Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Z's Diary

Diary Post #364

Training at Hollywood Park.

Video by Michelle Jensen. Watch it here.

Good Morning,

I hope you are all doing well…and your week is off to a splendid beginning!

In our thoroughbred world, the pre-entries were taken yesterday for the World Championship Racing Days which take place this year on November 4th and 5th at Churchill Downs. Next year, they will be at Santa Anita again in California. (I remember it ALL so well!)

Tomorrow the fields for each specific race will be announced. Then…let the handicapping and analysis begin.

My Moss pal, COZI ROSIE, is preparing for the Filly and Mare Turf. This race will take place late Friday afternoon. (The same day as MY PARTY!) Cozi is currently training at Hollywood Park and will take a flight this weekend to Churchill Downs.

I must say, the horse transportation crews have the schedules so well-organized. Their flight plans and times are very specific as they must be sure all of the horses planning to participate in these races from around the world are able to get to Churchill Downs on time. It is one of the many things that takes place ‘behind the scenes’…so to speak…but must be done perfectly for the benefit of all the competing horses and their staffs.

My Barn 55 friends are also preparing at Hollywood Park and will fly to Kentucky later this weekend. My dear friend and personal masseuse for years, Michelle, took the above video of MR. COMMONS while on the track during his morning exercise. Jacqueline is riding!

MEMORIES, MEMORIES! I can’t imagine how many times I went around that oval at Hollywood Park while training during my career! It is SO GREAT to see it again!

Here’s wishing you a wonderful day,

With love,
Hugs to All~
Z

Reader Interactions

162 Comments

  2. / Reply

    Counting down to YOUR big party. I couldn’t arrange my work schedule to be there, but can’t wait to hear, see and read about it.

  3. / Reply

    I remember being so excited at the prospect of flying to Kentucky to see you race in the BCC last year. It was SOOOO cold that day. I was on the rail, and when you first came by, so far behind, my heart fell because I thought you were hurt. And if you had stuck your tongue out you would have won the race!! Such an unbelievable day that was.

    Whenever I feel a little down or bored, I just watch a couple of videos of you and it turns my day around. Love you always, Zenny.

  5. / Reply

    GOOD MORNING, DEAR ZENYATTA,
    THANK YOU FOR THE VIDEO OF MR. COMMONS.
    IT IS SUCH FUN TO WATCH ALL OF YOU FABULOUS ATHLETES WORKOUT.
    SAY HI FOR ME TO ALL OF YOUR BARN 55 TEAM WHEN THEY ARRIVE THIS WEEKEND.
    I KNOW YOUR PARTY WILL BE THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE BREEDER’S CUP.

  7. / Reply

    Good luck, Mr. Commons and Rosie! Zenyatta, no other Breeders’ Cup will provide a thrill equal to that of watching you win the 2009 BC Classic. You rocked not only the foundation of Santa Anita, but the entire racing world with your magnificent victory that day. Time and memory will never forget.

  10. / Reply

    Yep Zenny – I remember you training at Hollywood Park – Many times John would allow me to come to the track to watch you train – that was so much fun and one of the things that I miss the most – it’s the Something missing from my life.

    Glad you are safe and happy.

  11. / Reply

    Team Zenyatta ~ On the topic of workout videos, I have a video of Zen working out last year prior to her being shipped to Churchill for the BC Classic. That was a goosebump moment for sure! All my visits to Barn 55 were awesome ~ memories to last my lifetime! :-)
    ~~~~~~~~
    Big {{hugs}} and kisses Mamma Z and baby b/z XOXOXOXO

  12. / Reply

    Zenny, thank you for yet another great post and video. One thing is for sure…no one lit up a track like YOU did. {{{ }}} to you and baby ZB.

  13. / Reply

    I LOVE HOLLYWOOD PARK! IT IS MY FAVORITE
    RACE TRACK AND I SURE MISS SEEING YOU THERE
    ZENNY! SENDING GODSPEED TO COZI ROSIE AND TO
    MR. COMMONS, AS WELL AS ALL THE REST OF YOUR
    MATE’S AT BARN 55!
    PEACE & BLESSINGS,
    KATHY from SoCal :) xoxo

  14. / Reply

    @Zenny: Cool video! What a treat!
    @All Dumplings who recently requested Z Dumpling Name Tags: They were all put in the mail today! YAY!
    @All Z-sters: Sorry I’ve been out of touch – not even lurking – but I’ll make up for it really soon.
    diastu-working-fingers-to-the-bone-in-tempe

  17. / Reply

    Dear Z–thank you for the video of Mr. Commons. He is going so easily and smoothly. Love him.
    I had never thought about the nightmare of logistics, trying to get all the horses settled as they literally come in from all over the world. I’m glad I don’t have that responsibility. The excitement is really building. Just think–last year at this time, we didn’t have this diary to visit every day. What a great blessing it has been to us all.

  18. / Reply

    @Kyle in NY – (from yesterday’s post) Happy to have another Zenyatta fan.
    @Barn 55 – Safe traveling to Kentucky and good luck in the BC races.

  19. / Reply

    @All My Z Family before I get to wound up in work today: THANK YOU to all of you who sent condolences and ecards on the passing of my wonderful Auntie Helen. She would be blushing at the kindness of “strangers”, but none of you are that to me.
    diastu in tempe

  20. / Reply

    Love you Z and hope that all things go well for coze rosie and the Breeders Cup is getting here fast i will have to start handicapping myself :)
    love and hugs
    ~haley

  21. / Reply

    Great video,thanks for posting! Safe travels for all the participants…can’t wait to see them all!! Getting excited for YOUR PARTY!!! Hoping to leave all my winter clothes behind this year!

  22. / Reply

    @Terry Crow: Come out, come out, wherever you are! (Or I’ll send my evil twin the PI looking for you!)
    diastu in tempe

  23. / Reply

    My Beautiful Zenyatta~ Here’s to wishing Mr. Commons and Cozi Rozi the best of luck at the BC. I will be cheering them on. I can’t wait till tomorrow to learn all the entries. Such an exciting time. Learning about all the logistics is amazing and you are such a fantastic teacher.
    I love you with all my heart…
    Your #1 fan in Montana!

  25. / Reply

    hi Z! Thank YOU for the video, I will enjoy watching it! YOU have a fantastic day grazing and talking to YOUR friends! Love YOU gorgeous mama xoxoxo

  26. / Reply

    Dearest Zenyatta,
    I, too, have so many memories of your racing days, dear Queen. And none of them will ever be forgotten. I feel so lucky and honored to have been able to watch your career on the track and now as you head toward motherhood. You’re truly a horse of the century.
    Please send luck and best wishes to Mr. Commons and Cozi Rozi–I’ll be cheering them on!
    Love and kisses,
    Stel

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