Happy Monday, Everyone!
It was such a wonderful weekend of racing…plus I had so many fabulous times visiting with MY TEAM during the sales…that I thought it would be best to catch up on my rest!
I know there are some very exciting things happening in the next few weeks…and I really want to be perfectly rested so I can enjoy all of them.
MY JOHN loves this particular photo as he said I used to sleep like this with my head in this position all of the time when I was with him at BARN 55. I have to adjust my ‘tummy’ a bit at this time…as I am now literally ‘sleeping for 2’.
He also loved seeing how TASTY and I share such an endearing relationship. He commented to Dottie last night that the ‘kindness’ of our relationship shows even in this picture.
Tasty really is so sweet. She is always close by…and she literally watches over ME while I sleep. I am so fortunate. A dear friend, like she is to ME…and I am to her…is something to be truly treasured.
On another note, I also want to give a HIGH HOOF to Bernie and the performance of To Honor and Serve this weekend. This colt that he sired won the Pennsylvania Derby in great style…and established a new record while doing so in this victory. Congratulations to all who are involved with this wonderful colt.
Our sport….it is truly very special!
Enjoy your day!
With love,
Hugs to All~
Z
signofthetimes
HDG and Royal Delta’s latest works; both aimed for the Beldame;
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/65192/havre-de-grace-royal-delta-turn-in-works
signofthetimes
Great column/analysis by Steve Haskin about the JCG and BCC:
http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/horse-racing-steve-haskin/archive/2011/09/26/countdown-to-the-cup-gold-cup-or-cold-cup.aspx
Linda E (Ohio)
Hi Zennie! Nice to see Tasty has your back!
@Dawn Conrad-On youtube there is some film footage of Snowman put to music. I do not do links so to see it type in 80 $ Champ. I had to think of Kari Bussell when watching it. I love her videos put to music.
@Kari Bussell-I hope all is well. Have not seen a post from you. Miss u.
@Judy Berube-thanks for the info on Tasty Temptation! A very accomplished mare.
@Charlie NJ-loved reading about your dogs. Very creative names. I love my rescued dog, Buddy (not so creative).
Have a great week everyone!
Roberta Smith
Hello Pretty Girl! You and Tasty are two beauties!!! I love these 2 pics! Rest as much as you can…that baby is growing quickly! I love you Zenyatta and Tasty too!
Leslie R.
Hi Zenny, those pics of you and Tasty are sweet! Thanks for sharing them with us! I’m glad you have such a good friend.
Love to all,
Leslie
thomas zodda
Hi
I live in Kentucky I moved from California in 2005.
I am retired ,my wife and I are big fans of Zenyatta and was wondering if a visit was possible so we could take a few pix.
We use to race horses at a low level our one trainer was Art Sherman we raced mostly Northern Ca. tracks from 1989 to 1993 but got to costly.
Hi Thomas-
I am sorry but we don’t have any tours available on the weekends. Zenyatta is not part of our normal tour, only the stallion complex.
Sincerely-
Daniele Hunter
thomas zodda
I do understand but we are very disappointed
Laura
Nothing but good wishes :)
Linda Shull
Love the pictures!!!
Kathy S.
What a SWEEET post. So thankful for the life you are enjoying now. Can’t wait to see your baby. Stay happy and well dear Zenny.
tony and sue
Zenny, Life is all about friendships and you and TT seem to have a very special one.
But then, you are easy to love because of your kindness and intelligence. We love these pictures and are so grateful this diary continues to be a source of information, joy and good will for thousands.
suew
Zenny, These pictures are “too cute”. TT and you seem to get along so well which is a pleasure to see. We all love you, Z, and only want the very best for you. It seems as if you’ve found it at LE.
Terry Crow
@DJ-I’m out of blonde jokes. @Barbra Wood-I don’t know where Winfield is, please advise. I was in Shawnee I am not a native of Kansas. All I did while I lived there was to visit the historical places like Fort Leavenworth and Fort Scott. @Dawn Conrad-You have a lyrical way of posting your thoughts. I had a great time with my daughter. She was a happy child and continues to be a happy adult. I hope this makes up for whatever I was unable to give her. The idea of purchasing a book at each place never occurred to me. It is a splendid idea. I usually read up on the places I visit before I go there. You described my love affair with the civil war better than I could. @Judy Berube-Thank you for publishing TT’s race record. @Charlie from Delran-Is wellington still making his “strategic withdrawals?” @Kari Bussell and Susan in TN-You might be a redneck if you lost two good friends when you accidentally mixed up a bear trap with a whoopie cushion. You might be a redneck if you ask the preacher “How’s it hanging?” You might be a redneck if you give your girlfriend a bracelet made out of a chicken’s spinal cord. You might be a redneck if you every shattered your forearm in a game of whack-a-mole. Here is today’s joke–A man had a wife who was constantly nagging him to do something in light of several recent burglaries in the neighborhood. So he decides to but a watchdog. The man goes down to the local pet store to see what it might have. After asking the clerk about it, the clerk says “I have just what you need.” the clerk then takes the man into the back room and shows him a poodle in a cage. “That doesn’t look like much of a watchdog,” the man said. The clerk then said “You don’t understand. This dog knows karate.” Looking a bit dubious, the man asks the clerk for a demonstration. “He understands verbal commands,” the clerk said, “Bit you have to be sure to look at him when you are giving the commands. I’ll demonstrate.” The clerk then looked at the dog and said “Karate the chair.” The dog turned the chair into kindling wood in five seconds flat. The man then said “Can you show me again?” The clerk turns to the dog and says “Karate the desk.” Same result. The man then says “I’ll take the dog. How much?” The clerk said “500.00.” The man said ‘Well, that’s a bit steep but it looks like this will solve the problems. The man takes the poodle home, who is playing happily on the living room floor when his wife gets home. “Well, worm,” sneers the wife, did you get a watchdog?” The man said, pointing at the dog, “There he is.” The wife starts laughing at the husband, saying “You call that a watchdog?” The man then says, “You don’t understand. This dog knows karate.” Still laughing, the wife turns and looks at the dog. “Karate my butt,” she said.
Terry Crow
that should be buy, not but. Should be but instead of bit. Having trouble with my buts.
Patricia
Hello all, it’s nice to see Zenny resting after the excitement of “family” visits… omigawsh, if we were all able to visit in person, poor Zen would have to take a week off just to nap!!!
@ all, it’s fun to share things from the rest of our lives. The horses, dogs, family members, travel, and travails… here’s to better health, a bit more wealth, and continued contact an support. Some amazing folks on here. Can’t just pick one or two… but you all are an inspiration each in his or her own way, and the common thread is this wonderful Thoroughbred and her human caretakers, past and present.
@Lynn, so happy for your nice win at Denver. Major points are hard to get so that’s an extra kudo. My 8 year old Saluki earned a 5-point major in lure coursing in June and has a chance at another this weekend, all against younger, faster hounds — she’s clever and focuses on the lure, so gets the job done while the young smarties run past the turns, cut across, and generally run foolishly. Wish us luck!
Has anyone heard any updates today on Banned?
Patricia
Katie
I love these pictures Queen Z they are TOO CUTE!!! I own a grandson of Seattle Slew so I know you and Bernie are gonna have a champion on your hands one day!! You are gonna be a great mother Z! And congrats to To Honor And Serve!
helen e
Queen Z, We love you and find inspiration from you daily. What a beautiful creature you are! Stay safe and know that we are all praying for you and the little one! Many hugs and peppermint, sweet girl! <3
Ann Maree
@Dawn Conrad, @Abigail from Montreal, and all: Here is a link to a page in my blog about my trip to Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby in 1980, when Genuine Risk won, the first filly to do so since Regret in 1915. http://letsgototheraces.blogspot.com/p/kentucky-derby-1980-genuine-risk.html As you can see in the embedded link to view the slide show, we had wonderful box seats at the finish line and I was fortunate enough to go back the following year, as well. There’s also a video of the “run for the roses” of 1980. It was a thrill I will never forget. The pageantry and the spectacle of that event is just amazing.
Barbara Wood
@Sherry D (WV)–I am certain she will be there.
@Terry Crow–too funny! Winfield is just across the Ok border east of I-35. (southeast of Wichita). My granddaddy taught math at St. John’s College there for years. I agree with you that daughters are wonderful.
Ann Maree
Hi, Z,
Well, you did it old girl…you have passed 91,000 fans on Facebook! It could be around Christmas or the first of the year, I’m expecting you to roar past 100,000! Won’t that be something? We can all celebrate when that happens. Maybe have a carrot cake for you!
–
Love the pictures of you and Tasty. Can you tell us what happened to PQ and Alys and your other friend? Hope they are ok…would love to know.
–
Thanks for keeping us updated. Hugs to you, sweet girl! Love, Ann Maree
Stephanie
zenny, you are loved
judy berube
Dear, Linda E.(Ohio):
You’re so welcome. Hugs, J.B.
Trina Nagele
@ Lynn Martin—Congratulations to you and your vizsla Brook, who went “Winners Bitch” at the show in Denver—Hoof ray! How sweet that you took Z’s picture with you to inspire Brook!
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@Signofthetimes—What’s your vizsla’s name, if I may ask?
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@Dawn Conrad—“Chosen by a Horse (A Memoir)” by Susan Richards is one of my favorite books too! You summarized its essence beautifully. As you pointed out, it shows how “rescuing” is a mutual relationship that goes both ways. There is also a very moving depiction of the enormous shock and grief one horse feels when his beloved equine mate dies—no one could doubt the emotion of that horse’s response, and this is not a work of fiction. I second your high recommendation wholeheartedly.
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@All (including Barbara Wood) —Another book I would recommend for your list is the novel “Horse Heaven” by Jane Smiley. She explores many aspects of horseracing, with great compassion for the horses–you’ll fall in love with at least one of horses, for sure.
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@M Kern—Nice to see your comment about TT at Santa Anita.
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@”Charlie” from Delran, NJ: I so enjoyed your post about the loving relationship between your kitty Wellington and your 135 pound bullmastiff Cecil. It is marvelous that Z and her community inspired you to make Cecil a therapy dog and visit assisted-living patients with him. High hoof to you and Cecil, and Wellington too!
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@All (including Barbara Wood) —Another book I would recommend for your book list is the novel “Horse Heaven” by Jane Smiley. She explores many aspects of horseracing, with great compassion for the horses–you’ll fall in love with at least one of horses, for sure.
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@Sherry Drish—What a beautiful post about your Morgan mare. I’m sure you’ll be on her back again on the other side. After all, it wouldn’t be heaven without her, now would it?
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@Linda E in Ohio—Thanks for the GREAT link to Snowman. So nice to see him in action! And with all those kids on his back! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=700fP3bghFI
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@Patricia—Good luck to your eight-year-old Saluki in going for that next 5-point major in luring! Good for her to be so smart and outwit those young ones! BTW, what’s her name, if I may ask? And you are the same Patricia who has a feral cat sanctuary on your horse property? High hoof to you!
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@Katie—Nice to see your post, and lucky you to have a Seattle Slew grandson!
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@Ann Maree—Thanks for the links and the update on Z’s fan numbers on fb: 91,000, and going for 100,000! Hoof ray!
Jeanie
Dear Great One,
Are you propping your head up on your muzzle? Inhaling the sweet aroma of Kentucky Blue Grass while you sleep? Why, you are multi-tasking, aren’t you? You are so lovely and there are qualities you have that seem almost human. I think the inscription on the base of the Seabiscuit sculpture at Santa Anita says something like that about him.
For those of you who are wondering, I DON’T HAVE AN UPDATE ON HOW THE FUNDRAISING WENT TO RESCUE THE HORSES IN NEVADA. WITH WEDNESDAY FAST APPROACHING, I HOPE WE HAVE MET OUR GOAL. I WAS HOPING TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE TODAY! However, I do have some information that I think those of you who live in California may find of interest. Marlene Dodge is taking some of the rescued horses to an adoption event in Salinas next weekend: October 1-2 at the Salinas Rodeo Grounds. The Rodeo Grounds are at 1034 North Main Street. Enter on Maryal Drive on the east side. Gates open at 9 a.m. and the sale begins at 12 noon. All horses must be off the grounds by 4 p.m. Oct. 2. These are quality horses from weanlings to finished show horses, and some are registered. (Amazing what people throw away, isn’t it?) For pre-qualification, call 831-386-0801 (recommended). All adoptions are cash only. A
Jeanie
I didn’t get to finish my message properly before something got away from me. Anyway, I just wanted to point out that as we all know by now, Valley View Ranch Equine Rescue is a non-profit charitable 501 c3. Thank you and God bless you all, especially Zenyatta!
Your humble J
Yvonne and Maurice
Hi Zenyatta. What beautiful pictures of you and TT. They brought tears to my eyes – you resting and TT watching over you. What a wonderful relationship, what a great friendship! Thank you so much for sharing these touching moments. Congrats to To Honor and Serve – he ran a great race. Love you, stay comfy, eat well for two, rest well and have a wonderful time with TT and all of your friends. Love you, Angel in Disguise.
Brenda S..
@ Dawn C – Wanted to let you know that Vic had an awesome time at Stratford and actually made it to the stage prior to the performance to do a mini scene with one of the actors. Her drama teacher was able to arrange for all the students to spend some time with the company in a Q&A session so she had a wonderful experience. Thanks for the book review, it will be going on my Christmas list. Many hugs to you and Mom.
@ Kathy K – Thanks for the info about Skip Away joining Noor at Old Friends.
@ Tracey in Ottawa – Glad to see another Canuck posting. We have to wave the flag and be happy to know that Zenny’s best friend, Tasty T, is one of us.
@ Terry C – Another good joke, how do you remember them all?
@ “Charlie” from NJ – Love the name of your dog Cecil. My favorite period of history is Elizabethan and Cecil was an important figure in Elizabeth’s court even tho he and Elizabeth didn’t always see eye to eye. Hope your life with your Cecil is more agreeable.
@ Kari B – Miss you and hope that all is O.K.
Trina Nagele
OOPS–When I went to move part of that post, I didn’t delete it from its original spot–sorry for the goof.
judy berube
Dear Terry Crow:
Very funny. Hope you had a wonderful visit with your girl. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Ann Maree:
Thanks for sharing your 1980 Kentucky Derby experience. Wonderfully done. Hugs, J.B.