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

    • / Reply

      Dear Kathy R.:

      Glad Lauren will stay on as Barbie’s rider. Hope they come back strong. Beautiful photo of MOL. Thank you. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Kathy R. Barbie is a true beauty. She has a little of the Mad Moose look in her eye. She might be an independent kind of filly.

    • / Reply

      Kathy,
      Love this flaxen haired Barbie Doll. I hope she does well with Lauren and they kick some butt. hugs

  6. / Reply

    Miracles of Life news:

    Skysprtsradio’s Punters Postmortem has just discussed Barbie’s run. Deanne Lester (who is a racing guru here – racing adviser to the Puissance de Lune folk) has just said don’t get off Barbie, she needs a little bit of tweaking and will be back in the winners stall. Deanne said she looked well in the yard, still a bit woolly after winter; he thinks the idea was to try her out for a longer distance, get her to settle more, but that’s not the nature of the horse. Deanne thinks the mistake was once she jumped and got a rails position she should have gone to the front (which she did), kept up the pace, and used the rails as a guide. He thinks the field would have had to chase, but would have bunched up behind her natural speed. But Lauren wandered, to Deanne’s mind, which allowed her to be squeezed between horses, and put Barbie off. But he thought it was a really good run, and will really help the team to go forward. Cheers, KathyR.

  9. / Reply

    I looked again! I see Zenyatta in Coz! Her face turned as he is being washed is all Zenyatta!! The pose in my mind is a combination of Bernie and Z. I agree with some, Z in the hindquarter. Coz is just beautiful!! Once again Lanes End I am so thrilled looking at these picures.

    Zenyatta, every thoroughbred has it’s own beauty and worth, but your beauty was greater because of the shining star you are and Z, you are priceless!! You past that on to your kids.
    love n kisses on your soft nose, some to your sons too!
    hugs, Auntie, Sally B

    • / Reply

      I agree Sally. In that particular photo his face looks just like Zenyatta’s. Love his kind eyes and elegant bangs.

  10. / Reply

    I love Kinz Funky Monkey!!!! I believe trained by Peter Eurton who had the incomparable Weemissfrankie. Met him on the backside last summer and he seemed very, very nice. Weemissfrankie had Pickles the goat and sadly Pickles and Weemissfrankie went separate directions. I believe she went to Japan as a broodmare as she sustained an injury that ended her brilliant racing career.

    Thanks for those pictures of the Green Monkey.

  11. / Reply

    Great to see Coz and find out what he’s doing! These are wonderful pictures, and where he’s running in the paddock, he looks just like Zenyatta. Interesting to see how they start to prepare horses for their racing careers.

  12. / Reply

    Just went back and looked at all the pictures of Coz from his birth and as he was growing with our lovely Z beside him for those first few months.
    We are so very lucky that Ann and Jerry Moss, along with those great people at LE
    share this wonderful experience with us.
    When Coz moves on to the next phase in his life, he will take pieces of all our hearts with him.
    Safe travels always Coz.

    • / Reply

      Dear Janet:

      You’re so right. He’s the first born Prince. So very special; so loved. We are indeed lucky that Mr. & Mrs. Moss have shared Z and her boys with us. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      So beautifully said…Coz has our hearts forever and all because of the magic that surrounds our magnificient Queen.

  15. / Reply

    BIG OOPS! I missed Marty R’s birthday yesterday! My face is bright red. Happy belated birthday to you, Marty, and here is a repost of your birthday poem from two years ago…

    To Marty R on the Occasion
    of Her First Post and Her Birthday
    (August 31, 2011, slightly revised)

    Marty R of Colorado
    Is a true blue Zenyatta fan–
    She’s read the Diary since it first began,
    And today she’s started to post,
    To which we respond with “BRAVO!”
    We welcome you to posting on Z’s site,
    And we hope you’ll continue to write–
    Marty, your comment’s first rate!
    So let’s drink a toast
    To celebrate
    Your very first post
    And your own special day.
    To you, dear Marty, all Z-sters gaily say,
    “Have a most happy birthday!”

  16. / Reply

    Del Mar notes: Paynter targets Awesome Again Stakes
    By Steve Andersen Daily Racing Form 09/01/2013 10:38PM
    DEL MAR, Calif. – Paynter, who finished a well-beaten last of five as the favorite in Saturday’s $735,000 Woodward Stakes at Saratoga, will start in the $250,000 Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita on Sept. 28, trainer Bob Baffert said Sunday.
    Paynter was beaten 12 1/2 lengths by Alpha in the Grade 1 Woodward, run over 1 1/8 miles on a sloppy, sealed racetrack. Baffert, who stayed in Southern California over the weekend, said Paynter was unprepared at the start and uncomfortable with mud in his face.
    http://www.drf.com/news/del-mar-notes-paynter-targets-awesome-again-stakes

    • / Reply

      BGG Thanks for this as I have been thinking of Paynter since Saturday and worrying about him after his running in that nasty slop. Same for the other horses like Dan. It is neat that Paynter will run next in a race which is named after his sire. Paynter, you will always be number 1 in the eyes of your fans. You are our miracle horse.

      • / Reply

        Shirlee. Read that they are also considering the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont on September 28 for 3M. That is a prestigious race to win. Flat Out might be aiming for that race again. 3M is due for a big win.

        • Thanks for the information Max. Of course, if Muchie goes in the Gold Cup, you know who will have a mount too!

          I hope MMM can pull off a Grade 1 before he retires.

        • Shirlee. It might be Alpha again. However every race is unique and you never know what might happen. I think that it was good tactics to scratch 3M in the Woodward. Those racing conditions were very nasty.
          Uncle Johnny is heading to Woodbine with Wise Dan on September 15 for Woodbine Mile. As he will be in Canada on that day, he cannot win any US races. I hope however that he wins in Toronto. Go Danny.

      • / Reply

        I look for a big turnaround from Paynter. As for MMM, I had him in the capping contest and did not find out about his scratch until it was too late.

        • TC. It would be nice to see both of these horses in the victory circle. 3M is one of the few horses from his 3 year old year who is still racing. Bravo to his connections for keeping him in training.

    • / Reply

      Thanks BGG. Have been wondering how he was doing. I’m sure he’ll be more comfortable back home in the sunshine! This will be another challenging race for the ‘cappers!

  17. / Reply

    Pegasus Stables ‏
    SOCIETY ROCK had a freak fall and suffered concussion when he hit his head yesterday afternoon. He is under veterinary supervision

    SOCIETY ROCK will obviously be missing The Befred Sprint Cup at Haydock.
    He is getting the best care possible by Pegasus staff & NEH vets.

    • / Reply

      oh no….I really believe that a concussion was a great part of all Jackson Bend’s problems after his accident last year….took him a year to work it out….but got a 109 beyer for his gutsy second this weekend….duked it out all the way to the wire…winner got same score…
      PUSR

  18. / Reply

    Closing Day at Saratoga will give new meaning to the word “sloppy” BGG
    Teresa Genaro ‏@BklynBckstretch
    Oklahoma track a sloppy mess, & currently pouring, drenching, at the moment
    Also, thundering & lightning. Walking around the backstretch this morning was not
    my best idea ever.
    David Grening ‏@DRFGrening
    All races OFF the turf on closing day at Saratoga
    Steve Byk ‏tweet
    Weather armaggedon going on right now here in Upstate NY…

    • / Reply

      Yikes! Stay safe all of you folks at the Spa.
      We have had flooding, lightening strikes. Marshall, Tarheel neighbor, hope you folks are OK.
      Lightening hit a barn here and came down in a stall as a fireball. Thank goodness, all are safe and no fire. Scary bad. I’m ready for fall !

      • / Reply

        David Grening ‏@DRFGrening just posted this tweet
        The sloppy Saratoga main track is now being officially called muddy.

      • / Reply

        Thanks, Ann! We are okay in Chapel Hill this time, I think. Haven’t heard of any flooding from this huge rainstorm. My estimate here at home is that about 3.5 to 4 inches fell yesterday — it really poured!
        Glad you are okay and that the fireball didn’t hurt any in the barn.
        I am ready for fall, too!
        Take care and hugs

      • / Reply

        Great photo of Wise Dan!! What a handsome, intelligent face he has, also nice eyes and a good set of whiskers! Hugs

    • / Reply

      Dear BGG and Z Fans:

      We had torrential rain, thunder and lightning most of the day here too. There was flooding on parts of the highway and in various other places. It’s actually pouring right now.

      I thought the races at the Spa might be cancelled, but I guess the track dried up a bit if it was classified as Muddy. Glad all the horses and riders came through it. Love and Hugs, JB

  19. / Reply

    Channel 4 Racing ‏
    John Gosden says KINGMAN is likely to go to Longchamp on Arc day (6 Oct)
    for the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. Says it is “next logical step”.

  23. / Reply

    Hovis Fans! Here’s some great news from the rescue organization that is partially supported from profits associated with his books, and now a new source of funds thanks to his Mum! High hoof to Karen.

    Bransby Horses are excited to tell you all that we have been awarded a fantastic £500 from Capgemini Uk! Karen Thompson, author of Hovis’ Friday Diary (and Hovis’ mum!), recently entered the Community Impact Awards on behalf of Bransby Horses. We are very proud to announce that her entry for services to our charity has won an award! We are very grateful for Karen’s huge contributions that continue to generate valuable funds for the horses in our care. Thank you Karen and a big well done from all of us!

    • / Reply

      Sandy and Sheena. It’s great that Karen is raising money for rescue horses. I wonder if Hovis will get some carrots in his feedbag? He was wondering before why some of the profits from his books were not used to pay for a few treats for him.

    • / Reply

      Hi Kathy.
      It has been an amazing weekend for horses and humans under some adverse conditions.
      Stunned by that swim by Diana Nyad. It’s totally amazing that she did that. Incredible.

  28. / Reply

    Max, here is what Wise Dan’s rest of year looks like-turf only, no dirt.
    I don’t necessarily agree with WD not winning HOY if he doesn’t run BC Classic BGG

    Wise Dan, reigning Horse of the Year, won’t run in Breeders’ Cup Classic
    The announcement could open the door for several horses like Game On Dude, Orb, Verrazano or Palace Malice to take home Horse of the Year honors if they finish the year out without suffering another loss.
    NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Sunday, August 11, 2013, 6:13 PM
    SARATOGA SPRINGS — Reigning Horse of the Year Wise Dan will remain on the grass for the rest of this year and will not start in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 2.
    “I don’t care what anybody says,” said Morton Fink, the 83-year-old owner of the powerful 6-year-old gelding, who indicated Wise Dan will try to repeat his victory in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Mile.
    From article
    The same track as last year means a start in the Woodbine Mile on Sept. 15,
    then a start in the Keeneland Turf Mile on Oct. 5
    before starting in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.
    Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more-sports/wise-dan-won-run-breeders-cup-classic-article-1.1423949#ixzz2dm6dIc6u

    • / Reply

      BGG. Thanks. I love Morton Fink. He does what he thinks is best for Dan, and takes no unsolicited advice from the peanut gallery. You go Danny.

  30. / Reply

    I have some time and I wanted to share something that I found hilarious (for some unknown reason, even to me).

    I was looking at the Darley site and looking at the updates of their stallions and I clicked on Street Cry. I first clicked on the American version, and I scrolled through and it mentioned Zenyatta, and showed a video. Then I went to the Australian branch. Very first bullet point in the slide show, in big bold letters: SIRE OF ZENYATTA. And that just hit me as so funny for some reason. I was sitting there and I thought to myself “Australia doesn’t mess around. They tell you the main point of the commercial. BAM! Front page: He sired Zenyatta!”. Anyway, that was my good laugh for the day.

    Street Cry American Page:
    http://www.darleyamerica.com/stallions/our-stallions/street-cry
    Street Cry Australian Page:
    http://www.darley.com.au/stallions/our-stallions/street-cry

    I’m so tired; the college food makes me sick, I get no mail (it makes my campus mailbox sad too), I’ve had a migraine everyday and it drives me up a wall, and I am desperately trying to keep up with classes. Is that it? Yea, it should be. Back to a boat load of notes.

      • / Reply

        I had permission, but the escort policy made it so that unless a trainer, owner, groom, etc. took me to him, I wouldn’t be let back there. Mr. Zayat told the Terranova barn that I might be coming, but the professor was iffy about whether or not I was actually allowed. So no Paynter but I’m optimistic that I will see him at some point.

        • Dear Pati:

          I’m not surprised at the Darley site. they’re an extremely professional outfit, and very, very proud of their horses. The team is highly respected here: Peter Snowden, their trainer, is also widely respected as an honest broker who never over sells the ability of his team (unlike some!). Hope the migraines disappear – hate those things. Cheers, KathyR.

    • / Reply

      Dear Pati:

      It will get easier. Try to relax and get some rest; don’t give up and hang in there as Max and Ann have said. Love and Hugs, JB

        • Good point Max! Why not??

          If someone has an email address to everyone who would like to mail me, I can send the address to everyone via email. Just send it as one big email, and I’ll reply all, and everyone who wants it will have the address.

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