Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Z's Diary

Diary Post #347

It's now SWEATER WEATHER! Photo by Sarah Campion

Happy Friday, Everyone!

Suddenly it has become a bit chilly in Lexington. I need to have MY cozy blanket on for my early morning grazing fun with Matt! It is pretty out, though! The fall leaves will start to change soon…and the added color will really make the trees look amazing! This is MY first ‘fall’ in this regard for many years. In California, the seasons do not change as prominently as they do in Kentucky!

I am so pleased that YOU really like the idea of MY PARTY. So many fans have already responded and purchased tickets. If you have done so already…you are definitely in the first 500…so do not worry. The computer people are getting this refined for you so the people purchasing tickets in the future will know this information right away. This should all be completed today. Thank you for your patience!

I am also so excited about the incredible weekend of racing we are all going to be able to enjoy. From the East Coast to West Coast, it is one contentious stakes race after another with so many of the results having Breeders’ Cup ramifications. I love the fact that Havre de Grace and Blind Luck are each performing at such a high level. Their races are going to be so exciting! (I have a special fondness for the LADY’S SECRET which runs this weekend.) Then to see all of the other possibilities…whether turf or dirt for so many other terrific horses…will make handicapping GREAT FUN this weekend!

I can’t wait!

All the best to each of the horses competing during the next few days! All of my pals at Lane’s End and I will be watching!

With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z

Reader Interactions

450 Comments

  1. / Reply

    @Kimberly Potter– RE: The horse who broke both front legs but came back to race and win again. Wonderful story! Thanks, Kimberly. How they brought him back using their own invention could be a life-saving lesson for others: “The key was a new water treadmill developed by McShane’s son Brendan, 42, who researched various machines on the internet then approached a Victorian treadmill company to custom-build one that combined several features. It has worked wonders. It has helped to get injured horses extremely fit with little impact on their legs. They are eager to gallop again and the horses enjoy using it.”
    @Signofthetimes—Thanks for the racing terminology link. I’m also thankful you provided your own explanation of “turn of foot’, since that is one term not addressed on that site. LOL

  2. / Reply

    @Debbie G, @J Smith, and everybody else who contributed about “going to the races alone”. Good luck, and I’m sure you will have a great time at the BC party. – I’m amazed so many of you have such guts about this and have come to enjoy going alone, even travelling distances. I can’t even imagine that. I can and do make myself do things, but it’s always hard. But you’ve given me something to think about, thank-you so much for that.

  3. / Reply

    @Kimberly Potter – Aaww, I love the story about Geejayhaitch in Tasmania (Australia), with the water treadmill, that is excellent! Makes me wonder if something like that could have helped Banned.

  4. / Reply

    Good Morning Z,
    Hope you have a happy day in the paddock with TT. Make sure you wear you sweater if it’s chilly. Love you and love to all of you, Judy and Russ

  5. / Reply

    Dear Kimberly P.:
    Thanks for the link on Geejayhaitch and Mr. McShane. Maybe, we in the States, should check out that water treadmill. Hugs, JB

  9. / Reply

    Dear Suzanne G.:
    Really sounds like Life At Ten doesn’t like something about the racing experience. She works great, but doesn’t appear to be interested at all once she’s in a race. Could it be the starting gate? In any event, I’m glad she will hopefully live a long, happy life as a Mama. Hugs, JB

  10. / Reply

    Dear Linda in NJ:
    Yes, Shack is a great horse. I wish they would give him a rest and then enter him in races 7F or 1 mile. He needs a win to rejuvenate his feisty spirit. Hugs, JB

  11. / Reply

    Dear Z Fans:
    When I used to go to the track by myself, I was so engrossed in the DRF, it was always a fun day. Sometimes when you’re with friends who are not interested in handicapping, it’s difficult to have your nose in the DRF without appearing rude. So I wouldn’t peruse the paper as much. Hugs, JB

  16. / Reply

    Dear Marshall (girl’s name):

    This is from ESPM Racing News. A paragraph on what Nijinsky’s Song’s injury. Hope he recovers well. Hugs, JB

    Nijinsky’s Song, at 46-1 the longest shot in the race, was pulled up after the Goodwood and was vanned from the track. According to Jeff Blea, the on-call veterinarian with the American Association of Equine Practitioners, Nijinsky’s Song appeared to have a soft-tissue injury to his lower right front leg. The limb was placed in a splint, and Nijinsky’s Song was to be returned to the barn of trainer Mike Harrington for further evaluation, Blea said.

  17. / Reply

    @Barbara Wood, everything to do with horse racing is a financial risk. That’s why they say that the secret to making a small fortune in horse racing is to start with a large one. When a horse is claimed, it is generally because the new connections think they can do better than the current ones.
    –
    @Debbie G. KWYM about overpacking.

  18. / Reply

    @Trina Nagele–If I’m not mistaken, WinStar also has water therapy. They may have used it for Uncle Mo, but I can’t remember for sure.

  20. / Reply

    @Debbie G: I want to applaud you for buying that ticket. You will not regret it, I promise, and you will have an even better time than you can imagine! As a recovering agorophobic, it was the magic and lure of Zenyatta which prompted me to take the giant stride of travelling 30 miles away from home to share in the glory of her races. I know that there must be readers of this diary who also suffer from “the sadness which they cannot name.” It took me 18 long years of constant struggle to learn that feelings are not facts, and that whatever nightmarish scenarios or tricks which your mind may play regarding those situations which are difficult for you, YOU CAN DO IT! The reality of a situation is NEVER as bad as that which we can imagine. Don’t allow fear to take you hostage, and rob you of memories, friendships, and life. GO, GO! LIVE, LIVE! Feel the fear, and do it anyway!

  21. / Reply

    @ Cynthia H~ Good for you! I love to hear stories like yours! It is amazing what we can accomplish as individuals when we face our fears….Hugz! I know Debbie G will find a new found sense of freedom and I am so proud of her. It is stories like ours that have given her the courage to not miss this Zenyatta experience! High Hoof to all of us!
    Zenyatta’s #1 fan in Montana!

  22. / Reply

    Zenyatta – Congratulations to ZAZU on winning the Lady’s Secret Saturday at Santa Anita. It was a thrilling run from dead last to win. This makes it four years in a row the Mosses have won the Lady’s Secret. Your John had a good looking two-year-old first time starter named BATTLE FORCE in the second race. He also was at the back and came on strong to finish second. Racing analysts said he is one to watch next time.

  24. / Reply

    @Cynthia H–congratulations on being an OVERCOMER! Just another testimonial of Z’s influence for good. Someone should log all these into a book.

  25. / Reply

    @Jan/Judy Berube/Laura J/J Smith–Have not been able to find out any specifics on how Indian Tale is doing. Guess we’ll have to see if she runs in the 4th tomorrow at Parx and gets claimed. If she runs and doesn’t get claimed have to hope that she gets scratched in the 1st at Belmont 10/6 (turf). Interesting that she was claimed for $35k 8/7 then put in a claiming race 4 days later, 8/11, for $75k. Keeping pinkies and paws crossed that she gets claimed away from Dutrow. Maybe we can project a lot of positive energy in her direction. Thanks to all for notes, info and tracking!

  26. / Reply

    @Cynthia H – Your story is so amazing. That is so awesome that you are overcoming your fears after 18 years. That gives me new-found strength to go out there and live! I’ve missed out on many things because I didn’t want to go alone and I always end up regretting it, but I really am so looking forward to Zenyatta’s party. I know I won’t be truly alone because I’ll be surrounded by fellow Z’sters. Isn’t it just incredible the power that Zenny has over us? She is just so inspiring. A high hoof to you, Cynthia!
    @Kimberly Potter – Thanks for the link to the story about Bolster and Tonk. I just love that story. I’m going to set my DVR up tonight to tape it.

  27. / Reply

    @Kimberly Potter: A high hoof back at you! Zenyata has inspired more than a few to tackle very difficult challenges! I greatly appreciate your good words.
    @Barbara Wood: Thank you very much. I recount my story because I KNOW there must be other diary readers who are caught in the talons of this same great fear, and are feeling isolated, and often, very depressed. I hope that they will feel encouraged, and most of all, not shunned.
    @Debbie G: YOU are amazing! I envy you the great time which I know wil be yours, in the company of wonderful people who share a common love of our Queen! It is never too late to grab hold of life! Tell yourself daily how courageous you truly are—because it is so!

  29. / Reply

    @Cynthia H – I wish that you could go to Zenyatta’s party. It would be such a pleasure to meet you. You’re right about it never being too late to grab hold of life. As I always say, better late than never. Thank you so much for all of your inspiring words. Hugs, Debbie

  30. / Reply

    @Barbara Wood and all in Texas—You assuredly have our prayers for safety from the fire and for rain come soon to bless the land and the animals.

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