Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Ask The Experts

Cooper Sawyer Talks Yearling Prep

Cozmic One in the yearling barn. Photo by Kyle Acebo
Cozmic One in the yearling barn. Photo by Kyle Acebo

Cooper Sawyer, Yearling Manager
Cooper Sawyer is the yearling manager at Lane’s End farm, and he is responsible for the daily care of all the yearlings. He came to Lane’s End in 2010 from Mill Ridge Farm, where he also served as yearling manager. Cooper has worked with yearlings since he graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2005. Prior to that he worked with mares and foals.

Keepers vs. Sale Horses
Lane’s End does things a little differently than most other farms. They identify the yearlings as either “keepers” or “sale” horses. Keepers are horses that the owners have decided not to sell but to keep and race, such as Cozmic One. The two groups are separated in May, about two weeks after the Derby. That’s when they start to get “coltish” and play rough.

Behind the scenes
Cooper being interviewed in June.

Turnout
The colts are turned out into individual paddocks, which keeps them from roughhousing. The sale colts are turned out at 7 pm to protect their coats from the sun so that they look their best in the sale ring. The keepers go out after their noon feed, about 2 pm.  This is also the main difference between the keepers and sale horses.  One of the things that separates Lane’s End from other farms is that they do give the keepers this experience and that they turn out our sale horses at all. Many farms like to keep their horses in all the time.

Prep
The prep process is the foundation and education that makes the transition from yearling to 2 year-old to racehorse a little easier, and it begins in May. The yearlings are broke to tack (surcingle and draw cords) and the walking machine. The walker helps get the horses fit. Putting them in a tight space gets them used to going in the starting gate. They are also broke to a hose, as they receive daily baths and rubdowns. For Coz, this whole process will help him when he goes to the Mayberry’s in Flordia. They will put a saddle on him, put him in the starting gate and will help him become a better mover.

Coz and others entering the walking machine.
Coz and others entering the walking machine.
Coz gets a bath.
Coz gets a bath.
Cozmic One, August 2013. Photo by Alys Emson
Cozmic One, August 2013. Photo by Alys Emson

Reader Interactions

970 Comments

  2. / Reply

    Dear Max Am not really sure what my mum would have thought of a horse in our Kitchen. She just didn’t like them only my cousin, Julie and I, are huge horse lovers.The ground at Haydock today was more suitable for “jumps” but the Lord loved it ,must have felt he had a chance for Murtagh to come over.Good day for Kauto parading tomorrow with Nipper, he’s pleading for a DVD now, bless him.Hugs Sheena

    • / Reply

      Sheena. My mother was not really fond of animals either because one of my older brothers had so many pets. She was forced to take responsibility for their care. He was good at finding pets, but not so good at looking after them. He had chickens, and we lived in a city, or rather on the outskirts. His rooster used to act as the local wake up call.

      I saw George run once on tv, but he did not win that one. I hear that Willie Mullins plans to run more horses in England, including the flat. That will be good. Kauto needs that DVD. I would buy it. Hovis needs one too.

    • / Reply

      Sheena. Just read that Moosie is giving advice to Cartier HOY contender, Trading Leather: don’t forget to come out of the stalls. LOL!

  4. / Reply

    IMPORTANT NEWS PLEASE STOP AND READ.

    Vampy Sue has communicated some information to me today via text. I have listed our text conversation below as it happened. I am not sure about all of the text lingo so I did not want to try and put my twist on her words.
    We need to pray for her she is still without internet but can communicate via text.

    Sue text to Sue Colins 9-6-13
    Hi it’s Sue form florida Zennys blog. Sheena from Wales is asking about you today on the blog. I hope you are ok too. I do have sad news Marty R lost her husband Pat this week. Please let me know what is happening with you so I can share with the gang. Thanks

    VPQ Sue text back
    Hi sue :) tell sheena & the rest of the zsters i said hi. Im so sorry boutthe death of Marty R’s hubby :'( plz give her my condolences. & let her know im
    Praying for her. Im doing soso. My CP is actin up & i have pinched nerve in my neck & lowback. :( so my body is numb-my legs & my leftarm especially.
    Its difficult to do things &to walk cuz i cant feel my legs well. TBH it scares me. Plz pray that god will heal my pimched nerves so i can function more normaly
    Ive been useing a heat pad & doing yoga to help. On the plus side since ive lost weight from it :))) i havent been sleeping well at nite cuz of muscle spams.
    Its irritating me. I havent slept mor than a couple hrs a nite for the past2mos. so i need prayer that i can sleep normally at nite once again.
    Thats basically it for me. How r u? Hows zenny looking. I bet prince red is getting bigger as well as coz. Thanx so much for asking bout me. It means a lot :)
    I miss all of u zters & pray reg for u all. BIG HUGSS/PRAYERS

    I sent her 2 pics of Zenny, Coz and the Red prince. I don’t know if it worked but I sure hope she can see them. If you are a face book friend with Vampy Sue please look up her page and get her cell. She would like to hear from us. If you are not her friend on face book I don’t know if you can see her number. I am not going to post it here but if you have a way to contact me I can share it with you. I can’t post me email here for reasons I don’t want to get into but many other dumplings have my email. It is ok to share if you trust the request. 
    Love Sue

    • / Reply

      Dear Sue:

      So sorry to hear Vampress Sue is going through this painful time. Please give her my love next time you communicate and let her know she is in my prayers. Hope she feels better soon. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Sue. Very sorry to hear this. No sleep is very hard. Please tell her that we are all thinking of her and sending positive power her way.

    • / Reply

      Sue,
      Praying for relief & sleep-filled nights.
      Pain is so wearing on the body and the spirit.
      Add to that no sleep and you must be exhausted.
      Sending loving, healing thoughts to you.

    • / Reply

      Dear Sue,
      Please relay my sincere good wishes to Vampress Sue Colvin. Will keep her in my thoughts and prayers for healing. Hugs

    • / Reply

      Captain Sue,
      Please give Vamp Sue Colvin my hellos. Tell her we miss her and I hope she will be feeling better soon. Keeping her in my prayers.

    • / Reply

      Sue, Thank you for giving us this info on Vampy Sue. I have wondered about her as there haven’t been any posts in awhile. I too join in adding her to my prayer list for relief of pain and to restore the simple abilities needed to make life easier.

  8. / Reply

    Dear Max

    So funny about your horse in the Kitchen. That reminds me of the TV show the New Adventures of Black Beauty when they hid Beauty in this old abandoned house.

  11. / Reply

    Dear Max Great race by the Fugue, didn’t know she was in the Arc, thought she was coming over to you for the BC.Seems Moosie should take some of his own advice,like run!!!! My mum, being country born and bred, loved all animals but was scared of horses and cows.Hope we get to see Kauto at Burghley tomorrow.Hugs Sheena

    • / Reply

      Sheena. The Fugue is supposed to be going to both, according to comments from John Gosden. She wants to win at Santa Anita because last year was not her best. It’s possible because the two races are a month apart. Still cheering for the Big O in the Arc. No doubt Kauto will post photos. He’s good at that. It’s the DVD that is the problem.

  12. / Reply

    Well you all, Johnny V did it to me again. He did not win on Boisterous in the Bowling Green. Here’s hoping for Elena Strikes at Churchill tonight. Gotta say, I still love Redheaded Witch.

    • / Reply

      Shirlee. The Witch has a great pedigree. Her chestnut coat might have come down to her from Secretariat. She’s a baby at 2. Here’s hoping for a win for her. As to Uncle Johnny, who can explain this? Sooner or later he’s got to win or lose correctly for you. Don’t give up on your quest.

    • / Reply

      Dear Shirlee:

      Agree with Max; sooner or later JV will win when you want him to. Love and Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        JV sure didn’t do well on either of my picks yesterday. Not too upset about Redheaded Witch. Perhaps she did not like running under the lights.

        At least Departing won. Too bad he is a gelding.

  13. / Reply

    Dear Judy Goodnight God bless You,Lola Mae,Charlie and all the Sweeties. Bai Yun had a beautiful birthday cake and fun was had by all! The little cub in Washington Zoo is a girl and doing fine.Her stillborn cub was also female.Love and hugs SheenaX

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena:

      Glad the little surviving girl is doing well. Love and Hugs, JB, LM, PC and all the Sweeties

  14. / Reply

    Max and Kathy, your stories of animals in the house reminded of Ma & Pa Kettle in the movies of my childhood. They had all kinds of farm animals in their house. Remember that before setting the kitchen table, Ma Kettle always had to chase the hens off of it. I loved them.

  15. / Reply

    Kati Gsell ‏@ruffians_view tweet
    Mucho Macho Man breezed 5f in 1.02:34 at Saratoga, he got the 1st rank out of 8
    Mucho Macho Man (5-Year-Old Horse) Workout
    Date: September 7, 2013
    Track: SARATOGA
    Distance: Five Furlongs
    Time: 1.02:34 Breezing
    Track Condition: Fast
    Surface: Dirt training
    Rank: 1/8

  16. / Reply

    Ray Paulick ‏@raypaulick
    Departing (3yo g, @claibornefarm sire War Front) easily wins G2 Super Derby.
    Trainer Al Stall, O/B Claiborne/Adele Dilschneider. Won 6-of-8

    BH.com tweet with RACE RESULTS‏
    Departing (War Front – Leave) wins the Super Derby.
    Super Derby (gr. 2) with Race Replay
    LOUISIANA DOWNS, Bossier City, LA
    Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/USA/LAD/2013/9/7/11/super-derby-gr-ii#ixzz2eFbfCz9H

  17. / Reply

    Dear Zentastic Team mates:

    Hallelujer, as Medea would say, I’m finally on the Board. Bet $20.00 on Cameo Appearance to finish third. Congrats to Departing; no contest. Love and Hugs, JB

        • Dear Sue and Carol:

          How about that! We all had the same bet. I was impressed with Cameo’s pedigree. His Grand Daddy is AP Indy on his Sire’s side and Tiznow on his Dam’s side.

          This is the first time I’ve made the board. Never scored one point last year. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Judy B,
      Congrats on your big win and to all other bettors!! I took the chicken route and bet on Departing to Place, ha,ha. Won something so I’m still helping the team. hugs

    • / Reply

      Congrats Judy. Happy for you. Except for Departing, I struck out.

      Perhaps this is an omen for the future for you.

      • / Reply

        Dear Shirlee:

        Thanks. I’m so glad I finally contributed a little to the Team. Wish I could guess right with an Exacta Box.

        JV and Boisterous had some problems in the Bowling Green. In reading the race notes, they were making a move and were checked and hit the hedge; bad luck. Elena went to the lead, but appeared to tire. Hope they both came out OK.

        One of these times, things will work out just right for you with the “dratted” JV. Love and Hugs, JB

        • Foiled again! I had the second placed horse as a show on my ticket. I guess, I’m just not into it as much due to the wedding coming up. There’s always another weekend though. I’ll hit the board at some point. Congrats to those that scored!

  19. / Reply

    Zenyatta, I have not told you lately that I LOVE YOU!! My life appears to be really busy especially this past week. I could not even read our Zster friends notes!!
    I wish I could be more a part of what is going on; perhaps in winter when things may slow down.
    Remember Z, you are the reason we all came here and you have created such great friendships between us.

    Most of all Zenyatta, Love you forever with kisses on your soft nose, and to your two awesome sons.

    Auntie Sally B

  20. / Reply

    Max,

    I thank you and my Alpine goat up in heaven thanks you. She was a wonderful pet, tons of fun to play with, and as I recall she was the perfect guest during the event I described. No messes in the lady’s living room. Thank you for your horse-in-the-kitchen post that reminded me of my lovely pet.

    • / Reply

      Kathy. Best regards to you and your goat. I liked remembering that horse too. When I think of it now, I realize what a wonderful disposition that she had, or, as shirlee pointed out, maybe the filly was used to being in the house like the Kettles. If Zenyatta showed up with the two boys at my door, I would certainly invite them in for some carrots, apples, Fiji water and a Guinness for Z.

  21. / Reply

    Max,

    It’s great remembering the fantastic animals we grew up with. I enjoyed hearing about your horse so much. Zenyatta and her two boys could have the run of the whole place. I SO want to see Zenny in person. I should have gone to meet her at Hollywood Park before the move to KY. Oh well, now I can aspire to a nice trip to KY! Enjoy your day, Max!

  22. / Reply

    Dear Zenyatta Family, Zsters and Dumplings,

    I am so overwhelmed at the outpouring of love, prayers and comforting messages from people at this site. What a wonderful group of individuals the love for Zenyatta has brought together to form this community.

    I’m sure most know my husband Pat’s passing was not unexpected, but that doesn’t seem to make things any easier. I just wanted to express my family’s and my appreciation and gratitude for the support and caring that has been extended to us.

    I hope to become more of a participant here again before long.

    Love and blessings to you all,
    Marty R.

      • / Reply

        Dear Max and Sheena:

        Thank you for sharing this beautiful photo of Kauto and Nipper. They look wonderful. Love and Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Max, Sheena, JB,
        They are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing.

        Max, I forgot to thank you for posting the Fugue’s race. Thanks!!!! last year in the BC, my favorite, Zagora won. Love these girls. I suppose, Dec of War pulled out because of the turf conditions and nothing else?

  26. / Reply

    If Zenyatta was a football player what position would she play?
    just for fun
    I think she would be a Free Safety because of those bursts of speed she has from that powerful back end…

    What do you think?
    I am a bit excited about Football Season.
    Sue
    Coz I Can 2015

    • / Reply

      Hi Sue,

      I’m definitely jacked up for the football season, especially being a Packer fan! My hubby and I love that team. We have the living room decorated w/Packer cheeseheads, helmet, pillows, throws, game ticket, flags, beads, etc!

      Zenyatta would be my pick to play offense as a running back..she could power through the line and run for the TD every time she carried the ball!! LOL!! How fun!!

      • / Reply

        Mary,
        So happy to welcome another Packer fan, we are a special group!! Your living room sounds like a great place to watch the game. GO PACKERS hugs

  27. / Reply

    I think maybe a wide receiver doing a reverse….the big sweep around the whole backfield and then the blazing run to the end zone at top speed…
    GO BEARS!

  28. / Reply

    Dear Max A 1-2-3 for the kiwis at Burghley. Jock Paget won on Clifton’s Promise. William fox in-a-hole was 4th, we all know he’d have won if he ridden a certain Clydesdale we all love!!!Saw Kauto and Nipper,Was in tears as usual. Maybe they chose dressage, because Clive thought he had jumped enough during his racing career. Thanks for posting the pic.hugs Sheena

  30. / Reply

    Hi Zsters,

    Just have to tell you…..I play Scrabble and Words with Friends every day on fb and today I played – COZ in my Scrabble game and it’s a word! I really didn’t think it would be accepted but it was and the definition is “cousin”.
    Surprised me, so all of you who play if you didn’t know it, now you do.

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