The SHOP is back!
We are kicking off the launch of our new store with a selection of exclusive Zenyatta.com photographic prints. Share in Zenyatta’s life as a mother. Add to your collection as her family grows.
Proceeds from the Zenyatta Shop will fund the ongoing maintenance of Zenyatta.com as well as charities that benefit retired and rescued thoroughbreds.
Prints can be ordered today, and they will begin shipping May 13th.
Today only—buy four small prints for the price of three when you enter the promo code DERBYDAY at checkout.
We’re wishing the best of luck to all Derby contenders and their connections! To everyone else, have a wonderful weekend!
Enjoy!
-Team Z
Barbara Wood (Texas)
@Kathy R and Keta–I missed the posts mentioned above, but love and hugs to you both. We are each an important part of this wonderful blog. Hugs.
Barbara Wood (Texas)
Did not know this about Delaunay:
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/78076/former-claimer-delaunay-wins-churchill-stakes
Way to go.
sheena.davies(wales)
dear KathyR sooo glad to see you back like you I am a sensitive soul and remarks can be hurtful we all have our bad days and say things we don’t mean but please don’t stay away a lot of us were worried about you love and hugs sheenaX
maureen phi-llips
Good morning everyone, here is wishing all God’s Blessings today, hope today is restful as we prepare for another week.
Congratulations to Orb and his connections. Thanking the Lord for a drama free Derby day and for the safe return of all Horse and Rider. The scrapes and cuts will heal and they live to race another day. It is well.
To the Queen of Z nation, have a great day with the little Prince no matter the type of weather you’re having, just be safe. To the CoZmic Prince, a fun filled day is wished your Royal Sir.
Let us all remember to give thanks to God no matter what struggles we face, It is well.
LOL to all.
sheena.davies(wales)
dear max a good ole grey won the 1000 guineas sky lantern first classic for our champion jockey Richard hughes a moment for him to savour going to watch supersteve at badminton now!! hugs sheena
Max
Sheena. Yes, Sky Lantern is a beauty, lovely gray. Don’t know what happened to Hot Snap. Those fillies were really travelling. See that Ryan Moore made it back from the KD. Lines of Battle ran a respectable race in the Derby. Let us know about Badminton.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLoMS-_1rwk&feature=youtube_gdata_player
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLoMS-_1rwk&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Susan In Fl
Congrats to Orb! Great race!!!
Sad news Nehro died of colic May 4
RIP Nehro.
Max
Very sad news about Nehro’s sudden passing. Life can be fragile for these beautiful creatures. RIP Nehro.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Max and Z Fans:
Had no idea about Nehro. They can be very fragile. RIP beautiful boy. Hugs, JB
Max
JudyB. Must be a huge blow to the Zayats. They loved that horse. The illness seemed to come on so quickly that nothing could be done. Read that he passed away on the way to the hospital. Tragic.
Barbara Wood (Texas)
Just learned of this. SO very sad. Only 5 years old. RIP, dear boy.
Marshall (NC broad)
Dear Susan In Fl,
SO very sorry to hear this news about Nehro — only 5 years old. RIP Nehro, we will certainly miss you, sweet boy. Life does throw us tragic curves. Race with the angels, dear one. Condolences to all his connections.
Colic is a fearful adversary.
Blessings to all.
Susan In Fl
Yes, such highs and lows with these wonderful animals.
Peace
Ann NC
A big CONGRATS to , Orb and all of his connections. Happy, happy, joy ,joy!
Even w/ all of the MUD, still beautiful racing and most beautiful of all,the tweet from, Gary Stevens,saying one of the best Ky Derbys of all, as far as riding. He gave such praise to ALL jockeys for their superb efforts. Love that.
Good to see you, Kathy R. How is our Nelly? Barbie?
Keta, yes, Skipper it should be for the Princess.
Now we get our Preak on and Happy Cinco de Mayo. Yep,yep, and Wise Dan…wow!
carol in arkansas
Just read on Bloodhorse…
RIP Nehro…
He was second by a head to Animal Kingdom in 2011 derby
always gave his best…
complications from colic…
Ann NC
RIP, Nehro.
He was a well loved horse.
Janet Newman
RIP Nehro
Ingrid Arnone
RIP! dear friend.
xoxoxoxo!
Keta
Pati- On the Orb Wagon
You asked how Orb would return to NY. He is being vanned.
Here is the story. At the very end is a VIDEO of Orb being loaded.
Thought you’d like to see Hugs, Keta
Derby Winner Orb Exits Well, New York Bound
By Claire Novak, The Blood-Horse Sunday, May 5, 2013 11:42 AM
At 9:00 a.m. EDT on the Churchill Downs backside the morning of May 5, Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey had appeared on the Today Show, filmed an interview and broadcast promo—”Pursuit of the Cup is coming up next on HRTV!”—and held court with various members of the print media, all while his busy team loaded up stable gear and horses for a trip back to their home base in the Empire State.
Later in article
At 9:45 a.m., exercise rider Jen Patterson clipped a leadshank on the dark bay runner, led him out of Barn 43, and attempted to coax him into joining stablemates such as grade I winner Hymn Book and top turf runner Point of Entry aboard a Sallee Van expected to arrive in New York around 1:00 p.m. EDT. The Kentucky Derby winner did not want to leave the Commonwealth, giving his handlers a moment of resistance as he attempted to graze near the loading area, but Patterson’s quiet persistance won out. Orb walked up the ramp to join his fellow contenders, safely stowed away under the supervision of McGaughey.
“I’m looking forward to him getting back home… being back on familiar grounds and quiet, a lot quieter than he’s experienced around here for the last two weeks, then tighten the bolts and get him ready to run again,” the trainer said.
Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/78099/derby-winner-orb-exits-well-new-york-bound?source=rss&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter#ixzz2SR9Q1Yfl
Peggy (N) South Georgia
Condolenses to the Zayat Family
Rest In Peace Nehro
Peggy (N) South Georgia
Kathy R.
Welcome Back, We have missed you.
carol in arkansas
Ditto that…..welcome back Kathy R
Keta
Claire Novak The Blood-Horse tweets JACKSON BEND UPDATE
co-owner/breeder Fred Brei: Jackson Bend essentially put himself back in training
after decided to hold off on his planned 2013 stud career
concerns w/ lingering back issues from Saratoga collision reason for not sending JB to stud. Started light exercise to strengthen back and after about 6 weeks, the 6-year-old runner “took off and did an absolutely tremendous 2 minute lick,” Brei said
Here’s link to article
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/78104/jackson-bend-returns-to-training
carol in arkansas
Just read the article….seems the “little” guy knows just what he wants to do…..run!
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Keta:
Thanks for this info. So happy for JB. Wish him excellent health. Hugs, JB
Marshall (NC broad)
Ditto that, JB! All the best wishes to Jackson Bend!
Hugs and kisses
shirleeinindy
Hope this grandson of the spirited Tabasco Cat does well. His team seem to be willing to put his well being first so no matter what he wants to do he will have a happy time.
Ingrid Arnone
Dear Keta,
Great news!
Thanks.
Ingrid.
Vampressqueen Sue Colvin /NJ
good afternoon zsters :)
The Lord Is Your Life
Press On
Stay Strong
Keep Believing
God has Great Things ahead for you!
Love the Lord your God,
listen to His voice,
and hold fast to Him.
For the Lord is your Life.
Deuteronomy 30:20
@vicki b – love the flowchart :)
@kathy r – glad ur back. love ur posts
@keta – praying for ur health. i know health problems are no fun. hugs
god bless & watch over u all today
hugs/prayers, vamp
HeidiK Vallejo,Ca (In Awe)
Good to see you back, Kathy!! RIP, Live Lively and Nehro! Way to go Orb!! What a race! Also, Wise Dan!
Sandy (Northeast Ohio) PUR, PUJ
Better late than never, but a huge congrats to Orb and a sigh of thankfulness that everyone had a safe trip. Note to self #1: When invited to a KY Derby party (no matter how awesome the location seems to be), find out whether the peeps in attendance are seriously interested in the race or just in having a good time!! Also, are the TV screens big enough to actually SEE the race? Note to self #2: Good plan to have recorded the event “just in case.”
The event was a major fund raiser so all was not lost and was, in fact, a great success for the organization in question. I DID get to put a raffle ticket into Orb’s bucket, but mine wasn’t drawn (nor was my ticket from Revolutionary’s bucket :-(. Orb’s bucket was being manned by the President of the college from which I retired so that was good for a chuckle.
Thanks to too many people to mention for all of the informative pre and post-race links.
Sandy (Northeast Ohio) PUR, PUJ
PS about the Derby – once one gets past Orb, there seems to be very little correlation between the number of points earned in the prep races and the actual outcome. Any thoughts? Maybe they need to rethink the scheme for awarding points?
Terry Crow
I do not like this system. For one thing, it practically eliminates fillies from competing in the Derby. Under the old system, fillies could accumulate added money earnings and be eligible. Now, they have to compete against males in the big races to have a chance.
Sandy (Northeast Ohio) PUR, PUJ
Thanks for responding Terry – I thought lots of folks might share their views but maybe this was “invisible” to the masses :-). I’m sure that everyone would agree about the fillies, but it just seemed odd to have a point range as wide as 10 to 150 which, in the end (other than Orb) really meant nothing other than the horse got in.
Terry Crow
Sandy-You are very astute with this comment. It was the officials at Churchill Downs who set this in motion and assigned the point values. Who is to say that other opinions should have been included? Certainly not the folks at Churchill Downs. They have a feud going with Hawthorne so they do not assign any point to the Illinois Derby run there, a $750,000 race? Seems like it should be worth at least as much as the New Mexico Derby or even the Santa Anita Derby which has a smaller purse ($500,000). Oh yeah, I forgot. Santa Anita is owned by Frank Stronach, a cohort of theirs. Why not have some kind of board which could act in cases such as this?
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Z Fans:
Orb back at Barn 20 Belmont Park. He looks great. Hugs, JB
https://twitter.com/BklynBckstretch/status/331123707886071808/photo/1
Max
JudyB. He does look very well. Read that he was a little reluctant to get in the van to leave Churchill, scene of his great triumph. Congrats Orb!
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Max:
Maybe he wanted to celebrate a little more and do some victory laps. Hugs, JB
shirleeinindy
Judy, he did not want to leave his Kentucy Home. That bluegrass does wonders for them.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Shirlee:
I bet it does. I’m rooting for Orb. Feel good about his chances for the Triple Crown. Hugs, JB
Sally B. (cherish Z- Wi.)
Judy: I think it would be just awesome for Orb to win the Triple Crown!!
A.P. Indy would be so proud as well as us fans.
hugs, Sally B
Ingrid Arnone
Dear Judy,
Thank you for the photo.
Hug Ingrid.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Ingrid:
Your so welcome. You were right about Orb. You did good. Hugs, JB
judy berube from Rhode Island
Oops! You’re so welcome. Hugs,JB
sheena.davies(wales)
dear max supersteve had a great Xcountry round but he picked up penalties in his dressage(maybe kauto could have given him a few tips!!) Michael jung is in the lead going into the show jumping what a horseman! William fox-pitt is in 3rd think the ground didn’t suit hot snap ryan had a winner didn’t even look jet lagged supersteve better get home soon kauto is busy eating all the minty treats!!!!hugs sheena
Max
Sheena. Glad to hear that Steve did well at cross country. Kauto cannot help himself with the mints. He put up this photo of Steve at work. Well done neigh!
https://mobile.twitter.com/KingKautoV/status/330785607724961793/photo/1
Ann NC
Sheena and Max,
I can’t believe it. Our local paper actually has a photo of Ruth Edge riding Nick of Thyme,cute name, going through the 16th Outlander Bank fence…WOW!!!
Amazing these horse can negotiate that.Talk about trust. Beautiful!
Max
Some info on international travel by horses, in particular Lines of Battle. He’s already back in Ireland. Connections haven’t yet decided if he will return for the Preakness and/or the Belmont.
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/flying-million-dollar-racehorses-to-churchill-downs-215918438.html
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Max:
Thank you for this link. I thought LOB ran a pretty good race considering his quarantine isolation and the track conditions. Hugs, JB
Max
JudyB. He sure did. As Pati mentioned before, it was his first time on dirt and using lasix. Also Ryan Moore, his jockey, has not raced at Churchill very often. All in all a very impressive run for this horse. Moore left Kentucky on Saturday night to race at Newmarket on Sunday. He did not win the 1000 with Snow Queen, but he won another race. Lines is back in his stall at Ballydoyle. We may see him again.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Max:
I hope we do see him again. I think he’s a very talented boy. Hugs, JB
Barbara Wood (Texas)
Someone enlighten me if I’m wrong, but I cannot imagine subjecting a horse to so much travel so quickly. It is bound to take something out of them. I know there have been many discussions about the long trip to Dubai, Cigar and others notwithstanding.
Max
According to what I have read about this, his connections said that Lines was 100 % for the Derby. Ballydoyle transport their horses to the UK, Europe and elsewhere on a regular basis. His 14 hour flights from and to Ireland may have been less stressful than a van ride from Kentucky to New York. Lines apparently left right away for Ireland because his trainer, Aidan O’Brien, and his owners are based there, and all horses like the routine of their home turf. Because Lines came out of the race in good shape, there was no reason to stay any longer in the US. O’Brien would always do what is in the best interest of the horse.
Barbara Wood (Texas)
That;’s good–thanks!
Max
There could be another reason for Lines to head back swiftly to Ballydoyle. It is a beautiful place for a horse to live. They have world class facilities there with every possible advantage for training purposes. It’s also located in a lovely part of Ireland, County Tipperary. Nijinsky and Sadler’s Wells were trained there. The statue in the slide show is Nijinsky, the last English Triple Crown winner. Interestingly, because he was US owned, when he retired, Nijinsky left Ireland and went to stud in Kentucky.
http://www.coolmore.com/farm/ballydoyle/
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Max:
Thank you. Another beautiful place to retire to. Hugs, JB
shirleeinindy
I just got on Mike Smith’s facebook page and was absolutely appalled at the nasty profanity laced comments of one man. Hope they kick him off immediatly. There is no excuse for attacking someone regarding their religous beliefs just because you didn’t like the ride they gave a horse.
Pati- On the Orb Wagon
Probably a sore loser. Palace Malice did himself in, and Mike could only not fight him and make a rank horse, a dangerous horse from the fighting and the pulling for his head.
Keta
Pati
Gary Stevens was very outspoken in his defense of Mike’s ride.
One of the things he talked about was the blinkers.
This was the first time Palace Malice had raced in them.
I wonder why that kind of equipment change would be made in this
huge a race.
Also read comments about Palace being a “rabbit” for the others.
It has been an interesting discussion.
Hugs, Keta
Barbara Wood (Texas)
Sorry if someone already posted this news:
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/78104/jackson-bend-returns-to-training
sheena.davies(wales)
dear judy goodnight sweet dreams love to lola mae Charlie and the girls hugs sheenaX
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Sheena:
Love and Hugs, JB
Debbie G/Kentucky (PUR)
@Sandy in NE Ohio – I’m so sorry you had such a bad Derby day experience! At least it was for a good cause. That’s one reason why I just watch it at home every year. I’m scared that if I go to a party the people will be more worried about partying and not watching the actual race. I love watching all the pre-race stuff, too. Here in Lexington they started Derby coverage at 8:30 in the morning! One cool thing was they have a huge party in Louisville every year (the Barnstable-Brown party) on Derby eve and lots of celebrities go. They were interviewing a lot of them and Valerie Harper was there! She still looks really good. I know she’s really sick and I’m so happy that she got to go to the Derby this year. At least you know that you’ll get to see the Breeders Cup this year!
RobbieC
Dear Kathy R
Comments were reviewed ftom the entry you mentioned.
Don’t think at all you were overly sensitive abd yes you are
More than supportive to Keta. As has been pointed out Keta
Has low self-esteem and uses blame and shame toward others
Consistently. As many on this site preach, love, withdrawl
manipulation and back stabbing is quite prevalent. And even
Some who are not from the US think they are and tout a non-
Existant pseudo expert status. Dottie and John are gone and
Things will change !!!!
Thanks so nuch for sharing !!!!
Marshall (NC broad)
Who are you? Sorry you feel this way.
Hope you feel better soon.
Vicki B. near Hollywood Park
You are the one not to be trusted, at all, with your own incredible low self-esteem, which you make obvious by attacking Keta and others in a generalized way. Shame on you!
shirleeinindy
You must be reading something I haven’t been seeing on this Blog. As we have said before, disagreement and differing opinions are welcome. No personal attacks. Be civil. And if you really don’t like what someone is saying just scroll down.
Marshall (NC broad)
Dear Kathy R.,
So glad to hear from you again. Please understand that we all love hearing from you. You are our connection to the southern hemisphere. Always enjoy your posts!
Love and Hugs
Marty R / Colorado
I am so far behind in everything that I’ve missed commenting on so many things.
Congratulations to Orb and his connections and all the Zsters cheering him on. I kept going back to Revolutionary so he was my choice, but I’m not at all disappointed in the outcome.
Was so sorry to read about Nehro. He was my choice in the 2011 Kentucky Derby. I didn’t know he was a Zayat owned horse. What an up and down experience owning top racing Thoroughbreds can be.
Aren’t those beautiful photos being offered in the Zenyatta shop? So glad the shop is back. I really hope the mugs come back. I’m kind of a broken record about the mugs.
Kathy R. I hope you are back on a regular basis, now. You are an important part of Zenyatta Nation.
Keta, I’m so sorry that you are dealing with health issues. I hope they can be resolved completely and swiftly.
Again I want to thank everyone who has lit candles for Pat and myself and our family. Pat is still determined to stay strong for as long as he can. Sadly, one of his cousins passed on Friday so that jarred him a bit. We are very appreciative of all the support and well wishes from this beautiful community.
Just thirteen days until the Preakness. Yikes!
Sandy (Northeast Ohio) PUR, PUJ
Good to hear from you Marty, but such sad news about Pat’s cousin. We’ll keep those candles shining for you.
Isn’t it amazing that the next race is less than 2 weeks away? I don’t know how the horses get revived and then brought back up to speed again so quickly. Sure hope the weather is better for the Preakness.
Terry Crow
When Whirlaway won the Derby, the Preakness was run one week later.
Ann NC
Incredible.
Thanks, TC.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear TC GP:
I did not know that. Amazing. Hugs, JB
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Marty:
Sorry for your family’s loss. Keeping you and Pat in my prayers. Hugs,JB
Roberta
Maybe this is changing the subject, but one of my favorite all time horses is Seattle Slew; I was looking up the pedigrees of all the Derby horses, and Seattle Slew was the Great grandfather or Great great grandfather of 9 of them. The above mentioned included the 1st Orb, 3rd Revolutionary, 4th Normandy Invasion; pretty good for someone that started out the ugly duckling without respect, became the 10th number race horse of all time, a sire of sires, whose blood and will to win flows through so many today (especially through his son A.P, Indy). He is also the Great great grandfather of our Red Prince through A. P. Indy, Pulpit, Tapit. Is this an omen of things to come?
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Roberta:
Wow, what a legacy! Hugs, JB
Max
Roberta. Very interesting.
Vicki B. near Hollywood Park
Nice article “Trevor the Goat: A Stubborn Sweetheart” by Julie June Stewart at ‘The Rail’. Trevor is a goat living at Churchill Downs, whose mission is to provide companionship to two fillies.
http://therail.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/04/trevor-the-goat-a-stubborn-sweetheart/
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Vicki B.:
Thank you so much for this. Too cute. Hugs, JB
Max
Vicki B. The fillies are lucky to have Trevor as their champion.
Ann NC
Thanks Vicki B.
I love goats. Have you seen the You Tube video of goats screaming like humans?
You’re great, Trevor!
Barbara Wood (Texas)
Excellent research, Roberta! thanks!