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
Cara Ezzell
Love this photo of you Queen Z w/ your Apple Blossom blanket!! Gonna miss seeing you race but I’m happy that you are retired now after ALL that work & WINS!! I was hoping to see Blind Luck run, but last time I looked @ the line-up she wasn’t listed. Anyway, I’m going to be pulling for Switch since you won’t be there! I pray for for a safe, clean for all the horses!! I have my favs (which of course you are @ the top of my list) but there’s not one horse out there that I don’t like!! Who are you pulling for?
God bless Uncle Mo & please pray for a speedy recovery!! I know from my own horse that their GI tracts are VERY sensitive (especially horses under high stress such as track horses). I hope they will not run him in the Derby if their is any danger to his health. I wish John was his trainer b/c I KNOW the right decision would be made! Uncle Mo is young & he has plenty of time to race in the future. I hope I haven’t offended anyone, but I just care so much about the horse’s well-being.
Hope your having a wonderful day & love u much baby girl!!!
Cara from Houston
Karen Line
You looked as beautiful and powerful as ever, Zennie! I SO agree — weird without you at the races. But I am so glad that you are clearly happy, mud covered and indulged. Hope your girl posse is enjoying hanging with you. Can’t wait for the opportunity to come and see you!
Eveline
Hi Zenny, hope you’re having a nice day. I love Oaklawn, I was there the year Azeri won the Apple Blossom.@ Julie DuVall- yes they do fly horses with Fed-Ex, I have not flown with them, just with Tex Sutton in the US with racehorses and internationally with KLM and Lufthansa with showjumpers. All first class allthough everyone does it different. Also with Flying Tigers, that was scary not fit for the Queen. Good luck to all in the running for the Elite Eight.
Debbie
Zenny, we truly miss seeing you race. There has never been anything like you before. You were a wonder on four hooves! I am so glad for all of the memories you and your team continue to share with us. Have a great weekend and enjoy the spring weather. Love you girl!
William
We sure do miss seeing you race. I also want to thank you and your team for everything you have done for all of us! Good luck to all in the drawing!!
Lisa g
Ms Zenyatta, the most beautiful girl in the world, thanks for the photo…and right, it is not the same without you.
Good luck Sweet Sixteen….
Karey R
@Dawn Conrad, You are so incredibly kind to ask about how I’m doing. Your posts add enrichment to the daily ‘news’ and your thoughtfulness spreads a sense of community throughout. No wonder so many regular posters are keeping their
‘hooves’ crossed for you in the drawing!
To answer your question…I’ve had some personal challenges in recent weeks which have kept much of my focus busy elsewhere, but Zenyatta, her team, Dottie, and the blog community continue to be in my heart. I check in to read as much as time allows as often as possible. Aren’t we fortunate that so many loving, caring, kind people come here on a regular basis?!?!
On another note, as we get closer and closer to knowing who the new holder of the Zenyatta bronze will be, I’d like to echo a post from awhile ago suggesting the winner hold a viewing party for all within driving distance. TOO CUTE!!
Lisa g
@Willam and Linda of Texas: Go Guy, Go Girl..bring Zenyatta to TEXAS.
suew
Zenny…such great memories of this race and another of your heart stopping finishes. You always brought it…always.
The videos of your time in Ark. are special…the love that poured from the people to you and from YOU back to them was remarkable. Thanks for sharing another memory with us.
Tomorrow it’s the elite 8….good luck to all!
Kathy Baldwin
Ah,yes “Big Girl”…we all miss seeing you
race! You and your “Connections” are truly
one of a kind. Best thoughts to all in this
years Apple Blossom. May they all cross the
finish line safe and sound!
Love & Blessings to you Zenny and all of
your “Connections”,
Kathy from SoCal :)
Cathleen
And I remember when you were in the infield and they introduced you and said Zenyatta you bowed to the crowd!! Such a smarty pants! :)
Henrietta Wolfe
Zenyatta, YOU ARE PRETTY IN PINK!! So much racing going on and so many people missing YOU! Thank goodness for videos. YOU have a great day and be in touch. ZENYATTA, YOU ARE SIMPLY THE BEST, BETTER THAN ALL THE REST!!! xoxoxo
Debbie
hi Z! sure wish you were racing today;) I’ll be dreaming of YOU beautiful girl!!! xoxoxo good luck to all sweet sixteen!!
Sheri
Thats cool! Good luck to all in the apple blossom!! :D
Katie Clawson
Z, you look beautiful..as always :D Have a wonderful day today with your friends!
Love, Katie(future jockey)
P.S. Have you been bred to Bernardini again???
sandy
I will be thinking of you Zenyatta today when the ladies run in the Apple Blossom!! You gave me wonderful memories and even made new friends from all over the country who came to see you run in the Apple Blosssom!! I wish the best for all running in todays Apple Blossom!! Thankyou Zenyatta for all the wonderful thoughts and memories!! Love you!!
LauraJ
@Joanna, IIRC, “Dear John” Shirreffs uses royal blue and white as his training stable colors. That’s why she has blue leg wraps. When she worked out, she wore a blue saddle towel with white accents. When she raced, she wore three blue stripes at the tops of her white back wraps. (They make the wraps look like gym socks.) Sometimes she would wear a blue and white browband.
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@Kennedys, I love that video. She’s so smart.
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The Apple Blossom field looks like a good one. I will be interested to see how Belle Watling does. She was Chile’s Horse of the Year this past year. Good luck and safe trip to all!
Pamela J Hebert
Sure do miss seeing you race Zenny. Thank you for sharing everything with us, everyday is so enlightening. From your sharing your racing days, your charitable works, the breathtaking photo of the plane in the sky & the drawing for your bronze. I hope Uncle Mo will be alright it’s a shame your dear John isn’t his trainer- I know he’d be well cared for. Take care sweet girl-enjoy the spring in Kentucky.
Alexandra Bowdoin
Hello Zenyatta, I can not imagine The Apple Blossom Grade 1 without you running in it! I wish everyone luck in the drawing that will be posted tomorrow. Wonder who is pulling the cards this time?
I wish my name was on the list! I am wearing my Zenyatta shirt to work today, my nickname at work is Ms Z!
Shannon From Cool
Yeah, I agree we sure do miss seeing you race Zenny. There will never be another STAR like you.
Pamela J Hebert
Sure do miss seeing you race Zenny. Thank you for sharing everything with us, everyday is so enlightening. From your sharing your racing days, your charitable works, the breathtaking photo of the plane in the sky & the drawing for your bronze. I hope Uncle Mo will be alright it’s a shame your dear John isn’t his trainer- I know he’d be well cared for. Take care & enjoy spring in Kentucky.
Jenna
Thank you Dottie for sharing Zenyatta with us. What a pretty picture!!
I miss hearing about her day to day. I hope all is well with her.
TGIF!!!
Delores
Oh Zenyatta you look so beautiful. I too wish you were racing, there is no other like watching you come from last and pass all the others in the stretch to win. Love it. I love you and miss you racing.
You are happy and very well taken care of and that is the most important thing.
Have a great day and hooves crossed for the elite eight.
Love you lots beautiful girl XOXOXOXO.
Pamela Hill
hey!! where is everybody??!! oh, i know, this is just posted. enjoy that ky. spring weather and new grass. just don’t get a belly ache from it! love your diary and and God bless the folks that help you write it!!
Gerrie P.
Great memories of the Queen. Wish we could rewind it all over again.
Still miss Zenyatta at the track. Racing is not the same without her.
Dmama
Hoping you will soon be under the apple tree with Bernie :-)
Kathryn Dube
I’m actually glad you are “living the good life” in retirement, Queen Zenyatta, and are no longer racing. I was too stressed worrying about the possibilities of major injuries during your final races. I am so glad you finished your racing career in tip-top shape, more important than going undefeated in my book! Long live the Queen!!!
Mary Stanford
I love that you …the Queen…had to have police escort….you were a star then and you are now to all your fans. I miss seeing you race and getting all excited…I never bet….but I just loved watching you dancing, enjoying the crowd, working the crowd :)… and racing. Love you Z…..Hugs to you…..
Trisha Veazey
Have a great week end gorgeous and to all who still remain in the drawing, GOOD LUCK!
Love, hugs and kisses
Kim Curtsinger
Hi Zenny-Another rainy afternoon. I’m tired of the rain, what about you? I must say Zenny, last weekend I went to Keeneland and something was missing. Since you’re no longer racing, I have lost some of my love for the sport. I have no one to follow. Miss seeing you on the track.
Have a good Friday evening.