Good Morning Everyone!
I am so excited! My dear friend and veterinarian while I was at Barn 55, Dr. Dawn Hunkin, helped us in the ELITE EIGHT portion of our contest. She has always been such an important part of My Team. Dawn and I know each other very well. I also know her 2 children, Jack and Emma. As a matter of fact, and this is TOO CUTE, I was at Barn 55 for quite a long time….and while there, I was able to experience both her pregnancies with her! Such fun!
Here are the names of the ELITE EIGHT contestants Dawn selected:
1. Valerie Franklin…………….Davison, MI
2. Georgia Harper…………….Bellevue, WA
3. Dawn Conrad……………….Cedaredge, CO
4. Louann Cingel………………Union, MO
5. Vicki Vinson…………………Apple Valley, CA
6. Thomas Ronholm…………..Rochester, NY
7. Heidi Kruckenberg…………Vallejo, CA
8. Ann Ransone………………..Walkerton, VA
CONGRATULATIONS to these 8 people who will be moving to the FINAL 4! This is truly getting very exciting!
On another note, thank you for the comments about some of MY JOHN’S other Mobile Me links showing up in a prior Diary. The photos of Santa Anita are lovely. The racing pictures are great…and the holiday photos with John and Dottie’s family (and the adorable Sophie Shirreffs in her Christmas outfit) are fun! However, thank you for letting us know that this link was there. It was to be eliminated prior to the video being put up on my web-page. So sorry!
We have let our tech people know to close this. (I guess you are really getting to know John and Dottie’s family life very well. Blush, Blush!) Again, thank you for letting us know!
We will draw the FINAL 4 next week! Dottie has been working with the tech people to get the VOTING procedures organized so all of you are able to participate in the selection of our ZENYATTA BRONZE CONTEST WINNER!
Enjoy the Arkansas Derby and the Blue Grass Stakes today! It is another fun weekend of RACING…plus, the NBA is starting the early rounds of their play-off games! Oh, how I do LOVE SPORTS!
With love,
Hugs to All~(Happy Birthday, Lara!)
Z
Susan
@Amande G.
I too am in healthcare actually for 25 yrs. As caregivers we help,serve and need to instruct our patients at times. Over the years and I include myself in this, there becomes a tendency to allow this behavior to “spill over” into our personal life when it has been asked for. We become so protective of someone or something we care about,it can overwhelm us. I noticed this in your rather critical comments toward Jan and Teresa. They love Zen as much as you do,though you may think no one can possibly care about her well being more than you. Hence,your three posts all on the day same day paragraph after paragraph feeling the need to tell others of your loyality. I am assuming most of us who visit this site,I from the beginning,obviously adore as well. Lauren put it nicely. Let’s bring our emotions down a few notches. Others have politely expressed this as well. WE ALL have the right to share our thoughts. If you articles in racing such as Bloodline you’d see similar comments Teresa and Jan made. No one is implying they do not respect The Mosses decision,they just are saddened by it. The contests are helping to fill the “needy” void for many. For the rest us who choose not to paticipate me included we yearn for more. So we watch the same videos again and again or anxiously await any bit of new updates on “Our Girl”. She belongs to all of us. Please.please,let us be kinder to one another. Much thanks.
Susan
Sorry about the typos, I worked the night shift at the hospital, so tired. I start or end my day visiting here.
Especially Horses
I haven’t posted for a while, as I decided to just kind of watch this “race” unfold. However, ever since the first drawing I’ve had a favorite – Dawn (although good luck to all those in the home stretch). Dawn, it is apparent there are a lot of folks who have put their $2.00 on you. I suppose, like me, they all enjoy your heartfelt posts. I know that early on I started looking for your posts because they reflected so much of my own thoughts. I sincerely hope you are first at the finish line. Good luck.
Cindy from LA
Displaced palate for The Factor !!!! Difficulty
Breathing during the Arkansas Derby. Will check
Out Blood Horse for comments. Anyone found any
Information.
Sunny Boyd
Good morning Zetty,
first off,
corrections on my last post:
I meant to write ‘off your blanket of roses’, ‘you’re munchin”.
Well, how are you this almost noon, ha, there in beautiful Kentucky horse country? All bright eyed and high tailed running ahead of everybody in the paddock?
No pics of you takin’ mudpacks on your chin, yet? Just like your old friend Hootie, all wild eyed, hog crazy in the mud, hooowhee :) A pic of the great racing mare Zenyatta in the mud sure to put a big grin on everybody’s face. Heehee. You and everybody at Lane’s End two/four legged have a great day :) :) :)
Shema
Dear Z Z,
How great to meet your vet. I know she must love you so much! I know she must have played a big part in keeping you well and healthy. Your team was really a complete package! Now you have a new team, and I know they must love you too so much.
Have a wonderful Sunday Spring day.
Love to all
Shema
Congratulations to the Elite Eight! How thrilling for all of you! I guess I’m especially cheering on
Heidi Kruckenberg…………Vallejo, CA
because Heidi lives the closest to me. Heidi, I’m in Marin County … Fairfax, CA to be exact.
But really, it’s going to be marvelous whoever wins. Just to know someone in our group has one of Z’s bronzes will be a great feeling.
Happy Sunday to all. My prayers to all struggling with rough weather.
Robbie Pfeufer Kahn
To Dawn Conrad: Your devotion to Zenyatta in the touching posts you write daily (if I’m not mistaken) have brought you to the final eight (at least that’s what I think) and possibly will to the final four. Congratulations!
Cindy from LA
@JSmith
Did not see your post before mine. Can’t seem to
Find anything about cause. Just recc surgery in race
Horses. No interpretation of anything to The Factor
Yet found. Just saw a vet on HRTV talking in general
About it.
Linda/Maryland
How Special to have your vet from Barn 55 to draw these for you!!
It is an exciting exciting Contest!!
Hooves Crossed for the special winner, who ever it is!!!
Love you Zenyatta!
Fran
Happy Sunday to you Z! Kate has been at a horse show with Doozey this weekend. She is doing great, and Doozey is doing awesome on her jumping. And, congrats to all the finalist! It is so exciting for everyone! Kate does her cross country this afternoon, and I just wish them a fun time and a safe trip. Have a wonderful day Z! xxoo
Jenna
How is Zenyatta doing? It’s seemed like ages that we’ve heard anything about her. Any word on the visit to Bernardini – if it happened. How is she doing? Any photos or videos? I’m just a little curious….if you can.
Thank you!
Regina From NJ
Hello To All – Just have to thank some of you for the great links to moments in time I would never have enjoyed but for you:
@TrinaN–I loved that interview with Dr. Dawn. And, somehow I missed that interview with Mike after the ’09 Classic, so a huge thanks for that link. I enjoyed every word of all four parts. Thank you so much.
@JSmith– Thank you for that wonderful picture of the laughing duo! Just imagine all the fabulous stories that could be written around that picture especially by Mario— starting with “—-a penny for your thoughts—-” hahah!
I know there are many other generous people out there who also provide great links, so a BIG thank you to all of you as well.
@Susan: Happy Birthday to your 27 year old. You must be doing all things right for him to be celebrating that number with an Asian pear. Give him a birthday hug for me.
Hello Zenyatta: I just love this place you have created for us. Happy Sunday to you. Dum da dum dum–the Final Four is getting closer! xoxoxoxoxo
Anthony W. from Colorado
Congrats to the elite 8. Dawn from CO. Weather you win or don’t win I think you should share this experience with the people at Arapahoe Park. Lady Z and Team Zenyatta this is great and thanks for sharing.
Jacqueline Michelle Brown Ramirez-Martinez
I love the horse, thanks for taking her to Kentucky…That is where I started as a Toddler girl/baby- She’s and outstanding horse thorougbreed – Which she arise early in the morning, like I do most female do that….and goes to bed early same here…..she also like berries, and I as well….Winner of all the top Male Horse…….
Jacqueline Michelle Brown Ramirez-Martinez Fayetteville, NC
jacqui9898@gmail.com
DJ
Looks like it was a “clean draw” by Dr. Dawn! Sorry, I just could not resist the “veterinarian humor!” Ironic to see her arm in the bucket with that beautiful smile of hers :) I like how one of our posters said “Dawn picked Dawn!” So many ‘bright’ lights here and kind hearts. Good luck all and I’m off to the races. p.s. Maybe ‘cutie-pie Sophie’ will help next…
MaryAnn Donahue
Congratulations to the Elite Eight & a big thank you to Zenyatta and her Team Z for their huge hearts and generosity in sponsoring this contest.
You all continue to be an inspiration.
with hugs & love,
Mary Ann
J Smith
ANYONE IN LEXINGTON, on 16th, 22nd, 23rd, two area Applebees are donating 10% of your bill to the Exceller Fund on those days. Dine in or take out. You need to print a flyer.
http://www.excellerfund.org/articles/dine-to-donate-(with-applebees-in-lexington).html
Suzanne Marienau
Congratulations to the 8 people who are still in the running for the Zenyatta bronze. Personally, I think that we are all winners – we got to learn about Zenyatta, see her race, and still get to participate in her life. I couldn’t be happier about that! Hope you’re having a wonderful Sunday Zenny. :)
Sally (B)
@Michelle@JSmith,@jeanne from vista, Thanks I enjoyed the links and do intend to donate to our good “Old Friends”. We need this farm!
Teresa E.
First of all, REALLY Kealy, as someone who has been in the industry for a LONG time, our Queen could have eased through this year, worked a bit with Mike on getting up a bit sooner, THEN gone out on top with a win in the BC Classic. Did any of you see the study that showed Z was faster her last year of racing than the year she won the Classic? And yes, I totally understand the soundness issue; do you think Z was not gone over with a scan ever to make sure she was ok? AKA a fine toothed comb? Prob. not, but I would bet she was. Think about this: there are many, many mares that are older than Z running to this day, esp. on the grass in Europe. I would have loved to see Z on the turf. Let her go out on a win in her race, the BC Classic. Esp. with this group of runners that she would possibly face; she would blow them away! I cannot think there is one of you that would not be tickled to death to read the news on the Blood horse or someplace like that, that Z was un-retiring. They have done this to alot of mares who do not settle and they have gone on to be even more successful. I will tell you as a farm owner in Lexington myself, you are NOT going to get to see Zenyatta. You are not. Zenyatta may be doing something different, but by her actions on the track, the dancing before the race, this shows she loved it! She KNEW she was good and could get it done. Did anyone read about her reaction when she did not get to go to the winners circle when Blame nipped her at the end? One more stride was all she needed to win that race. Let her avenge her loss in the Classic and then let HER decide what she wants to do. A racehorse will tell you by its actions (no, sorry to tell you all, they do not TALK to us) but her actions spoke louder than any words! If she does slip another foal again, I have my thoughts on why that may be happening, but look at it as Mother Nature stating its not time for her yet to be a mother. Someday, just not now.
And to the lucky winners of the bronze, I will certainly be upset if I see one of those on ebay! That will be a prize to keep for life! Enjoy and congrats to the winners.
Bring the Queen Back! At least have her tour the different tracks (race or not) so that all of us can get a chance to say that we saw Zenyatta in person when we get old and grey! I personally would have loved to see Z let loose on the Belmont track, it is long enough for her to open up and get into that high gear she just starts getting into before its time to stop! Belmont is a mile and a half, Zenyatta would make short work of that!
Note how many times in her races that she was just opening up and then by that time she had to slow it up since she had already gotten to the finish. So have an open mind, I’d love to see her grace beautiful Arlington Park even if its just for a walkover visit.
PS: has anyone ever wondered why they have not re-bred Z’s dam back to Street Cry? Our mare slipped a Street Cry foal and we were really upset about that…
Diana S
Had to get a Zenny fix before finishing my taxes – ugh! Congrats to the Elite Eight! Trini – thank you for the link to Dr. Hunkin’s interview. It was very revealing on several levels. Yes, I too miss her incredible presence on the track, and I miss her being close in California, but I am soooo very happy she is being a horse, safe, happy, sound – and she still gets to see a lot of her favorite peeps. Diana in Tempe.
Abigail from Montreal
Congratulations to the “Elite Eight!” Best of luck to each of you!!!
On another note, last night THE VAULT was attacked by a hacker. I was up half the night an d managed to save the articles, photos, comments and so on. Just lucky, really, that I happened to look in on the site. Anyway, THE VAULT has moved to a new site:
http://thevaulthorseracing.wordpress.com/
WordPress is ad-free, so we’ll need to be creative to come up with ways of raising money for horse rescues. The $160.00 we made on the old site will be sent off to Michael Blowen @ Old Friends this week. Other rescues were nominated by VAULT readers and I’ve not forgotten about them either. I’m committed to finding a way to help them, regardless of this little “glitch.”
THE VAULT’s current article looks @ Derby winner Giacomo in words and photos, together with his amazing team: the Mosses, the Shirreffs, Frank Leal, Mike Smith and Steve Willard.
If anyone has fund-raising ideas, please let me know!!!!
OraJean Stevenson
Congrats to the Elite Eight! Good Luck to you lucky ones.
Hope you are getting enough sunny hours,out in your paddock, Zenny. I know how much you love being with your “Gal Pals”.
Have a great week. Hugs to all. Thanks, Dottie, for these UPDATES. Love to the QUEEN! OraJean
Vickie
Congrats for making the finals! Best of LUCK to all!
Diana S
@Theresa E: I don’t think “slipping a foal” is a term applied to re-absorbing an embrio that is less than 45-days from conception, so I am not particularly concerned at this point. I’m guessing she has already had her 2nd date with Bernie and they are just being cautiously discrete. Partly in your defense, many performance mares compete while in the first trimester of pregnancy. But then, I doubt a stable full of them would come close to equalling this one mare’s value. I’d err on the side of caution (but I might sneak a ride through the woods on her! :-) Diana in Tempe
tony
@Diana, I also agree that Zen has probably been rebred to Bernie and everyone involved is waiting a bit to make the news official. Like LE said, slipping a foal is very common in maiden mares…it’s newsworthy because the mare in question is our Zenyatta. Count me as one who is thrilled she retired safe and sound. David, who sees her daily, has commented on numerous times she was ready to leave the stage and become a horse. Steve, who knew her better than most because he rode her all the time agreed she was ready to be a mother. Thank goodness we still have such access to her. It really is a first and it’s good for all of us to remember that. I know she has a few meet and greets for charity set for the summer. Oh, if I was a rich man I’d be right there with her. ;-)
judy berube
Dear Z,
Thinking of you. We had some terrible weather overnight here in the Northeast. Hope the weather there has been better for you to romp and graze in the bluegrass. Love you. Love to all of you. Judy and Russ
susan in tn
@ REGINA OF NJ: thank you for the thought and birthday hug for our boy!! he means the world to us. that was very kind of you! am going to use “susan in tn” now since i noticed there is another “susan” posting.