Happy Monday to All!
It is the beginning of another wonderful week! I am enjoying all of the time I’m spending each day with my friends here at Lane’s End.
I just had a long chat with MATT…in between bites of my favorite grassy treats. We reviewed the entire weekend of fabulous racing. There were so many impressive winners in the various divisions. I absolutely LOVED seeing my pal, GIO PONTI, return to the winner’s circle again. His race was so impressive. I am SO PROUD of him! To stay at such TOP FORM and to COMPETE AT SUCH A HIGH LEVEL for years…is not an easy task. He and his connections deserve a big HIGH HOOF for doing so!
Some of my other personal friends also performed very well. On Saturday, SWITCH ran a very contentious 3rd in her return to the sprint arena at Keeneland. She will be sprinting again in her next start. I must also say, my 3 year old Barn 55 friend, MR. COMMONS, did a fabulous job to close in such fast fractions to be a very strong 2nd in the Oak Tree Mile. He clearly ran his highest speed figures to date…and he is a 3 year old running against older horses. This is not easy to do! The ability to move forward and continue to make steady progress as he has done is always important when one is competing at these graded stakes levels. My compliments to BOTH!
The 2 year olds, competing on 3 different types of surfaces this weekend: dirt, turf and Keeneland’s all-weather track, truly provided a great deal of excitement! Members of this age group are now at such an important time in their careers. In many instances, they are now being introduced to the concept of ‘going around 2 turns’ in their races. The ability to perform well at this is something that can truly begin to separate ‘the men from the boys’ in the future…so to speak. This is especially important as we begin to look for the ‘classic type horses’ who will be moving onto this stage at the Breeders’ Cup next month and also as 3 year olds next year.
Congratulations to ALL of these athletes and their connections for definitely providing the sport with exciting performances in these prep races.
The next few weeks will be so important to all of these horses and their ‘teams’ as they prepare for the World Championship Events. I remember every bit of it all so well!
Here’s wishing EVERYONE the best!
With Love,
Hugs to All~(It is getting exciting!)
Z
judy berube
Dear JAG:
Lucky girl; a kiss from Mikey. Hugs, JB
Cheryl Y
Dear Zen and all Zen fans,a horse named RAPID REDUX looks for 18th staight on Oct 14th.He trails only Zenyatta and Pepper’s Pride.It is the 8th race,post time 10:25pm EDT at Charles Town Races.He is the son of Pleasantly Perfect-Thiscatsforcarly by Storm Cat.It should be an exciting race to watch,thought we could all cheer him on!!!Not as exciting as you big girl,but I know you’ll be rooting for him.
JAG / California :-)
CALIFORNIA FLAG WINS THE MORVICH STAKES! 7 y.o. gelding – bless his heart!!
Leroy’s Dynameaux almost clipped heels with CF and Excessive Passion – scary!!!
signofthetimes
@ JAG
Just watched that too!!! Amazing gelding with a
Lot of run. Was it 2 million or 7 million life time
Winnings??
signofthetimes
@Terry Crow
Awesome information as usual from vast
Experience.
LouAnn Cingel of Union, Missouri
It sure was an exciting weekend of racing and have to commend and congratulate Mr.Commons for his fantastic second place, he is an exceptionally talented colt and Mr. Shirreffs is doing one heck of a fine job with him just as he did with you Zenyatta.
Iam so glad that you are enjoying yourself there at Lane’s End and that you have a good friend in Matt. You take sweetie and I love you and miss you so much. Sending lots of Hugs with Love & Blessings
suew
@Barbara G, Yes, all of us will be pacing the floor when her time arrives but I have no doubt Z will be fine. LE staffers are pros at this…they are the best of the best. Ann and Jerry have always made sure she gets the best of everything and this great “event” will be no exception. {{{ }}} to you!
signofthetimes
@Judy B and The Kennedys
Did not realize Mr Commons hit his head either.
What a great recovery. It has been so much fun
To watch him develop into such a talent under Zenny’s
JOHN.
signofthetimes
@Jeanie
Thanks for the new link.
signofthetimes
@Judy B
Love the link on Artie Shiller, gorgeous and
I really love the name.
Roseann
Love to you Z :)! Please allow me a moment to tell your Dottie how much I appreciate and enjoy thoroughly her writing style that has made “you” such a personal pleasure to so many. I love her writing. I have been a technical writer in years past and so my appreciation is not only just as a personal fan, but professionally as well. Please convey my thoughts and ask her to keep it up. Thanks! Keep listing to your team and take care of yourself!
Peggy (N)
Immature,I think would be just a good word to describe our 2 year old horses and I think we all just have to remember that. The slightest think might scare them.
Peggy (N)
Sorry, I meant slightest (Thing) Sorry
signofthetimes
@JAG
Love the whip stealing from Clockers Corner.
Hope David Flores was riding one that did not
Need it!!!
Roseann
oops….listing = listening
Shari Voltz
Dear Zenyatta you look beautiful to me. I hope you had a really good day. We are still having good weather. Today we had another message from Mistletoe and she taught the children a really Great lesson. If you have time check it out. They are making suggestions for her Halloween costume. I had a really bad dream last night that you were running at Mountaineer and I kept trying to get to you. It really upset me. I am glad you have wonderful people in your life who love you and care about you. Your are safe at LE. Please tell Tasty hi. You are both always in my prayers every morning. I am also still singing your song. I love you Big Girl. Forever and ever. Hugs and Kisses, Shari XXXOOO
signofthetimes
@Terry Crow
Great joke for today.
signofthetimes
@Jeanie
I personally am not fond of seeing 2 year olds race
I always wait for something crazy to happen. I purposely
Don’t watch the 2 yr old races. Good thing
I don’t own a racing TB, don’t think I’d make too much
Money. Too protective of the wonderful creatures.
Delrene
Zenyatta – your coat looks very comfy and stylish on you.
Gals ( and guys) at Judy’s birthday bash and dinner – sounds like such a great time and a memory forever. Hope to see pictures.
Very sad about Here Comes Frazier – That is why I have such mixed feelings about 2 year old racing. It can be so unpredictable with these babies. We love that your John waited and watched and sent you out at the right time for you. Enjoy your fall weather and thank you Dottie for all the wonderful insight into the racing world.
Sally B.
Do you miss all the preparation to race Z and John checking your legs? High hoofs to Gio Ponte, Mr. Commons, Switch and other successes on the track.
You look so glowingly lovely wish I could be there; talk to you while your grazing that Kentucky blue grass. Miss you!
love you with 2 kisses on your soft nose, one for baby z
Trina Nagele
@Allen—So good to hear that your two new TBs are now home with you safe and sound, and that the grandkids are loving them. High hoof!
@Daina Ryan—Thank you for the interesting story of the two Artie Schillers—human and horse. We’ll watch for Mr. Commons, the equine Artie Schiller’s offspring, trained by Z’s John, with even more interest now. High hoof to the horse and the late, great human for whom he was named.
@Judy Berube—Thanks for the Artie Schiller link.
@Jeanie—Thanks for the update on rescue at Valley View. I especially appreciate the info on the little Arab cross, now named Bannon—he is such a sweetie to always come to gate to meet his person. I’m so glad he is going to a home where he will be appreciated.
Peggy (N)
@Signofthetimes, I’m with ya I don’t like to watch the 2 year old races. I hope there’s a ray of hope about Here comes Frazier, They said this evening that it didn’t look like now that it was a compounded fracture. I hope hope hope thats right. May God bless and take care of him.
Debbie G
@Jag – I love your story about Larry Jones and Zenyatta. That’s too cute that his horse had a crush on her! It’s no big surprise, though. Doesn’t everyone?
@Terry Crow – Another great joke. I love Robert Stack’s sunglasses, too. That movie is just a classic. It’s the first movie I can remember that spoofed another one. It was the first, and the best, by far. I never get tired of watching it. It seems like every time I do I catch something else in it that I hadn’t noticed before.
barbara
the last i read on blood horse is that frazier has a comminuted or”multi-piece” fracture and a questionable fx of the talus bone. more xrays to come.
prayers for his recovery!
hugs to you zenny. love ya!
Sunny Boyd
Good evening Zenyatta,
hope your day went well and you’re all tucked in, all comfy in your straw.
I bid you good night and leave you with this
Pillow ponder:
Everything human is pathetic. The secret source of humor itself is not joy but sorrow. There is no humor in heaven. Mark Twain
Sandra Bennington
Dear Diana S.
Please send me info for joining & getting a Dumpling name tag.
Thank You
Sandy
Debbie
Regardless if I comment, I read every diary post. You are and will always be an inspiration to me. I still consider meeting you in person, one of the highlights of my life. Thank you Z. You touch everyone in ways that you’ll never know!
Kimberly
Hi Z, I can’t wait for the arrival of Baby Z… Then in a few short years all of us Zenny fans will hopefully have a new connection to root for!!!! We all love you Z. Nitey Night!!
Linda Henderson
I too am enjoying the Fall racing and looking forward to the Breeders’ Cup.
Paula Higgins
Z you look cozy in your blanket. Yes, made me very happy too to see Gio Ponti win his race. He reminds me of you Zenny continuing on well past 3, and winning.