Good Morning Everyone,
I sincerely hope you had a great weekend! Mine was quite nice and very relaxing. I’ll share some current photos with you during the next few days.
I thought all of the weekend racing was quite captivating. I was especially pleased to see Bernie’s son, STAY THIRSTY, win the Jim Dandy Stakes-G II at Saratoga. Bernardini also had some other nice winners over the weekend. This is great news! Congratulations, BERNIE! I’m sending you a HIGH HOOF!
On another note, I am very pleased to share some information with you this morning. It is so special to touch base with an ‘old friend’ and keep up with how he or she is doing. This weekend, Dottie was able to get an update on my PONY PAL, HOOTIE, to share with ALL OF US. You have seen HOOTIE in countless photos with ME…accompanying ME back and forth to the race track. While I was in training, he was with ME on these walks the majority of the time. He has been my very dear friend for years.
One of the many jobs at the race track is to be a ‘PONY PERSON’. In this position, you and your ‘pony’ (which is often a retrained retired race horse) work with different trainers and accompany certain horses from their barn to and from the track. A man named Freddie Wilson owned HOOTIE and he was a pony person at the track. Since I really liked HOOTIE and got along so well with him, MY JOHN worked out a schedule with Freddie so HOOTIE could be MY PONY in the mornings! As we have written in a previous Diary, after I retired….so did he. HOOTIE was adopted by TROTT of Southern California and now has a second career working with them. In the above photo, he is getting his daily “SPA TREATMENT” from Dee, on the left, and Susana, on the right. Per Bonnie, who updated Dottie on all of this, he is truly one of the BARN FAVORITES. HOOTIE has truly become part of the TROTT TEAM!
TROTT is a wonderful organization which ‘adopts’ horses from the racetrack and retrains them for their NEXT CAREER. So many dedicated people work endlessly trying to accomplish this goal to help horses. The organization is volunteer based and the hard work and loving care given by these people is truly appreciated by all of US! MY TEAM and I have also worked to help raise funds for TROTT. I loved the one T-shirt they did with ME on it. MY JOHN came up with the words to be placed underneath my picture stating……’DANCING AGAIN IN 2010′.
I have been told that TROTT is currently planning a Del Mar Charity Fundraiser. They are a 501(c)(3) organization. It will take place on August 28th at the San Diego Polo Club from 6 to 11 p.m. More details may be found on their web-site….TROTTUSA.ORG.
I also understand that Liza G. Fly will be singing at this event . I hope she sings the song she wrote and recorded for ME! I must say…I DO GET A KICK OUT OF LISTENING TO IT! (Blush, Blush)
Watch it here…ENJOY!
With Love,
Hugs to All~ (Great to hear from you, HOOTIE! I’m SO HAPPY to see you again!)
Z
Lori
What a handsome horse! Thanks for the update. Also congrats to Stay Thirsty on his big win!
Dawn Deems
Can’t wait to see some more photos of you, Zenny.
Bernardini’s son To Honor and Serve is making his comeback to the races today at Saratoga. Good luck to him!
Have a great day. XOXOXO
Mary
Yeah Hootie & Trott!
Kim J
I could watch that video a thousand times. Love you Z!!!!
Elizabeth S.
What a pretty horse Hootie is! :) I love chestnuts, especially when they have white markings on them!
Lynn Martin
Good morning, Zenyatta (et al). I was wondering how your pregnancy is progressing…have you felt little hoof kicks? Is he/she practicing running and jumping? About how big is he/she now? Do horses EVER have twins? And how are you feeling? Tired a lot? A bit less running around your field?
Lynn Martin
Good morning Zenyatta (et al). I was wondering how your pregnancy is progressing. Have you felt little hoof kicks? Is he/she practicing running and jumping? About how big is he/she? Do horses EVER have twins? And how are YOU feeling? Tired a lot? Finding it hard to get comfortable? Swollen ankles? A bit less running around in your field?
Barbara Grimaldi
Hootie looks like a love! I’m glad he has a good job and fine care at TROTT’s! Hope you are happy and healthy and comfortable today, precious Zenyatta. I just typed the message below about the Haskell on the previous message and will place it here as well. Dottie–thank you so much for this wonderful place where people who love horses can become friends!
MONMOUTH PARK. Brokenhearted over Shackleford. Talked to Mr. Romans after the race and he was pleasant and said “we tried hard” which is all we can do. Met Mr. Breen giving out Fire and Ice pins before the Haskell. Read Mr Baffert’s comments today and see them as nongallant, if there is such a word. Used DRF race card for Monmouth and it was riddled with errors so I lost a bit. It was a beautiful day–nice breeze. I love to stand by the rail at the end of the races where they hose down the horses–the horses are so beautiful and love their drinks from the hose. I usually go into the everyman entry at Monmouth where there are just benches and lots of rail to lean on, but I had 5 friends with me–all newbies to the track–who insisted on getting real seats. They bought one for me, too. It was so high up I felt I was in a public building somewhere and despised them…threaded my way back down to my area and close to race ponies and horses. Heaven. Unfortunately, my friends went into the wrong area for will call tix and while walking around from valet parkiing to the main entrance, I tripped on a huge tree root that had risen up and cracked the pavement years ago. Hit head, hand, elbow, shoulder, hip and knocked woozy for a bit. Track first aiders came asap and whisked me by cart to the first aid area. So I missed the first four races. They kept on asking if I wanted an MRI, but I know that falls like that result in bruises and black and blues that don’t show until later. But, they know I fell on their property. I have never sued anyone in my lifetime and don’t plan to now, but shoulder really hurting. It will pass. Linda and I were to contact each other there by cell. I didn’t have Linda’s cell but she had mine, courtesy of Trina. I didn’t think we’d find each other, but when my cell went kablooey my friend Jerry was trying to fix it and couldn’t. Linda had called me and Jerry answered, but I didn’t know until later. So Linda, I apologize for missing the chance to meet you–sorry for the inconvenience. I’ll close this by saying I will NEVER buy actual seats again–I am a rail bird and proud of it. Lastly, my heart is broken over Shack, and I had a 1-5 exacta, but should have known that Baffert would not cross the country if he knew he didn’t have a shot at his 5th or 6th Haskell win. He had a bad trip in and so did his colt, but his colt ran a fine race, especially since he stumbled, as did Shack, coming out of the gate. Shack will be at Saratoga later this month. Had he won this he would have had a great shot at HOY, I thought, but all of you know better. Love to all–high hooves to all–and I wish it had been precious Zenyatta I was feeding peppermints to at the entry lane to the track instead of the track ponies. But, hey, I can dream, can’t I?
Bobbi
I never get tired Of Liza’s song!!
Barbara Wood
Hi, Big Z– Am I first?? Wow! What an honor. Hootie is adorable. We are so glad to have an update on what he is doing. Hope you are staying cool. Talk to you later. Love you.
Marty
I’m glad you had a wonderful weekend.. Congrats to Bernie, He has become a great sire!!!
Well I love and Happy Monday!!!!
XOXO…
Pam Zacek,
wow,Im the first one to get this, feel honored,and thanks againfor the Information very interesting,about the Pony walkers, great to hear , some good winners this weekend, and all the fund raisers, I think there all great, especially, to help the Racehorse after there career, and HI to HOOTIE and you Zen your still theQueen of them all. have great day. sending, congrads to all thewinners, and safe rides to all the raceing people,
Cheryl Smith
I bet Hootie misses you too! Hope your weekend was great. So glad Stay Thirsty won, he is one awesome guy!
Love you Z!!!!!!!!!!!!
Christine Coleman
Hi Zenny Coleman! I was so happy to see one of your family members, “Utopia” win. What an impressive ride by Chantel! I swear I see a little of Mike’s influence there. But nevertheless, she’s a natural. You enjoy your day and take care of the little Zennikins chillaxin within you! Love you big girl!! :)
Kari Bussell
I love Hootie. For those who don’t know Hootie has a FB page.
Zenyatta I hope you are having a great day. Thank you for the update on Hootie. It is good to know he is happy like you! Love always-Kari
Holly Zemba
Hootie is adorable!!!!
Theresa Buck
high hoof to you this morning..glad you had a great weekend hugs and kisses for you and the little one
Maryyette
Hi Sweetie – what a good pony Hootie is!
What a wonderful organization TROTT is, and the people there who help the horses. And what wonderful folks you have, and what a terrific girl you are to help others and spread the word and encourage others to help others, as always you do, dearest Zenny.
Love you, Sweetie, and Sweetie Baby Z!!
Love to Hootie and all at Trott!
Stella Bagwell
Dearest Queen,
Thank you so much for sending the picture of Hootie along to all of us! He’s so handsome and that face just oozes sweetness. No wonder you and he were such good friends. You must miss him, but I’m sure you’re glad to hear that he’s in very loving home.
I hope the weather has been cooling for you. It’s still blazing here, but we’ll endure.
The racing this past weekend was great. Congrats to Bernie’s offspring. I do believe he has a daughter running today at Saratoga. Good luck to her.
Happy Monday to you and Tasty Temptation! Enjoy yourselves.
Love and hugs,
Stel
Kari Bussell
Real important- I left out I LOVE Liza G. Fly’s Zenyatta song and video!!
@Karen Gogue- I left you a message at end of #308.
Cathy Braun-Emig
Hootie is a cutie! Loved your video! Have a Great Day Z!
>^..^<
Paula Higgins
What a sweet boy Hootie is!!! An adorable face. I will have to look up his Facebook page tonite. I am so glad he has a nice home. TROTT sounds like a cause worth supporting. Nice to know Zenny has contributed already to the cause! John came up with a very catchy phrase.
Brenda in TX
@Barbara G – hope you’re OK – sounds like you had a really bad fall – don’t you just love seeing Shack coming around the curve heading down the stretch – what a sight!
Thirsty’s not just UNCLE MO’S STABLEMATE anymore !!
Hootie is a cutie ….
Trisha Veazey
Hootie is also a very lucky horse. First of all to have been your pony pal and second to have another career and people who care.
Love, hugs and kisses gorgeous Z
and high hoofs from your Z “sisterchicks”
Robin
HOOTIE is CUTE! Can’t wait to see more pictures of you and your growing baby bump! XOXXOXOX
Brenda S
Happy Monday Zenny, It’s Civic Holiday Monday here in Ontario – a weird day, some folks off work and other not. It’s a warm, sticky one again so I do hope that you’re keeping cool. Hootie’s a handsome boy and how lucky he was to be your escort and now to have another happy life with people who love him.
@ Barbara G – So sorry to hear about your accident, hope you’re not too bruised and battered. Take it easy for a few days until the pain eases up, falls are often more painful the day after.
JAG from California :-)
Happy Monday Queen Zenyatta!! :-D
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Yes, high hooves for HOOTIE! I love Happy Endings! :-)
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Bernie, Bernie, Bernie!!! You are quite the “stud muffin” aren’t you!! Zenny, you and Bernardini will have a wonderful foal, I’m sure! Blessings to ALL of you XO
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Much love and affection sent from California to My Queen Z and Baby z XOXOXOXOXO
DJ
Dearest Sweet “Z” and little “z”,
What a Hoot! You are a Cutie Hootie!! So glad you retired at the same time…how truly special. Thank you for explaining the Pony Pals Career. I do remember the handsome Hootie walking with you as you were dancing and looking at his red socks :) I wish you a beautiful ‘Today’ with your little life inside you. You must surely be feeling something special now!
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To Liza G. Fly: What a wonderful gift and blessing for you to sing at the Trott Fundraiser. I would love to hear you sing “Zenyatta” again!
DJ
To Kari B: I enjoyed your video tribute so much! Thank you again. You never fail to capture so many cute pics with “Z”‘s pink tongue a waggin!
Gloria Jeanne
I’m gald to Hootie is doing well with TROTT. I have met Hootie a couple of times with Zenytta – I have heard that he loves donuts and burritos. If you have food out when your around Hootie and turn your back on him, he will eat your food – TOO CUTE. He’s a great horse and just loved Zenyatta. Freddie is a great guy and I was sad when the reality of Zenny, Hootie and Freddy were all going to retire – I hope that Freddie and YOUR JOHN are all ok.