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
Maria K.
I love you Queen Z. Have fun outside. Hugs & kisses! Good luck to all Preakness runners.
Margaret
@Ensign
Okay. And forgive the questions but when Z lost the baby did she come back into season within a couple of days??? I have questions from the books but have no one to ask specific questions of. I hope you’ll forgive me.
Using your figures I see what you’re speaking of. Either way with all the winking Z’s been doing as of late–I would think we should hear something soon.
jeanie langford
happy Preakness Day. Have a safe trip and good luck to all. Love you Z and miss you at the track. You look simply Marvelous. I think you could run the all down right here right now. Hooves crossed for good news. Hugs, Kisses and nuch love,
vicky o'connor
Dottie said they have been blessed with ‘lovely’ owners, and employees, but, of course you guys have had a lot to do with attracting, and creating this type of person as well.
Amanda Gilliland
My Sweet Lady Zenyatta, Happy Preakness Day To You, Just watching the jockeys riding to the starting gate. All the horses look so beautiful and ready to go. Mr. Commons looks great! I’m pulling hard for him. I heard Mr Barry speak earlier about security around Animal kingdom,it’s so sad our world is like it is that we have to have security to protect our horses. That’s what I always worried about you racing and now even in retirement. I always pray that you will be safe & I know that Land’s End does a great job with security there. Zenyatta, you look absolutely georgous in the photo. Still have those beautiful legs of muscle definition. Got to watch the race. I’ll be back! Sendinng Hugs & kisses With Love From Alabama, Amanda G.
ENSIGN
WOW, what a THRILLING Preakness!! Didn’t like what I saw of Shackleford before the race but he’s obviously the real deal!
.
@ Margaret,
.
No, Zenyatta likely didn’t come into heat naturally that soon. Manipulating heat cycles is common practice in breeding mares and she was likely given a shot of Lutalyse to ‘short cycle’ her back in. She’d hopefully have been ready to breed 5-6 days after a shot so the first few days of April would match that hypothetical schedule : )
judy berube
Dear Ensign:
Shackleford really didn’t look good before the race. I was concerned for him. He sure surprised me. Congrats to him and his connections. Hugs, Judy B.
AJ from CA
Z – that bluegrass looks sooo yummy. Congratulations to Shackleford for a fantastic race today!
Margaret
@Ensign
Thanks! I thought from my reading that short cycling her would just shorten the cycle by a week or 10 days. But the main book that I read was written some years ago–and that would make sense that newer drugs would come on the market and shorten that time.
.
Hay at least I got Mr. C’s finish right. I thought I counted him across the line in eighth–and that’s what they said he finished at. I’m sorry he didn’t get a better trip.
.
Ensign your right. I also didn’t care for the way Shackleford washed out beforehand. I was so busy paying attention to Mr. C I missed his race the first time. He did great. Just sorry we go another year without a TC winner.
Signofthetimes
Congratulations to Shakelford and his connections. After the race,
His trainer says he usually gets hot before a race so he was
Not concerned. His jockey said he always gets hot and
Has been hotter at other races. Jockey said he can “handle
It” and will settle once race starts, which he did. He is very talented.
AK wish you would have won !!!!!! Mr Commons did great!!!
He has a great future. Go Mr Commons!!!!!
Max
@Ensign. Great win by a great horse. His great great grandaddy was Northern Dancer. A lot of the Dancer’s offspring act like that. Nijinsky used to break out in sweat for no apparent reason and he still won the English Triple Crown.
I hope every horse came home okay. Z’s barn mate Mr. Commons ran a good race.
Margaret
@Amanda G
Without going into specifics of which I don’t have nor do I really want to speculate–let me just say–that LE’s is more than aware of security.
I can cite a couple of “real” life instances for you. Years ago I went to “old” Calumet. This was right after Alydar was killed (which is a whole nother story of its own). When I got to the gate the lady who let me was very “security minded”. She wasn’t gonna let no one in that didn’t belong. I was on the list for a tour so I was okay. This was in the very early 90’s.
And on the subject of Calumet–the night that Alydar got into trouble–security was on property. They more than failed the horse but the point I’m making is the farm ALREADY had security in place.
Kentucky bluegrass is way beyond the rest of us in many ways. Horses are not just breadwinners–they are the next generations breadwinners. Those horses live WAY better than 99% of us. Stallions have the best of hay, grass and bedding. And the mares are treated like the queens they are. Without them there won’t be another generation.
Brenda
Well Zenny, No Triple Crown but what a good race for your Mikey. I was keeping everything crossed for Mr. C and John but it was not their day today. Thank goodness it was a safe trip for everyone. You certainly look as if you’re enjoying that Kentucky Blue Grass and I see that dancing leg out in front – SO CUTE. The interview with John and Dottie was really good and, of course, you were mentioned in the TV coverage of the race today. I’m still hoping to catch a glimpse of you when I visit Lane’s End in July when the breeding season is over and things are bit quieter, hopefully I’ll see AP Indy. Love to you from Fort Erie.
judy berube
Dear Z,
Mr. Commons ran a good race from a tough post. This will be good experience for him and he will keep getting better and better with your Dear John’s care. Love you, Judy and Russ
DJ
Congratulations to “your” Mikey on Astrology! Great run!! Good try Mr. “C”, you worked with what you had and you were not given a break in any fashion.
Cynthia H.
I am so glad that the race is over, and that all of the horses appear to have come out of it safe and sound. Mr. Commons looked SPECTACULAR! Even Donna Brothers on NBC singled him out as looking in terrific condition. Well-done, Mr. Commons! You did the best you could with a very, very difficult post position. Hope you will have time for a little nap, more grazing on that lush green grass, and an extra-special dinner before you return home. We cannot wait to have you back in Southern California. What a promising career you have ahead of you!
We are also looking forward to that special announcement from Lane’s End (wink wink)!
S (in san diego)
Congrats to Shackleford! He looked determined stretching out when AK challenged him. Great run for Animal Kingdom coming from so far back. Mr Commons you looked great and I was cheering for you. Most of all…so thankful everyone came home safe. Maybe this years 2yr old crop has the future triple crown winner, or maybe we are waiting for your precious little one to TAKE IT ALL. How exciting would that be to see a Bernie + Zenny baby in the Derby > Preakness > Belmont. The media fury would be fantastic…! You have made many dreams come true…this would just be one more :)
Blessing to all.
suew
Zenny, your pal, Mr. Commons, ran a good race it just wasn’t his day. Everytime I see these races I am reminded how SOECIAL you were…what a record you established including your last race. I am anxious for your announcement which should be “soon”. Wink, Wink!
ENSIGN
@ Margaret,
.
The Lute would be given after checking to see where she was naturally in her cycle and seeing what she had for developing follicles. Given at the right time it will bring them in and she’d be breedable within about 6 days : ) Sure beats waiting several weeks!
.
Re’ Shackleford, yes, it’s true he was washed out a bit before other races and it was hot there today. Just never like to see a horse expend that energy and lose those electrolytes before a race. Great run by him! I was really pulling for AK though.
.
@ Max,
.
Shackleford’s sire Forestry was a pistol and could get pretty revved up so S come’s by that naturally I’m sure : )
I’ve love to see both horses meet up again in the Belmont but it’s an unlikely scenario. The Belmont sadly adds little to a stud resume now days and with the big summer and fall stakes the fashion lately has been to rest a horse after the Preakness if they don’t carry on to Belmont. Absolute shame IMO.
suew
Opps…type alert…I should have writted SPECIAL.
Charlotte A. Farmer
I am so sorry Mr. Commons didn’t place. It was so nice to your John being interviewed today. Even the great ones lost races.
Love you Zenyatta!
Cynthia H.
I forgot my Zenyatta manners in my last post! The Queen would have been certain to congratulate Shakleford on his winning effort. Looking at how he seemed to come un-trained in the saddling area and post parade, I had written him off as an impossibility. He tried so hard; how great for him and his connections!
julie
I LOVE YOU ZENYATTA!!! best wishes to you and your baby! god bless you!
Signofthetimes
Congratulations to Awesome Maria for her win today.
She is a very talented
filly. Also Paddy O Prada for his win on the Turf today at
Pimlico after
A long lay off, 3rd place Derby winner 2010.
Sooo glad no injuries for the young colts in
The Peakness !!!!
sandra gomez
That was a nice interview with John and Dottie! You look so beautiful and content at Lane’s End.. I’m so happy for you, Z! God bless you and all your paddock pals!
Jack W.
Handicapping 101…turn back in distance off of a quick turnaround….washing out is normal for this colt. Delicious pay day!! Winning the Triple Crown is one of, if not the hardest thing in all sports to do!
Also, worst kept “secret” in the industry….Z is very safely in foal due late March ’12.
ENSIGN
@ Signofthetimes,
.
Sadly, Pady was vanned off in the ambulance with an injury after his victory. Let’s all keep our fingers crossed for him.
Barbara Wood
Dear Z–I have NEVER seen a bad picture of you! You are something else!
Mr. Commons is UNCOMMONLY beautiful!
Congrats to Shackleford and his connections on a great performance.
Mikey’s Astrology ran a great race.
Can’t wait for your announcement. Love you always.
Debbie
Ms. Z- Your name will always be mentioned for years to come, every time we watch a horse race. We were not racing fans before you. Your record, your resilience, your heart and love for people make you stand apart from any other horse out there. I pray every time for God to keep everyone safe. He answered again today. I am grateful that you have run your heart out and now are enjoying the retirement that you deserve. You are the Queen of racing, the Queen of our hearts, and going to be an amazing mom. Hat’s off to all the amazing horses today. What incredible creatures. Thank you for this post (Dottie) that allows us to stay in contact with you. Missing you in CA…tell Mr. Commons, we are proud of him and of John
Debbie G
Happy Preakness Day Zenny! I’m sorry your friend Mr. Commons didn’t win. Thanks for sharing the link to the video with Steve, John and Dottie. That was a great interview. I especially liked the part where Dottie said she gets excited just writing a Z down! TOO CUTE!! I’m looking forward to your big news (wink, wink). Loving you in Lexington :-)