Happy Saturday Everyone!
Springtime is in the air and everything is getting so busy. It is a very exciting time in Lexington now as Keeneland opened yesterday for their race meet. I never ran at this race track, but my dear Barn 55 Friend, HARMONIOUS, won the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Race here last fall. It is a very special time and everyone LOVES to go RACING in this town!
Today, Kentucky Derby Preps are taking place in New York, Illinois, and California. My friend, MR. COMMONS, is running in the Santa Anita Derby this afternoon. His stall was just 3 down from mine when I was at Barn 55…so I’m wishing him all the best! HOOVES CROSSED…for sure!
We also have the update for our contest! Isabelle and Cheva, 2 of my very special friends, drew the names out of the bucket for us! As you can see in the photo above, they are in the barn office at Hollywood Park. Oh, there are lots of photos of ME all around. Now this is TOO CUTE! The bucket we used for this drawing is on the desk. All 64 of the cards from Wednesday’s winners were placed in this bucket, mixed up again and again…and the drawing began!
Here are the names of the 32 people who will move to the next stage:
1) Ingrid Esguerra……………..Miami, FL
2) Sharon Peck………………..Seattle, WA
3) William Uecker……………..Boerne, TX
4) Linda Henderson……………Seminole, TX
5) Karen Mitchell……………….Berkeley, CA
6) Sherry Drish…………………Kearneysville, WV
7) Linda Edwards………………Lawrenceville, NJ
8) Thomas Ronholm…………..Rochester, NY
9) Valerie Franklin…………….Davison, MI
10) Margaret Lewis…………….Sausalito, CA
11) Guido Sanchez…………….Ewing, NJ
12) Cathy Lassilo……………….Tacoma, WA
13) Heidi Kruckenbert………….Vallejo, CA
14) Lynn Meier…………………..Thousand Oaks, CA
15) Michelle Cross………………Decatur, AL
16) Pam Giles……………………Newman, GA
17) Helen Soloman……………..Van Nuys, CA
18) Willie Tomaino………………Newport, RI
19) Linda Stokes…………………Groton, VT
20) Chris Balmes………………..Lake Oswego, OR
21) Dawn Conrad……………….Cedaredge, CO
22) Georgia Harper…………….Bellevue, WA
23) Vicki Vinson…………………Apple Valley, CA
24) Sarah Powell………………..Clemson, SC
25) Tammi Fry…………………..Houston, TX
26) Brenda Sprunger…………..Ontario, Canada
27) Ann Ransone………………..Walkerton, VA
28) Louann Cingel………………Union, MO
29) Lydia Ward………………….Batavia, OH
30) Mary Kay Adams…………..Bloomfield, NJ
31) Patsy VandenBerg………..Santa Rosa, CA
32) Brenda Freeman…………..Mobile, AL
CONGRATULATIONS to these 32 people! The next step of the contest will go to the SWEET SIXTEEN! When we do the next drawing, these 32 cards will be placed into the bucket…and 16 will be selected!
We are moving right along! Cheva and Isabelle had a GREAT TIME helping us!
Thank you to everyone! Cheers to a wonderful day of RACING and a HIGH HOOF to the 32 contestants named above moving to the next level!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Chris Balmes
OMG – I am so excited. I had to look 3 times to be sure I wasn’t imagining my name being in the top 32. Thank you so much to all!!! Hi Zenyatta – enjoy your day with the girls! I’m going to lunch – you do the same!!
Kathy Kimber
Zenyatta, Congradulations to the mighty “32”
Zeny dear I have been thinking someone said Steve Haskin isn’t really interested in writing anymore bios, although his has always done a beautiful job. Someone needs to start writing your bio. I think maybe Abagail Anderson should do it. She does such great in depth stories on racehorses on her blog. And she did that wonderful story of your blookline for “The Bloodhorse”. You need to talk to Dottie about her and then Dottie should talk to Mr. and Mrs. Moss. Your story is so wonderful and its going to take several volumes so it needs to get going Zeny dear. We all love you so much, have a wonderful weekend. hugs.
Debbie
hi Z! so sad I didn’t make it in the 32 but GOOD LUCK TO ALL THAT DID! I’m excited about all the racing today, but I’ll be dreaming about you running down the track! love you xoxoxo
Dmama
We were happy to be in the 64……… good luck to everyone in the 2nd cut :-)
Gloria Jeanne
Good luck to all, I am out of the running.
Cathie
Nice to see a FL still in the running!! LOL!!
Christy
Congrats to the Top 32 and good luck going forward!!!! Zenyatta you look sensational as always in your bday pictures!!! <3 to you and all your human connections for keeping us up to date on you. They are what racing needs MUCH more of allowing us to follow our favorite stars on hooves :)
Charlotte A. Farmer
I wasn’t expecting a Saturday Post, but it was nice to read about Mr. Commons. Definitely hooves crossed for both John and Mr. Commons to win. That really would be exciting.
Congratulations to the 32, you lucky people. Love you Zenyatta
Linda from Vermont
YAAAA!!!! I made the cut!! Thank you Team Zenyatta for doing this!! Good luck to all the 32!
pAMEla Zacek
Thats so great, congratulations, to the 32 winners, and hoofs crossed for the next 16, and oh great, now maybe I can get some races on Tv, Hope your having, a good great spring in your blue grass, country, just getting warmer up here. Great raceing, to all that will race this year, good luck to all of them, and Queen Z, have a great time in your padlock with you great new friend,s sweet grass, huh>
Kathy
It was so much fun to be part of the 64. I was dreaming of flying from NY to CA to meet your precious people to pick up the Bronze personally. I was much more excited about the prospect about an in person pick up the actual prize. I am still having fun and will be watching on pins and needles to see what happens next…I still think it would have been a once in a life time to go to Santa Anita with my mom to get our picture in your stall. Dreams are so much fun because every once in a while they do come true!!!
Brenda
Wow – My card made it through. How lucky can a person get, and on such an important day for all of us that love horses and racing. Sad that you didn’t ever run at Keeneland Zenny, it’s a lovely track and I’ve only ever seen it when there was no racing. Thanks for the high hoof and congratulations to the other 25 lucky people. Love Team Zenyatta from Brenda in Canada.
Gloria
Hi Big Mama Z! Ooooh, I just came back from visiting Santa Anita and I spent a lot o dough on all things Zenyatta. I saw Mr. Fred Stone, I donated to CERF (got a reprint of your artwork!), and I bought some raffle tickets from The Second Race. If anyone sees this and goes to Santa Anita today, check out The Second Race in the Club Court. They have silent auctions with several Zenyatta items and they are beautiful. You can also buy raffle tickets for other items. Stop by the CERT table and Fred Stone’s table as there are some rare prints he is selling -first come, first served. And to Zenyatta…you still make going to the races a blast! Good luck to your JOHN and Mr. Commons today! That’s who I’m rootin’ for! XOOX to Team Z.
Jill Mabry
Oh no, I didn’t make the cut :( I am so thankful to have been one of the 64…Good Luck to the 32 that made this cut.
Brenda
Whoops, I said 25 when I should have said 31. The excitement is too, too much.
Brenda
Gloria
Oops, I meant CERF where I put CERT. I’m going too fast!
Signofthetimes
Dear Zenny
Have a great Saturday. Great racing today all over
The US. Two big scratches in the Santa Anita derby
Maybe Mr Commons will get it. Yeah for Mr Commons!!!!
Oh and the Wood Memorial. Wow!!!! Glad to hear Priemier
Pegases made it through surgery like a champ. Those hoof
Abcesses can be a real “pain”. So glad they did not
Run Jaycito. Enjoy those pears bananas and carrots. Happy ovulating
And have a great day. Good luck to the 32 soon to be “peared”
Down to 16. Thanks to CA Team Z for all their hard work in making
This drawing happen. XXXXOOOO
Sarah Powell
Wow – I just screamed and scared my dog to death – I made it to 32! I’ve never won anything in my entire life – I’m so excited just to get to 32 even if I go no further. Cheering for Mr. Commons today ! Waiting to hear news of Z’s date with Mr. B. Loved the birthday pics. (thank you Dottie) I’m going to go calm down myself and my poor dog!
Sandy
I must confess to not having read all of the posts after the first 64 were announced (and congratulations to all of them and now to the next group of winners) so it’s possible that others have asked this same question. I was really hoping to know how many cards you received altogether Zenny. I’m sure it was just “tons” and it would be fun to know that mine was one of (some big number). Will Dottie be letting us know what the overall count was? Love from your Ohio friend, Sandy.
Neva Rae Powers
Beautiful day in NYC! Hope it is as lovely in Kentucky! Thanks for the update, Zennie!
Cheryl Kleist
Hey Zenyatta:
I didn’t manage to get a card sent in because I was too busy with students during that time, but I want you to know what you’ve meant to me. First I found Rachel Alexandra and thought what a great horse and placed my first bet ever. I heard about YOU and went on-line and watched you race 2 years ago in the summer. I was so taken with you–your closing style, your beauty, that amazing presence and such ENJOYMENT of your fans and racing. I was utterly smitten! Rachel Who??? At your first Breeders Cup Classic, I was one of your few fans to win around the monitor at Finger Lakes RT that day. I wondered why the great turf horse Gio Ponti was entered in the classic instead of his turf race? Then the answer came to me; he was the only one who had a chance in the field. You remember Quality Road? He saw you there, and he refused to load in the gate. It was like he took a look at you and said, “oh, NOOO! QUEEN Z IS HERE!! I’LL JUST GO BACK TO THE BARN!” THAT DAY I BET ENOUGH ON YOU TO PAY OFF A CREDIT CARD AND ALSO THE EXACTA FOR YOU TO WIN AND GIO PONTI TO PLACE. WHAT A PAY DAY THAT WAS! Those guys at the track; looked at me with new respect after that. Thanks for the memories!!
ARPfan
While I am disappointed for the 32 of us who are not finalists, I am VERY happy and excited for those of you who are! I’m sure whoever wins this beautiful bronze of Queen Z will treasure it as much as I would have if I’d won. Best of luck to all of you!
DJ
Dearest Sweet “Z”,
Hip Hip #73 Hooray! This is TOO EXCITING! Congratulations to Dawn C. and the other names I recognize briefly from our little Post Family. Just took a quick peek and I’m out the door. It has been such a treat so-journeying on this little “Zenny” path together. And of course…”Go Mr. Commons!” e-hugs to All and Good Luck keeping your heart-rate down for the next drawing :)
DJ
p.s. Good luck Vicki from Apple Vally…another neighbor!
DJ
p.s.s. heart-felt condolences for the others whose names are no longer in the contest…there is plenty of joy that will be shared though, I imagine.
Astrid
Congratulations to the lucky 32!:) Will be cheering for my fellow Canadian Brenda but wishing everyone best of luck for the next draw!
Fingers crossed for Mr. Commons and Uncle Mo! He looked so Seabiscuit-y sleeping in his stall! :) Hugs to you Zenny!
LouAnn Cingel of Union, Missouri
Congratulations to all those who made it in the current round of drawn cards for their chance to win the #19 bronze statue of you Zenyatta! The excitement is sure mounting for them I am sure-I know, because I am one of the lucky ones. Lucky, for sure, just to have made it to this point. Good luck everyone!
Such a wonderful day for racing and wishing the best for Mr. Commons, Mike Smith and of course, John Shirreffs. Such a wonderful team-Good Luck to them, got my fingers crossed! Hope that the weather is good today so that you are able to enjoy being outside with your barn friends.
With all the races and all the wonderful horses, I still miss seeing you run, it is just not the same.
You are such a bright and shining star!
My Love & Blessings to you, Zenyatta!
Suzanne
Good afternoon, Z…say, what do you think of the Austrailian sensation, Black Caviar? She just won her 12th race in a row…she reminds me so much of YOU!! Have a great day, xxoo Sue
Michelle
Yea I made the cut!!! I am so excited! Thanks so much for this opportunity. Good Luck to all and sorry to the ones who did not make it. I am sure this classy group will have other fun contests for us to play. GO Mr. Commons!!!!
judy berube
Dear Z and Z Fans:
Didn’t make this round, but I would like to join all the fans who so graciously and unselfishly wished the first 64 good luck. Best of luck to all of the 32 of you left in the running for the bronze. It would have been lovely to continue with a chance to win it; but Z, you are in my heart and my thoughts and you will always be. Thank you Dottie and all the Z Team for this fun experience. Love to all of you. Judy and Russ