Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Z's Diary

Diary Post #444

Tasty and I....relaxing in the sun! Photo by Sarah Campion

Happy Friday Dear Friends,

I have always been one to enjoy an early afternoon nap! I was on a very definite schedule when I was in training at BARN 55. MY JOHN used to have the entire barn area be completely peaceful after our morning training hours and 10:30 a.m. breakfast. This way all of the horses could totally rest, relax, and nap. He would have the fans turned on so we would have lots of fresh air circulating and the entire environment was completely tranquil. This is a habit I have continued to enjoy since I’ve been at Lane’s End. I must say, I love my naps!

When at Barn 55, this was the time MY JOHN would walk around and just observe us while we were resting! It was sweet to see him always ‘peeking in on ME’ as he walked around the shed row and made sure everyone was A-OK! Here at the farm, when I’m napping in the paddock, TASTY watches over ME to be sure I’m safe and happy. I do the same thing for her when she is resting. We have truly developed quite a bond. It is all so very special!

FRIENDSHIP is such a wonderful thing….and a TRUE FRIEND is something to be cherished!

Amid all of our other activities over the weekend, TASTY and I want to keep up on the great racing. The Fairgrounds, Gulfstream, Oaklawn, Santa Anita and Aqueduct have some very contentious fields running over the next few days. Several of the races will help to determine more about the 3 year old picture. Breeders’ Cup Sprint Champion, AMAZOMBIE, is running at Santa Anita and this should be one “fast” race. Good Luck to him and MY MIKIE who will be on board.

Don’t forget, MY MIKIE is getting close to win #5000! We have to keep current on his countdown as well! There is so much each day for us to do! This is really very positive as it keeps our minds busy as we progress through the next few weeks!

Enjoy the weekend of racing…relax, have fun, and here’s wishing you lots of WINNERS!

With Love,
Hugs to all~(Isn’t TASTY “TOO CUTE” in this photo!)
Z

Reader Interactions

836 Comments

  5. / Reply

    Good evening. Lovely Zenny…..and Angel Tasty too…
    PACE…PACE…PACE…
    have a restful weekend..but get just enough exercise …no jumping too much
    While watching all the races
    PACE…PACE…PACE…
    take care of little BizZeeDancin and TemptinFate…..I know I don’t get to pick names ..
    As always kisses for your soft nose….and Tasty’s too

  7. / Reply

    Another very sweet photo of the girls!!! Happy Birthday to everyone celebrating one. Good luck to Mike Smith on Amazombie this week. He is most deserving.

  8. / Reply

    Dear Z and Z family,
    I was out of town when Kari’s daughter posted the sad news of her mother’s passing. I have just finished catching up on all the posts that you have all written and am really having a hard time typing through my tears.
    You have all so beautifully expressed what is in my own heart regarding “our” Kari.
    The word I will always associate with her is JOY. Her ability to experience so much joy while climbing such a high mountain is a lesson I have taken into my heart.

    To Kari’s daughter…It is quite evident in your writing that you are your mother’s daughter. Now you know how loved she was by so many. And I am sure there are many who read this Diary who never post, but who will miss your moma and her loving, joy-filled words and videos. My deepest sympathy to you and to your family in the loss of your beloved mother.

    Cynthia H… Many hugs coming your way…. How lovely it was to read the deep friendship in the words you would write to each other here. And your “wrestling match” during the Keeneland sale still makes me laugh :)

  9. / Reply

    TRINA- Thanks, yet again, for bringing our attention to the site re. Bob Hagen. I so appreciate all of your posts whether they are poetic or not.
    KETA- It must be so rewarding to have had your husband recognized and honored in so many ways. Congratulations!
    JAG- Do you need any sleeping pills or new shoes?
    Mary

    • / Reply

      Yes, sleeping pills welcomed LOL and new slippers and new shoes……………………. ;-)

    • / Reply

      Mary,
      Yes, it was very rewarding to have Bob receive so much recognition.
      Especially since it was from his colleagues/peers.
      The video on the site was prepared and presented at a celebration of Bob’s life at the NY Press Club in Manhattan.
      His reaction would have been: “For me”
      He was very unassuming–the opposite of Ted Baxter on Mary Tyler Moore show.
      My only wish was Bob had been here to see it.
      Today February 26th is the anniversary of his last broadcast on WINS in New York.

  11. / Reply

    I love you two so dearly. It’s wonderful that you two take good care of each other. Hug and kisses to both of you. You’re right Tasty is too cute. Thanks for sharing this adorable picture.

  12. / Reply

    Love the photo of the “lovely sentinel and the sleeping beauty”! You are extra special friends who watch over each other — Sweet! Hope you and tasty have a wonderful weekend! Sweet dreams to our Angel Girls! Goodnight Everyone.

  14. / Reply

    @All my SoCal Dumpling friends: Have fun at Santa Anita this weekend. Give Cynthia a hug from me, please? Hugs to Sharon too – lucky you! Wish I could be there. Maybe someone can take a group photo by John Henry and post a link?
    @Judy: If there is any foal news, I’ll text you – I guess I’m on foal watch while you all are playing!
    @Zenny: March 9th and pink, please!
    @Tasty: We should all have at least one friend like you.
    @Terry Crow: Well – – – you know.
    dia-pacing-pacing-pacing-stu in tempe

      • / Reply

        Linda – we look forward to seeing you at the track again, too! XO And, yes, us So. California Dumplings are S P O I L E D lol

        • Linda-You must come back so that you can critique JAG’s prison uniform, although you were there on Gold Cup day to see it.

    • / Reply

      Diana
      I called Cynthia while I was at the track, but got v/m. I told her I was there (to give lots of hugs). Unfortunatly, I have a new (pain-in-the-butt) cell phone, so I missed Cynthia’s return phone call!!! Dang, dang, dang! Hopefully, I (we) will see her on March 3rd!

      Cynthia, I’m sending you a private message, my friend ♥

      • / Reply

        Thank you for all of the cyber hugs, everyone. Please know that they are returned, big-time. You are all such special people, and your concern and kindness, and beautiful words regarding “Our Kari’ mean more than I have the ability to express. Your heartfelt sentiments have been a tremendous source of comfort to Kari’s family.
        Judy, I wish you had stuck around. Mikey won the 8th race—my Winners’ Circle. It was wonderful. I could feel Kari smiling at my shoulder.
        ♥

  15. / Reply

    A Belated Birthday Poem for Annie B., Zenyatta’s #1 Fan in New England, Whose Birthday was February 13

    Dear Annie B,
    I’ve just now seen
    That day thirteen
    Of February
    Marked the anniversary
    Of your birth.
    We hope you had a day of mirth
    And enjoyed a sweet
    Confectionary
    Treat.
    Here you’ve let it be known
    That you love the great mare
    Z,
    And with others here share
    A strange malady
    Known by some
    As the Z-ster syndrome:
    Tears unbidden start to flow
    And down your face
    Run
    When of her you see
    A thrilling race
    Video–
    Or even a still photo—
    Or merely read her diary!
    And every symptom
    Of said malady
    You suffer most gladly!
    We also know
    You did go
    To Saratog’
    And there saw the best
    Their races contest
    On Travers Day.
    Next you found your way
    To Route 29 west
    And followed the bends
    To the right
    To reach the New York site
    Of Old Friends,
    The Bobby Frankel Division,
    Where at Cabin Creek Farm
    For many a racing retiree
    Abundant provision
    Is made.
    Here each can spend
    The rest of his days
    With no fear of harm,
    Free
    In sunny fields elysian
    To graze,
    Or, if he choose,
    He may,
    In the heat of a summer’s day,
    Snooze
    In the cool shade
    Of a well-leafed tree.
    And on a cold night
    He’ll stay
    In a warm cozy barn.
    Did you there meet
    The great Will’s Way?
    Or greet
    The “lovable loser,”
    Zippy Chippy?
    Mountain’s Gold,
    I’m told,
    There too can be seen.
    And though we’re aware
    That no one there
    Could equal the Queen,
    That magnificent mare
    Beyond compare,
    We know that you did enjoy
    Each Cabin Creek boy
    And the whole Saratoga scene!

    Happy belated birthday, Annie B, and many, many more!

    • / Reply

      Happy Birthday Anne B,
      Our number one New England fan
      Hope the weather is great there and
      You have a wondeful day

      Trina,
      Another lovely poem beyond
      Words, thanks do much for this gift.

  17. / Reply

    Good Morning Zenny, It’s just before 9:00am here in Fort Erie and I’ve been scanning my favorite sites before going out. I lit a candle for YOU and one for Kari, checked Cigar at KHP, not out, and took a peek at the eagles in Iowa. I was really lucky, Momma bird decided to stand up for a moment and I saw THREE eggs so the nest is full. I hope Nana JAG reads this when she wakes up out there in Ca, we can look forward to eaglets in early April Judy.
    Zenny, enjoy your weekend, and remember that slow and steady wins the day now. Make sure that You and Tasty take lots of naps and just a few gentle canters around your paddock. Hugs and kisses to you both.

  19. / Reply

    Dear Zenyatta,

    Because you write so often and so beautifully about friendship (and because I love you lots) I wanted to share with you my absolute favorite quote about friends:

    “My friends have made the story of my life.”. — Helen Keller

    Dottie can tell you more about Helen Keller, Zenny. She was a very inspirational person in our history who overcame being blind and deaf to accomplish many incredible things during her life.

    So, here’s to you and Tasty and all of the many, many friends who have helped YOU make the incredible story of YOUR incredible life thus far, Zenny. Love ya! Linda

      • / Reply

        Greetings to The Kennedys in SD–Thank you, I found it. I would love to come out for the SA Derby, but I would also love to come out for Ebby’s first race. I hope they give us somewhat of an advance notice.

  22. / Reply

    Have an absolutely wonderful weekend sweet Baby Girl. Lot of big races this weekend, I hope everyone is safe.

  23. / Reply

    http://www.facebook.com/ZenyattaOfficial?sk=wall&filter=1

    The BIG PUSH – Congrats everyone – Zenyatta is now at 99,000 Thousand Facebook Friends – WE JUST NEED 1000 MORE TO GET HER TO THE 100,000 MARK!!!!
    Pleease share this link – time is limited before Zenyatta’s first foal will be born, we are done to just weeks. Thanks and remember – sharing is caring.

    http://www.facebook.com/ZenyattaOfficial?sk=wall&filter=1

    • / Reply

      The reason is apparently the weight assignment. Fair Grounds racing secretary saw fit to write a race for which the conditions called for HDG to carry 117.

      • / Reply

        @Terry: I know this seems to bug you some, but they claim to be rectifying an earlier misunderstanding – as well as not so subtly sweetening the pot with an extra $50,000. Who knows, but, regardless, I’m tickled pink, because I’ll get to see her race at the Fairgrounds.

        @Terry: you know you are a redneck when your chewing gum does lose its flavor on the bedpost over night, or falls off.

        • God bless Lonnie Donegan. I have no objection to FG sweetening the purse to lure HDG to its facility and I’m glad you will be able to see her race. BUT, a reigning HOY only getting 117 pounds?

        • @Terry: Well, I may not be able to defend that other than to say that the humidity seems to make everything a little heavier down here.

  25. / Reply

    GLAD TO SEE ZENYATTA HAS PASSED THE 99,000 MARK!!!! I’M SURE THE BIRTH OF HER FOAL WILL ZOOM THAT NUMBER UP PAST 100,000!!!

    TODAY IS MY BOY SHACKLEFORD’S BIRTHDAY–HE’S FOUR!!! This guy has had a rough trip and deserves better management. This is what I wrote on his FB page:

    FIRST OF ALL, change his jockey. He needs Mike Smith, a jockey who can tune into a horse and know, just know, what is making him tick. SECOND, this horse likes to break and run and stay in front. He would do best in a shorter race where he can take the lead and keep it. There is nothing wrong with Shackleford that a better jockey and a change of thinking of his trainer/owners couldn’t fix. The owners want a Secretariat and keep playing him like a game piece in the wrong races. Accept who he is and what he does best and get Mike Smith.

  29. / Reply

    Gloria Jeanne
    http://www.facebook.com/ZenyattaOfficial?sk=wall&filter=1

    The BIG PUSH – Congrats everyone – Zenyatta is now at 99,000 Thousand Facebook Friends – WE JUST NEED 1000 MORE TO GET HER TO THE 100,000 MARK!!!!
    Pleease share this link – time is limited before Zenyatta’s first foal will be born, we are done to just weeks. Thanks and remember – sharing is caring.

  30. / Reply

    @Barbara Wood (Texas)
    Thanks so much to the Horse and Man link Barbara! The story about Rojo and his new friend was very touching. What a coincidence that the story appeared on the same day that I was wondering about horse friends (not to mention hearing about them from Time Magazine!) I didn’t see this until today (Saturday) which was an added bonus – got to see today’s pictures as well and then scrolled down to the latest pictures of little Jewel. All in all – way more than I bargained for :-) Wasn’t sure if you would check for a reply above so I’m posting it again here. Hugs to YOU!
    Sandy

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