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
Kirren Dolan
Congratulations to Zazu, Plum Pretty, and Animal Kingdom! My heart skipped a beat when Archarcharch loaded onto the ambulance. I pray for his and Comma to the Top’s recoveries.
Congrats to Rachel and Curlin on their future baby boy!
Dearest Z, yesterday in my equine class we were looking at reproduction with some hands-on with the Kellogg Arabians. We witnessed the 45-day ultrasound of one lucky mare, and I was struck by the thought that that was exactly what is done with you, and what your (hopeful) baby would look like at that time! What a special moment it was to see that growing baby! Can’t wait to hear confirmation on a successful pregnancy for you!
Love and miss you!
Lynn ..... (nearby Hwd Park) California
..
@ Dona. Ref: Star Billing’s win, (Trainer Shirriffs) at Hwd Park was a Turf race (#10). 5/7/11. Where did you read about a cushion track record? Maybe a Turf record? My Ref: on Daily Racing Form web site, under ‘results’. Just wondering… Lynn
Trina Nagele
@Vicki—That link to your article about Plum Pretty and Zazu didn’t work for me. Maybe you can fix it? I would really like to read what you wrote. Thanks!
erin
CONT’D FROM LAST POST TOUCH SCREEN TOO “TOUCHY” ANYWAY, SO RELIEVED TO SEE THE MEDICAL VANS SO QUICK TO RESPOND TO TODAY’S HORSE INJURIES-BIG IMPROVEMENT. LET’S WATCH IT PROGRESS. THE TRAGEDY WITH EIGHT BELLES HAS PLACED A SIGNIFICANT SPOTLIGHT ON RACING PRACTICES. ZENNY SWEETHEART, PLEASE POST YOUR VISITOR’S PIX SOON. THANKS DOTTIE. I TOO PRETEND I SEE YOU COMING FROM “THE BACK OF THE PACK” DURING CURRENT RACES. NOTHING QUITE MEASURES UP. OH WELL….
Kathy Kimber
Well Happy Mother’s Day to Rachel Alexandra and all the other equine momma’s
and dear Zenny you will be in their number. Enjoy you family how wonderful so many got to come see YOU. I’m glad your girl pals love the company and it’s nice to know you have added new friends into the paddock. Happy Sunday brunch.
Hugs.
susan in tn
Zenny-so glad you had lots of visiting time with family and friends! I’m also glad PQ can share in the love and attention that comes your way. TOO CUTE!
I enjoyed the Kentucky Oaks and the Derby. Congrats to ZAZU! She is really pretty, isn’t she? Enjoy your day, sweet girl!
Linda in NJ
Hi Zenny: I didn’t get a chance to write yesterday. Sounds like you, your friends and family had quite a Derby party going on there. It certainly was an interesting Derby day with Animal Kingdom pulling off a victory. I am so happy for Johnny V. This would have been his 3rd Derby of being sidelined because his horse was scratched. Then along came this mount. I watched the post race on Versus, and the announcers’ said Robby Albarado couldn’t even talk about it. And to boot, Robby was in the last race that followed the Derby. That is a tough pill to swallow. That’s horse racing I guess.
I am very concerned for ArchArchArch. He stumbled out of the gate and stumbled again. I heard that is probably what caused the injury. The announcer also said the saddle slipped during the race. I seem to remember reading that your John, John Shirreffs was always concerned about getting your saddle just right. The whole situation is so sad for ArchArchArch and for his family.
Yes, Zazu is beautiful. Thank you for showing us a close-up picture of her. What a pretty coloring she has. Yesterday they showed a clip of the Oaks and there was Zazu standing in the gate ready to go. They showed another clip with her running down the stretch for home. It certainly looks like it has been a fun weekend for you and your family. BTW, Zenny, GIACOMO’s name was mentioned several times over the course of Derby day. Sorry for such a long note. Take care. Love, Linda
Nancy
Friday and Saturday were wonderful days to watch horse racing, even though my time was spent in front of the tv. Zazu ran beautifully! Congratulations!
Lil from KY
Did anyone notice that there was not a horse in this DERBY, that DANCED!! Looks like our girl is gonna have to give lessons! NAH—they’d never look like her!
Shari Voltz
@Max I did not realize that Mucho Macho Man was that tall. I am so new at all of this. Zenyatta is only the second race horse I have ever followed. I watched racing but not like now. The horses I have ridden were all smaller. I am small myself so it seems I was always put on smaller horses. I have been around draft horses and they are huge. I will post what the class says. They compare everything to Zenyatta and I know some of the children will be saying she could have won. On Friday I did show real footage of Secretariat’s race in the 99th running of the Derby. The children also wanted to see his other two races because of the movie. His Belmont gives me chills. The children said he looked like he was flying. How cute :)
Linda in NJ
@Lil from Ky: Zenny has another new career–giving dance lessons at next year’s Kentucky Derby! Lol!
Max
@Shari Voltz. Mucho Macho Man is a horse with a very interesting story. He was not born until June 15 and they thought that he was stillborn. I think that he was born in the field. The attendants prayed over him and he just suddenly got up and ran off! Someone said that they should call him Lazarus. Incredible. Like Zenyatta, he as a large horse will probably not truly come into his own until he is older. Apparently he still has to fill out. As to your class, they are not alone in comparing every horse to Zenyatta. She is a wonder horse. I also love to watch the Belmont with Secretariat. It is one of my favorite races along with Zenyatta’s. You never know, you may have some future jockeys, trainers or even owners in your class. Nothing is impossible. I look forward to what your class thinks about this Derby race and future Triple Crown races. The best to them and to you.
Debbie
Zenny, I’m so glad you had a great derby week! I miss seeing you race, no one else even comes close to what you showed/gave us both on & off the track! You are truly one in a lifetime. I really enjoyed seeing Zazu, she is beautiful & ran a great race!
Diana S
@Kirren Dolan: Wow! I’m a grad of Cal-Poly and worked with the Kellogg Arabians in my (way) younger years! How cool to hear of your experience.
@Especially Horses: Agree. Timing and place are everything. Irwin’s comments were better suited for a trade publication, not in a place where so many non-industry people are tuned in (and maybe tuned out) for the first time.
Hopefully all three injured runners will recover to race again some day. I don’t remember another Derby where there were three injuries.
Last but not least: Happy Mother’s Day, Zenny (blush, blush – just guessing here) and all your Girl Power connections.
Diana in Tempe
Cindy from LA
@Katherine Cogswell
Wholeheartedly agree with your comment. Team V
Was obviously told by many trainers that he had a
Bucking problem and had not talent and would not
Win. They bred this horse. It is like being told
Your child will never go to college and your child
Gets a PhD. They were angry and rightfully wanted
To let folks know there are a lot of questionable trainers
And be mindful and look for one that can develop your
Horse.
Had Zenny gone to anyone else she may have been
Injured when forced to race when not physically ready.
Cudos to Team V and their Derby win and to Graham
Motion a trainer from GB not focused on or involved with
Derby Fever as he was never brought up with that goal ,
Good luck to Animal Kingdom, MMM and Dialed in in
The Preakness.
Janis
First let me say that I think so highly of John Shirreffs because he waited till Zenyatta’s skeletal structure was ready before racing her. But, Dottie or anyone reading this, I do have a question. My son said that 95% of race horses in N. America are given lasix before each race. Did Zenyatta have lasix shots?
Savvy
Nothing wrong with warning/educating people about bad trainers. The film Secretariat showed Penny firing one such trainer. But the fellow probably could have picked a better time or venue. But then he had an audience. Tough call.
Brian from Little Rock
Almost 165,000 attended the Derby, a new record. Thank you Zenyatta from inspiring more people to get in the game.
Cindy from LA
A trainer is the most important part of the Team.
A friend of mine bought a cow pony quaterhorse
And tried to make him a hunter/jumper. The trainer
She chose used bully strong arm tactics to get
Him to jump. When the owner got on he would
Dump her in front of the jumps. She did sustain
Injuries.
Training an easy horse without any issues is easy
And if one is a volume trainer they don’t want to
Be bothered with horses with issues. It is very obvious
That Graham worked Animal Kingdom through his issues
And he is now a KY Derby winner.
Many folks who have not been involved with training
Animals don’t realize that their needs to be a fit with
Trainer and horse. Steve Willard was also a superb
Exercise rider not just galloping Zenny but developing
Her racing skills. Many exercise riders just exercise
And that is it.
LauraJ
@Janis, yes, she ran on Lasix.
Linda
May all the racing industry horses live long loved lives. You have been Blessed Queen Z with loving fans and owners and trainers and Mike Smith. Not all are so loved. My prayers are for all of you. Congrats to ZaZu!
myrna miller
In my comments last night (I was really tired after a big day at the races) I forgot to congratulate Dottie and John, Ann and Jerry, Zazu, Guest Star,Nereid,Mucho Macho Man and of course,Animal Kingdom. What a day at the races! (If I forgot anyone, please forgive.)
Carolyn Caswell-Brown
Hi Zenny, Family visitors. Woo-hoo! Looking forward to some new photos of the occasion. Here we go – Another Derby under the wire. Congrats to Animal Kingdom & Team Valor. Johnny V. was finally the recipient of some good karma at the expense of poor Robby – but would his ride have had the same results?. . . .we know what happens when we assume. . . . Uummm. I agree, based on MY initial reaction while watching the interview, the timing was not appropriate for the comments concerning trainers made by Mr. Irwin. They just didn’t fit with the situation & questioning. Even the interviewer seemed caught off guard by the comments & didn’t know how to follow them up. Favorite Derby info pieces for me were how the blanket was constructed, never saw this before, and the wonderful footage and update on Strike the Gold, one of my favorite Derby winners. If the film was recently shot, he looks amazing @ 23! Did anyone else have a problem hearing the call of the Derby? It sounded to us like two separate calls at the same time – maybe NBC & track – and we couldn’t understand anything. Only knew who won by saddle cloth. Disappointing. Also, can anyone remember when at sometime during all the pre-race filler, they used to play the beautiful & haunting homage song “Run For The Roses” by Dan Fogelberg? It was so appropriate to the day. Maybe royalty rights are now involved. Played it for myself in honor of the horses & the Derby. Prayers going out to Archarcharch, Comma to the Top,(hadn’t realized he was injured), and Battle of Hastings. Whew – Talk, Talk, Talk. Happy Mother’s Day!!! Peace & Love
Anna Wiley
nice going, Zazu! Congradulations to you for your 3rd! also congrats to Plum Pretty, the BIG WINNER, way to go! also, to Zenyatta, you are wonderful, girl, as always. love you so much! final message, to ANIMAL KINGDOM AND CONNECTIONS, I just have to say, CONGRADULATIONS on our 2011 DERBY WINNER, and best of luck in the PREAKNESS and the BELMONT! I will be rooting for our next TRIPLE CROWN WINNER hopefully! ALL THE BEST LUCK!
Love you, Z!
Anna <3 <3 :D
Anna Wiley
Z: one more thing. Zazu is BEAUTIFUL, and I LUUUV the pic!
bye!
hugs, kisses,and carrots to you and Zazu~
love love love!
Anna <3 <3 <3 :D :D
OraJean Stevenson
Dear Zenny & Team-Z,
The Kentucky Derby was an exciting and very “cleanly” run race. Congrats to Animal Kingdom on a thrilling win. He’s a gorgeous horse!! I was rooting for MMM and AAA, and was sad to hear, after the race, that AAA factured a front leg. MMM ran a good race, and I look forward to seeing him in the Preakness. Kentucky had perfect weather and a huge crowd for the BIG Race, and NBC did a good job covering it…hats and all!!! Also, congrats to John Shirreffs for his win at Hollywood Park on Derby Day.
Sounds like you’ve had a lovely Derby Week, too, Zenny. Maybe by this time next year, we’ll all be wishing you a HAPPY MOTHERS’ DAY!! Hope all the Mothers in this “Circle of Love” have a beautiful, Happy Mothers’ Day!!
Hugs to all. Fondly, OraJean
Kathryn Cogswell
Dear Cindy from LA: Thank You. Generally, there is little percentage in tangling w/ comments unheaded by a given &/or surname. Where there are worthwhile responses and comments on multiple levels of courtesies and professionalism, inquiries about timing have some bearing, and all have points in their favor and all render it moot to argue — a dreadful, fruitless waste, with no real compromise as a goal. But where a horse left to inept, indifferent, neglectful care may come up lame or worse, for me, the horse is first. Animal Kingdom, under the canny, watchful care of Graham Motion, got to come into his own, show his stuff, return home sound and, watching him, see he was quite aware of his big-winning ways .. . he looked like a sound, happy, proud horse, whose owner could reflect on a big difference in his ‘history-making’ boy, so, just for me, that makes more horse sense than a protocol requiring an owner to suppress his obviously-vindicated choices in a split-second set of words. Diplomacy in this or any case that gets a horse hurt is a meaningless investment; and that is a split-second choice, too. I lost a mare I adored in split-second decision to permit her care by distracted, well-meaning people, and no amount of courteous, appropriate niceness will bring her back. Being good for a horse is a big difference from public nicety, and if we really want an informed fan base, the first things they need to face are the realities of the care of big, trusting creatures who desperately need us to stand in the gaps between them and people with no horsesense but plenty of manners.
Roberta Smith
Zazu is sssoooo pretty!
Janet Cutting
Hi Zenny and All- Yes,I think Zazu is extremely beautiful– She has a very delicate look and really appears like marble. Is her color common? Very pretty. I have been a little busy- my cat-Tiger who is 23 years young!!! just lost her vision but not her mind or hearing!! This is my first experience with a blind animal so I have been observing her and making sure the house is clear of obstacles–she really has an amazing sense of direction–she know exactly the layout of the house. I am learing a lot from her– my amazing cat.
J Smith
@Max, that is a great story about M3, but I read they gave him oxygen too. Love M3 & his team. He did really well & has a great future. I also read an article about his owner a while ago, written before M3 had a confirmed spot in the derby. He said something I really liked, he really didn’t mind where M3 placed in the derby, he just wanted the experience of having his horse in the derby. He has been a regular at the derby for years, and he was just over the moon to think M3 had a chance to get in. Very happy for them. Wishing a speedy & painless recovery for Archarcharch and hope they will make sure he has a happy second career. Comma & Pants On Fire will be fine after rest & recoup.