HAPPY APPLE BLOSSOM HANDICAP DAY!
I just LOVE this race and want to wish all of the participants GOOD LUCK! It was an absolute thrill to go to Oaklawn Park on the 2 different times I participated in the APPLE BLOSSOM HANDICAP—Grade 1.
Mr. Cella and his staff were fabulous to us, the fans outstanding, and the weather was beautiful! I even had a police escort to be sure the traffic was moving right along as I was in the van going to the track from my plane and then when I returned to the plane after my stay in Arkansas.
I must also say that the Apple Blossom trees located by the outdoor paddock were gorgeous! I vividly remember standing under them as I ‘schooled’ for the race. GREAT TIMES and GREAT MEMORIES…for sure!
Also, later today we are drawing the names of the ELITE EIGHT for our contest! The results will be posted in tomorrow’s DIARY!
Again…all the best to MY APPLE BLOSSOM FRIENDS…and to the people who will be part of the ELITE EIGHT! HOOVES CROSSED!
Enjoy your day!
With love,
Hugs to ALL~
Z
Dawn Deems
We love you Zenny! Safe trips to all in the Apple Blossom. It’ll be weird without you in the race. XOXOXO
Tressia
Sure wish you were still racing, those were such exciting times! There is nothing like watching you come from behind and kicking everyon’s butt!
Bridget
Ya! I second that!
susan
how can someone be so cute AND beautiful at the sames time?! i don’t know but you are! love you!
Janine
So excited to see the elite 8!!
Misty
I think all the fans miss seeing the Queen kick butt!!! U definitely knew how to cause a stir! ;)
Pam Zacek,
You look so beautiful just standing there, waiting, for appleblossom race, you can sure, say your the elite, horse, Im hoping the lucky people who get the broze one of you know how very very lucky they are, of course they do, they love you big time, like us all.Hoofs crossed, for all running, in that race if your know any one,
Allen
I agree, sure wish you were still racing.But you do look good in pink. Have a great day and stay dry.
Sophie
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No it’s Zenyatta! The call of this race is my ringtone and has been for a year now. I love it! For the first few weeks, I almost didn’t want to answer the phone because I wanted to hear the rest of the ringtone. :-)
Lorri
I love the race name, Apple Blossom! Can’t wait to watch the race. Sure wish you were in it Zenny! xoxo
Good Luck to the Elite 8!
Cindy from LA
Dear Zenny,
Love the Apple Blossom towel !!!! With you out of the picture perhaps Switch will win. She is the favorite. Good luck to the Sweet Sixteen soon to be the Elite Eight. Wishing Uncle Mo a swift recovery.
And the “baby” Midnight Indulgence, a closer, all the best in the Derby. Arkansas Derby this week end. Go Factor!!!! He is not as exciting as you Zenny coming from behind, but he sure is fast. Hope he can stay relaxed and make it all the way!!!! Good luck to all the colts in the Arkansas Derby. Will it be another upset weekend? Also, a safe and healthy race weekend for all the colts and fillys.
Kathy B.
My favorite print so far is the one of you and Mario walking under the apple blossom trees before this race! I got it from the artist last year at Del Mar and it is framed and hanging in my bedroom! Those trees must really be beautiful, and how regal you are!
Joanna
Z…couldn’t help but notice the blue leg wraps. Chic and classy! I love how the TB racing industry has gotten more colorful equipment for the horses. I think it’s Zazu that has a lot of red to go with jock’s silks; looks cool. Enjoy the spring, Z!
Laura B
Dear Z,
You look fabulous in your saddle towel! Good luck to everyone on the elite eight!
When’s your next visit to B? How is spring treating you??? Thanks for all the great updates!
DJ
Dearest “Sweet Z”,
Thank you for the photo of you modeling your “Apple Blossom Saddle.”. Will be thinking of you Sunday at S.A. with my family rootin for your friend El Vino. With you as his old ‘sparring partner’ he cannot help but succeed :) Happy ‘apple munching to you!’
DJ
Dear Trina N,
You are very welcome! I have a hunch “The Easter Bunny” may have a reward for your kindness to all…
Fran
Have a wonderful day Z, and I am eagerly awaiting the next draw-so excited for everyone. Can’t wait to see who wins. Kate and Doozey have a horse show this weekend!
xxoo
Judy Maass Gadwood Loves Zenny
Hi Zenny Sweetheart!
Apple Blossom brings back happy memories for me!
First of all, Easter Sunday, the Sunday before you were shipped to Arkansas, “your John” let me visit you! That was the first of many visits with you. I got to watch you work out on the dirt track behind Barn 55! I have video of that day :-)
I have a picture of me feeding you a carrot on facebook!! Every one loves that photo of you! TOO CUTE!
The other reason this race has special meaning to me, is I streamed it while here at work. I had 8 people (none into horse racing!) standing behind me to watch you race for “their” FIRST TIME! I would turn around and watch THEM watch YOU! What a thrill to see their expressions! One said, “Oh, she’s so far back, are you sure she’s going to win?!” I said, “Just wait!!!” :-) And then you brought A big GRIN :-) to all of their faces as you headed for the wire! “WOW” is what they all said!!!! I said, “Now you know what you’ve been missing!!!”
HUGS & KISSES XOXOXO
Sarah Powell
Never get tired of seeing pictures of you – so elegant with your ears perked up – you always know everything going on around you!! Fingers and Hooves crossed for the drawing – it’s so exciting. Good luck to everyone. (thanks Dottie)
Lauren
Dear Zenny – How cute you look in your Appel Blossom towel. It would be so much fun to see you race again, but now it is time for you to relax and have fun with your friends. Hope you have a wonderful day beautiful girl. Keep smiling. Love and kisses and GO LAKERS!!!!!
MLV
@Kathy B…your description of the wonderful print reminds me of one of my fondest memories of Zenyatta and Mario. I was at the Lady’s Secret last October. It was so exciting and the crowd at Hollywood Park was incredible. I stood by the paddock (in the blazing sun)near the #5 marker for more than four hours, waiting to see Zenyatta up close before the race. I was not disappointed. She was so close I could almost reach out and touch her when Mario walked her around.
But my favorite part of the whole afternoon was after the race was over and I was still in my seat. Mario and Zenyatta had left but I could still see them in the distance, walking back to the barn area. You had to look through binoculars to really see them and the crowd didn’t seem to notice. But I just sat there and watched thinking how nice it was for the both of them, the race was over and now they were quietly walking back to the barn in the sun and shade as they disappeared behind the trees and then appeared again. I can’t help but think how Mario must miss those precious moments that only he got to share with Zenyatta.
The Kennedys in San Diego
Apart from your winning the 2010 Apple Blossom, our fondest memory is of you bowing to your fans as you were introduced before the start of the race.
For those who have not seen it, go to YouTube and enter “Zenyatta bowing to her fans @ Oak Lawn Park.” It is a treasure.
Mary M. Meek
Zenyatta, I saw you for the first time last year in Hot Springs. I went to the airport to see you land, and saw you during the week exercising and schooling in the paddock before the big race on Friday. (I enjoyed your previous posts about the horse airplane, since my first sight of you was standing in the door of the plane. I would know that blaze of yours anywhere.) https://picasaweb.google.com/moonwalker424/2010_04_05HotSpringsAR#5527341166990287282
And then I made a video of you in the post parade of the Apple Blossom that became very popular: (we ladies are being very excited to see you, so if you don’t want to hear excited women, turn down the sound) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05gLi7LJUsk
MMM
Lynette Lucas
Zenny – I agree with the others that the race won’t be the same with out you!!! Good Luck to the Elite Eight winners!!! Good luck to everybody in the Apple Blossom!!! Love you Zenny!! Hugs and Kisses from Roswell,NM!!!
Cathy Marshall
Zenny, pink is your color. You look lovely in that photo. Love you!!
dunie oneil
SO miss having YOU in the Apple Blossom!
Gloria
Hey Big Mama Z! I am got behind a day in reading the diary entries. I just now finished #226 and now I’m on to this one. I think every time it’s an anniversary of one of your race dates, I start missing you not being at Barn 55. I’m so glad for these Diary Entries from Dottie and all of the info and pictures that are supplied to us fans. Thanks always to Team Z for keeping us updated on all things Zenyatta.
TanNa
don’t sit under the apple BLOSSOM tree with anyone else but ZEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
TX Lady
Little Rock loves Lady Z – just made my donation to “OLD FRIENDS” (not much but something) – they need $300,000 by the end of April – they received $50,000 in 24hrs – so if any of Z’s fans can spare just $5 or $10 they can really use it – Glod Bless all of her fans …
Andrea from Germany
Zenny, hope your are healthy and fine. I still miss you and the Apple Blossom isn´t that exciting to me as it was last year-because you are not in it. But I always am so thankful that you came off the track in one piece, so many breakdowns. But not Zenny. Love you Zenny.