Happy Friday Everyone!
As we were walking in our paddock the other day, TASTY and I had a wonderful chat. We both decided that we LOOK pretty terrific for being
several months in foal. Our baby bumps are approximately the same size. Dottie was doing a pretty thorough comparison of each of our tummies when she was here the other day. Since our last breeding date is exactly the same….this is positive news! TASTY and I really have so much in common. It is great to have her as a paddock mate and a very dear friend.
The November Sale at Keeneland is progressing in a very solid manner with strong prices. On a personal note, I have been following the sales of BERNIE’S weanlings. His babies have been very popular and sold very well. It is great to see this! Additionally, DARLEY recently announced their stud fees for the upcoming 2012 Breeding Season, and BERNIE’S is going to double from $75,000 to $150,000 stand and nurse. So far this year, BERNIE’s progeny has earned over $5,000,000 in purses. This makes him the leader in the second-crop sires’ list for 2011. I’m so proud of you, BERNIE!
Hollywood Park opened yesterday for their fall season. The TURF FESTIVAL, which takes place during Thanksgiving Weekend, will be one of the highlights of their meet. Additionally, several two year old stakes including the CASH CALL FUTURITY-Grade 1 and the HOLLYWOOD STARLET-G1 will also make this meet special. These races provide us with the opportunity to become familiar with some of the promising young horses, 2 year olds–turning 3 on January 1st, currently developing on the West Coast.
At Churchill, there is discussion that Drosselmeyer may run around Thanksgiving in the Grade 1 CLARK HANDICAP as well as next year. The
original plan to ‘retire him to stud in New York’ looks to be ‘on hold’ for awhile. I love to see horses who run at the top levels continue to compete. It all adds to the excitement of a sport we all love!
In New York, the CIGAR MILE at Aqueduct is one of their premiere races in November. They, too, have a very good Thanksgiving of racing planned with stakes for 2 year olds as well as the GO FOR WAND and the GAZELLE.
On top of all this, the FAIRGROUNDS opens in Louisiana for their meet also around Thanksgiving and it runs until my birthday, April 1st.
So many races to ponder, and so many fun handicapping experiences for us all to enjoy!
Have a wonderful weekend…and here’s wishing you a terrific NOVEMBER!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
PS…MY NEW SHOP is just opening on my web-site! ENJOY!
Linda in NJ
With Honor and so much Gratitude to all men and women who have or are now serving to protect our Great Nation.
SHERRY D. WV.
WHAT A LOVELY PHOTO. THE PASTURES AND BUILDINGS ARE SO NICE. ZENNIE YOU ARE LOOKING GREAT. I THINK YOU LOOK A BIT MORE ROUNDED OUT. LOVE THE DAPPLES TOO. HOPE EVERYONE HAS A GOOD AND SAFE DAY. TO ALL WHO ARE VETERANS A BIG THANK YOU. GOD BLESS THE USA. SHERRY D.
Misty
Every day I see a post from Zenyatta makes my day!!! All is right with the world if all is right with Zenyatta!!! I love this photo…such beautiful horses. So Tasty is so pretty!! It’s wonderful you have such a close friend!! You and Tasty have to be THE most stunning at Land’s End!!!
Beth Alexander
What a beautiful picture the two of you make! Thanks John for the photo and thank you Dottie for the words!
I have a a funny story to tell. We have a new employee in our office and she saw my office for the first time and said “I see you love Elvis and horses!” I said, “I sure do!” She then saw one of my MANY framed pictures of Zenyatta and asked me if that was MY horse”. I said, “I wish but then again she is kinda my horse because I love her so much, but she belongs to everybody”.
Love you always Zenyatta!
suew/Va
Zenny, what could be better than two good girlfriends just hanging out in the beautiful bluegrass of Ky? Nothing. You both look amazing…I’m just so happy you are enjoying a great, relaxing life.
Jenna
Tsk, little chums are pregnant together. How sweet! They both look fabulous.
Be well beautiful girls! Dottie too!!
Linda M
Dear Zenny, I must say you and Tasty are looking FAB! Being in foal certainly does agree with you both – and what fun to share with a close lady friend :) I’d like to bring to everyone’s attention, if you have not seen it yet, the wonderful work that Michael Blowen/Old Friends is doing: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1989951028/old-friends As we enter into the season of giving, I believe this is such a worthwhile cause. Please do what you can to help make this a wonderful success! 18 days left to go; I am confident we Z Lovers can help pull this off!! With Love, Linda & George
Barbara Wood (Texas)
You two are TOO CUTE! Z., you look as if you monentarily stopped to pose for the camera and you’re thinking, “As I was going to say before the cameras came up…” Are you two cooking something up?
It’s great to see you both against such lovely backdrop.Kisses on the nose to you both.
Katie Clawson
Zenyatta! You and Tasty look STUNNING!!! I am so excited to hear that Bernie’s stud fee is jumping to $150,000!! I have to say, Zenny, now don’t take this the wrong way, but you’re baby bump is bigger than any of the other broodmares I have seen this year. You are going to have an amazing foal no matter what :)
Love, Katie(future jockey)
Barbara
You and Tasty look beautiful!! The setting is so serene – you are in a beautiful place.
I so look forward to your posts – they truly make my day – love you – Queen Z!!!!
Linda M
Dear Z and John, I want to take note of today; Veteran’s Day. Such a special time to thank you for your service and love of our country! John, a special heartfelt THANK YOU from George (Retired USMC) and I (Just a lover of all that ensure our freedom and well being). Sempre Fi along with a HIGH HOOF for all you do; both then and now. Love, Linda and GEorge
Janie (in L.A.)
Happy 11/11/11 Zenyatta! You and Tasty look so pretty together with your beautiful surroundings as a backdrop. I’m glad to hear that your tummies were thoroughly inspected by Dottie and all is well. I can’t wait to get my poster that I ordered yesterday…
Susan in TN
Zenny- you and TT look spectacular! You are both just glowing with health! I hope you two and your foals can still be together next spring. I’m so glad you have a BFF! Hope you have a fabulous weekend, Z. Love you <3
John Saksa
I loved horse racing from a very early age. I lost interested for a number of years and my love of horse racing was ignited by a filly named Zenyatta. The first race I ever saw her run was the Breeder’s Cup Ladies Classic in 2008. After that race I could not get enough of watching Z. Mike Smith has always been one of my favorite jockeys and the combination of horse and jockey was meant to be. I had Zenyatta parties with my family whenever she was running after that race and I believe Z is the greatest horse I have ever seen in my lifetime – including the great Secretariat. I am 54 years old so I have seen a lot of great horses and triple crown winners. Zenyatta was as close to a human being as to any horse I have ever watched – the only other horse ever close to being as human was Seattle Slew – the only horse in the history of racing to win the triple ccrown as an undefeated horse. Z’s loss in her last race made more believer’s out of a lot of detractors – especially people with an east coast bias for horses.
Susan in TN
A shout-out to all the veterans out there, including our John and my three brothers-in-law who were in Viet Nam (a fourth lost his life there). Thank you.
Barbara Bowen
What a beautiful momma you make Zenyatta! I can’t wait for the BIG DAY!
Kathleenc
Oh, my Queen Z! What fabulous news about your “husband”! I can only imagine how SPECIAL that little foal of yours will be. As for your friend, Tasty, I can only say that sharing your experiences with each other will turn into a lifelong affection for each other. Zenyatta, I LOVE you and somehow, someday I need to see you again. Blessings to you and Tasty.
Pam Zacek,
you too look great together, and Zen I can tell your baby was sittingon the left side facing, myscreen so cute, hahaha, I think he or she was, or it was the way you were standing, but you guys, do look great, keep up that good healthy, stuff, and i enjoyed the races, over the weekend but all I could think of was your party going on, anyway. Happy Veterans day, and I think of that War horse, now too, you see horses are needed, for fun, and work, so , have a great day, Zen, and glad all are going well, with the babys.Im hoping one of my relatives will give me a zen shirt, lol, keep hinting, right??
diana
too cute! love you girl
Elizabeth S.
What a beautiful view you have from your pasture! You sure live in a nice place, Zen.
Beth Buckley
Wow! Not too shabby of a place to retire.
Susan in TN
@John Saksa: It’s interesting that you mention Seattle Slew along with Zenyatta because in a recent video clip of Steve Haskin and The Mig (I don’t know his actual name!), they were discussing the positive energy that seems to affect people when they are around Zenyatta (including them) and they said that the only other horse that they could think of who had that effect was Seattle Slew! Of course, they haven’t met our horse Choctaw, but I’ll give them a pass. :)
LaDonna Cable
Queen Z are we going to be able to purchase the stuffed animal toys? I know a little girl who would go crazy!!
Susan in TN
RE: Bernardini’s increased stud fee: “If he’s good enough for Zenyatta, isn’t he good enough for YOUR horse?”
Jaime Corum
Dear Queen Zen,
Happy 11/11/11! I think you look fabulous and regal as always. Thank you so much for allowing me to paint you! –you are the perfect model and muse. And you have such wonderful people, too–everyone on Team Z is kind, gracious and awesome just like YOU!
Enjoy these lovely fall days, beautiful lady : )
-Jaime.
Susan in TN
Warm wishes to all my Z friends <3
Kari B: You are in my thoughts and prayers <3
Judy B: MISS you- appreciate you checking in with us, though!
Terry C: Miss YOU, too! I'm having to actually BE a redneck and laugh at myself :)
@LouAnn Cingel, Sharon in Seattle, Marty R and other Z'sters with health concerns: Hope things are looking up for you all <3
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Team Z: THANK YOU, ALL!
Brenda S..Ontario, Canada
Dear Zenny, What an absolutely beautiful picture, did John ask the two of you pose?? You and Tasty frame the building behind you so perfectly and we can see those expanding tummies. You both look so contented and relaxed, it’s wonderful to see how well cared for you are.
@ Diana – A time of remembering and being thankful, and you still have your brother. My Dad was a tail gunner in the Royal Air Force and I’ve always known how lucky I was to have him, not many tail gunners survived. I still have his log book listing all the bombing missions he flew over Germany and I shared his experiences with a grade 5 class yesterday. The kids were so interested and asked lots of questions, I enjoyed talking to them even tho one young man did think I was “pretty old”.
@ Judy B – Hope Russ is doing well, I bet he misses Terry’s jokes, I know I do. Love back to both of you.
Kathy Baldwin
TWO BEAUTIFUL MARES WITH TWO BEAUTIFUL BABY
BUMPS! :) ANOTHER FINE POST ZENNY AND DOTTIE
AND ANOTHER FINE PHOTO BY YOUR JOHN! :)
I WILL BE AT HOLLYWOOD PARK THE FRIDAY AND
SATURDAY OVER THANKSGIVING WEEKEND. CAN’T
WAIT! I LOVE HOLLYWOOD PARK AND WISH THEY
WOULD BRING THE BREEDERS CUP BACK THERE ONE DAY. IT IS THE TRACK THAT HELD THE FIRST BREEDERS CUP RACES. IT HAS SO MUCH
AWESOME HORSE HISTORY THERE AND DOES NOT
GET THE RECOGNITION THAT IT SHOULD. IF IT
WAS GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU ZENYATTA, IT IS
GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME! ;)
PEACE, LOVE & BLESSINGS TO ALL IN THE LAND OF ZEN,
KATHY from SoCal xoxo
p.s. THANKS FOR ALL THE GREAT LINKS THAT
YOU ALL HAVE BEEN POSTING! :)
kelly- Allentown, Pa
Jaime Corum-
Thank you for the beautiful work that you do. I can’t wait to get my print. It’s going to hang above my Zenyatta bronze.^-^
Gloria
Hey Big Mama Z! I knew when I saw the shop I would do some damage. I can’t wait to receive my goods! Hope all of Team Z has a great weekend!