Good Morning,
As many of you know, last Sunday Santa Anita did such a fabulous thing! They worked with The City of Hope to get people WALKING and FUNDRAISING for Cancer Research! A large crowd of people showed up to participate…including my wonderful friends from the Zenyatta Lounge. They made large signs as you can see in the above photo to help promote the event!
Dottie and John also attended…John with camera in hand…to get some photos for you. Everyone gathered in the paddock right after the last race. The walk proceeded through the tunnel to the racetrack. This is just what I would do when I raced.
Then the fans walked on the track to the top of the stretch where Santa Anita placed the starting gate. This way all of the fans could walk through the gate and experience things just like I would before a race. After this, the fans walked back down the stretch to the WINNERS’ CIRCLE.
It was really a wonderful way to not only fund raise but also to share the different aspects of the race track that fans observe…but never get to experience. Several people commented to Dottie and John that they were ‘now in the paddock’ instead of watching from outside…and then they actually ‘walked on the track’ and ‘through the starting gate’. It was great FUN for ALL….and very importantly FOR A WONDERFUL CAUSE!
Let’s hope that some day…some how…events like this DO FIND A WAY TO BEAT CANCER!
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~
Z
Lauren
Dear Zenny – Thank you for sharing with us the story about the walk for cancer. I am sure it was a wonderful day for people to experience the things that they never see at the racetrack. So Zenny, do you have any favorites in mind for the Kentucky Derby? I hope you can share with us a “hot” tip. Hooves crossed for the Lakers. Keep smiling beautiful girl. I hope you have a blessed day. xoxoxo
Barb France
What a wonderful post…I hope they continue to have this event. The City of Hope has been there for so many people who have cancer. I planned to be there this year but couldn’t make due to our cancer situation with my husband. Being a cancer survivor myself, these fund raisers alway touch my heart personally, as it does others. What fun to walk through the gates and tunnel and be in the winner’s circle…hooray for everyone! It seems many of us have more than loving Zenyatta in common…we are survivors and many more know someone special they knew who “fought the fight for there life”! Hope for a cure one day!! Thanks Team Z for all your support. And hooray for the Santa Anita Lounge Women..you go girls!!
Patti
Zenyatta, what a wonderful event and how great that the Zenyatta Lounge for Women and fans showed support for a cure. It is great to see so many fans wearing their Z gear. Have a great day beautiful girl. Snugs and hugs to you.
Sharon Call
I lost my Mom to cancer in 1976 and the improvements in cancer care and treatment since that time are amazing. It’s efforts like this that have helped provide the funding to find new ways to treat cancer that have made so much difference.
@Kirren. I just got to watch your video and it is so well done. It brought a few tears to see our girl at the track again and haning out with Mario in front of her fans. I’m so glad we have videos like this to remember those times. That being said, I’m really, really glad Z is where she is now, whole, sound and healthy and so enjoying being a horse, doing horsey things like rolling in the mud and hanging out with the girls. It’s where she deserves to be and should be at this time in her life. Perhaps next year we’ll be celebrating a new baby for her and looking forward to the day when “Baby Z” heads to the track, if that is what is meant to be.
Mary
Wish I could have been there for the walk.
Zenyatta, thank you again to the entire team for always including us in the events and pictures. Hugs and Prayers
DJ
Dearest Sweet “Z”,
Thank you for the remembrance photos of such a glorious day! It was perfect from start to finish…and our finish was dinner at The Derby to celebrate El Vino’s great win. May you and your “Z” Team be continually blessed for the Good you are giving to others. For Ellie: http://www.santaanita.com and http://www.hollywoodpark.com keep current events posted on their website. Have a joyful ‘today’ :)
Debbie
hi Z! what a wonderful event, wish I could’ve been there, I so enjoyed the photos and especially with YOUR name in them;) love you beautiful girl xoxoxo
Judy Maass Gadwood Loves Zenny/CA
Hi Girlfriend!
I wish I’d been able to return to Santa Anita on Sunday to do this walk, but I was not able to! I hope they do this next year, because I will be sure to participate! That would have been so neat to stand in the starting gate to see what YOU saw; several feet lower though LOL
Thanks for “your John” sharing the photos of this day.
HUGS & KISSES XOXO
Patty Smith
Thanks, Zenyatta! That’s me in the Zenyatta hat and shirt in the last photo above! I wear them all the time and miss seeing you when I get to the track! Hope you are doing well. Say hi to Dottie and John for me. It was GREAT meeting both of them on Sunday! :-)
Dona
My friend Jan was there representing my family and in honor of my cousin that had her first chemo last tuesday. She’s 33 years old and has 4 little ones, a girl 2 and one at 4, a son 6 and the oldest is 8. This was a special day for all and especially those that need our get well wishes. Love you and all that are in your realm.
Lisa g
Ms Zenyatta, crying and crying. Thank you, thank all the ladies of the Zenyatta Lounge, Santa Anita and City of Hope. City of Hope saved a friend of mine, he is now 10.5 years cancer free. I wish I still live in California, I would have been there for sure. Good idea about you making an appearance at the KY Derby, how cool would that be! I love you big girl, and I still have not seen that video that everybody is so excited about..tonight, for sure…I love you, I love you…Lisa g
OraJean Stevenson
Dear Queen-Z & Team-Z,
Thanks, John, for these photos of the “ON TRACK TO BEAT CANCER” event…the first I’ve seen. I was there and, in the Paddock, met a few of the lovely ladies of SA’s Zenyatta’s Lounge. I hope they can get a Z-Lounge on the back-stretch at Hollywood Park, soon. They are very grateful for all you have done for them, at Santa Anita. Zenny, you and your TEAM are great embassadors for the sport of horseracing.
Hugs to you all. Fondly, OraJean
Cindy from LA
What a wonderful post !!!! I am a health care provider that works with cancer patients. It is sooo rewarding to see
them recover and fundraise and support one another.
CHEERS FOR THE ZENYATTA LOUNGE !!!!!
georgia
I don’t think there is anyone out there that hasn’t been touched by this disease. This is such a wonderful fund raiser as so many others inspired by our queen and her team. It seems that everyday and with each post we find out so many ways that this team keeps giving back. Love to you sweet girl
Gloria
I wasn’t able to walk after the races, but my sister and I bought the shirts at Santa Anita Sunday and I wore mine yesterday. I read where they estimated they raised $100,000. That’s awesome!! Thank you so much, John for taking these pictures. I haven’t seen much of this event shown online so it’s great to have these shots.
Marilu V
Hi Zeny! Wish I had known about the event. It’s a long drive but I would have gone. So happy John, Dottie and so many of your fans joined. May be Hollywood Park and City of Hope can come up with another Walk and Fundrasing Event. I will definitely be there and also visit Barn 55 to see El Vino and Harmonious if John will allow visitors. Hugs, Marilu
Barb France
@Dona, please let your cousin know there are so many “friends” out here, especially on Z’s posting world, that will be thinking and praying for her! She is not alone!!
Cyndi Higgins
Just think, if ALL race tracks around the country held this event, the amount of money that could be raised for this cause. “The Zenyatta On Track to Beat Cancer Walk” Millions of dollars!
Kathy B.
It was a truly special day. In my mind, my Mom who battled breast cancer for 8 years was a true champion. She never lost her sense of hope and was very inspirational to those also with cancer who weren’t coping very well. I wore my handmade Zenyatta hat because she is a true champion just like all the people dealing with cancer right now in one way or another families included as it is tough to watch a loved one go thru this dreadful disease). Sunday was the 14-yr anniversary of my Mom’s passing. here’s a link to my pictures from the walk if anyone is interested…..
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?fbid=1840074874228&id=1011221734&aid=2098063&l=18e753d07c
dunie
You just never stop giving, Zenny.
Love you, girl!
Lisa g
@Kathy B: Work right now, but yes, I want to see your pics from the walk..when I get home tonight. I lost my mom 5 years ago, she got thru the surgery great…but the steriods ate her up and killed her. She had a malignant brain tumor, she was gone in 2.5 months.
suew
Zenny…once again you remind us of what is important in life…family, friends and sharing precious time to support a great cause. My father died at 49 of cancer…I have too many friends who have suffered with this disease. You and your team always seem to inspire people when it’s needed most. I hope everyone on your team realizes how important they have been to us. As for you, my Queen, you have shown the way as well with dignity and courage. Thank You.
Nancy L
A great activity. Thank you Santa Anita, Team Zenyatta, participating jockeys and all those who walked! I wish I could have been there.
Quarterhossgal
Zenny and team Z….thank you for walking to help find a cure for cancer. As a breast cancer survivor I am touched by all the race track people that do so much to help find a cure for this disease. It is fun to see all the Zenyatta hats and shirts that so many people wear to show their continued love for Queen Z. Zen is such a motivator for all of us.
J Smith
That is so cool. I’m so mad at myself for not going.
@Ellie, next ‘party’ that I know of at Santa Anita is a Kentucky Derby Party (on May 7 of course). It is a fund raiser for TROTT, tix are $50. which inc. parking and a buffet. TROTT is a 501 charity, so keep your receipts for tax purposes. It will be a really fun event, hat contest and all. There will be an auction with items from the Queen herself, Bernardini, Street Cry, and more, as well as local spa’s, restaurants, and a few very unusual things to bid on. There may be phone bidding for those who cannot attend. I will let you know nearer the time. But come and enjoy the KY Derby even if your budget does not permit bidding. Do check out the details http://www.trottusa.org
@Amy, it would be great to spread the word on that event. You can mention it on the fb pages of horses going to the Preakness it will be seen by a lot of people. Also, mention it again nearer the time. However, don’t keep posting a link a lot in the same couple of days or fb locks you out! Then you have to give them your life story to get back on, or, create a new fb! So you have to be a tad creative in repeating your post. I found that out the hard way!
Perhaps anyone reading this can help Amy out and mention it when catching up on the shananigans of Uncle Mo et al. And Amy, don’t forget that we’ll need pix!
Gosh, I’m gonna be so annoyed all day that I didn’t go. Oh by the way, if you are in So Cal, Trott may still need volunteers on the day of that event. I am volunteering myself.
Jo in CO
Kudos to everyone who participated in the City of Hope walk! I was so glad to see the pictures of Dottie and John walking with everyone and glad that the SA Lounge Women were represented,as well. The Zenyatta Legacy extends far beyond the track. Love and hugs to Z and Team Zenyatta.
J Smith
Fogot to thank John & Dottie for A. being the wonderful human beings they are. B. for posting these photo’s and sharing news of the event.
Zenny, you are one lucky horse.
Lisa g
Just checked out TrottUSA, how wonderful is this….and Luke Perry and best of all our own Liza g! O, I wish I were home. Lisa g
Gloria Jeanne
Way Too Cute!!!!
Gloria Jeanne
I hope Z will come into Season again this spring, it’s getting close to the end of breeding season right? Hope all is well with you Z.
Love and Hugs to you!!!!