Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

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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

  1. / Reply

    Dear Max:

    Voila Ici followed the field in the Slickpix Stakes on Saturday. This has led to some discussion that his future might be as a clerk of course horse. Haven’t heard anything from the Moody camp, but of any discards from racing, greys have the best chance of a secure future (i.e., not going to the doggers) because they are attractive. Not that I think dog food is the future of Voila Ici, but he’s certainly been a disappointment for Moody, and the horse can’t use Nelly as an excuse! Cheers, KathyR.

    • / Reply

      KathyR. Voici, it’s time to get moving and build up some win stats. He is a gray beauty. The mere thought of dog food is however pretty alarming. Run VI.

  2. / Reply

    Happy 78th Birthday, D. Wayne Lukas…and what a way to celebrate. Tiznow’s 2 year old son, Strong Mandate, just won the Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga by 9 3/4 lengths. Congratulations to Strong Mandate and all of his connections. Zenyatta, what do you think?…another Breeders Cup Classic winner in the making?

    • / Reply

      This horse is a definite KD prospect if he progresses well into his 3rd year. He has a similar pedigree cross to Paynter and Oxbow in reverse, Deputy Minister line on the distaff and the Tiznow family, in this case Tiznow himself, as sire. He’s a horse to watch.

    • / Reply

      Kathy R. If she has the potential to better Nelly, Australian racing must have a real superstar in the making. Her record already, distance wise, is pretty impressive. Her win after that kind of a lay off is downright incredible.

      • / Reply

        Dear Max:

        Atlantic Jewel is not a sprinter, like Nelly, so I find comparisons difficult – like the comparisons to Makybe Diva/Sunline and Nelly. They’re all champions. But in the case of Atlantic Jewel I’m firmly in the Mark Kavanagh court – he’s just been brilliant with her – and I just hope she does all he thinks she’s capable of doing. He deserves the success.

        PS: On the doggers – had to take my dog to the vet for surgery recently, and ended up in discussion with one of the nurses who has three ex-racehorses she uses in eventing. It was a deeply depressing discussion, opening my eyes to a filthy side to the racing industry here. I apologise for any upset I may have caused, but it was, as I say, a deeply depressing discussion, and in many ways, I wish I’d been able to avoid it, and continue to believe all is well. Cheers. KathyR.

        • Dear Kathy, I very much agree with your observation about the dirty side of TB industry. Check out the recent posts concerning orphan foals and the use of grade nurse mares leased to TB trainers. Deplorable!

        • Dear Kathy, As to that eye-opening discussion, I know what you mean and you have my sympathy, as do the horses. Hugz.

        • Kathy R. I am only too well aware of the truth of what you are saying. Very depressing. I am particularly appalled by certain high end restaurants which have “cheval” on the menu. I don’t go there.

    • / Reply

      Sheena. I have doubts that Dan would travel to the UK. The competition comes to him and he chews them up in North America. His peeps are also thinking of returning him to dirt next year at longer distances if all goes well.

  5. / Reply

    @Sue Fredrick – I’m so glad to hear that Cisco doesn’t have liver cancer. It’s so hard seeing your fur babies get sick. You just feel so helpless. Sending prayers and hugs yours and Cisco’s way.

    @Marty R – Happy Belated Birthday! I hope it was a good one. Great poem again, Trina!

    @Terry Crow – Yes, unfortunately we did lose to Western. For the second year in a row, no less! Like Shirlee said, thank God Midnight Madness is coming up soon. Basketball season can’t get here soon enough for me!

  8. / Reply

    Dear Ann:

    Thank you for sharing that wonderful photo of Wise Dan. What a Grand Ole Chestnut. Love him. Hugs, JB

  9. / Reply

    Zenny, LE, The Mosses …I thoroughly enjoyed the pictures and video with this blog.
    Zenny and her colts are in a great place who seem to understand everything a thoroughbred needs to excel at whatever they are doing. I have a strong feeling Coz will be a force to be reckoned with and I imagine the Mayberrys are excited to get him for his next step n the training process. I also think John, Mario and the rest of the folks who are part of John’s barn are hoping they have a chance to continue his training. The next few years will be very exciting!

  10. / Reply

    Hi Max.

    Yes, I’m stunned by Diana Nyad’s swim, too! Great quote by her…”You’re never to old to chase your dreams.” 64 years old! Great role model!

      • / Reply

        This swim is beyond incredible. Some Aussie woman swam it a few years ago but she used a shark cage which assists to avoid sharks but it apparently also provides a favorable drag for the swimmer. Diana did the whole thing under her own steam without a cage and came in a day ahead of schedule. And she is 65 years old. 65 may be the new 25. Unbelievable.

  13. / Reply

    I agree with so many here. Just think Mr. Morton Fink is such a great owner. He seems to do whats really best for the horse. Just great.

    Doesn’t he too own Lisa Danielle. I don’t think she was bred back last year 2012. Seems like she had a rest. Seems like Mr. Fink is such a wonderful owner.
    I wonder if she was bred this year and to whom. What an exciting thing to ponder if she was.

    • / Reply

      Peggy. Lisa Danielle is Morton Fink’s entire breeding operation. She’s the 2012 Broodmare of the Year. Her last foal is a 2012 filly by Afleet Alex. Not certain if she is in foal this year and to whom. Someone else here might know. Wise Dan is almost an exact copy of his mother. Her father Wolf Power was a gray.

      • / Reply

        Max she is just beautiful isn’t she. Wise Dan’s sire Wiseman’s Ferry has a great pedigree on his side too. Just amazing. Affirmed is in the pedigre, just loved him so.

        • Peggy. Lisa is right up there with Kind and Vertigineux for raising winners. I posted an article for you on Wiseman’s Ferry later on this blog. He’s a marvellous horse. Dan favors his mom, but WF is mighty fine looking too.

  15. / Reply

    Cozmic One is so beautiful, just like his mother. good luck in FL. Looking forward to seeing you on the track in the future.
    Team Zenyatta and connections should be so very proud of you.
    Love hugs and kisses

  18. / Reply

    Dear Max,

    Sure wish Wiseman’s Ferry was not in Pennsylvania. Would sure love to see Lisa Danielle bred back to him again. Guess that would be very difficult with him so far away.

    • / Reply

      Dear Max,

      Another thing also. I learned that Morton Fink is a shareholder of Wiseman’s Ferry also.
      So glad to know this.

      • / Reply

        Peggy. I think that you will enjoy this little article on Wiseman’s Ferry. He started off racing at Coolmore with Galileo until Coolmore sold him to US buyers who included Morton Fink. Ironically WF may have produced the best turf and dirt racer of his generation in Wise Dan. Dan is a freak. And he’s got a winning personality along with it. Super grand ole chestnut. Morton Fink may have already had the last laugh with our Danny.

        http://www.thoroughbredinternet.com/newsmore.html?Id=17760

        • Dear Max

          Thank You so much for the article. I learned so much from that. That is a great picture of him too. Just beautful.

    • / Reply

      Peggy. Penn is not so far if there is a will to get these two together. It would be nice to see a full sibling. However, Dan is just so incomparable that it is unlikely that lightning will strike twice.

      • / Reply

        Yes they could get them together. Would so love to see a full sibling. No I don’t think there could be another Dan, but wouldn’t a filly be nice. I don’t know, another Colt would be nice too.

  19. / Reply

    Thank you Dawn and others for the beautiful video of Barbara Livingston’s photographs. Absolutely breathtaking.
    Hope everyone had a safe and nice Labor Day Weekend.
    There is a tribute video (approx 17 minutes in length) on YouTube of Saginaw. Never having seen him in person I really enjoyed it. A very loving tribute to a wonderful horse. And happy to hear of El Vino’s impending retirement to a lovely farm. Zenyatta, your former workmates appear to be happy and healthy.
    We miss you all but are so happy to be able to enjoy your website and the photos and videos.

  21. / Reply

    Oh, Trina, there was no reason to have a bright red face. I remember the day of that poem very well. It was a bright, sunny day here and I just told myself to go for it and write something on Zenyatta’s Diary. Right away I was welcomed by so many people. Then, later in the day, Trina posted the birthday poem. I was so blown away to receive that gift, and I knew I was at a very friendly place. This year’s BD has been very somber as my hubby, Pat, is in very frail health. Thank you for the birthday wishes from, Trina, Debbie G.,Judy Berube, Captain Zentastac Sue, Carol in Ar, Celeste in Tx, Ann in NC, Sue Fredrick, Bluegrass Girl, Sandy N.E. Ohio, Terry Crow, Marshall N.C., Barbara Wood, Sheena Davies, Wales, and Peggy N. So. Ga.

    • / Reply

      Sheena. Weekend was great, but it’s tough to go back to work. Disappointed about Paynter. Next time. Happy however about Tiznow’s Strong Mandate. Paynter’s mother is Tiznow’s full sister. Oxbow’s mom is also a full sister to Tiznow. Tiz outran Galileo in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, and he is as tall as and looks like Zenyatta.
      Very happy to hear that Joyeuse is racing. I like her.

  25. / Reply

    QUOTATION OF THE DAY The New York Times
    “I have three messages. One is we should never ever give up.
    Two is you never are too old to chase your dreams.
    Three is it looks like a solitary sport but it takes a team.”
    DIANA NYAD, upon completing a swim from Cuba to Florida after five attempts over 35 years

  27. / Reply

    Hapopy Tuesday to our Z family! We just checked Zenny’s FB and she now has over 130,000 “friends”. She continues to inspire and bring absolute joy to thousands who recognize her has the true Queen of hearts.

  28. / Reply

    Well Cozmic One has sure done a lot of growing up. He’s looking good and getting big. I love his dark color too. He looks like he’s well mannered too. I can’t wait to see him all grown up and watch him race. Nice long legs, gotta love that!

  29. / Reply

    Dear Marty – Tender/ loving thoughts coming your way during this difficult time.

    Zenyatta, your fan base is growing bigger every day. Hope all is well in Zennyland.
    On Sunday’s races at Del Mar, the 10th race, two Stormin Fever babies, Storm Reveler and California Jade – came in 1 /2 with an incredible pay out. Since I always bet on a Golden Eage Farm’s horse – they are incredible people and take such good care of their horses. They have a nice Facebook page too, if any are interested. They are in Ramona California. I did not attend, but enjoyed the replay on Equibase. Quite a race. Normally I can’t watch the 2 year olds, it is just way too stressful for me, but it appeared all came away fine.
    Closing day tomorrow at Del Mar.

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