Happy Friday to ALL!
I so hope all of you are well…and our friends who needed some of our ‘special thoughts’ earlier this week are doing better!
Recently, I have spent some time outdoors with Matt contemplating so many different things. On Saturday, BLACK CAVIAR is competing in the G2–Schweppes Stakes at Moonee Valley Racecourse. She is going for her 15th victory in a row…with the hope of becoming 15 for 15. Here’s wishing her a safe and successful trip! This is quite an accomplishment to achieve the first 14 victories…so all the best to her!
Then in America, we have some wonderful races taking place over the next few days. New York has their Showcase Day on Saturday. The Breeders’ Cup prep events are concluded and we are now gearing up for the Pre-Entries to be taken on Monday morning. It is getting quite exciting!
The majority of horses preparing to run in the World Championship races will probably have 2 more workouts before their BIG DAY! So much needs to be organized and planned in advance so each horse is RIGHT ON TARGET to do his/her best when competing in these events!
As for my dear pal, ZAZU, she will not be participating in the Ladies’ Classic this year. After she breezed the other morning, she had an inflammation in her right shoulder area. The proper tests were performed. It was discovered very quickly and she will be 100% soon. She simply needs some RNR at this time. Zazu will be out of her regular training routine for about 90 days. During that time, she will be hand-walked a couple times each day and enjoy a well-deserved and relaxing vacation.
We thoroughbred horses are athletes…no different than humans. Sometimes, we are not quite ourselves, for one reason or another. Fortunately, we have wonderful people around us who pick up on this very quickly…and the proper measures are taken to be sure we will be fine.
The technology today is also at such a high level. The veterinarians and vet hospitals have machines that can evaluate the different parts of a horse’s body to see exactly what is going on with specific bones and muscles. The level of sensitivity that these machines can analyze and detail is quite amazing. The constant growth and progress in this aspect of the industry truly amazes ME!
Relax and have a fun weekend! As for ME, I’m resting up for MY PARTY. It takes place exactly 2 weeks from today!
With Love,
Hugs to All,
Z
Carole #42 Wisconsin
Zenyatta, You look TOO CUTE in your sweater..glad that Zazu will be ok with some r & r.
@Jag, thanks for link for the calendar and I ordered mine.
Will all the Z fans order one? Take of baby Z/B and kisses on your soft nose. XOXO
Debbie G/Kentucky
Hello, Zenny. I’m so sorry Zazu won’t be running in the BC. I’m glad it’s not anything too serious, though. I love you, big girl! Go Black Caviar!
@Dawn Conrad – I really hope you can make it to Z’s party. I would love to meet you too!
@Margaret – I’m glad you’re feeling better. I knew that Z pack would work!
@Eveline – Thanks for the link to the video of the 101 year old cowgirl. What an amazing lady! It’s so hard to believe that she’s that old. She just got up on that horse like it was nothing and you could tell she was still sharp as a tack.
@Rosemary McCauley – Cute joke!
@Kari Bussell and Terry Crow – We miss you! Hope all is well with you two.
@JAG – Thanks for the link to the BC calendar.
Jan S. in Houston
Those of you interested in Black Caviar can keep up to date at her website
http://www.blackcaviar.net.au/news/black-caviar-ready-number-15
Abigail from Montreal
Good evening Zenny, Dottie, Baby Zeebee & Zen-sters:
It’s been tough keeping up faithfully with the last several posts, as I’m rushing to complete content for an English Language Arts website that we’re designing for teachers here in Quebec and worldwide, once it launches. It’s a LOT of work! Websites are really very complicated, especially those with several “layers” like ours…and it’s simple compared to a sophisticated site like The Blood-Horse!!!
I’m glad to hear from Kathy Kimber, Charlotte and others who, like yours truly, miss a few Zen Diaries. Old news, but I must say that I just LOVED the “fan appreciation” diary from Zen-Dottie and found myself wondering when I last knew of a website that actually acknowledges its readers! Another reason that zenyatta.com is just so very special.
I also watched the Charismatic-Chris Antley documentary, thanks to a Zenster’s link. I knew about Charismatic but did not know that Antley was such a troubled man.
Too, there was all the news about Eblouissante — what a gorgeous filly she is, with that dished face like Bernie’s and that great, rich coat colouring. I kept thinking how great it is for YOUR JOHN to have a Zenny “relative” in Barn 55 who seems so promising! That’s the great thing about racing — the constant “river of hope” that runs through it. I’m sure, too, that Ebby and the other horses are easing some of John’s grief at losing you, in a certain sense, Zenny. It’s not the same knowing that you’re out there in Kentucky rather than in your former home, I’m sure. And I think it’s lovely to have Ebby come flowing along — and just at the right moment!!!!
Then there’s the excitement of Black Caviar this weekend and the soon-to-be Breeders Cup. In the case of the BC, I continue to be SERIOUSLY IRRITATED by the television coverage — so much worse in Quebec, Canada because to get ESPN you need to change your whole cable package. Hopefully, TSN will pick it up….although last year we BARELY got the complete Classic race, Zenny, because they started so late that they needed to cut the coverage right after you crossed the wire. Nor did we get all that GREAT pre-race coverage. SO ANNOYING! I preferred the “good old days” when ABC or NBC covered the BC for the whole of Saturday afternoon……Someone needs to SERIOUSLY do something for Canadian horse racing fans!!!!!
Zazu: this is rotten luck, but thank goodness it was caught before you really hurt yourself! You’re just a lovely filly. And Miss Zenyatta, you do look so very elegant in this photo. It’s like one of those classic thoroughbred paintings. Just beautiful.
Hugs to all and love to my big girl…..
Debbie G/Kentucky
@Ann Maree – Thanks for the link to the Gary Stevens/Point Given video. I’ve seen it before, but I never get tired of watching it. It always brings tears to my eyes. It’s so nice to know that jockeys get attached to their horses like that.
Yvonne and Maurice
Hi Zenyatta. I just love you in brown – you look simply gorgeous. Looking forward to seeing Black Caviar run – not sure if it will be televised tonight? I have HRTV and TVG taped for all night, just in case. When I lived in NJ I was always at Belmont for NY Showcase Day – what awesome racing that day. Also used to love visiting all of the vendors there – such yummy goodies. On my way to Lone Star Park to see trials for their Quarter Horse Futurity. Should be great tonight. Please get your beauty sleep – I know you and TT will be beautiful for your party. Stay comfy, eat well for two and enjoy your friends. Love you, Angel.
JAG / CA The Land of Zenyatta & John Henry :-)
SATURDAY’S CARD ~ SANTA ANITA
http://www.santaanita.com/sites/default/files/live_racing/programs/full/2011-10/fullprog-2011-10-22.pdf
Judy G
judy berube
Dear Z,
Another beautiful photo of you. Thank you. Hope you had a great day in your paddock with TT. Zazu is lucky because her Owners are your Mom and Dad and they will make sure she has the rest she needs to heal. Some of our beloved TB’s are not so fortunate. So thankful that you are doing so well and you and Little Z are being cared for by loving people at Lane’s End. Rooting for Black Caviar. Love you and love to all of you, Judy and Russ
judy berube
Dear Abigail from Montreal:
Think you’re so right about Ebby easing the loss of Z for John and the Team. It must be wonderful for Mario and all of them to have her there; a half-sister to their beloved Zenyatta. Hugs, JB
Paula Higgins
Zenny/Dottie you are indeed generous of heart to wish Black Caviar good luck in her 15th race. It is what I love about you both. So good luck to Black Caviar from all of us. I am so sorry Zazu is under the weather but it sounds like she will be well before too long. I also love the fact that her welfare is the primary concern of her onwers, Ann and Jerry, and her trainer.
judy berube
Dear JAG and Z Fans:
Thank you for the link on Daisey Devine. I love this filly. Here is another link on her an some wonderful photos by B. Livingston. Hugs, JB
http://www.drf.com/blogs/horse-tales-churchill-downs-4-26-11
judy berube
Dear Z Fans:
A tribute to Chris Antley by Barbara Livingston. Hugs, JB
judy berube
Oops, let me try that again. http://www.drf.com/blogs/chris-antley
Mary
Zenyatta,
My heart is still broken over your BC race last year. You ran one of your best races, but…. so sad, its hard to watch this year.
I have to replay your BC Clasic WIN in my memory while I prepare to watch this year.
Wishing ZAZU a quick recovery. Don’t you just love the names starting with a Z ?
Hope we get a BABY Z :)
Hugs and Prayers
judy berube
Dear Rosemary McCauley:
Thank you so much for stepping in for Terry C. and giving us some funny jokes. He will be so proud of you. Hugs, JB
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Terry Crow:
Thinking of you. Hugs, JB
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Kari B.:
Thinking of you. Hugs, JB
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear DJ:
Thinking of you. Hugs, JB
Ingrid Arnone
My dear Zenyatta you look so relax and cute with your coat on, I hope Zazu gets well soon, love you both Ingrid.
Brenda S..Ontario, Canada
@ Dawn – I am in tears, I had never seen the ESPN piece on Secretariat before. I am asking Susan to get that 40 minutes onto a disc for me so that I can add it to my Big Red collection. I have both editions of the Nack books and my Turcotte autographed photograph of the Derby win but there is nothing like seeing himself in action. Hugs to you and your Mom.
@ Annie in Ma – Like you, I have the Racing Royalty, mine is on my laptop so I see it every day when I log on to Zenny’s site. I did see Big Red, at his race in Toronto and at Claiborne but I have not seen Zenny in person. That experience is No.1 on my bucket list, blowing a kiss into the wind at Lane’s End is just not good enough.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Allen:
Lucky grandchildren to have such a generous Grandpa. How wonderful that you could buy the children their very own horses and how wonderful for the Thoroughbreds. Great memories for you, the children and the horses. Hugs, JB
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Margaret:
Glad to hear you are better. Earaches are terribly painful. Hugs, JB
tony and sue
@Kari, our thoughts and prayers remain with you. We hope you are doing OK.
Nite, nite Zenny…you remain number 1 in our hearts.
JAG / CA The Land of Zenyatta & John Henry :-)
On behalf of Karen Gogue:
http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/editorial/news/article.cgi?id=24527
“Grey Goose Vodka will host “Jocktails at The Breeders’ Cup,” a celebrity jockey bartending charity event with the J Wagner Group on November 1 at Prime Lounge. Rather than working the rail, some of the world’s best-known jockeys will be working the bar for tips with all proceeds benefiting the Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund (PDJF).”
“In addition to Grey Goose’s signature Down the Stretch, Le Fizz, Bloody Mary and Winner’s Martini cocktails, the jockey’s will be mixing up a very special drink for charity, the Grey Goose Zenyatta. Zenyatta was the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Classic champion and reigning Horse of the Year. This cocktail will be sold throughout Breeders’ Cup weekend with proceeds benefiting The V Foundation for Cancer Research.”
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Dawn Conrad:
Thanks for the ESPN link of Secretariat. I have seen it before, but never tire of it. You are so right about Mr. Nack’s book on Big Red; it’s a wonderful tribute. I also admire Penny Chenery very much. She is a spunky lady. The Secretariat movie was very well done. I hope they make a movie of Zenyatta’s life story some day. Won’t that be something! Hugs, JB
Kathy P.
Hi Zenny,
So sorry not to have been on the diary for quite some time. Been running my heart out trying to keep up with work, my kids, any everything elise. I think of your strength to pull through anything when days are tough.
Barbara Wood (Texas)
@judy berube–thank you so much for the Barbara Livingston photos of Chris Antley. What a lovely smile he had. Such a loss to racing and to his fans.
Kathy S.
TGIF, sweet Zenny! Hoping for a speedy recovery, Zazu. Enjoy your weekend!
Brenda S..Ontario, Canada
@ Abigail – We are so deprived here in Canada. You may have noticed that I recently switched from cable to satellite in an effort to get better TB coverage – not succesful so far. Do you remember the TV tea commercial “Not in Canada you say”? Why does the good stuff stop at the border??? I will be asking my daughter to record the BC so will keep you supplied.
@ Kari B – Positive thoughts and many hugs to you.
@ Terry C – You are missed, hope all is well.
Laura
Awww, poor Zazu, she was my top pick :) Hope she heels fast. Lots of Love from Florida :) <3