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
Susan in TN
THANK YOU to all who are interested in River Edge! Trina, I turned on the computer and saw your post about the colt-naming contest and thought I wasn’t awake-the owner had mentioned it to me but I didn’t know she had posted it yet! THANKS!
I hope alot of people respond because,like many rescues,it really needs support. So it is not unique in that aspect,but I guess since I have seen the horses,heard their stories,gotten involved-it’s more “real,” if you know what I mean. Anyway, I think coming up with horse names is fun in itself!
@ Sharon Call: Thank you!
@Dorothy Hopper: Can you imagine a horse today starting a race backwards-and winning?!? Thanks for the info.
@Vicki B:Thanks for comments!
@Judy B:Thanks for your interest-the babies are so fun!I’ll keep you all updated-
@Trina N:Thank you for your comments and interest in River Edge and Scout! And thank you for talking about the contest-you write so well!
My thoughts are with the tornado victims in Missouri.
Penny
Thanks for posting the video of Steve’s interview. I saw another interview with John about you and Bernie. I know he wanted to share but couldn’t…”wink, wink”.
HUGS & KISSES to you beautiful “Z”.
DJ
Thank you Trina and Susan,
I just sent my horse name in with a donation for the sweet little colt. Blessings to you both for a beautiful day!!
Terry Crow
@Dorothy Hopper-Dr. Fager was one of the fastest horses I have ever seen and he could also carry weight. I was able to see him live when his connections brought him out to Santa Anita for a race.
DJ
Good morning Sweet “Z”,
I will check back again later when you offer your next greeting.
DJ
Anna:
Thank you for sharing Hannah’s poem. It is perfect for our “Z” :)
ENSIGN
Another update on Paddy…
.
May not be good news, there’s a teleconference scheduled for 1:00 today with Dale Romans and his owner on his status. ‘Rumours’ circulating sesamoid injury. Everyone keep their fingers crossed for him.
Max
While we think of the influence of bloodlines, here is a great little article on Zenyatta’s impressive background. It also has good things to say about the training methods of John Shirreffs. It is not new, but still good to read.
http://therail.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/30/zenyatta-shows-old-ways-still-work/
Terry Crow
@Dorothy Hopper–I was mistaken in my previous post. Although I did indeed see Dr. Fager live, it was at Hollywood park in 1968. I do not believe he ever ran at Santa Anita. There have been a few posts about Northern Dancer. Shoemaker had been his regular jockey in 1964 before the Bluegrass but he campaigned to get the mount on Hill Rise, thinking he was the better horse. Hartack got the mount and the rest is history. I always thought that it was the most shameful thing Shoemaker ever did and if I had been Don Pierce, Hill Rise’s regular jockey, I would have been somewhat upset.
Savvy
Zenyatta, I know it’s nearly 3 weeks away,but cannot wait to hear your thoughts on the Belmont Stakes. Have a wonderful summer. Miss ya.
Kathryn Cogswell
Among those of you now in the presence of your own ‘Dancing Zenyatta,’ which Nina Kaiser brought to life, you really ARE with HER in spirit, because — while it is the work of good artists to render the truth of their subjects — it is the joy of the great ones to bring forth their very lives. In the presence of such greatness, you will never be the same, and certainly will experience what her heart conveys, even to those who love and work with her in person. She is the real deal. A great piece of art representing her in life evermore; reaching, stretching, and dancing evermore, too. You just will never be the same.
ENSIGN
Unfortunately sounds like Paddy is going to retired. Real shame, I really liked this guy. Hope he gets a chance at a good farm.
Patricia Emery
Hi Zen! I hope the tornados from the midwest don’t move your way…and my heart goes out to all of those impacted by last nights storm…
Mr. Commons gave a tremendous effort out of Post #14. A very difficult place to start, but I thought if maybe he had been at #10, he would have been right up there with the leaders…I look forward to watching him in the future. Maybe he will be a late bloomer like you…but, he is absolutely handsome and very proud of his and John’s efforts!
Anyway, I hope that you are enjoying your day and we will now look ahead to the Belmont! Wow, now it really gets interesting, with the fact that we have had two different winners for the KD and Preakness!
XOXO
DJ
My heartfelt prayers are with those suffering loss in Joplin, MO after the devastating tornado yesterday. For those who have the means and would like to donate to the american.redcross.org they are needing to find shelter for many people today…
Margaret
@Kathryn
Respectfully I disagree. Many of us have met the queen while she was at barn 55. Or we’ve seen her up close at the paddock before her races. Personally I have a loveless pic of her under her tree that I took the Saturday before she left for Kentucky. I had it enlarged and framed and it sits on the staircase in my home. I may not be able to affordable bronze but I feel her presence eveytime I think of her. Aside from the fact that I was one that was allowed my very own Z hug.
Sorry but your comment knocks many of us who have met her. I think it was bit of a thoughtless statement on your part.
Margaret
At me
Loveless? My iPad! I type one thing and something else comes out! That was suppose to be lovely.
Kathryn Cogswell
Dear Margaret: Then I said it wrong. And all by myself, w/ no iPad to fault. Had I made the point w/ the right forms, the reading would have conveyed that the heart of the lovely Zenyatta comes through, where the representation is gathered with love. It is only that a personal experience sometimes feels what is within the subject so appreciated. Artists who consistently meld their love with their subjects seem to bring those lives to a place so true they live, though still in time. How wonderful for you that your experiences permitted both.
ENSIGN
:-(
http://www.paulickreport.com/news/bloodstock/paddy-o-prado-retired/
Good luck in your new career bud!
Doreen
Paddy O’Prado has been retired due to a seismoid injury. Stud plans are still in the works. I wish him a speedy recovery. Also, Mike Smith will not be riding in England today, however, he will be able to ride Thursday in England because his visa limits him to do business only at the location of that race.
Patricia Emery
Indeed, best wishes to Paddy O’Prado & all of the horses & jockeys racing this season…stay well, stay safe! Just glad that the injuries he sustained, did not render him on a different path…
Sharon Call
@Max. thanks for the link on the article about John and Z. I never saw this one and really enjoyed it. Truth is truth whether it was October 30 of last year or today. It was beautifully written.
judy berube
To Susan in Tn.:
Name the Foal Contest is a great idea. Should raise a good bit of money for the River Edge Farm Rescue. Saw the pictures; he is beautiful. Hugs, J.B.
To Viki B.: Thanks. That was me. I have my Z model next to my computer and my Z photo by John Kaiser right on the wall above my monitor. The only thing I want now is to see her in person. Hugs, J.B.
To Max and Ensign: Thanks for the links.
signofthetimes
@Dorothy Hooper
Thanks for the more indepth analysis of Shacklefords
Pedigree. I remember Dale Romans saying the distaff
Should not be a problem. Maybe someone will be the
Invincible Secretariate in the Belmont this year. I think he
And AK would have a great battle if both get good trips. Both
Seem to be from sturdy “stock”
@Trina and Sue
Thanks for info on naming the foal. They are sooo cute.
Too bad Mikey will have to wait a few days to meet
Pippa. Hope she is in town!!!!
signofthetimes
Typo
Distance. He is not a female !!!!
Trina Nagele
Good morning, Zenyatta. Hope you have a lovely Kentucky day.
@MAX–Thanks, Max, I hadn’t seen that article by Jane Smiley before.
@Dorothy Hopper and Susan in TN—Indeed, one race was started with Man ‘O War facing the wrong way. It was before they had starting gates,and horses were just brought up to a rope which was released to start the race. That one race was the only one Man ‘O War didn’t win, if memory serves.
judy berube
Dear Z,
We love you. Judy and Russ
Carole
Hi Z..
Do you think the Z team will write a book about you? Lots of interested fans I know would be interested. That would be TOO CUTE!! The main item on my bucket list is to meet you some day, I have my HOOVES CROSSED. Hugs and kisses to you Zenyatta.
Susan in TN
Thanks to all for your interest in the foal-naming contest!
@Trina: you’re right! Man O’ War did lose that race- it had slipped my mind.
Thanks to everyone for links,race info,history-love it!
So sorry for Paddy and his connections.
Susan in TN
Dear Zenny: Hope you are having a great day,sweet girl. Love you!
Kyle Stasierowski
Dear Queen Z,
If Steve Haskin does write a
Legends book about you I’ll be one of the
first to buy it. I might even see if I can
get your connections to autograph it.
Sincerely,
Kyle Stasierowski
26-year-old loyal TVG viewer,
HRTV viewer, TVG Community
member, and your FaceBook
friend from Alden, New York