Happy Thursday, Everyone!
Dottie is totally overwhelmed by all of the kind wishes and birthday greetings she received from all of YOU! She is deeply touched by all of your kindness and asked me to THANK YOU SO MUCH!
The poem by Trina Nagele is forever a keepsake. The countless cards with such memorable messages from all over the country a cherished surprise. Then the facebook wall filled with so many gracious wishes proved to be THE ICING ON HER CAKE! Dottie commented to John last night how all of this truly illustrates the amazing qualities of the ZENYATTA FANS….they really DO CARE ABOUT OTHERS! YOU ARE SO SPECIAL!
On a racing note, I wanted to share a few photos of the barn area at Saratoga. Above is the Phipps barn. Gotta’ love those trees! It looks beautiful!
Then here is the Steve Asmussen barn. Oh, I see David there looking at some horses.
The Oklahoma Training Track also has a turf course for the horses to use. It is really a very nice set-up for training. As I understand it, several trainers do stable horses at Saratoga from April, when it ‘officially’ opens each year…until it closes late fall…about the end of October. At this point, the weather is changing. Several trainers send their babies (2 year olds) there when they come in from the training center…to get them ready…as well as other horses in their divisions. Saratoga is a very important part of the New York Racing program for many reasons.
This weekend is packed with some great races around the country…but a major FOCUS is Arlington Park Race Course in Arlington Heights, Illinois. This venue is hosting the “International Festival” of turf races which includes the Arlington Million-G1 (my pal, Gio Ponti, is pointing for this race), the Beverly D-G1 for fillies and mares, and The Secretariat-G1 for 3 year old colts/geldings. Many top quality horses from our country participate in these races which traditionally draw several major horses from Europe as well. It really becomes an international festival of racing! Good Luck to All!
Enjoy your day…and again, on behalf of Dottie, THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR YOUR THOUGHTFULNESS!
I must say, you are all TOO CUTE!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Diana S
@Good Morning Zen-Dottie: Did you sleep in a bit after celebrating? We are all so happy you had a fabulous day. The photos of the Spa are so inviting. Saratoga is on my bucket list.
@Trina Nagele: Kudos again on your poem!
@JAG: I think renaming the Million for John Henry is a great idea – and I know a hoard of Z-sters and Dumplings that can marshall a great letter campaign!
@Terry Crow on 316: Back to my Krispy Creme!
@Terry Crow here: I wonder when this guy bought HIS computer? :-)
@All: Someone in Minnesota won the $220 million PowerBall last night. What say we make them honorary Dumplings? (And help them buy that farm we’re all talking about.) :-)
diastu in tempe
Diana S
@DJ: I almost forgot. I had a wee bit of champaigne left this morning. I love Mimosas :-)
Lisa g
Checking out the Slew Site, remembered he was a good looking man, but even more so than I remembered. I see where Your Man gets some of his looks. Lisa g
Marilu V
Hello Zeny! Thanks for all the new information and happy to hear Dottie had a wonderful birthday. She is great lady. I wish her good health and abundance the rest of the year. Hugs and Prayers going your way, Marilu
sherry drish
HI DOTTIE WE ALL HOPED YOU HAD A GREAT BIRTHDAY. HI TO ZENNIE AND ALL THE FANS TOO. TIME SURE GOES FAST. IT IS ALMOST A WEEKEND. LOVE TO ALL SHERRY D. WV
DMCQ
Dear Zenyatta, I love the posting for today. Please tell Sarah that we are enjoying the photos from her! Hope you are staying cool. McDude is choosing to stay inside today to stay cool.
@Kari B: So if I brought blackberry jelly I would be invited to DEE? :) BTW, I had saved the last videos you shared and stayed up to see them last night. LOVED them! Thank you so much. I was not surprised that you lived up to the expectations you have me setting for you.
@JAG: Oh there you go! My calendar was RIGHT, but silly me I followed someone’s comment and thought I must have written it down wrong perpetuating the myth about when your birthday truly is. Solution: JAG should begin celebrating now and take it through 10/8 and after if she chooses. LOL
@ TerryC: Good for Z Dumplings, a joke bonus day! Loved them both. You never disappoint me. :) :) Did I tell you that I am learning to tell jokes to my husband. Sometimes, I have to resort to reading them, but I’ve actually told him three all the way through.
@All: ok, I’m cooled down and had water. Back to mowing before the rains come this afternoon. Love you Zenny!
Suzanne G
@JAG–John Henry would make a terrific name for the Arlington Million!!!
Abigail from Montreal
DEAR ZENNY, DOTTIE + ZEN-NATION:
I was so PLEASED to hear that all of our sweet wishes for Dottie actually made their way to her. I kept wondering about the FB pages: how did you know they were there, Dottie? It was no surprise to me that you are a LEO, the “KING’ or “QUEEN” of the zodiac. My mum was 92 on August 9th and she still has her “mojo workin” and TONS of “moxy”!!
Zenny, I’m still getting over the parade of magnificent fillies & colts at the Saratoga Sale. In particular, I found it very interesting how strongly Bernie stamps his offspring — they almost all had his majestic head and body-type. Making it quite fascinating to think about Baby Zen. I have been insisting that you will be a dominant influence regardless of the stallion. But am I right?????? Guess I’ll just have to wait! Love you big girl and sending you pear-and-peppermint kisses.
@ ALL. I just posted part #2 on Great Euro Fillies/Mares on THE VAULT. I hope you all enjoy it. Here’s the link:
http://thevaulthorseracing.wordpress.com/2011/08/11/great-euro-fillies-part-two-goldikova-and-miesque/
LOVE & HUGS TO ALL!!!
Susan in TN
My dear Z friends: I fainted last Wednesday while out at the rescue (after you left, Dawn-woke up with Pepsi standing over me!) and didn’t feel up to going on-line to tell you all I was leaving Thursday to see my son in San Francisco. Had a great time but tiring. Got a call Sunday that my brother was taken to the ER due to alcohol toxicity-not a new problem. I am his only family. Got back late Monday night and have had to make some tough decisions regarding my brother- I hope to God I made the right ones. He is in detox now. I have been feeling pretty down and tired- haven’t even been to rescue. Hope to be back with you soon-don’t have much to offer at the moment. Hope you all are doing well <3
Gloria
Rock on, Dottie and Big Mama Z!!
Arlene
Hi again Zenny, I was going to mention the section you were under in the Readers Digest – BEST OF AMERICA/Best Catch !!!
also @DJ: I like your version of the spelling of Dumpingz !!! The Z is special !
Anyone: Is there a website where the Zenyatta Breyer can be purchased?
Terry Crow
@Susan in TN-Good to hear from you under any circumstances. Just take it easy and come back to us when you are ready. Family decisions are always tough, especially when YOU are the one making them. I know from experience. @Sharon Call–Sounds good to me. If I am partner, do I have to get plastic surgery? @DMCQ-Hang in there. Your husband will learn to appreciate your efforts. Even The Lone Ranger got irritated when he found out what Kemo Sabe means. @Diana S-I never stopped so I’m ready for heaven. That guy bought his computer about the same time that Kenny Rogers had his first face lift.
Ingrid Arnone
Team Zenyatta you are awesome, my adorable Zenyatta you are awesome!!!
I really love you all, I love horseracing… Ingrid.
Arlene
@Susan in TN: Sorry about your brother’s situation and hope you are being able to relax, have peace of mind and get rested. Prayers for both of you. LOL, Arlene
Barbara Wood
@Susan in TN–so glad to hear from you. I was afraid the heat had gotten to you. So glad you’re ok. SO Dawn is ok too?
Praying for your brother. That has to be really tough.
@Doreen–thanks for the article on the Sackatoga guys stepping up big time. High Hoof to all of them.
Diana S–hmmm –the farm idea sounds great to me.
Carolyn Caswell-Brown
Good Morning Z, Enjoying pictures of beautiful Saratoga. It’s one of the places I always wanted to visit on my ever growing “feed-bucket” list!
Hoofs crossed for Gio Ponti this weekend.
Peace & love
georgia harper
@Doreen, thanks for the info on Morning line it is such good news that the owners and trainers are definately looking out for the health of our race horses.
@Trina, Your poem was so lovely much time and affection was put into this for Dottie.
Dear Zenyatta Last year I wrote that we went to Del Mar to see you for our 49th anniversary and had such a wonderful time. I was sure there was no way we could ever have celebrate in such a manner but OMG my daughters threw us a grand party in our back yard and they presented us with your bronze statue by Nina!!!!! I am working on the perfect spot for you and will send a picture when you spot has been prepared.
Love and hugs to all everyone on this site is just so specail
Brenda S..
Dear Dottie, So glad that you had a wonderful birthday. I hope the birthday card found you at Del Mar, please excuse the messy envelope from Canada but I’d already addressed it to Barn 55 when Zenny told us all about the move.
Dear Susan in TN – Nice to have you back. My thoughts are with you in your efforts for your brother, I experienced the same decision making with my sister – it’s not easy.
Dear Diana S – Do honorary Dumplings get a Z Tag? I think they could but only after they’ve bought us the farm and we’ll need a tractor and a couple of trailers too.
Lisa g
@Georgia, I am so happy for you, how wonderful is that. Post the Perfect Place here in Zenyatta’s World so we can all share your job….IT WILL BE JUST TOO CUTE. Happy Anniversary…Lisa g.
Trish & Mike in Colorado
Dot-Zen is the best.
Lisa g
@Susan in TN, prayers and thoughts of you, blessings to come your way, may the angels wrap their wings around you to confort you.
Sharon Call
@Susan in TN. I’m so sorry to hear about your brother. After my Dad died, I went through that with my Mom I don’t know how many times until she died from a recurrence of breast cancer 9 years after my Dad died. I would have to put Mother in the hospital an average of twice a year to dry out just to have her do it all over again. It seems that life was just too hard after the death of my Father. I know from experience that your decision was the only one to make under the circumstances. You’ve done the best for him that you can do. The rescue will be OK without you for a bit. You just need to take some time for yourself and get your breath back. Take care, my friend, and know that the whole Z Force is with you 100%.
Lisa g
@Doreen, thank you for the link to Morning Line at BH. We all have a bad day, and we all need a rest and/or vacation. He shall be back.
Sharon Call
@Terry Crow. Don’t you dare! We all like you just the way you are. Don’t change a thing – hey, wasn’t there a song about that?
Sharon Call
@Diana S. Sounds like a plan to me. Do you think we could talk this person into buying the Kenny Rogers estate here in GA? It’s only $20 million so they would still have $200 million left over. Sounds fair to me!
georgia harper
@Lisag thanks so much I am still in shock
@Susan in TN prayers and thoughts are with you it is so hard but hope it helps knowing there are people who care from all around the US
eastcoastkid
@charlotte; is the new facility in Stillwater opened yet? We are going to Saratoga for the Week of the Travers and would love to visit…please let me know…loved today’s posting; Dottie is the BEST…John is a very lucky man but I think he already knows it LOL
Jeanie
Dear Z,
I’m so glad we were able to wish Dottie and Mike the best on their special days. I can’t wait until April 1 when it will be YOUR special day and also for your first Mother’s Day!!!
Those photos really bring back memories of the one time I was in Saratoga. I only had time to do one thing and I chose to go to the Museum and Racing Hall of Fame. That was FABULOUS, but I saw what was going on across the street and yearned to go over there as well…
My impression of the place was a combination of a forest type area and it also had almost an antebellum feel to it. Very lovely. I want to go back for racing and to revisit the Hall of Fame.
I am also very excited that the 2012 Breeder’s Cup will be at Santa Anita. I THINK ALL OF US SHOULD PLAN A REUNION EVENT THERE SO WE CAN ALL MEET AND SHARE OUR COMMON BOND OF ADMIRATION FOR THE GREATEST FEMALE OF THE SPECIES — ZENYATTA! WHAT SAY YE ONE AND ALL?????
Your humble J
Kimberly Potter
@Susan in TN~ You and your brother are in my thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time…Hugs~
Jan
Zenyatta,
Thanks for the pics and info, always interesting to a novice like me. Hope you and baby are doing well. How are your gal pals doing. Would love to see some pics of you all. Keep cool and healthy Big Mama. :)
Go Gio Ponti.