HAPPY KENTUCKY DERBY DAY TO EVERYONE!
This is such an exciting time in our industry! I have had a great, great week. Ann, Jerry and Dottie were all here visiting and spending LOTS of time with ME! Then on Thursday, I hosted a lovely family who participated in a SAFE AT HOME Charity Auction. They pledged the winning bid to come and visit with ME and take a tour of Lane’s End Farm! Interestingly, at the same time David was bringing them to see ME, Ann, Jerry, Dottie, Mike Smith, Victor Espinoza, Angel Cordero and Brad Pegram were all here spending time with ME. Great photo moments…for sure! We all had LOTS OF FUN!
I have to say, I think my paddock pals are really enjoying the attention we are ALL getting. Pirate’s Queen absolutely loves everyone and goes right over to the fence the moment anyone comes to visit. I am also spending lots of time with my new paddock pals, Mona de Momma and Tasty Temptation. We are all GREAT FRIENDS and love every moment of visiting and grazing together. The Kentucky Blue Grass is lush and fabulous right now. We are SO FORTUNATE!
In addition to visiting with ME, members of MY TEAM were going back and forth to Churchill Downs each day to spend time with ZAZU! She really ran a wonderful race yesterday and finished 3rd in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks. She was finishing with a nice closing kick and we are all very proud of her effort and performance. ZAZU is so pretty. She is such a light gray that she appears to be almost white. I wanted to share this photo of her with you…as you can see how lovely she is!
TODAY IS DERBY DAY! I’m hearing so much NEWS about ALL OF THE HORSES that it is really hard to pick one. I think there are always so many stories surrounding the Derby that make it FUN! Jon Court…has had an amazing career and this is his first Derby mount. Then to have it be for his father-in-law makes it all so, so special. Dottie was commenting…can’t you just see the family out shopping for DERBY HATS together! You have to wish them well. Then the female side of all of this is intriguing with the 2 female trainers, Katherine Ritvo and Kathleen O’Connell, and the female jockey, Rosie Napravnik, all having wonderful opportunities in this year’s RUN FOR THE ROSES.
MY TEAM won the Kentucky Derby in 2005 with GIACOMO! They have commented a zillion times, it is the thrill of a lifetime…and a true moment you will never forget. It will always be a part of you!
May all of the horses and their connections in this year’s DERBY have a safe and wonderful trip! May they experience MOMENTS OF A LIFETIME!
GOOD LUCK TO ALL!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Peyton
Oh Zenyatta! I’ve been watching the derby all day long. Even though I’m just at home watching it I got all dressed up. I love horse racing, it’s the greatest sport! I saw that segment on Rachel Alexandra(who by the way is nothing compared to you). I really miss seeing you. Since your team is coming to see you, do you think we could PLEASE get some more pictures and videos of you?! Please, I really miss seeing you, and i would love to see a picture of you frolicking around in the green grass with your friends. Please can we have some more pictures of you?!!
Carol from CT
Happy Kentucky Derby Day. I was happy to hear you have had a nice visit with your family this week. They must miss you very much but must be pleased you are so happy at the farm. We are all very lucky that Dottie keeps us informed about how you are doing.
Hope everyone has a safe trip in the Derby.
Amanda Gilliland
My Sweet Lady Zenyatta, Happy Derby Day!ZaZu is georgous! I’m proud of ZaZu for her racing performance. Thanks for sharing the memory photos of Giacomo. What a special time for The Mosses & The Shirreffs to remember Winning The Derby! Giacomo, what a HORSE! Zenyatta, I just saw on NBC how they made the Red Roses Blanket! 500 roses! WOW what a sweet smell of Success that must be!. They showed it arriving in a glass container at The Derby. What a beautiful sight to see. I was planning to go this year for the 1st time to The Derby but the tornado here changed my plans. Thank goodness for television & internet. It looks like the rain is holding off :) Talk later Sweet Lady! Sending Hugs & Kisses From Alabama With Love, Amadna G.
Valerie chase
Thank you Z and Dottie!!! Xxoo!!!
Peppermint
Happy Derby Day everyone. Just heard about Rachel’s boy. That’s pretty exciting.
Don’t worry Zenny, you’ll be having a little one eventually too.
Zazu’s photo is so lovely. Thanks for sharing it with us and also for taking the time to keep this wonderful site going! It’s special to so many of Zenny’s devoted fans.
Lynette Lucas
Zenny – Please telll ZaZu she ran a great race and I was cheering for her from the start!!! I’m so glad that you a great time visiting with your team!! Love you big girl!! Hugs and Kisses from Roswell,NM!!!
Tere Thomas
Zazu is gorgeous! Thanks for sharing her photo and here is a great big shout out for her race and placing yesterday – Well done Zazu!! I’m excited about Derby day and that is largely due to your enthusiasm being so contagious. You have taught us all so much about the racing industry. I love it and I love you!!
maria mcleese
Z -I hope there is a tv close by where you can listen to the race and the crowd, maybe do a dance step or two for old times sake.
Neva Rae Powers
Watching the Derby now!
Way to go Zazu! Great race yesterday.
Mary Margaret from Georgia
Rooting for Mucho Macho Man and Kathy and Pants on Fire and Rosie. Wish all contenders have a safe trip. Love to you Zenyatta.
Henrietta Wolfe
It’s all JUST TOO CUTE!!!! I miss YOU Z!
Paula Higgins
ZaZu is really beautiful Zenny/Dottie! She ran a great race too. I love the fact that Pirate Queen thinks all the visitors are for her too, and you know what, they are. She has become a little star in her own right. I am so glad you all had a great visit with Zenny. I know she loves to see you all so much. You are the family she has always known. Well, just saw the Kentucky Derby and it was good, but it made me miss Zenny even more. I am beginning to realize that no on else will ever measure up and I need to get out of that mindset. Not fair to the sport and definitely not fair to the horses running their hearts out. Congratulations to Animal Kingdom and his connections.
Especially Horses
Animal Kingdom!
Paula Higgins
Also congratulations to Kathy Ritvo for Mucho Macho Man and coming in third.
Cammy
Congrats to Animal Kingdom who won the derby XD
Aleah
Was a great Derby. Im rly happy that Animal Kingdom won! Hope your having fun Z. Wish I could’ve watched you on that track today. :)
Hannah J.H.
Well, ANIMAL KINGDOM has won the 137th KENTUCKY DERBY!!!!!
Hopefully well have a triple crown winner!
Love~
Hannah
P.S, Who were you going for, Zenyatta?
Hannah J.H.
Calvin Borel, though I wish would at least have placed, :..(
DJ
ZAZU…You are absolutely PRECIOUS!!! A show-stopper!
……………………………..
And of course dear sweet “Z,” YOU are too good to be true!
Thank your kind owners and trainers for their great generosity and heart-felt sharing.
Susan Edwards
Zazu is beautiful! Does she like to run as much as Zenyatta did?
Hannah J.H.
Some times I wish that you had entered the K Y derby but i think it was all for the better that you didn’t. Filly’s aren’t developed usually by the time there three and as you know, Eight Belles entered and had to get put down due to her front broken ankles, so I’m glad that you didn’t enter when you had the chance, and you still are very healthy. :)
Love you Zen!!!~
Hannah Beg for carrots from me!
Paige
Well, another Derbby Day has come and gone. Congrats to all the twenty groups involved with Animal Kingdom. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but it might have been better if either Mucho Macho Man or Pants on Fire won. Or if Uncle Mo had been in the race, the shape-up might have been different. But either way, I’m extremely happy for Johnny V. Zazu did a great job yesterday to finish third.
Also, I found out that Rachel Alexandra will be having a colt. Congrats to everyone surrounding RA and her unborn colt! Still, it doesn’t mask the hurt we all feel for you, Queen Z. But learning this news about Rachel shall never eclipse the feelings we shall feel about your unborn foal, Zenyatta! We all love you and shall continue to follow your family! Lots of love to you all!!
-Paige. :D
Debbie G
What an exciting Derby! I was disappointed none of the girls won, but I’m happy for John Velasquez. My heart goes out to you, Amanda G. You and all of the tornado victims are in my thoughts and prayers and hopefully you can make it to next year’s Derby. I love you Zenny :-)
Nancy McNaul Applegate
Zazu certainly is a beautiful gal….must be something those Z’s have in common!
Jenna
Hey pretty girl! Happy Derby Day. Fantastic race. Great ending! MIss hearing about you and seeing photos. Hope to see you soon. Have fun with your visit, Gorgeous.
Thank you, Dottie, for keeping us up to date!!
Brenda
Derby Day is over for another year, Animal Kingdom ran a good race and what a thrill for John Velasquez to pick up a winning mount at such a late stage. I’m happy that Archarcharch doesn’t have a really serious injury and everyone else had a safe trip. Zazu is a pretty girl but, of course, doesn’t come close to you. You’ve had a busy exciting week and I’m sure your friends have enjoyed all the attention too, you’ll all have to rest up now and enjoy that great Kentucky Blue Grass.
Cindy from LA
Congratulations to Animal Kingdom a very talented
Colt and JV in their win in their Run for the Roses.
Wow never raced on dirt and looked like a natural;
All three surfaces. Great work by Master of Hounds
Fifth. Loved MMM at third.
What a wide open Derby!!!!
Hope you enjoyed the race Zenny.
Maryyette
Congratulations to Animal Kingdom, Nehro and Mucho Macho Man and their teams.
That is such a tough race – and soo many horses.
Everyone, please say a prayer for Archarcharch – he suffered a fracture when his saddle slipped – we love him here in Arkansas – love ALL the horses – hope he is ok – and also his jockey, Jon Court – the first post position is a tough one to have – thank you –
Love always to you, sweet Zenyatta –
Sharyn Priester
Such a beautiful picture of Zazu. She did us all proud yesterday! So glad you have had so much of your “family” around this week. Sure does make it special for all of you.
Great race run by Animal Kingdom!
Charlotte A. Farmer
The Derby is now in the history books and it is on to Pimlico. I am glad your John waited to run you. You are healthy and happy. Congratulations to the winner of the Derby, quite a surprise, but all who run are winners in one way or the other.
I am glad your family is there with you.
Love you Zenyatta!