our growth come expenses. We have secured a grant writer that will work diligently to secure major funding for us in the coming year. The Second Race will need to take advantage of every avenue to raise funds. We have several events planned including a Bowling Tournament in February, A Day at the Races in April (in southern California) and on Kentucky Derby Day (in northern California). We have a fun event planned for Del Mar and look forward to other opportunities to raise funds. Our expenses per horse are $ 300 a month, so sponsorships are encouraged of our horses starting at $ 150 per month details on how to help can be found on our website. <br />We have been blessed to receive many donations of hay, medical supplies, grooming equipment, fly masks, and halters for the horses. Volunteers have signed up and come down to our foster facility to work with our horses. We have equine massages, aromatherapy (lavender works wonders) and spa days for our retired race horses. The Second Race has had professional photographers take beautiful photos of our horses to assist with their adoption. The media has started to recognize us and we were interviewed for magazines, blogs and appeared on air during the fair meet in Fresno. We had the opportunity to provide commentary for a documentary being filmed on Kinsale King and we were a school project for a graduate student in visual arts. We encourage you to become involved with The Second Race or to visit our retired race horses. They enjoy the interaction and actually it helps to socialize them for their adoption. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdozQAunH-xlf42KwL0h5YSl8wl-x9Dc6tYTcmKnisWT7CVN8YVPPc4aI6F3a-E4BwE8Q1SMPu74MZfVELhsoCeoC23nC-Ntk3wbclf6sIx8gkWokbjEFgxeX0GsAvWl4HYYiZnBQhzpw/s1600/barndecorating24.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdozQAunH-xlf42KwL0h5YSl8wl-x9Dc6tYTcmKnisWT7CVN8YVPPc4aI6F3a-E4BwE8Q1SMPu74MZfVELhsoCeoC23nC-Ntk3wbclf6sIx8gkWokbjEFgxeX0GsAvWl4HYYiZnBQhzpw/s400/barndecorating24.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548771402064942610" /></a><br /><br />The Second Race was fortunate to have generous donations of racing memorabilia, halters and horse shoes worn by famous race horses, saddle clothes and coolers. We had beautiful original artwork and photography gifted to us and more. Help is needed and gifts in kind are always accepted. We have silent auctions coming up with our events and if you are able to provide a vacation, jewelry, racing memorabilia, professional services or other costs underwritten to support The Second Race and our foster horses, it would be greatly appreciated.<br /><br />The Second Race is happy to report some success stories this year. We were able to transition A to the Z, an earner of $ 800,000 on the track to Amy Hess, an equestrian trainer that took him to his first horse show. He placed first in two of his “baby green” categories. Horses like A to the Z, provide a forum for other Thoroughbreds to be considered in the show jumping world. We adopted out other horses that have begun dressage training, jumping and polo pony training as well. It’s so fun to receive the updates, photos and to hear the accomplishments of the retired race horses! <br />Not all horses can go on to a new career and we are blessed to have loving, permanent homes for horses like Go Flags Bro, that fractured his pelvis and needed a new home where he would never been ridden. <br /><br />The Second Race, as a national network sent horses from California to Colorado, Ohio, Idaho, Illinois, Arizona, Florida and Texas. Without our ability to use social media to network, these horses would not have found homes so easily. We are committed to moving horses across the US to find them homes, and need to partner with van companies to reduce shipping costs. This is one of our objectives for 2011. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4bnO4aO_m6PWRHG6Xx1s_4QZfv05iwhl4F56nBNEScrWqMb6RpeD0MBzie2Z5zpk03L9V7zDQxdesLdAOm3_pN4yhYHQw1T1ZrAIF6lftNlPNqMnOsnt3hJZrUdnvSMSNoJOnkl7Psg/s1600/barndecorating45.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4bnO4aO_m6PWRHG6Xx1s_4QZfv05iwhl4F56nBNEScrWqMb6RpeD0MBzie2Z5zpk03L9V7zDQxdesLdAOm3_pN4yhYHQw1T1ZrAIF6lftNlPNqMnOsnt3hJZrUdnvSMSNoJOnkl7Psg/s400/barndecorating45.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548760788066450098" /></a><br /><br /><br />Lastly and most importantly at the end of the year we want to thank the thousands of supporters we have. The donations received, the company partners that donate a portion of their sales to us, and to the racing fans that inquire about the horses, that care deeply what happens to them when they are no longer coming down the lane towards the finish line. <br />On behalf of our Board of Directors, our foster partnership and volunteers, thank you for a successful year and from the horses “a neigh and nicker” for your love and support. The Second Race cannot succeed without people like you! We wish you a prosperous and blessed 2011.<br />Sharla Sanders, Founder, The Second Race www.thesecondrace.com <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXgaCAT3wN-7vcdWBd5Nm0pRUde_rf8QmvN0yLf9TbFqauBwe-QRxD1lF9FdDTnQqgYI7DvcLUGkQcK56dRRGgn4UaqHfiD_f_qpWA5gXMSayK2c_q5tnzQazEVA4lzlTF6bJtxhtghQ/s1600/barndecorating35.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXgaCAT3wN-7vcdWBd5Nm0pRUde_rf8QmvN0yLf9TbFqauBwe-QRxD1lF9FdDTnQqgYI7DvcLUGkQcK56dRRGgn4UaqHfiD_f_qpWA5gXMSayK2c_q5tnzQazEVA4lzlTF6bJtxhtghQ/s400/barndecorating35.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548761027593532802" /></a>Sharla Sanders, Founder, The Second Racehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666339622660709498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255956244467914789.post-58177006058102507942010-11-26T10:53:00.001-08:002010-11-26T12:03:07.146-08:00A Conscious Decision to Do the Right Thing<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOIdN_LHSJwOkLm8hnfld4gn25gAFMSihPQmibEaWzeVwMtET_Le1d5Li0TkvqbR8upN_KkryBICcxYrCGOtRbTxWANcT49wtYJZffzewQZAuYIdh4HCRMenPIIzOFyuGgZXyQzPrSDI/s1600/winnerscirclespringshouse.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOIdN_LHSJwOkLm8hnfld4gn25gAFMSihPQmibEaWzeVwMtET_Le1d5Li0TkvqbR8upN_KkryBICcxYrCGOtRbTxWANcT49wtYJZffzewQZAuYIdh4HCRMenPIIzOFyuGgZXyQzPrSDI/s400/winnerscirclespringshouse.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543938624214853538" /></a><br /><strong>"I am a great champion<br />when I ran, the ground shook<br />the sky opened<br />and mere mortals parted <br />... parted the way to victory<br />and I met my owner in the winners circle<br />where he put a blanket of flowers on my back" (<em>from the movie, Dreamer</em>)</strong><br /><br />How many of us have had the thrill of being in the Winners Circle? Whether your horse is the favorite or a 55-1 long shot, nothing matches the thrill of winning! Your horse, your time to celebrate! The excitement is the same for the millionaires and the syndicate that has 25 people buying into a $ 15,000 claimer, its the victory that we remember most.<br /><br />But after the excitement, the back slaps and the high fives, the horse that brought the victory goes back to its barn and may or may not ever win again. <br /><br />When that happens, what happens? <br /><br />That choice is equally the responsibility of the owner and trainer. Both work in tandem to ready the horse for its race, and both should be responsible in ensuring that when the horse can no longer perform, that it finds a responsible, safe vehicle for retirement.<br /><br />Becoming involved in horse racing is a choice for every person that participates in it, only the horse bred to race doesn't have a choice in the matter. That doesn't mean that they don't want to run, that's an argument for another day (and one that we won't debate--as we know that horses are bred for and love to run). The choice is made (based on his or her abilities) to become a race horse. If a human can make the decision to consciously breed the horse, break the horse, train the horse and race the horse. Then that same conscious decision should be made to provide a retirement for that horse after it can no longer race.<br /><br />A race horse is a <strong>created</strong>, dependant animal for our pleasure and entertainment. Only education and the truth provided by the race track industry will ensure that owners (including new and prospective) and trainers employed by the owners understand their responsibility to their investment....when the finish line is no longer an option.<br /><br /><em><strong>To learn the process of surrendering a horse to The Second Race or for our assistance in networking to help place a horse go to our website page http://www.thesecondrace.com/servicesprovided.htm</strong></em>Sharla Sanders, Founder, The Second Racehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666339622660709498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255956244467914789.post-17344266524898711942010-11-25T07:22:00.001-08:002010-11-25T07:49:57.232-08:00Happy Thanksgiving!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRZR4sV4rt8SK1HCCHnse5V1XYORyp4TeBMAJ3DoNbHMFvjN9FN3Gk1byNNKLj0XFM39plduEd-K_AsBcQaV7730vl7GAgwML_XV0zFF2_r5o1dryL93T3MGZuEFW2YwB2T3bPk5viL4/s1600/orodesert3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRZR4sV4rt8SK1HCCHnse5V1XYORyp4TeBMAJ3DoNbHMFvjN9FN3Gk1byNNKLj0XFM39plduEd-K_AsBcQaV7730vl7GAgwML_XV0zFF2_r5o1dryL93T3MGZuEFW2YwB2T3bPk5viL4/s400/orodesert3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543514426233972738" /></a><br /> <br /><br /><strong>He who thanks but with the lips<br />Thanks but in part;<br />The full, the true Thanksgiving<br />Comes from the heart.</strong> "<br /><br />The prose was listed on a Facebook friends page and I had to stop and pause. How succinctly and sweetly was the poem about giving thanks. We make a lot of the meal, the football and the travels that it takes for many to be with their family during this time.<br /><br />Tomorrow most will be thinking of shopping for the holidays, the money that will be spent trying to find the perfect gift (with possibly much less money than in years past), and well the stress of managing it all. Forgetting completely, the day before where everyone says "Happy Thanksgiving" to each other. <br /><br />But giving thanks, truly giving thanks is such an easy thing to do every single day. It's a habit that can be developed in a short time and with a loving, full heart of thanks, your life can change without you even knowing it.<br /><br />I know this to be true with The Second Race. The beginning of our organization started with a true leap of faith, and with a vision to give thanks to the race horses that had entertained and gave so much to provide the enjoyment and relief from my stressful job every weekend.<br /><br />I love going to the races and in 2003 at the Breeders Cup I decided that somehow, someway I would be part of horse racing. Fast forward to 2009 and I couldn't imagine that the way I would become involved would be to start a national network to transition race horses off the tracks across the U.S.!<br /><br />I am thankful that God put the thought into my head years earlier, and then made a way for me to make this dream come to fruition. It meant that I lost my job for the second time in as many years, that I literally had nothing to stop me ( a divorce earlier in the year had been finalized), and that I realized that things were just things, and I was able to begin the funding of The Second Race, with my own collection of racing memorabilia. <br /><br />I am thankful that so many people, complete strangers on Facebook and Twitter, caught the vision right along with me and encouraged me to proceed. I had a goal in mind that if I could garner at least 2500 Facebook friends, that I would launch our website and never look back. Which of course we did. We have an online community that will start on January 1, 2011 with much more in store for the new year.<br /><br />I am thankful that the horsemen at the race track have been so encouraging, have allowed The Second Race the privilege to assist them to transition their horses to the next step along the path of their lives. Without them, The Second Race would not exist. <br /><br />I am thankful that a friend, made the most amazing donation of a piece of their beautiful ranch "the peninsula" to house The Second Race foster horses, and that we have been able to leap ahead with our plans to safely provide a respite for the horses from the track.<br /><br />I am thankful that we continue on, with the help of mentors that allow us to share our frustrations, joys and tears with us. Doing what we do is a labor of love, nothing more, no one is ever going to get rich helping ex-race horses. There are more monetary costs than can ever be recouped, but it is with thankfulness from a heart so full that we wish all a Happy Thanksgiving, not in part with our lips; but with a full heart.<br /><br /><em><strong>To see the current ex-race horses awaiting sponsorship or adoption visit our website at www.thesecondrace.com </strong></em>Sharla Sanders, Founder, The Second Racehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666339622660709498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255956244467914789.post-70562484986596149902010-11-15T07:18:00.001-08:002010-11-15T07:56:22.545-08:00A Visit With Zenyatta and a Legendary HandOver the weekend my good friend was here from Texas and as any good friend in California, you have to take your friends to the local attractions. Once perhaps, that was Disneyland or even the beach, but right now in Southern California the main attraction is Zenyatta. <br /><br />Julie had some photos that she wanted to gift John Shirreffs with and so we made the trek to the barn. Coming around the corner I saw something different this time. Not that Zenyatta on any given day for the past couple months, doesn't have fans stopping by, but now there was a barricade of perhaps three or four sawhorses and piping "roping" off the area to view her while she grazes. What was different was the single file line of fans, cameras and treats in hand, waiting for their couple "up close" minutes with her. One by one the fans that had come to see her were given a minute to speak with her, touch her muzzle and feed her treats. Steve Willard, has become the "tour guide" and it strikes me that his job has become much like the park ranger discussing El Capitan in Yosemite. There is something about her that continues to take your breath away, much as the monuments that are God made, Zenyatta simply doesn't disappoint.<br /><br />The visit with her was more magical for some reason because on this day there were several young girls and boys with her. She patiently inspected each child that came up to her and loving put her head down, welcoming their delight. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsmkW54P4FXG7TqJCvEqz6E8BAEDyOiBTLW2e8JfCXn7wmq20h9M_jFo8dG7ub06GmIOuAp09Jt939dQocL1F236Ia6LOBCejERaOrnPTzWjOqM2ivlefVjF1FmWLLnYSfsU8nGm2Z28/s1600/legendaryzenyatta.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZsmkW54P4FXG7TqJCvEqz6E8BAEDyOiBTLW2e8JfCXn7wmq20h9M_jFo8dG7ub06GmIOuAp09Jt939dQocL1F236Ia6LOBCejERaOrnPTzWjOqM2ivlefVjF1FmWLLnYSfsU8nGm2Z28/s400/legendaryzenyatta.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539798601402556722" /></a><br /><br />The young girl featured in the photo above seemed to be the most vocal and encouraged the other kids around her to come up and feed her. Someone had brought a peppermint to give her, well only some know that Zenyatta has a sweet tooth, and loves her candy. When she happily ate up the peppermint, she licked the hand of the child, and the little girl said to her friend "Now you have a legendary hand". I chuckled out loud and had the biggest smile on my face. Yes, she is legendary, and its of course the races, the tremendous finishes, the heart stopping beauty, but mostly its the grandness with which she accepts the adulation and respect.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6n6NpN3qLTvVI68CduSOu9NVehPuUVBapPrh2YU6p_Bo9gU_VTO-AhSgHs-c_-AxOC3MKheOmUMtz6NzmjbpCsEqpF6qE3XdUNJaZe_R8toqpW9W37gm8dKMmEK5kUyq-QthdsD0va4/s1600/legendaryzenyatta1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6n6NpN3qLTvVI68CduSOu9NVehPuUVBapPrh2YU6p_Bo9gU_VTO-AhSgHs-c_-AxOC3MKheOmUMtz6NzmjbpCsEqpF6qE3XdUNJaZe_R8toqpW9W37gm8dKMmEK5kUyq-QthdsD0va4/s400/legendaryzenyatta1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539801118659475570" /></a><br /><br /><br />She holds court, there isn't another word for it. She looks at you, in the eye, and says to you "I understand". Whether child or adult, she accepts each moment with you. She does know she is the queen, but to that little girl, well she is legendary....and no matter what the jaded writers and handicappers think, Zenyatta has charmed her way into many a heart unlike any horse I have ever known. And to that little girl, that brought a smile to my face, I hope you grow up to be legendary as well.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizDTEK10KQhIoOBT_Cr0kBDCtzbesqa7wKl4Hex8Sd9IzQQ3agEgZTsOZhUaxjQzqg7rir6kyDp_jdo4XpQOEgDE8tK33GbQiDIhg-rsKahjxExu1Zzq-pRI9zCW0eNXx6vcEop-LzpRo/s1600/zoephotozenyatta1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 356px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizDTEK10KQhIoOBT_Cr0kBDCtzbesqa7wKl4Hex8Sd9IzQQ3agEgZTsOZhUaxjQzqg7rir6kyDp_jdo4XpQOEgDE8tK33GbQiDIhg-rsKahjxExu1Zzq-pRI9zCW0eNXx6vcEop-LzpRo/s400/zoephotozenyatta1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539801675242205570" /></a><br /><br /><em>Photos by Cecilia Felix Photography and Zoe Metz.</em><br /><strong>To see other horses (not quite so legendary except to The Second Race) go to www.thesecondrace.com </strong>Sharla Sanders, Founder, The Second Racehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666339622660709498noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255956244467914789.post-11930377889810619262010-11-12T11:54:00.000-08:002010-11-12T13:42:32.397-08:00Never, Ever, Give up-- The Story of Sarah Says Go<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_t45g5PXWTQTqjCugUwlmBczY_8xjTDH1VH9sofVaM9ZXXhsIohFzriNF-Ze9ht6R8n6tnFdFco1dycXpxuAlTi0F0XlAPdwuTtO5uho9APKKd8o5LoPHy3Af-aEqQ5yBTxlCRpvqhIs/s1600/sarahsaysgo1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_t45g5PXWTQTqjCugUwlmBczY_8xjTDH1VH9sofVaM9ZXXhsIohFzriNF-Ze9ht6R8n6tnFdFco1dycXpxuAlTi0F0XlAPdwuTtO5uho9APKKd8o5LoPHy3Af-aEqQ5yBTxlCRpvqhIs/s400/sarahsaysgo1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538769948070944578" /></a> <em>Photo: Anne Buxton. After nine years, the halter was ready for her return, held together and fitting. </em><br /><br />I have been remiss in my postings to this blog. It seems there just aren't enough hours in the day and yet one of the things that I do like to do is share a good story. So, as we saddle up and renew our postings, I thought the story of <em><strong>Sarah Says Go </strong></em>and Anne's love for a horse she hadn't seen (but never forgot about) in nine years time, was a fitting place to begin...(as told to me by Anne, in her own words)....<br /><br />9 years ago I sold a mare that my husband bought as a yearling, and we raced successfully until she was 4. We sold her and eventually, of course, she ended up hitting the bottom at Suffolk Downs, making her final start in 2003. I always felt bad that I wasn't in a position to claim her back then, but I watched for her for a long time.<br /><br />When she hadn't run for over a year, I made inquiries, but no one knew anything, or anything they would tell me. Every year I would check produce records, she was never listed as bred, or had any foals. I finally just figured she was dead, and hoped she at least didn't go to slaughter.<br /><br />Fast forward to last Thursday, when I was messing around punching names into the pedigree query. I almost didn't put her name in, it was too depressing, but I finally did. Imagine my shock when the pedigree came up, and at the top of the page it said, "Rescued from Camelot killer pen 6/30/2010" I about had a heart attack. I immediately got on Facebook went to the Camelot page, and looked for the album from that week, which, of course, wasn't there.<br /><br />After posting as my status, and on several people's pages, for help finding her, a woman named Sabrina came up with the Flicker photos from that week. I went through 60+ pictures and found her. No name listed, it didn't even say she was tattooed, and the age listed was off by 5 years, but I knew it was her. I asked Sabrina, "now what?, Who has a list of buyers?". She looked awhile, and then said she had read something very bad, my heart sunk. She posted a link to a girl's page, with this status update from the DAY BEFORE!<br /><br />"It is with a heavy heart that my vet, barn manager and myself have decided to humanely euthanize Annie, hip # 479, who I pulled from the 6/30/2010 kill pen. I have done everything possible to save her but her blood work came back with very poor results. Please know that she was loved and viewed as a member of my family."<br /><br />I almost fell over, I looked for 9 years, only to find her the DAY AFTER she was put down? I couldn't believe it. I sent Andra a message saying I was almost positive that she had my old filly, Sarah Says Go, but I wasn't sure. She messaged me back, yes it is her, please call me. With a broken heart I called her, and she told me that she WASN'T dead yet, she was scheduled for euthanasia the next day. We talked for awhile, I asked what her problem was, and could she ship?. The long and the short of it is that Sarah was just too over the top nuts for the hunter barn she had found herself in and I guess Sarah was pretty abused after we sold her, making her even more difficult.<br /><br />Sarah is coming home tomorrow I am beside myself. In addition to finding her the day before she was going to be put down, and Andra calling her Annie, Andra lives in my hometown of Charlottesville, VA too!. A completely bizarre set of circumstances, to say the least. I can't wait to have Sarah back, she'll never leave us again :) <br /><br /><br /><em>Postscript to the story....</em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2rExS2OtyjNsLk8Aex5pnmMIYlek7BxZrfWWELYPHSv9UjJFGWCiRaYGrQwxGyWvIFn0bpTuuzy1IJBx4r3Px8CUeZJS4TABYtTS8b_XzGdk_60Ykxb7lvX7zcu-IUlPgusPsO1bRGM/s1600/sarahsaysgo.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2rExS2OtyjNsLk8Aex5pnmMIYlek7BxZrfWWELYPHSv9UjJFGWCiRaYGrQwxGyWvIFn0bpTuuzy1IJBx4r3Px8CUeZJS4TABYtTS8b_XzGdk_60Ykxb7lvX7zcu-IUlPgusPsO1bRGM/s400/sarahsaysgo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538770619647270450" /></a><br /><br />Sarah is happily munching on hay and savoring her good fortune. The Second Race was happy to help with a portion of the shipping costs to bring Sarah home where she belongs.<br /><br />And as all fairy tales say..."they lived happily ever after"....Sharla Sanders, Founder, The Second Racehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666339622660709498noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255956244467914789.post-7087091178908439362010-09-28T14:24:00.000-07:002010-09-28T14:29:32.760-07:00NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance to Cover Retired Race Horses<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqwjz6aHwuqve4pMV2SwZqL93SxcbULh0Vl9jJkGuBf8MwE61POBcDZJ0tmEC-w9B6cvv9d6JHu4NpUg6h3UnIo-as6GGj2tR5p3qaUoQZTBNSTqz6UbLxqNUNZ083deQSyGcITOQM3c/s1600/Logontra.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 72px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqwjz6aHwuqve4pMV2SwZqL93SxcbULh0Vl9jJkGuBf8MwE61POBcDZJ0tmEC-w9B6cvv9d6JHu4NpUg6h3UnIo-as6GGj2tR5p3qaUoQZTBNSTqz6UbLxqNUNZ083deQSyGcITOQM3c/s400/Logontra.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522079607571474578" /></a><br /><br /><br />AGENDA SET FOR NTRA SAFETY AND INTEGRITY ALLIANCE PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION SEMINAR<br /><br />Continuing Education Sessions Targeted to Trainers, Veterinarians, Racing Officials, Aftercare Professionals, Farriers and Racetrack Medical Directors<br /><br />The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) today announced the agenda for the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance Professional Education Seminar to be held Tuesday, October 19 at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky. The Seminar, sponsored by Keeneland and Pfizer Animal Health, will feature expert speakers from across the country who will discuss health and safety topics targeted specifically to trainers, aftercare organizations, track medical directors, racing officials, farriers and veterinarians. Attendance at the seminar will help satisfy continuing education requirements for racetracks as mandated by the Alliance’s Code of Standards.<br /><br />One portion of the Seminar will focus on continuing education for trainers. Topics to be covered will include exercise protocol for the young horse; managing post-exercise body temperature, musculoskeletal injuries; nutrition; knowing when to retire a racehorse; importance of voluntary injury reporting; dealing with the media; the importance of pre-race examinations; and working with stewards. Speakers will include: Dr. Reid McLellan, Executive Director, Groom Elite Program; Randal Raub, Director of Horse Business Development, Purina Mills, LLC; Anna Ford, New Vocations; Dr. Jeffery Berk, Ocala Equine Hospital; Dr. Mary Scollay, Equine Medical Director, Kentucky Horse Racing Commission; Stan Bowker, Chairman, Racing Officials Accreditation Program; Dr. Bryce Peckham, Chief Veterinarian, Kentucky Horse Racing Commission; and Eric Wing, Senior Director of Media Relations, NTRA.<br /><br />Another segment will center on the role of racetrack medical directors. This portion of the Seminar will be led by Dr. Barry Schumer of Keeneland.<br /><br />D.G. Van Clief, Jr., the former President and CEO of Breeders’ Cup, Ltd., and the NTRA, will lead a session on Thoroughbred aftercare. Topics to be covered include: rehabilitation of horses off the racetrack; infectious disease management; nutrition for mistreated and geriatric horses; veterinary care for the geriatric horse; the Unwanted Horse Coalition; fund raising; marketing the retired racehorse; and best business practices. Speakers will include Dr. Tom Daugherty, DVM; Randal Raub of Purina Mills, LLC; Dr. Rob Holland, Pfizer Animal Health; Ericka Caslin, Unwanted Horse Coalition; Tom Cordova, Cordova Marketing Group; Lynn Reardon, LOPE; Jane Gilbert, ReRun; Anna Ford of New Vocations; Joe Hoffman, Esq., Kelley Drye & Warren LLP; Laura D’Angelo, Esq., Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs; Eric Wing, Senior Director of Media Relations, NTRA; and John Della Volpe, SocialSphere Strategies. <br /><br />Cathy O’Meara, Coordinator for the Racing Officials Accreditation Program (ROAP), will lead a session from ROAP that will include four sections: InCompass RTO lists, what they are and how to share them; Paddock Judge—the duties and responsibilities of checking horse equipment to maintain safety; Clerk of Scales—a presentation on the duties and responsibilities of checking jockey equipment to maintain safety by Tim Kelly, ROAP Accredited Steward and NYRA Clerk of Scales; and Starter—a presentation on safety concerns at the gate and the duties and responsibilities of the starter by Bob Duncan, Consultant and retired NYRA starter. <br /><br />Mitch Taylor of the Kentucky Horseshoeing School will preside over a segment on hoof care and the foot. Taylor will discuss the physiology of the hoof, while Dr. James Orsini, Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine, will provide an update on laminitis research and Dr. Mick Peterson of the Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory will present on track surfaces and hoof dynamics. <br /><br />Finally, Dr. Mary Scollay, the Equine Medical Director for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission will lead a session for veterinarians. Dr. Scollay and Dr. Scot Waterman, Executive Director of the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) will discuss medication testing protocols; and Scollay will address the issue of environmental contamination. <br /><br />For additional information about the NTRA Professional Education seminar, including how to register, contact Casey Hamilton at (859) 422-2627. Discounted hotel rooms for Seminar attendees are being held at the Crowne Plaza in Lexington.Sharla Sanders, Founder, The Second Racehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666339622660709498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255956244467914789.post-54378240523304531312010-08-24T19:16:00.000-07:002010-08-24T19:33:21.815-07:00What You Should Consider When Rescuing a Horse from an Auction Lot<em><strong>The Second Race from time to time assists with the purchase of auction/feed lot horses. These are horses that could be destined for slaughter to Canada or Mexico for European plates if they are not purchased. Our mission is to work directly with owner, trainers, and breeders at the race tracks, but with constant pleas and pictures that are hard to resist, we have assisted in the rescue of 12 horses to date via our designated 'Quarter Pole Fund'. Our latest assistance was to "Dan" a grey gelding orchestrated by Kara V. in New York. To learn more about this particular program go to http://www.thesecondrace.com/quarterpolefund.htm</strong></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86_JvXSdygBWp7EhJ8FA6EFJNPDErXR6wigRjPhWSR_ISLhw_5-U_dB5rNDzButpgsH6E7GipGNLa7yBZeI1aMGxovETk3F6QvI6N_7hFRQmO7eMzydybWzUIszBITOvOxXrxJC9uyCQ/s1600/Dan.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86_JvXSdygBWp7EhJ8FA6EFJNPDErXR6wigRjPhWSR_ISLhw_5-U_dB5rNDzButpgsH6E7GipGNLa7yBZeI1aMGxovETk3F6QvI6N_7hFRQmO7eMzydybWzUIszBITOvOxXrxJC9uyCQ/s400/Dan.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509167802905372818" /></a> Photo by Patti Walker<br /><br />Here is a post we received and thought it was worth sharing from Helping Hearts Equine Rescue, that monitors an auction lot on the East Coast. <br /><br /><br />Bringing Home a "Direct from the Feed Lot" Horseby Helping Hearts Equine Rescue on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 at 6:20am<br /><br /> Please, be aware that horse ownership is not something to be taken lightly. Especially taking on the responsibility of a direct-from-the-pen-rescue-horse. We strongly recommend quarantine, as these horses have been exposed to a number of pathogens during a stressful time. Liken it to sending a child to school for the first time. They ALL get sick from other children's germs. Illness and vet bills is a fact of life when purchasing a Feed Lot horse. Horsekeeping expenses vary from region to region, but all experienced horsepersons will tell you that the purchase price is the cheapest part of horse purchase/ownership. With a direct-rescue, expect those up-front expenses to be higher than the norm.<br /><br />I always get a little mental- twitch when I see a post offering to take in a horse if the bail, etc. are raised for it. I'm hoping that the person is aware of the EXPENSE and COMMITMENT of taking in a horse, and can afford it, especially with a directly-rescued horse. Sadly, lately, a few situations hve come to light of horses that need rescuing from their rescuers. When this sort of thing happens, terribly-- the horses suffer and the whole rescue-effort is looked upon with suspicion--accusations and mis-trust quickly follow behind that.<br /><br />Please note that we do our best to post accurate info on each horse, but each horse spends less than 2 minutes being run thru the sale-ring, often the actual time is even less than that. Therefore, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of info about the horses temperament, soundness or training, as our notes are based on what is announced about each horse and our observations in a very short window of time--we are looking at dozens of horses every week in a very short period of time. The majority of these horses are WONDERFUL, and just need a bit of time to settle in. A few though, will need some work, may have been mis-represented by their sellers in regard to training and temperment. And sadly too, there have been a few cases of horses being much more "up" when they arrived at their new homes than they were in the ring. (sadly, some sellers "medicate" horses they offer for sale--If I think a horse at the sale may have been tranquilized, I mention it, I don't want anyone getting hurt). A question to ask yourself: Are you competent/confident to work thru these issues; or have the resources to work with a professional to assist in teaching your horse to be a solid citizen for you. Just because he's a low-priced rescue doesn't mean he's not worth the cost of professional assistance or training. (Sadly, I've heard that. "He was only $300, I'm not paying a trainer to work with him! It's not worth it!" -- makes me want to smack them)<br /><br />Be realistic and be patient. I receive contact several times a week from Camelot-Feed-Lot-Purchasers whose horsers 'aren't working out'. I've helped network and rehome a good number of them. I've taken in a few who wound up being fine, the problem never materializing here. In a couple of recent situations where I was networking the horse, I later got calls back saying "never mind", that the issue resolved. The horse settled in, and became (1) less dominant in the pasture, (2), stopped banging at feeding time; (3) ground manners improved, etc. Horses are very social animals, they need structure, they need to know/understand where they stand in the social hierarchy. In the cases of social hierarchy/aggression in turnout----they've often had to protect themselves thru a series of pens and trailers packed wtih strange horses jockeying for position; In the case of bad-manners/aggression at feeding time, starved horses need to realize that they will be fed--every day--every time -- when that happens, they often become less anxious at feeding time and stop banging, screaming, kicking, lunging at the stall door, etc. But it takes time, sometimes weeks or months.<br /><br />If you are unsure about purchasing an 'unknown quantity" from the sale list, please do consider adopting a horse that's been pulled by a rescue. Rescues get them in, QT them, vet them, evaluate them for training and temperament, often put training into them and the adoption contracts give you a safety net, should the horse NOT work out. Adopting from a rescue allows the rescue the resources to save another and repeat the process. YES, the adoption fee is more than the pull fee, but it is LESS than what YOU would spend to get a horse out of the Pen and up to that point.<br /><br />This post is not meant to discourage the purchase of a Feed Lot horse, but is meant to make sure our prospective rescuers go into their labor-of-love with their eyes open.<br /><br />Thank You.<br /><br />Lisa (HHER)Sharla Sanders, Founder, The Second Racehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666339622660709498noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8255956244467914789.post-39661320487146784022010-08-05T11:32:00.000-07:002010-08-05T11:39:38.317-07:00Zenyatta Going for 18 & What She Means to Girls....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6e_mQj0JZb6td7EwJs4bZt1pIwVMoWXYYIFdTX9EGlXIixNoCHAr7tEn_SQPJG2p5BGc52gKwo281jxEvRR1ir4SeZ0cVfwiO2o7_7M0rEFNauEPqL67U7SiKsn_J0iFcVDiNTEUZMXA/s1600/ZENYATTAonetouseforfundraiser.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6e_mQj0JZb6td7EwJs4bZt1pIwVMoWXYYIFdTX9EGlXIixNoCHAr7tEn_SQPJG2p5BGc52gKwo281jxEvRR1ir4SeZ0cVfwiO2o7_7M0rEFNauEPqL67U7SiKsn_J0iFcVDiNTEUZMXA/s400/ZENYATTAonetouseforfundraiser.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501996083039867794" /></a> photo used by permission. <br /><em><strong>As the eve of the Clement Hirsch race at Del Mar approaches and the excitement builds for win number 18 for Zenyatta. We wanted to re-run our post regarding Zenyatta and the lessons that can be learned for young girls from Zenyatta. Original post November 2009</strong></em>. <br /><br />Zenyatta crossed the finish line on Saturday in the Breeders Cup Classic to a roar of emotion shared by all in attendance. Whether it was tears of joy, amazement or knowing you were witnessing history in the making, all around me and throughout the stands, the win was felt in unison. <br />As the blush of the win wore off on late Sunday afternoon, I remembered something that I had read previously about Zenyatta. As a yearling, she was purchased for $ 60,000 the bloodstock agent who purchased her said he felt he had possibly made a mistake and was bidding on the wrong horse as he couldn't believe she had slipped through the cracks and he had been able to successfully purchase her at the low price.<br />The reason why she was only $ 60,000? She had a skin disease that made her less attractive or desirable even though she had "vetted" out well. On the surface she was passed over for other yearlings, who looked better. This got me to thinking about young girls who are passed over every day and have labels put upon them at a young age. These labels can hamper their development for the rest of their lives. So many young ladies today are diamonds in the rough, and I wish society embraced them as girls in transition, not airbrushed creations in magazines. <br />Now of course, Zenyatta didn't buy into any labels or even know she was dismissed for something superficial, nor did she know that she was bigger than the rest of the yearlings in the sales barn. Zenyatta didn't know that her bones were bigger, and that she would need time to grow into herself to bloom into the stunning mare she would become. But her handlers did. Zenyatta was able to start her first race at the age of three instead of the current trend of two. She was given the time to grow into herself. Patience was given to allow her to become the filly she should be to compete at the highest level. Not rushing her to become a precocious sparkler, but a full blown fourth of July fireworks display. <br />Girls need the same thing, the time to grow, be nurtured by those around them that care for their well being and to not be forced or rushed into being something that someone else wants them to be. Girls need to accept their bodies and its bounty (and its limitations) without pressure. A beautiful swan can just be under the ugly duckling exterior, love and time will expose both.<br />Zenyatta is a winner, nothing can take that away. Girls are winners too, my hope is in watching Zenyatta crossing the finish line, that the same girls with their "Zenyatta Rocks" posters last Saturday looked in the mirror that night and said "I rock too".Sharla Sanders, Founder, The Second Racehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08666339622660709498noreply@blogger.com0