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
Quarterhossgal
Zenny…what great crowds for both the Derby and the Oaks! Congrats to both Animal Kingdom and Plum Pretty. We can’t get enough of horse racing and the stories behind the horses are always so interesting. Sounds like you had your own Derby party with all your company! Loved the story on 60 minutes about you Queen Z.
Vicki
I was thrilled with Zazu’s finish yesterday in the Kentucky Oaks. I have been following both her and the winner Plum Pretty all year, so I wrote a story about them and it is posted today on http://www.racing.write.com.
Doreen
Comma to the Top was also injured in the Derby. He chipped his left ankle and will be out for at least 60 days following his surgery. I wish both he and ArchArchArch a speedy and an uneventful recovery.
Ann
Be proud my Queen. The Kentucky Derby and Oaks had the greatest turnout because of you. You made it happen Zenny. All hail the Queen. Long live the Queen.
Yvonne and Maurice Kirby
Hi Zenyatta. It was a great day of racing. Just so sorry Arch, Arch, Arch got hurt and needs surgery, but thank God it is not life threatening. So sorry to hear Comma to the Top was also injured. He did go back so quickly. Thank God that it is not life threatening. Does anyone know how Battle of Hastings is. He was pulled up out of the race today. Please let me know. The picture of Zazu is beautiful. She is such a gorgeous horse and ran with such heart yesterday. Now I am excited for a possible triple crown bid – if so, Belmont here I come. It is so nice to hear how happy you are with all of your visitors, family and friends. You are so special. Enjoy the spring weather, eat well, have fun with your BBFs, some new, and have a wonderful time with your family. Love you, Angel in Disguise.
Peggy
Dear Zenny, so glad you have been having a wonderful week with your visitors. Congratulations to Animal Kingdom (such a beautiful Horse) Also, Congratulations to Johnny V. such a great great ride.I wish a speddy and a very good recovery to ArchArchArch and Comma to the Top, may God Bless you. Love Ya Zenny
Linda/Maryland
Thanks for all the information on your last few days Zenny. I know you were happy to see your family!! Boy the Kentucky Derby was a real toss up this year. Glad most everyone came home SAFE. ArchArchArch fractured a bone but they say it was be fine after surgery. We will pray for his speedy recovery.
Love you Zenny~!!!
Pamela J Hebert
Zenny what a beautiful picture of Zazu. Dottie thank you for taking the time out of your busy day for this post. Z I’m so glad so many of your family came to see you while they were in Kentucky. Show pictures!!! Zazu ran a great race-what alot of traffic she had to get through. I’m saying a prayer for Archarcharch- hope he’ll be alright. You have so many pasture buddies now. I still miss & will forever seeing you race. Was working tonight & am going to watch my tape of The Derby. Sweet dreams Z. Any update on the Z pin?
Diane
Hi Queen Z,
I watched the Derby wearing my special Z Horse of the Year hat! I was hoping Rosie would win for the first female jockey ever to win the Derby. She and Pants on Fire ran a good race; we’ll be seeing them in the winners circle again I’m sure. The race was very exciting but nothing can compare when I saw you win the Breeders Cup live in 2009! You were the first female to win and it was the most exciting
race ever, my darling Zenyatta!
As for Zazu; she is so pretty and feminine! I hope she
will be running in Del Mar this year; I’d love to see her.
As for you dear Z; I am so happy all your family and friends
are visiting you! I’m just wondering if you are still trying for motherhood – or are you maybe with foal now and maybe your family is
waiting to break the news?! Regardless, I am so happy you are healthy and happy whether you ever have babies!
Have a wonderful weekend with your pasture pals and family! XOXO
Sunny Boyd
Good evening Zenyatta,
your buddy Zazu is a bonny, isn’t she? Mike came in 4th with Joyous Victory, after Zazu’s yesterday’s race.
3 hrs covering 2 races were getting long in the tooth. I would have sooner watched some older derby races, like Giacomo/ Secretariat etc. than watching info repeats over and over again. The races themselves were great, once they were finally run. For a moment it looked like Mike was advancing, but then Twinspired fell back. :(
Hats galore but no cowboy hats :(
Glad you had such a good time w your family :) :) :)
Well, it’s time for 40 winks and dreams of mints :)
Especially Horses
@Kathryn Cogswell: I don’t doubt that Mr. Irwin makes business decisions based on what he believes to be in the best interest of the racing partners. In fact, if anything, today’s win by Animal Kingdom shows he made a very good strategic move to Mr. Motion (by all accounts a very class act). I just think he showed poor judgment today when he verbalized out loud what may have been penned up anger buried inside his soul for some time now. It would not surprise me if he wishes he could take it back. After all, back in November he sang a different tune. His very words back then were “the primary reason for making the move from various racetracks to one training center is the opportunity to have one set of eyes on all of the horses on a daily basis. I will miss our current trainers. I have the highest admiration for them and they have done a super job for the stable. But at this stage of our stable’s development, we think we can have a more cohesive business and training environment with all of our horses in one place.”
As far as the post race comments by the Commentators on TVG and HRTV, I would have found it very strange if they had started to make derogatory comments at that moment about any connections to the winner. As the Commentators knew, and I dare say, as Mr. Irwin probably now knows, timing is everything. Fortunately for Team Valor, Animal Kingdom’s timing was perfect today. Congratulations Team Valor.
Jan
Zenyatta,
Glad you are having fun with all your guest. Zazu is so gorgeous, she looks like a angel. Giacomo is a strong handsome dude. Congratulations to United Kingdom and his connections. Prayers for ArchArchArch, and Uncle Moe. Be happy and healthy Big Mama :) :)
Dona
What a lovely filly! Such a sweet face.
So happy you had a great time with your visitors. Hope they brought goodies for you and your peeps. :)
Great day at Hollywood Park for your John. Star Billing ran a beautiful race, setting a new cushion track record and Chantal rode her masterfully. Yeah, Dynaformer!
Jan
OOPPS!!! I meant Animal Kingdom :)
Doreen
@Yvonne and Maurice Kirby – According to Dr. Larry Bramlage, Battle of Hastings has a non-displaced condylar fracture of his right front. It’s a little bit deeper than ArchArchArch’s injury and he will probably undergo surgery tomorrow. I also wish him a speedy and uneventful recovery.
sandra gomez
I’m glad you had a good time with all of your friends this week! Zazu is something special also; she did run a real good race. You take care, Zenyatta and God bless you as always, beautiful girl!!!
Irene Caty
Hi Zenny, Animal Kingdom won the Kentucky Derby and I have to say for a turf horse who never ran in the dirt before with a turf horse pedigree he was fantastic. He ran like a pro dirt horse and had some of your racing style like being somewhat behind and working himself up the midle and out to come around and beat them all. I kept thinking of you through it all and when he won I was happy for him because of the way he ran the race. He was completely un-known to me. I have never been able to see any horse but you but now I can see a talent much like yours and I am happy about that. There will never be another you, Zenyatta but if i see any horse with a bit of your style and ability to win I will be happy to watch it race. I can tell by your post that you are haveing a wonderful time with family and friends and that makes me so happy. Sending you love as always and continue to be happy and have fun.
candi cartier
ohh zazu is so adorable she is so attractive.Am so glad you are fine and well queen z. how’s giacomo doing so far at the moment,he is the champion of kentucky derby 2010 he made a history as well we love you queen zenyatta from florida.
Jackie
Good Evening Queen “Z” Zazu is truly a beautiful filly. Very intersting color. She looks similar to the horses I recently saw at the show Cavila.
So glad the weather was good. Congrats to Animal Kingdom and Johnny V. Great race. Wishing Archarcharch all the best. Speedy recovery. Disappointment with Dialed In. I recalled you 18 plus lengths back and you flew by the boys as if they were standing still. I think had you raced in todays race, being familiar with the track there is no doubt you would have won!
Hope you enjoyed your visits with your CA Family. Happy Mothers Day and maybe just maybe we will be wishing a Queen “Z” a Happy Mothers Day To Be!
Hugs and Kisses
Jackie
Kathy B.
Oh no not Battle of Hastings too! I like him….I hope he’ll be okay. I’ll keep them all in my prayers tonight….
Marshall (girl's name)
Hooray for Animal Kingdom! Zazu is lovely and ran a good race. Was hoping Mike and Twinspired would be in the mix as well as Calvin and Twice the Appeal. Happy for Mucho Macho Man, too. Zenyatta,I know you and your family had a wonderful visit!
Thanks posters for updates on Battle of Hastings,Comma to the Top,and ArchArchArch! Speedy recoveries to all!
Sharon in Ohio
Hi Zenny, so happy that you are having so much fun with all of your family and visitors,how much fun! Always great to have new padlock mates….enjoy.
Thank you for the lovely picture of beautiful Zazu! She ran a great Derby race!!
Congrats are in order for Animal Kingdom, with a fantastic Derby win. Sorry to hear about some of the other injuries received today in the race.
Bringing me back to Zenny, you are just the best of the best and you are loved by so many….because of you being Zenyatta, the peoples horse of a life time !!! Much love to you. xxoxxooxox
Peggy
I forgot to say Congratulations to Rachel and Curlin. A Colt…..How Wonderful. I know Mr. Jackson is looking down smiling. Blessings to all
Linda Henderson
It was a great Kentucky Derby day. Loved it all. So glad for Graham Motion and Johnny V.
Molly
Yes, I agree that the post Derby comments were very unprofessional. Zenyatta, this just emphasizes what a great Team you had and how well they handled your wins as well as your losses. The business of racing does not need this kind of publicity. Besides it spoiled the excitement for the viewers and fans.On to the Preakness and here is hoping that all the horses make it through the race safely. Good night, Zeny. I love ya.
Holly Zemba
I had a great week last week when I went to Kentucky for the Rolex. I got to meet and have my photo taken with my favorite eventer – Philip Dutton, and I got to meet Eskendereya!!! He was so friendly. I love the pictures that you share with your fans Zenyatta – thank you so much. I wanted to visit you on my trip, but Lane’s End was closed to the public due to breeding season, maybe next time!!
Annie
How could you have just won the greatest race on earth and been so bitter…go figure. Somebody better help this fellow sharpen his interviewing skills:) Oh, Zenyatta how I miss your races. I hope you are in foal with a beautiful colt or filly. Take care, sweet one.
J Smith
WOW, that must have been fun Zenny, sounds like the jockey’s hall of fame was visiting you. Zazu is indeed a beauty, I have seen her race twice. She is such a standout in the paddock, and the Moss racing colors compliment her coloring. The Trott party was a lot of fun today. I met some very nice people, several of whom were decked out in their Z gear. Lisa G Fly did a fab job providing the live music. Her voice was in fine form. Everyone loved it when she sang the Zenyatta song, they called out for her to sing is again, and then, the famous chant began, Zen-yatta, Zen-yatta, the crowd called out. Ahhhh Zenny, gone from the track, but never from people’s hearts. It was a touching moment that you got recognition on derby day. You and your extended family helped raise a lot of money for Trott. Your daddy’s (Street Cry) halter, in a lovely display box/frame raised over a $1000.! As did the handsome Bernardini’s. Culin, Lookin at Lucky,and more, also raised a lot of $. Even your Hootie got a mention in the live auction. There was a hotel package to bid on, and Hootie lives right next door and riding him was included in the package. I hear he is very happy and enjoying his new, more relaxing job. By the way everyone, Hootie does have his own FB page! Luke Perry and Jack Van Berg did the best job on the live auction. They worked so well together and were a lot of fun. Laffit Pincay was there too, he looked great. I got a photo of myself with Jack & Laffit, lucky me. There was a photographer there, so I’m sure he’ll be post photo’s on Trotts website in the next day or two. Oooo, added bonus, Fred Stone the artist was there too
myrna miller
I had the best day at Hollywood Park today and I owe a lot of that to you Zenny and to Dottie and to John. I’ve been to the races several times before but never knew what I was doing – and never really cared to learn- I just loved the horses and being there with my friends. Well, now that you all have made horse racing so interesting and fun to learn about, I did very well today, for the first time, because I studied all week and really cared. I won on Animal KIngdom, because I wanted a long shot(especially in this Derby) and I thought he looked a little like you, Zenny, and even has some of your self assurance, tho there will never be another Zenyatta. I also liked his name, as I am crazy about animals. I won on Mucho Macho Man too, as I almost always bet across the board now. I also won on 3 of Johns horses and picked them because of John. I told all my friends, “Bet on John Sherriffs horses” and when they asked, Why?, I said because he’s the most wonderful trainer, a horse whisperer, was Zenyattas trainer and is like part of the family.It really does feel that way. I also liked that Chantal Sutherland rode 3 of Johns horses – Good for you John, Girl Power!!!!! So thank you Zenyatta, Dottie and John, for everything, and yes Zazu is gorgeous and looks like a movie star, but noone can compare to you, amazing gorgeous Zenyatta, and never will.So, Thanks for a wonderful day and sweet dreams soon.
erin
THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR ALL THE RESPECTFUL AND KIND WORDS YOU HAVE SHARED TODAY. HORSE RACING IS AN INDUSTRY STRUGGLING TO MOVE FORWARD TO MORE ETHICAL AND HONEST PRACTICES. THE MOSSES HAVE CERTAINLY BEEN A PERFECT EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS TO FOLLOW. I SEE