HAPPY MONDAY, EVERYONE!
I hope all of you had a great weekend. The Preps really put everything into a BIG UNKNOWN for the Kentucky Derby! It will be interesting to see how it all plays out during the next few weeks! This is such a FUN time of the year!
Yesterday was very exciting! EL VINO, my gallant workmate for many of my pre-race workouts, is now having a fun time on the track and winning his own races. He was such a great sport last year and really worked hard to assist me with my racing career. Now he is having his own success. I AM SO PROUD OF HIM!
When a horse is preparing for BIG RACES and competing on a very high level, the workouts need to be challenging and solid to substantiate the preparation. One needs to be extremely fit and ready for competition. In 2010, I ran in all Grade 1 races. As this is the highest level we have in our sport, my pre-race workouts were very important to my success!
EL VINO really helped out with this part of my training program! He was the horse who set the pace for me in many of my works. He was also part of the team drills John would orchestrate to often prepare me for my Grade 1 races. Words truly can’t express how appreciative I am of his efforts. As a matter of fact, John often said he deserved an AWARD of his own for being a fabulous SUPPORTING PLAYER!
EL VINO looks so comfy, cozy and happy back at the barn relaxing after yesterday’s victory. It was his second WIN in a row! Sunday was a rather warm day in Arcadia, so Frank and Ruben very safely set up a nice big fan by his stall to really help him enjoy the moment!
On his stall door, there is also a yellow sign which says SECURE AREA…DETENTION STALL…DO NOT APPROACH! In California, it is absolutely MANDATORY that this sign be posted by the stall of every single horse who is running that day…a minimum of 4 hours before his/her race. This sign is meant to indicate several things to everyone: 1) this horse is ENTERED TO RUN ON THIS DAY 2) the stall is MONITORED and SECURE and 3) this horse is not to be touched or bothered by anyone before the race except the immediate barn staff who will need to put the equipment on the horse and take he/she over to the paddock to run. This is one of the many industry precautions taken to protect the integrity of our SPORT. These rules are essential and extremely important!
I must say, it is deeply touching to see EL VINO again! I am so happy for him! Dottie was telling me that several people stopped her at the races yesterday and commented that ‘he had cotton in his ears’ just like ME…and they bet on him because he was my WORKMATE!
She also mentioned while in the Winners’ Circle, EL VINO literally bowed his head 3 times towards the camera when posing for his picture. It was as if he was sending ME one great big…”YIPPEE, Z, I DID IT!” This is TOO CUTE!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Allen
I am sure El Vino helped you train, and it looks like you were a good teacher also. Z, hope you are doing alright. You have a great day, with lots of Love to you from Tn.
Ginger
What a sweet and informative post! Congrats to El Vino! Wishing him many more great races! He has such an adorable face! Too cute pic. of him with the cotton balls in his ears. Every time I see them now, I have to smile, thinking of you Zenny!:)
Stella Bagwell
Dearest Z,
Congratulations–El Vino!!! How fabulous that your workmate won his race. I’m sure you were cheering him on. Since he was the pacesetter for you, dear girl, he already knew what it was like to be on the track with the best! Obviously he learned a lot from you. Best wishes certainly go to him.
I hope you were snug in your barn when the bad weather stormed through the south and the east this past weekend. Horses always know when the atmosphere is turbulent, so I’m sure you weren’t surprised by the storms.
Hope your week is starting out nicely,Z, with plenty of grass and racing gossip!
Much love,
Stel
Kimberly Potter
Yeah El Vino!! – another one to be following. Thank you Zenyatta (Dottie) for another interesting lesson. I can not get enough of you.
Love your #1 fan in Montana!
Sarah Powell
After working out with you, your buddy KNEW he could beat those other horses – you taught him some tricks – especially how to be a gracious winner by bowing for the cameras!! Sure would like to hear some news about you – even if it’s just that you played outside today and you’re fine!But we understand that it is a busy time for all – just miss that day-to-day info. Any tips for the derby??
(thanks Dottie)
DJ
Dear Kirren,
Thank you so much for the ‘gift’ of your beautiful video. I was suspended between smile and tear…Z’s family will just love it! She is amazing and so is your “love story on film.”
Nancy Bickford
Hi Z,
I’m glad California has laws like that about not disturbing or entering a race horse’s stall while in the detention barn! More tracks should have such a rule! I’m glad your workmate is doing well. See, YOU taught him how to be a winner and how to be gracious to the fans in the winner’s circle! You should be proud, Z-girl! Love ya!
nancy
Watch his race so proud of him now his time in the spotlight. Congrats El V :) Hugs and love to you as well Z.
J Smith
Yea, extra carrots & peppermints for El Vino. As Heather C. said above, it was On Track For a Cure, at Santa Anita yesterday. It was the last day of racing there until the fall (back to Hollywood Park). U donate $10. (I think) and you get to walk the home stretch after the last race of the day. Very cool, think of all the horses in whose hoof prints you follow. Anyway, they showed all the people walking on the news last night, and there in the middle, was a big sign being carried in the your racing colours Zenny, that said, ‘Zenyatta Womens Lounge’. TOO CUTE. You are thought of so often by everyone. Heather Culross (see above)said she posted photo’s on her face book page. I haven’t had time to look yet but maybe she has a photo of the sign. Thanks in advance Heather, I’ll look now.
Lisa g
Ms Zenyatta, thank you for the update and more interesting info on horseracing. El Vino is a cutie, I have seen him before, not racing, of course. I did not know that a horse helping for pre-races is a part of traing to race. It makes sense. The bowing, he learned the cute things from you as well…Did you have that signal all worked out? You knew he would win and win big for the fans. I need to see Kirren’s video, hoping it is on your FB, everybody is excited about it. See you tomorrow, Big Girl…I love you, I love you….Lisa g
Ginger
@ Kirren – beautiful video!
TanNa
He must have been taking notes all the while he worked out with you — smart guy. he learned from the BEST!! Congratulations to him.
Linda
Hi Zennie!
I bet El Vino looks around at the competition, sees no Zenyatta, sighs relief & thinks to himself I can beat these guys!
I am so glad to see he is enjoying racing success. I loved watching your unique training sessions when you had to run against 2 horses starting at separate places on the track just to keep you interested & focused. John sure kept you on your toes. Have a nice week Big Z.
Ollie
Zen, so happy to know that your pal
El Vino won his race and even did the
“bow” gesture to the camera. WOW, did I get flashbacks of you at the winners circle. Love you and miss you lots.
Stacey
I was there, he ran a great race…and I bet on him so we both won!!! :)
Stephanie Quilichini
Great post-I didn’t know that about the Horses before they race! Thanks for the information!
Abigail from Montreal
Hello there El Vino. I watched a replay of your race today and boy! Were you ever impressive!!! It was like watching you, Zenny, because he came from the back just the way you did. This gave me a laugh, in a way. I kept thinking: If he was Zenny’s work-mate, how hard could this field be!!!
Love you, big girl.
J Smith
HEATHER CULROSS, Hi, I found your fb page and the post that said u had a great day at SA, however, being somewhat technologicaly impared (putting it mildly) I couldn’t figure out how to look at the photos. I’d really like to see them, could you help as out and post the link directly to the photo’s here. Thanks so much.
Patty Smith
I can’t tell you how happy it made me to see the Team Zenyatta colors in the winner’s circle again! What a joy! I went to the paddock saddling area yesterday to see El Vino while he was being saddled and walked around before the race and he was even doing a modified version of your dance steps! It was great to see! After he headed for the track I must have known where he would end up because I stood behind the winner’s circle to watch that particular race and there were many of us “Z” fans around happily cheering him as he entered with the victory. I spoke to John and Dottie yesterday afternoon during the ON TRACK TO BEAT CANCER event and told them how great his victory was – and it was also great that the two of them got so involved with that wonderful charity event at Santa Anita yesterday too! A big thanks goes out to them too! I love that El Vino helped you in your career and that he is now well on his way to making his own name in the sport! YAY EL VINO!
Bobbie from WI
I was watching him due to his connections but didn’t realize until after the race that he was your workout mate. I think that is just special that he shared his big moment with you. How sweet. Any news on whether Mr Commons will be taking a trip to KY?
Elena Erdman
Hey hey gorgeous gal. Yes, El Vino looked cool. So did Dottie when she spoke. She said you would be given more seclusion when the next breeding comes along. Thank you for all the info on the preps for racing. I am getting so excited with the Kentucky Derby coming up. Today is my birthday and it sure is not as sunny as it was yesterday, but then all I have to do is check your website and the sunshine comes out again. I love you.
Kathy Beyers
I saw his race and bet on him! I should have bet more – but I knew he would run huge no mater what. He looked very happy before and after the race. After all, he had the best horse in the world to work with….and now he gets to win as much as he wants. I thought the head bows were just ‘too cute’ – maybe he learned a thing or two from you Z! Kudos to all who organized the cancer walk yesterday…it was the 14th anniversary of my Mom’s passing from breast cancer. It was a very emotional day, but I still somehow managed to take pictures in the gate of stall 4 (Z BC win) at the finish line (Z BC win) and in the winner’s circle (Z BC win). Wore my hand-made Zenyatta hat in honor of her awesomeness. I think the people who battle cancer (and there are so many these days) are all brave heroic champions! I hope my Mom was watching from Heaven – it was a special day.
Nancy L
Very informatiive and great to have another horse to follow closely. John is one of the trainers in my virtual stable and now I have a story to go with the name :)
Margaret
Another fact learned. Z I have to send some things I’m working on to John and Co.-you helped me with this project. As Dottie would say It’s Too Cute!
Thanks Z. Stay warm–it’s a bit chilly here.
Mary Stanford
Hi Z…. I loved the post today…it is fun to learn new things about racing. I am happy for El Vino….seems he likes the cameras just like you. I just watched a video on your facebook page that a lady named Kirren put together…she did an awesome job. I sat here with tears watching it….you sure do know how to touch ones heart. I loved how you loved the camera. You were and are the Queen….hugs to you Z.
Margie
Hi Sweet Girl, I love this post today with all of its great info. We’re always learning from you and Dottie.
I also love the news about El Vino! How great is that? I’m going to watch a video of his race in a minute, and view Kirren’s video, too! Looks like El Vino learned at the hooves of the Great One – how lucky can one horse be? :-) Love you, Z, of course!
Jan
Zenyatta,
WOW!! John’s Barn really puts out some fine TB’s. Way to go El Vino, you are one handsome dude :) I am amazed at all that goes on before races etc. Thanks for the touching video Kirren :) Hope you are doing well and staying Healthy & Happy big Mama. Love from Houston. xoxoxo.
Trisha Veazey
Ah, I hope he does well. He had a great role model, cotton in his ears and everthing.
Hope you are having a grand time in KY, now that the weather is changing and you can get to that sweet grass.
Love hugs and kisses
Eve
What is the word on you and Bernie, did you have another date????
Margie
Kirren, thank you so much for your lovely video – I almost made it through without a tear, but you got me at the end! lol