Happy Preakness Day to All!
From all reports, it is absolutely GORGEOUS in Maryland this morning. The high will be about 80 with a slight breeze. The wind is blowing softly and the chance of rain is really non-existent. This sounds like the perfect weather for wonderful racing. All the best to each of the participants! My BARN 55 friend, MR. COMMONS, is a very happy guy. He is enjoying his time there…and from what I’m hearing, they have TONS OF LUSH GRASS to graze on right by the Stakes Barn. He must feel perfectly at home!
Steve Haskin of The BLOODHORSE did an interview with Dottie and John yesterday…and several questions were asked about ME! If you have a moment, I thought you might enjoy viewing it. Here it is!
All else is fine. I’m really feeling TERRIFIC and my guys at the barn are quite excited. There is so much going on now, not just with the last few months of the breeding season, but with the Preakness, and all of the Basketball Play-offs. Dialed In, one of the Preakness contenders, is by Mineshaft. He is a wonderful, well-bred stallion who resides at Lane’s End in our Stallion Barn. Astrology is by A.P.Indy. As you know, he has been a long-time favorite who lives here as well. He just recently retired from his Breeding Duties…but his accomplishments both on and off the racetrack are totally amazing.
So, I’m hoping this is really a fun, safe, and terrific race for all! It runs a bit after 6 Eastern Time! It’s getting EXCITING!
Enjoy your weekend!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Trina Nagele
@Kyle Stasierowski—Nice to see you posting here! Hope you’ll continue.
Barbara Wood
All good wishes for dear Paddy to recover quickly and have a great life as a sire.
Zenny, we are SO thankful you retired safe and whole. Can’t wait for your big announcemnet. Love you dearly AND always.
Prayers going out to those in Minnesota and Missouri. We seem to be dodging land mines these days everywhere we turn.
@Dawn–As soon as you get some news, please share. Prayers going your way.
Hernan Tovar
My adorable Zenyatta, you always look so good and beautiful, I am very sad Mr. Commons lost, Animal Kingdom lost, I bet on both of then, well is always tomorrow, love the video. I love you, Ingrid.
Trisha Veazey
Z because this is your fan mail, I am going to talke about you.
You look MARVELOUS. That Kentucky “blue grass” makes a beautiful background for you gorgeous girl. I bet it tastes good too!
Yes as long as you live your “people” will always be asked about you.
Love hugs and kisses
Viki B.
@signofthetimes – Well, I am nowhere near as organized as Dawn’s office, or likely Judy is, with her Breyer model next to her computer, and a framed photo behind. I haven’t decided where the Bronze will reside, yet, but for sure, near my beautiful framed photo of Zenny with Carmen & Mario, still unhung. Temporarily, her “home” is on top of my dresser, where I can easily see and pat her — accessibility is important.
@Kathryn Cogswell, I liked what you wrote — that’s part of why I decided to get one. But even as one of those with Nina’s gorgeous bronze model, I would be hard-pressed to be willing to trade my one live experience of Zenyatta, from 10 ft. away, for anything.
@judy berube – I certainly hope you get “to see her in person.”
And @Margaret, I am definitely jealous you got your own Z hug. To me, that would be another level.
Gloria Jeanne
http://www.facebook.com/Backside55?v=wall
Backside 55 – check it out.
Vicki B.
Yikes! spelled my own name wrong.
Trina Nagele
@Ingrid—I like your positive outlook: there’s “always tomorrow.” And in a sense, even though you lost money, we always win something when we follow our heart. Good luck for the Belmont. Let us know who your favorites are as we come down the stretch in the Triple Crown series.
Margaret
Speaking from my own experience Zennie is truly remarkable. Backside she is gentle as a lamb with visitors. She stands for Carmen while being bathed and calmly walks for Mario.
I know that Saturday they gave her brief timeouts–she went in the barn and calmly walked the circuit several times. Just a few quiet moments with Mario and then she was ready for visitors again.
Another time they kept her outside, took her under her tree and let her graze for a few moments while Mario and John talked.
I never saw her switch her tail in annoyance the whole time. I never saw her lay her ears back at someone. She never barred her teeth–getting ready to chomp someone’s hand off.
She just seemed to understand that as a representative of thoroughbreds she was the most impressive ambassador ever. The Bob Simons who fell for her. Journalists aren’t suppose to do that. But he did. Her kindness and love for people are just that magnificent.
Now her on a track and you have a whole different horse. Yes, she dances for people. Somewhere along the way she found out that all the applause she was getting got a whole nother decible louder when she danced. That became her reward. Now for racing she did what Stymie and a lot of the great older horses did. She fell so far behind you’d swear there was no way she could make up that ground. But she did each and every time except for that blasted nose of Blame–who didn’t know when to mind his own business and stuck his nose into Zennie’s final race.
Lisa g
Such a beautiful girl.
Kathy Kimber
I will say it forever that last race she never lost anything. She just raced her way on into greatness. Was there a horse named Blame in that race? Its really hard to remember. She won so many more hearts that day
Trina Nagele
@Margaret—Thanks very much for those details of your personal observations of our Queen. Your descriptions help us to appreciate her wonderful nature. With apologies, though, I have to disagree about Blame. I was so disappointed that Z didn’t technically win that race, but Blame was just doing his job and deserves respect for that. Also, if you look at it this way, he helped show the world how great Z was—he gave her a target that looked impossible to reach when she was so very far behind, but she DID IT, and convinced even the naysayers of her of her greatness.
Sharon Call
@Margaret. Since I’ve never seen Z in person, I really did appreciate your personal observations of her. However, like Trina, I have to respectfully disagree with your observation of Blame. He and his jockey were out on that track doing their job. As I said in a previous post, it was what it was. Nobody but Mike Smith knows what it was actually like out on that track, not even the sportscasters and writers who tried to analyze why Z didn’t win that race. Z and Mike did their job the best they could under the circumstances and so did Blame and Garrett Gomez. Blame technically won that race by 3 inches, but Z’s name will go down in racing history along with the greats of racing like Man O’War, Seabiscuit, Citation, Secretariet, etc. Blame has gone to stud and will be in the statistics but that’s about it. He’s a game horse and held on at the last minute and he should be given credit for that. Z has done more for racing history than any other horse has since Secretariet. Just my opinion.
jeanie langford
Love you z. Must be waiting for something big to say. I hope so. Hooves crossed. Hugs and Kisses
Terry Crow
@Sharon Call-Well said and I couldn’t agree with you more. Zenyatta had two retirement ceremonies at Hollywood Park. The first time92009) she came in from the backstretch and galloped to the area around the winner’s circle. After the booing died down from the speech that our former governor made, other speeches were given and she was led back to the backstretch stable area. In 2010, Zenyatta was led around the walking ring by her handler for some time before she went onto the track for the ceremonies. All that were there got an adequate chance to see the queen close up and she did not disappoint. She seemed to understand the fan’s adoration of her and stopped several times in her walking to allow pictures to be taken. I know I will never forget that day.
Andrea
Just an aside about the BCC. Blame, if he is remembered at all, will be the horse that Z did not get past, he did not beat her in the classic sense, she simply ran out of ground. he will only be remembered for that fact, unless, of course he becomes a premier sire like AP or Storm Cat. Highly unlikely!
Heidi K
I think that John sooo wanted to spill the beans but, it was sooo cute how he said: “Dottie would kill him!” LOL
So, once again, here we are, all awaiting with baited breathe for good news too come! Hooves crossed :)
BTW…. Tell Mr.Commons that we send our love to him and hope that he came out of the race in good shape. Looking forward to seeing more of him!
Now, time to wait for another post from our lovely Queen!
Paul
Zenyatta, I’m sorry that your buddy didn’t win the Preakness, but however, I am happy for Shackelford just the same. I thought Animal Kingdom would win it, but he came up just short. The weather in Maryland wass perfect.
signofthetimes
2 year old Street Sense filly sold at Fastig MD
For 6 figures. John and Dottie went to see her and
Loved her. David found her. Another exciting filly to possibly
Follow. YIPPEEE
Quarterhossgal
Ensign: thanks for the update on Paddy, he was a favorite of mine. As those of us that have bred horses know, breeding the best to the best is our goal but sadly that doesn’t produce the best! From time to time a modestly bred sire and an average mare produce an outstanding animal. That is part of the challenge in breeding! I spoke with Jack VanBerg when he had Alysheba about the best cross for his stud, he felt you needed large numbers of differnt type mares and a few years to determine or to figure out a good nick. Bernardini looks like he has a great future as a stud based on what he has sired to date. Once Queen Z foals the rest will be history!
Sharon Call
HEY, EVERYBODY. Attached is a link to Thoroughbred Times about a filly that David found and was bought by Mathis Stables. The folks at Mathis were excited by Zenyatta and decided to get back in the racing business. John will train her and others bought by Mathis.
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/sales-news/2011/05/23/zenyatta-inspires-mathis-stable-to-return-to-game.aspx
Z continues to have impact on the racing world – as if we didn’t know that already.
ENSIGN
Lots of nice 2yr olds to follow this year for those looking for some ‘Z’ connection, including:
Corinthian’s Jewel (colt), half to Zazu
Raffle Ticket (filly), full to Bernardini
French Storm (colt) by Indy out of Bernardini’s half sister
Mr. Besilu (colt) the Indy out of Zenyatta’s half sister, Balance
Of course, “E”, if she runs this season, etc.
ENSIGN
This is the $280,000 Street Sense filly that John will be training:
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/228315_10150188065379240_261778564239_6978109_4597437_n.jpg
Margie
Zenny, I love you.
The postings today have been exceptionally great. There is so much information and I feel like a sponge, soaking it all up. Thank you to all who so generously share their knowledge; it is deeply appreciated every day. To everyone – have a wonderful evening.
To Zenny, stay well and happy, sweet girl. You’ve certainly earned it.
ENSIGN
Another photo of ‘John’s’ new Street Cry-Polish Nana filly:
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/228683_10150194296829240_261778564239_7016278_5334666_n.jpg
ENSIGN
**Street Sense** filly hit Post before I corrected that ;-)
ENSIGN
And David checking out the filly before they bought her…
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/229472_10150200928949240_261778564239_7074004_1292146_n.jpg
Sally (B)
Oh Z this pic is so adorable of you. Loved the link to Dottie & John’s interview. Tell them I think they are two wonderful people! I loved when Dottie spoke of you. You have left a permanent imprint on my heart Z! I believe you have made such a imprint on so so many and racing as well. Watched the Preakness, I think Mr. Commons did quite well coming from the 14th post, placing at 8th at the finish. Glad all were safe. I was happy to see during the pre-race, you racing at your last breeders cup, missing the win by a nose. But, I was really disappointed that they did not show just how you got there! It was too short. It was simply your amazing skill, endurance and power to come from back where you were passing all those other boys!! That is what they should have shown. In my heart, you won that race. Beyond that, you are the most gracious, stunning, beautiful Miss Personality horse I have ever had the privelege to see on TV and at the track.
Love you with a kiss on your soft nose!! Many!!
@Abigail from Montreal; Thank you for the link; didn’t see where I could click so I would be counted.
@Ensign; I don’t often get to read the blogs, but this time I was able to, and I thank you for you sharing your knowlege.
You must work at a breeder farm? Are you in Kentucy?
J Smith
Sharon & Ensign, what a beauty she is. I have a good name for her (not that anyone cares)! Streelishous.
judy berube
To Ensign:
Thanks for the links. She has dapples just like Z. Beautiful girl. Hugs, J.B.