Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Ask The Experts

Ask The Experts at Lane’s End

Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane's End

Is there something you’ve always wondered about Zenyatta, Baby Z or Lane’s End?

For the next few weeks we will be collecting questions from Zenyatta’s amazing fans—questions about thoroughbred breeding and life on the farm.

Zenyatta will help us pick some of your questions to use in upcoming features on the the website. We’ll collaborate with the expert staff at Lane’s End to answer your questions.

To send in your question, please fill out the form below.

We look forward to hearing from you!
-Team Z

Edit: We have receieved so many great questions from all of you! Submissions are now closed for the time being. If you didn’t get a chance to ask your question, don’t worry, there will be more opportunities in the future.

Reader Interactions

959 Comments

  2. / Reply

    bloodhorse, drf, and thoroughbred times all have articles about Rapid Redux…being electronically challenged …i can not bring them here…duhhh…each is a little different… but all agree that Gulch is RR’s new best friend and they are getting along very well…

  3. / Reply

    Dear John – the day would not be complete without letting you know ow blessed we all are with you in our world. We love you and are better because of you.

    Sending hugs and high hooves, Linda and George.

  4. / Reply

    Hi Z Family. I am in tears over Trina’s beautiful poem and reading and watching what Kari did last year. Happy Birthday to John a wonderful Trainer and person. May God Bless you with many more : )
    Today was the last day of school and I am always sad. I will miss the children like crazy. This Homeroom was really special because we all went through losing our Angel Trey Bird as the kids called him. A lot of the children thanked me for teaching them about social studies and the horses. One little girl wrote I will always remember you, horses and Hansen, Mistletoe, Zenyatta and El Vino. She also drew horse pictures for me. Thank you Z Family for listening. You really are like Real Family to me. Love, Shari

    • / Reply

      Awww … just think, you’ll have a whole new group of kiddies next year! And what fun to indroduce them to the world of horses. AND SOCIAL STUDIES, of course! They will be blessed to have you as their teacher! NOW RELAX AND ENJOY YOUR VACATION!!!

    • / Reply

      Shari

      Thank you for sharing your homeroom and all the experiences the children had with “the horses”. I enjoyed all your posts. The children were very lucky. Enjoy your summer vacation.

    • / Reply

      Dear Shari V.:

      You are one special teacher. These children will have fond memories of you and how much fun your class is for them. Hugs, JB

  6. / Reply

    Famous Duos,

    Bonnie & Clyde
    Gable & Lombard
    Bogie & Bacall
    Jack & Jackie
    Liz & Dick
    Sonny & Cher
    Charles & Diana
    Brad & Angie
    SHIRREFFS & ZENYATTA…………..

    Happy Birthday John. Hope you had a perfect day. ;)

  7. / Reply

    To Zenny, 12Z, and all Z’sters:
    Hope everyone has a simply wonderful weekend!
    Cheers and peppermints!

    • / Reply

      You too!!!!! Our weather is great after the NASTY storms. Great day for a barn party!!!!!
      Just hope the skunks will stay away.

  9. / Reply

    Dear Z-sters:

    a friendly reminder that HOOTIE, Zenyatta’s former pony, would really appreciate our financial help via TROTT, a volunteer organizations that helps give TBs a second career.

    As per TROTT’s head volunteer, Bonnie Adams, who I spoke with via phone yesterday, Hootie has developed some age-related issues like arthritis (non life threatening) which means he shouldn’t be ridden any more. Unfortunately, Hootie’s former sponsor has been unable to continue financial support. Bonnie said that they love Hootie and he is a favorite among visitors, soaking up the love he got and continues to receive as part of Zenyatta’s racing life. TROTT wants nothing more than to have Hootie remain at Stonepine Farms and bask in all that well-deserved glory!!

    for information about how to donate specifically to HOOTIE, check out the FORUM, page one, under the title HOOTIE NEEDS OUR HELP!! I know all of us can find it in our hearts – and in our wallets – to help HOOTIE remain at his current home. Every dollar counts!

    thank you

    • / Reply

      Barbara, thanks, I really liked this article. That “Bend Or” who won Epsom in 1880, was really Tadcaster. And I think my favorite tidbit was that “the inch in England was based on three barley grains lying end to end”, something I never knew.

  13. / Reply

    Ann Marie (Tn.) I wish to let you know that I loved what what you wrote to Lane’s End about our greatest love, Zenyatta. I could never have expressed it as well. (May 30th)
    It sure was incredible to be at Zenyatta’s party wasn’t it!!!!!!!

    hugs, Sally

  15. / Reply

    Terry Crow and redneck Presidents and co- Pres.. of state Chapters
    The Redneck Dictionary:
    Medical terms and the redneck definition
    1. artery….The study of painting
    2. bacteria…..back door to cafeteria
    3. barium….What doctors do when patients die
    4. Benign….What you be after you be eight
    5. Impotent…..Distinquished well known
    6. Pelvis…..Second cousin to Elvis
    7. Recovery room….place to do upholstery
    8.Seizure…….Roman Emperor
    9. Tumor…….one plus one more
    10. Node…….I knew it

    I received this as an e-mail; thought I would enlighten your day with some of them.!!!! ha ha
    Enjoy your week-end!
    Sally B.

  16. / Reply

    Sending HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES to one of the best horse trainers in the business
    Dear JOHN and hoping it was a most wonderful birthday! ZENNY was so blessed to
    have you in here life! ;)
    Peace & Love,
    Kathy from SoCal

  17. / Reply

    I will be on the blog only sporadically for the next few days as I am assisting a friend who recently had cataract surgery. Here are today’s redneck jokes. You might be a redneck if you put ninth grade on hold while you started a family. You might be a redneck if any of your relatives were buried with a fly swatter. You might be a redneck if most of your in-laws are outlaws. You might be a redneck if you and your husband have the same haircut. You might be a redneck if every member of your family has been shot at. You might be a redneck if the only diploma on your wall is from DUI school.

    • / Reply

      Terry, I like these jokes. “buried with a fly swatter” that’s low. But “inlaws are outlaws”, that rings a bell. And as for “if you put ninth grade on hold while you started a family”, that’s about like my redneck relatives. Out of 17 Aunts and Uncles (on both sides of the family), only one of them managed to graduate from high school. That would have all been in the ’20’s & 30’s, some of them ran off from home to get married at 15 or 16, it was a different era. From that background, many of my cousins and I are lucky we found a way to go to college. Anyway, thanks.

      I hope things go well, with your friend.

      • / Reply

        Vicki-As usual your analysis is pot on. Maybe I shouldn’t have included the flyswatter joke.

        • No, no, Terry, I like the flyswatter joke — it’s just “low”, as in “down” by being buried under the ground with one, and “lowdown”, as in they gave you “something” to bat the flies off yourself, and “lowdown”, as in they didn’t bury you with anything more valuable than a flyswatter. It’s a multi-purpose “low”.

    • / Reply

      Hi Terry C, I hope your friend does well with the cateract surgery. I have a small one in one of my eyes. Now let me see; cateract surgery, what would it say in the redneck medical dictionary!! ha

      A very special Birthday for our favorite trainer John, the best trainer Zenyatta could ever have. I wish him all the best always. Sally B

  18. / Reply

    To John: hope your birthday was as wonderful as you are! I can only repeat what others have said. Thanks for being there for Zenyatta, our Queen and for US. High hoof and hoof hoof hooray!!! :-) :-)

    Trina and Cynthia, special thanks to you both on this occasion. Another :-)

    Sally B: enjoyed the redneck dictionary–sounded a bit familiar–hmmm…
    Terry Crow–loved your slow running ,talking horse joke.
    As an aside, this morning I found myself actually agreeing with Roger Stein on several items. There are times when he gets so off topic I have to resist the urge to throw my radio across the room. Last week Rod was a short distance away from me and asked me why I seemed upset. I replied I was shouting at Roger to return to his original topic. (Rod is deaf in right ear and could not actually hear me–just saw my very expressive actions of arms and mouth.)

    GO,GO,GO, I HAVE ANOTHER!!!!!! A horse worth shouting about!!

    • / Reply

      Agree with you on Roger Stein. You will hear things on his show that you wouldn’t otherwise know, however. Did you catch his interview with Mel Stute last week?

        • Talk about being a gambler. Did you catch that part about him selling his wife’s house while she was away?

  19. / Reply

    Hi Z family!

    I am writing this during my fifteen minute break…

    I got two third places. My horse was a little green, so I was only allowed to ride in two events with him. My trainer said that I handled the traffic like I had been riding for a long time and that I had a very good strategy planned out. I went well but another farm ran to the judge and attempted to claim foul because I was cross-entered in two events, even though no where in the rules did it say that I couldn’t. My trainer got it straightened out and I got my ribbons. I’m sorry I couldn’t get higher, but I did my best to guide Red into the best and smoothest trip. I was told we looked really good out there.

    It’s so horribly humid though…. Horrible.

    The stables we are riding at today are so beautiful! They can board over 100 horses, and they have acres of land! They have two rings; one indoors that doubles as a dressage ring and one outdoors that is the competition ring that I was in. They have about 7 mules that enjoy chasing each other around and braying to freak out the horses here that have never seen a mule before, much less heard one!

      • / Reply

        You seem to be my biggest fan! Thank you for your support! I can’t wait to meet you either and to think, it’s only a few months away!!!

    • / Reply

      Don’t forget Patti, there is lots and lots and lots and lots of politics in showing.
      I won on Jethro always because the judges loved him and the way he moved, had
      not much to do with me.

      Keep up the good work, sounds like the girls at the other barn were jealous !!!!

    • / Reply

      Hi Z family!
      Thank you all for the congrats and praise. It’s awesome to have such supportive people like the Z family to cheer you on. Red looked like he was full of himself yesterday, and he was lovin’ the attention.

      I have a request for maybe some Z family out in the Texas region. My mom is looking to move to Texas, as she wants to be close to my dad who works in Arizona right now, but is over-whelmed with all the housing options. She wants to be near the coast. Does anyone have some recommendations as to where she could search around some more, like a reliable real-estate site?

  20. / Reply

    Hi again all: there is a nice column in today’s (2nd) LA Times by Bill Dwyre on Mario’s jockey agent, Ivan Pulich. Perhaps someone else (JAG? Karen Gogue?) can supply the link…it’s a good read.

    Pati–nice updates. Sounds like a good report on you and Red. :-)

    Terry Crow: best wishes to your friend recovering from cataract surgery. I personally know two people who recently had this done. They are fine and appreciated the help they got immediately afterward. Good for you!

  22. / Reply

    @Pati–congratulations on your ribbons! The only ribbon in a sporting event I ecer won in my life was in the Turtle Race (for slowpokes) in the third grade. It is very warm here too. I was out “helping” bathe Money this morning. I wanted to jump in the wash bau with him!

    @Terry Crow–you will be missed. If any of you saw “”The Hatfields and the McCoys” this past week on the History Channel, you will know that they carried redneck to the highest level possible. Speaking of rednecks, ground is being broken here in Waco for a new restaurant coming soon. (We are big on food down here. Everything else may be going to pot, but we’re doing serious eating!) It is part of a chain called (I am not kidding) Quaker Steak and Lube. How is that for redneck? I’m told they started in Pennsylvania. Don’t even want to think what the “lube” part means………maybe you drive through and eat while they change your oil.

    • / Reply

      Funny story about the Hatfields and McCoys in that some descendents actually appeared on Family Feud about 25 years ago. Let us know about what “lube” means.

      • / Reply

        Dear Terry Crow and Z Fans:

        Did any of you watch the Hatfields and McCoys on the History Channel. Was very well done and I believe they were careful to present the facts in the script. Hugs, JB

        • From what I know of the story, I would say that the series was very historically accurate, except for the very beginning when the two patriarchs were in the civil war. There was a considerable difference in their ages.

        • Another great show set to return in the fall is Hell on Wheels. It portrays events after the civil war and the building of the railroad.
          I think part one will rerun on TMC this summer. It is filmed in BC. Great horses,cast of characters and my favorite, the ever handsome Anson Mount!!! Ladies….I kid you not. HA!!!

          http://www.amctv.com/shows/hell-on-wheels
          Good music too!!!!!!

    • / Reply

      We have on here on “the north coast” Barbara, and there is no driving through. It’s big on burgers etc and also big with the motorcycle crowd!

      • / Reply

        I would think that it would be more appropriate for postal vehicles. Debbie-Do you live anywhere near where the McCoys did?

    • / Reply

      You probably have some crazy skills no one knows about, and that
      wouldn’t surprise me honestly. I am proud of my Red, and thank you for the support. :-)

  23. / Reply

    Hi all. Just came across a fab Moneigh auction on ebay I thought you would all like. It benifits ReRun. They have had a lot of TB’s do a painting, many of our fav’s, Stay Thirsty, Stay Thirsty & Stay Thirsty, oh, he’s my fav! Lemon Drop Kid, Col. John (still a bargin only $150 bid). Shackleford (he is up to $1000.!) lots lots more. Do chk it out, it’s fun to just look at all the paintings even if you can’t bid. Auction open until Sunday (didn’t chk what time on Sunday). http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=moneigh

    • / Reply

      Thanks for the “heads up.” These are amazing!! Too rich for my blood, but they really are something to see. Other horses include Cigar, you guys. Wonder why Zenny isn’t one of the artists????

      • / Reply

        There is a rescue operation here in Southern California named CERF, California equine retirement foundation. A while back,. when the farm was soliciting donations, Zenny did some paintings for them.

    • / Reply

      Dear J Smith:

      Thanks for the link to the Moneighs. Love Bernie’s boy, Stay Thirsty, too. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      I got one Bernardini “painted” over Christmas;
      They are pricey, but worth every penny.

      Curlin’s sold for a little more than I paid for
      Bernie’s; I was actually bidding on 3 and had
      To back off.

      It is a really fun auction, glad they are doing
      some Horses that are still racing, love Shacklefords.

      • / Reply

        Dear Sign,
        OMG you got a Bernie!! Wow, good for you, I’d love to have one or an A P Indy! Hugs

    • / Reply

      Dear Keta:

      Thanks for the link to RA’s boy. Very nice to be able to keep updated on him. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Rachel’s colt is so very cute; love the light
      Bay coloring and his look in this photo.

      Definately need the right name for a guy
      Like this.

    • / Reply

      Keta. The little guy has nice ears. I will be interested to learn his name. Really interested like all Z fans to see what the Mosses decide for 12Z.

  25. / Reply

    Dear Dawn Conrad:

    Have not had a post from you in quite a while. Hope all is well with you and your Mom.
    Hugs, JB

  26. / Reply

    This is a link to the Epsom Derby won today by Camelot, a son of the brilliant sire, Montjeu. He wins from behind in the style of Zenyatta.
    The question now is whether he will run and win in the third race of the English Triple Crown, not won since 1970 by the great Nijinsky, a son of Norhern Dancer, who is Camelot’s great grandfather. Camelot is related to Northern Dancer on his dam line through Danzig and Nureyev.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0sfEWxsorU&feature=youtube_gdata_player

    • / Reply

      Dear Max:

      Thanks so much for this link of Camelot. Wow, that Northern Dancer line is really something. Hugs, JB

        • Judy B. Camelot ran much like Z, but she is still supreme in the come from far behind to win category. No horse has yet to inspire the kind of excitement that she did in both BCCs. Incredible. Z is fascinating in all aspects of her life. I never thought that I could be spellbound by watching a horse eat a pear or just gaze into the distance.

        • Dear Max,
          Don’t forget about Silky Sullivan. He is really
          The king of closers. At times 30 plus lengths
          Behind and still able to win.

      • / Reply

        Judy B. I’ll Have Another is x4 to Danzig. He also has Sadler’s Wells in his pedigree. $35k for that horse was an amazing deal. It would be really nice to see him win at Belmont.

        Also check out the presence of Camelot going into the gate in the video. He is very cool. Apparently he was also relaxed in the Winner’s Circle. He was posing for photos. O’Brien says that as a horse he is magical like his name. He seems to have a temperament like Zenyatta without the dancing.

        • So love the Sadler’s Wells in IHA pedigree, he should be able to
          run forever !!!!

        • @Max…thanks so much for video of Silky….loved that guy…what a character …wish video of his SA Derby win could be found …he only got 28 lengths behind in that one….Shoemaker up…

        • Dear Max,
          What a great video of Silky and his story and Santa Anita Derby win.
          Guess he did not like Churchill Downs or Pimlico, a California guy
          through and through. Love the appearance of him at the track at
          20yo, just like Jethro, bucking and carrying on like a youngster
          at 23 yo. A very special thing about throughbreds is most never
          grown up and it is wonderful to see them buck, run and rear
          as old guys.

          Thanks for the great video.

        • I was there for that race. I have posted this before, but I remember a man in the crowd saying “here comes your thrill race.” Boy, was he right. In reviewing this film again, I did notice that the jockey never touched Silky with the whip.

  27. / Reply

    I enjoyed seeing Rapid Redux and Gulch. It looks like they’re going to become fast friends. I went to Old Friends Monday for their memorial service and got to visit with Gulch. It was a very nice, touching service. I wanted to go back yesterday to see Rapid Redux, but I broke my toe and I’m not getting around very well. Oh well, I’m sure I’ll get to see him sometime soon.
    @Vicki B – I saw your reply to my postal story. It sounds like we must have worked with some of the same people! LOL I don’t know what it is about the post office, but I’ve talked to postal workers from all over the country and they all have crazy stories to tell.
    @Trina – Another beautiful poem. Thank you for blessing us with your talent.
    @Cynthia H – Thank you for sharing Kari’s post. So touching!
    @Pati – You so girl! Congratulations!

    • / Reply

      Dear Debbie G.:

      Sorry to hear you broke your toe. Hope you are better soon. Take care. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Debbie G., you’re right about the P.O., a kind of universal experience for all who’ve been there. Are you off the route for awhile, with your broken toe — maybe inside, casing mail? I guess it might depend on the size of your office. How did you break it?

    • / Reply

      Thanks so much Debbie G for sharing this
      Lovely story. Hope that toe heals quickly.

    • / Reply

      wow – some Bill Dwyre’s writing! So Pulich was in this neck of the woods (Longacres Race Track, Seattle) pretty cool !!

      thanks for the link, Karen.

    • / Reply

      Love this article on Ivan, what a great story from beginning and not yet the end.
      Thanks for posting.

  30. / Reply

    Very cute segment on HRTV tonight about Mario.
    It starts out with Mario reading the racing form
    Next to Mike Smith and he puts on Mike’s glasses
    And makes a hilarious comment and Mike makes
    A great comment back.

      • / Reply

        Next time I see it I will write down comments, not sure what track it was
        at, but sooo funny !!!!

        HRTV is going to do a weeklong, beginning tonight on the Triple Crown with lots of topics; One is the Triple Crown misses, Wednesday.

        • Sorry not week long HRTV on Triple Crown, starts this Wednesday,
          June 7, 2012; three segments

          Triple Crown Memories
          Triple Crown 2012
          Triple Crown Misses

          Hope everyone intersted gets to see this trilogy

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