Happy Saturday Everyone!
Springtime is in the air and everything is getting so busy. It is a very exciting time in Lexington now as Keeneland opened yesterday for their race meet. I never ran at this race track, but my dear Barn 55 Friend, HARMONIOUS, won the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Race here last fall. It is a very special time and everyone LOVES to go RACING in this town!
Today, Kentucky Derby Preps are taking place in New York, Illinois, and California. My friend, MR. COMMONS, is running in the Santa Anita Derby this afternoon. His stall was just 3 down from mine when I was at Barn 55…so I’m wishing him all the best! HOOVES CROSSED…for sure!
We also have the update for our contest! Isabelle and Cheva, 2 of my very special friends, drew the names out of the bucket for us! As you can see in the photo above, they are in the barn office at Hollywood Park. Oh, there are lots of photos of ME all around. Now this is TOO CUTE! The bucket we used for this drawing is on the desk. All 64 of the cards from Wednesday’s winners were placed in this bucket, mixed up again and again…and the drawing began!
Here are the names of the 32 people who will move to the next stage:
1) Ingrid Esguerra……………..Miami, FL
2) Sharon Peck………………..Seattle, WA
3) William Uecker……………..Boerne, TX
4) Linda Henderson……………Seminole, TX
5) Karen Mitchell……………….Berkeley, CA
6) Sherry Drish…………………Kearneysville, WV
7) Linda Edwards………………Lawrenceville, NJ
8) Thomas Ronholm…………..Rochester, NY
9) Valerie Franklin…………….Davison, MI
10) Margaret Lewis…………….Sausalito, CA
11) Guido Sanchez…………….Ewing, NJ
12) Cathy Lassilo……………….Tacoma, WA
13) Heidi Kruckenbert………….Vallejo, CA
14) Lynn Meier…………………..Thousand Oaks, CA
15) Michelle Cross………………Decatur, AL
16) Pam Giles……………………Newman, GA
17) Helen Soloman……………..Van Nuys, CA
18) Willie Tomaino………………Newport, RI
19) Linda Stokes…………………Groton, VT
20) Chris Balmes………………..Lake Oswego, OR
21) Dawn Conrad……………….Cedaredge, CO
22) Georgia Harper…………….Bellevue, WA
23) Vicki Vinson…………………Apple Valley, CA
24) Sarah Powell………………..Clemson, SC
25) Tammi Fry…………………..Houston, TX
26) Brenda Sprunger…………..Ontario, Canada
27) Ann Ransone………………..Walkerton, VA
28) Louann Cingel………………Union, MO
29) Lydia Ward………………….Batavia, OH
30) Mary Kay Adams…………..Bloomfield, NJ
31) Patsy VandenBerg………..Santa Rosa, CA
32) Brenda Freeman…………..Mobile, AL
CONGRATULATIONS to these 32 people! The next step of the contest will go to the SWEET SIXTEEN! When we do the next drawing, these 32 cards will be placed into the bucket…and 16 will be selected!
We are moving right along! Cheva and Isabelle had a GREAT TIME helping us!
Thank you to everyone! Cheers to a wonderful day of RACING and a HIGH HOOF to the 32 contestants named above moving to the next level!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Ingrid in MA
CONGRATULATIONS 32!!! Special CONGRATS to the New England winners! Good Luck to you all! And Good Luck to Mr Commons,benig ridden by your pal Mike! I plan on spending the rest of the afternoon watching the races on TV. Only a few more weeks ’til Kentucky!
Love you,Sweet Zen!
Peggy
Although, I am sad I didn’t make it I am so happy for those that did. @Dawn Yeah, I am so happy you made it. Pam from Ga I am so glad your in there to represent Ga. Happy Saturday to everyone and enjoy the races. I wanted to give a shoutout of appreciation to Mr Farrish and Lane’s End Farm. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for letting A.P. Indy remain in his stall that he has been in for twenty I believe years. I call him my buddy and whenever I’m up there I always want to go see him. Just love him. Mr Farrish and Lane’s End is just a class act at the highest level. Thank you so much for caring deeply about our horses. It shows. I was a little worried about Indy being pensioned, I can rest a little easier knowing he hopefully can remain where he is. You know I have to go back to see him. Happy for everyone that made it to the 32 and sad for those of us that didn’t. We have all won though because we have Zenny. Love, Peggy
Kimberly
Zenyatta, I love you with all my heart. Good luck to the 32 still in the race. I feel such a conection to all my Zenyatta fan friends. Love this blog. Go uncle Mo in the Wood and Mr. Commons at Santa Anita! Your #1 fan in Montana.
Karen Mitchell
Thanks to all who participated in contest and are so generous with their good luck wishes to everyone. I am thrilled that both Dawn Conrad and I made it to the round of 32. Like so many others who have posted, I can’t remember ever winning a contest or raffle, so this is quite exciting. And I’m still rooting for Dawn as a most deserving contestant. Today is a big racing day all over the country, and I’ll be pulling for Mr. Commons and also for Neil Drysdale’s Liberian Freighter in the Arcadia Stakes at SA. So it’s a good day all around. Best to everyone, especially our dearest Zenyatta and all her team.
DJ
Sorry “Z” after lunch my mind is thinking better…meant to write “Hip Hip 702 Hurray!” The greens help, but I might need to try peppermints.
sue w
Congrats to all who survived and have made the lucky 32. Zenny…you are so great to keep us updated on the weekend races. You always were and are about sharing the love. I hope we hear news soon about your breeding with Bernie. Hooves are crossed for a successful mating and more exciting news to come.
Sharon in Seattle
call me “stunned (and thrilled) in Seattle”! this is like a quadruple layer of icing on top of the never-ending gift that is Zenyatta and Team Z.
Cheryl Kleist – that’s EXACTLY what I thought that BC day at Santa Anita. (and congrats on the big payday!!!) Quality Road took one look at Zenyatta and thought “no way I’m racing today”!! I love Gio Ponti – coming in second to two of the greatest mares ever and he is still a winner!!! I cheer for him all the time!
Anita in Ca
Zenny & Dottie, I vote for Laura Hillenbrand to write the bio of you & your Team. Just wanted to put my two cents in there. Anyway, have a great day! & Congrats to the lucky 32!!!
DJ
we’ll try “703” for our perfect “Z”. How’s that?
Kim Curtsinger
Hey Zenny, Hope you escaped the bad storm early this afternoon. I’m heading to Keeneland tomorrow. I will never walk into Keeneland again without thinking about the wonderful evening we all had there on Dec 6th when you arrive at Keeneland on the way to your new home. That night still brings a smile to my heart. I love you big girl!!
Margaret
Wow I can hardly believe I made the second round. This is getting more and more exciting. I guess it would be similar to the windup of the Derby or NFL Championship.
Just feel very very overwhelmed and honored.
Congrats to my fellow second round winners.
Sue Fredrick
Hi Z want to congratulate all the 32 winners, and wish them luck in the next draw. I also want to take the time to wish my beloved Indy a long and happy retirement….and I agree with Peggy the Farish’s and Lanes End are a classy bunch for keeping him there the rest of his life. If you go to Bloodhorse.com, click on photos on the left hand side, and then A P Indy, there are 32 photos of this amazing stallion and his career. He is not only a producer of 135 stakes winners, Mineshaft, Bernardini, Rags to Riches, Malibu Moon etc., but a producer of Producers!!! And was quite a fabulous race horse himself. Take a moment to check it out, he’s going to be the grandpa of Zen’s baby. I shall cherish the photo I have of me and him when I visited, and remember the kiss I gave him on his nose. Luv to Z and Indy
Deborah Lawson
Good luck to the 32! Fingers crossed for Mr. Commons, thinking about him for my superfecta today.
Patti in Carlsbad
HOOVES CROSSED FOR YOUR BARN 55 FRIEND, MR. COMMONS. GOOD RACING LUCK TO HIM AND OUR DEAR JOHN TODAY.
Barb France
Congrats to all that made the cut…nice to see some names I recognize from this post!! How exciting!
Arlene
CONGRATULATIONS to 32.
Yea, Vermont !
Blessings on Mr.Commons and you, Zenny!
Debi Hamari
Congratulations to the lucky 32! So exciting! I am rooting for my fellow Oregonian, Chris Balmes. I’m close by in Beaverton, so if she wins it, I might be able to see it!
Good luck to all. We are all winnners just by knowing Queen Zenyatta and team Z!
Robbie Pfeufer Kahn
To the thirty-two selected fair and square from the bucket, congratulations!
Especially to Dawn Conrad and Karen Mitchell whose names I recognize.
And hurray for Linda Stokes from Vermont. Yes, even here in Vermont, home of the Morgan horse, we love Zenyatta.
Good luck to all for the next round!
MK
HIGH HOOF back at ya, Z! Many thanks to Dottie and John, et al. for this great contest! It’s almost as much fun as watching Z race. I made the 2nd cut… here’s hoping I make like UConn! Best of luck to all…
@RosemarieCola Awesome to see your message the other day. Big hellos to you and Joey Bear. Glad we all love Zenyatta!
Christine B
Good morning Z. Congratulations to the fortunate 32 who are moving on!! Good luck! I was so blessed to have been in the top 64 & I’m having so much fun playing even though I’m not in the 32. Good luck to your friends Mr Commons & Mike today. I called my Dad who lives in NV and had him place a bet on them for me. Hooves crossed! :)
Trina Nagele
Congratulations to the lucky 32 who made the cut, especially to eloquent and dedicated long-time posters Karen Mitchell and Dawn Conrad! Good luck, hooves crossed!
Sarah
Reading all your posts and everyone’s comments reminds me of why I LOVE horse racing. Good Luck to the 32..=)
Leslie R.
Congrats to the lucky 32! This is very exciting!
I have my fingers crossed for Mr. Commons. It would be wonderful if he won!
Have a nice evening, sweet girl.
Love to all,
Leslie
Barb France
Got a chuckle…Bellingham is running at SA..that’s just down the road from me..gotta cheer for Bellingham, AND owned by the Moss’s!!! Looking forward to Mr.Commons and Mikey, too.
Maryyette
Happy Saturday, good luck to you, lucky 32! And as always, a world of love for you, Sweet Girl! We love you, Zenyatta-
sherry drish
I AM SO HAPPY I CAN HARDLY TYPE. THINK OF A COUNTRY GIRL WHO HAS NOT TRAVELED MORE THAN A FEW HUNDRED MILES FROM HOME, HAVING A BRONZE OF THE GREATEST IN THE WORLD, IS SO GREAT. THANK YOU, LORD..LOVE TO ALL SHERRY D. WV
OraJean Stevenson
Dear Queen-Z & Team-Z,
Give my love to APIndy and all the best for his happy retirement at L’sEFarm. That’s wonderful news that he will stay in his stall…not be up-rooted!!
Best wishes for a WIN to Mr.Commons, Mike Smith, and John Shirreffs, today, in the SADerby.
Have fun in your paddock, Zenny, with your girl-friends. Do you still pal-around with the same three mares?
Hugs to all. Fondly, OraJean
Mary Copelin
I know that Steve Haskin has said he does not want to write another bio, but he might reflect more on that and change his mind. We could start a campaign to persuade him.
I truly believe a bio on Queen Z by Steve has the potential for being a best seller. He is an exceptional writer and his subject matter for this possible bio would be other worldly.
Trina Nagele
Congratulations to the Mosses on Bellingham’s third-place finish in Race 5 at Santa Anita.
Amanda Gilliland
My Sweet Lady Zenyatta, What a beautiful spring day in Alabama. It has to be beautiful in Ky. Great photo of Isabelle & Cheva. John always takes great photos. Dottie thanks for sharing them. I was scared to check the names on the 32 list. My fears came true. With much saddness,I did not make the cut to the 32 but I feel so lucky to have been chosen in the 64. I’m happy for the ones that did make it. Yesterday, it just felt so good to think I had a chance. That’s what dreams are made of. The chance it just might happen. I’m pulling for everyone but especially for Dawn Conrad & Karen Mitchell. I hope you both make it all the way and then it’s all luck to see who ends up a winner! Good luck to you both. Good luck to the other 30 with you. The Mosses are wonderful & so generous to offer one of the bronze statues to the winner of this contest.
I’m pulling for Mr.Commons, John Sherriff, Barn 55 & The Mosses for the win.
Zenyatta, what a truly blessed horse you are with so many wonderful qualities. I want to thank you again for sharing your wisdom with me. There will never be another Zenyatta. You are the only one! I’m just so happy to be born in her lifetime to see her! Sending Hugs & Kisses From Alabama With Love, Amanda G.
P.S. Zenyatta, did you get a large TV for your birthday to see the races? I hope so.