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
Kimberly Potter
@JAG~ Thanks for the article on Azeri. Very interesting!
SHERRY D. WV.
TIME SURE GOES BY FAST..SEEMS THAT I CAN SEE ZENNIE DOING ALL THESE THINGS. TIME CHANGES AND NOW THERE ARE OTHER HORSES RUNNING BUT THE QUEEN HAS THE BEST JOB. SHE WILL BRING A FOAL INTO OUR LIVES, WE WILL ENJOY WATCHING THAT DEAR ONE GROW UP. LOVE TO ALL..SHERRY D. WV.
Brenda S..Ontario, Canada
What a surprise, a video, thank you for telling us it was Mr. Commons and Jaqueline. It must be a busy time for everyone at Barn 55 not only do they have to get ready for the races but for your party, and I’ll just bet that the road between Louisville and Versailles will be busy with everyone coming to visit YOU. How exciting Zenny, you’ll get to see all your family again, and you’re so kind, you share your visitors with Tasty.
@ Diana S – Glad to see you back.
Katie Clawson
This brings back so many memories for me of you at the Breeders’ Cup, Z, and it almost makes me sad. I am going to miss seeing you on my TV this year :(
I hope you and you’re girlfriends are having a great day! Get started on you’re handicapping!
Love, Katie(future jockey)
tony and sue
To our Barn 55 friends…enjoy your stay in Ky. for the BC races. We hope you get to spend lots of time with our Queen. And, Zenny, keep on mowing that paddock. You and TT (and of course baby ZB) are enjoying the nice weather we hope.
Robin - Ventura CA
Thanks for the video!
Love you lots Z and B/Z
Mary
Yes it is an exciting time in racing…I am excited about the Breeder’s Cup. It is not as exciting when you were racing Z…but I am so happy that you have such a wonderful life now…you so deserve it…and think …you never got hurt…that is such a blessing!! I love Thirsty and Uncle Mo…two characters along with their owner, Uncle Mike…he is a hoot…it makes it fun for the fans like Your Team. Both Thirsty and Mo are going to be in the classic…wow…which one… I guess I will say…may the best horse win. I know your party will be fun…wish I could be there…but live in VA ….so cannot make it. Hugs to you Z…
Doreen in Connecticut
Sorry this is posted a little late, this college semester has kept me quite busy. I guess I’ll have to get used to it because it’s only going to get worse the further I get into my major.
From post 362 – @Catriana, @Kendra, @Eveline, @Marty R, @Linda E (Ohio), @Sue Frederick – you’re welcome. Sorry if I left anyone else out.
@Kimberly Potter/Montana – Congratulations on the birth of your granddaughter Evyn Bell.
@Deborah Richman – Congratulations on the birth of your grandson.
@Diana S – my condolences on the loss of your Aunt Helen, I too lost my Aunt Helen this year. She also lived a long life (91 years).
RIP Bernstein – prior till finding about his loss on this site, I happened to have read his profile on the TB Times website under the Stallion Directory section – I thought that was a bit eerie because this wasn’t the first time this has happened. I’m not superstitious – but it’s odd to say the least.
Zazu – enjoy your R&R, hope you’re feeling better and the inflammation has lessened.
Zenny – I look forward to the BC races almost as much as the Triple Crown races. For a change, it’s a beautiful sunny day here in New England. I hope that you and Tasty are also enjoying the same type of weather.
Catriana
I know that you will produce some fine thoroughbreds, Zenyatta, but sometimes, I wish you could just be at home at Barn 55. Rode a new horse named “Johnny” this morn. Like you, he just loves peppermints and kisses to his soft nose. Love ya.
Susan in TN
Zenny- thank you for all the behind-the scenes info yesterday and today. It’s just fascinating to me and many others, I’m sure! Thanks to Michelle for the video of Mr. Commons and Jacqueline- so beautiful! I am pulling for Cozi Rozi and Mr. Commons. I will actually get to SEE Cozi Rozi after your party, Z! It hasn’t really sunk in, truly. Your Team is amazing. Hope you and Tasty T are enjoying this fall weather. Love you <3
Susan in TN
@my Z Friends: I will be “behind” for the next week or so. My son is getting married this weekend, so we are headed out of town very early Thursday morning and get back late Monday night. I hope everyone is well and happy. It sounds like we have not heard from Terry C or Kari B, unless I missed something.
@Diana S: So sorry about your Aunt Helen. <3
Samantha
I honestly don’t know what I will be like this Classic. Chance are I will be in tears because I miss seeing you. I’ve been keeping track since I last saw you… 355 days ago. It seems like forever ago, and let me tell you. It really does suck. I miss you so much, and I only saw you once in my lifetime, but what you mean to me I cannot even tell.
<3
Susan in TN
RE: Chester and Chopper: The barn is done and it is perfect for them! They go in together and are quite comfortable. They seem very happy. Chopper is now on a “maintenance” diet rather than a “weight gain” diet :) Chester is lookin’ good! I will post a couple of pictures on their FB page.
Shari VoltzOhio
Dear Zenyatta thank you for the video. What a beautiful track. Mr. Commons looks like he is flying :) I had to take today off to pick up Larry from the hospital. He is doing fine and I thank God and all of your prayers. Zenyatta we have the Best Z Family in the World. We are so lucky. I hope you and Tasty have a wonderful afternoon. It is really pretty out today. I wish all of my Z family(going to the party) a fun filled and safe weekend. I love you All!!! I am sending many Hugs and Kisses to you sweet girl. Love, Shari XXXOOO
@GO MO GO!!! YOU ARE THE MAN :)
Kimberly Potter
@Doreen in Connecticut~ Thanks so much. Evyn is so tiny, but she is a great eater!
@Susan in TN~ Good luck and have fun with your son’s wedding. It seems like yesterday (it’s been 3 years) that my son got married. Now he has a brand new baby girl…the older I get, the faster the time goes…:) HUGZ
Marty R / Colorado
I really have never given any thought as to what it takes to prepare for and present the Breeders Cup races. The planning, responsibilities in so many areas and logistics is pretty mind boggling. Thank you for all the information in yesterday’s and today’s diary entries. They have been great eye openers.
I’ve also thought, after the horses arrive at CD, they have to be stabled somewhere…more logisitcs. Has anyone heard if the barns that received the tornado damage earlier this year have been repaired, rebuilt? Then there are workouts to work out. Oh my gosh. Thank goodness for all the dedicated horse racing people involved.
Of course I have a question. Do the horses’ connections bring in their own feed or is it supplied locally? Are there any complications if they get different types of feed than they are used to?
Another question. Are farriers established at the race tracks?
Again, thanks to all for your kind, sharing ways.
Dallas from Texas
Hey baby girl, I’m sure you do have so many wonderful memories of that track. I have so many memories of all of your races, yeah including your last one because you caught him! I finalized my flight last night and will arrive in KY Thursday night in time for your party on Friday. I can’t wait, this is going to be unbelievable. Love you baby girl.
LouAnn Cingel of Union, Missouri
Thanks lots Zenyatta for the link to Mr.Commons video on the track at Hollywood Park. Brings back so many memories of seeing you in training-gosh those were the days! But now there are other horses in Barn 55 that are carrying on and doing well, but have to admit, they aren’t you but they sure are excellent and talented in their own right. Hope you are doing well and thinking of you always. Sending my Love & Blessings along with hugs and kisses!
Denise in AZ
Tiznow out of the Classic… ligament injury :(
Delrene from Carlsbad, Ca
Good Morning Zenyatta – Loved Mr. Commons video. He looks terrific. Here is a movie that might be worth watching – a link to Bloodhorse ( Yes, I am going to try to do it again) if it doesn’t work, then it’s my computer, not me!!!!
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/65755/horse-owner-pens-movie-and-theyre-off
Delrene from Carlsbad, Ca
Yeahhh. No red face! also I saw a preview for the HBO show “Luck” coming in January. I think the Z dumplings should get an opportunity to be in the cheering audience – Probably get a great attendance at Santa Anita Park.
Have fun today and not too long before your big party.
Kisses on your nose and for baby Z
HappyHarriet
Dear Queen Zenyatta & the Royal Baby –
.
You must be so excited to have human & horse friends and family arriving from the four corners of the Earth to be in close proximity, and to visit YOU. Thanks for a glimpse into the behind the scenes workings that are so interesting!
.
Marty, you’ll be glad to know that the tornado damage was repaired very quickly at Churchill Downs (and thank goodness). HRTV ran a very informative piece about that and it may be available in their archives. Unbelievable footage and great commentary by Gary Stevens (such a cutie!).
.
Mr. Commons working out – thanks for that! We met him at Barn 55 – another one of John’s sweet creatures. There’s something so special about the sounds – the hooves, the breathing – magical.
.
Erica Nordean is an artist many of you may already know. Her work is new to me and I’m enthralled. You may want to check it out. Kayla Stra, whom I met last Sunday at Mike Chew’s barn, had just finished a photo shoot featuring one of her graphic designs on a t-shirt, available at Champions, the gift shop at Santa Anita. I couldn’t resist getting it as it kinda looks like YOU! :)
.
Safe travels by air & foot ~~HH
Abigail from Montreal
Good afternoon Big Girl, Dottie, Baby ZeeBee & Zen-sters:
I’ve decided to try to get into the comment thread here before it’s too long to respond to!!!! LOL.
I’m busy working on the website I mentioned in another post and most evenings, dee-lighted to shut down the computer. Hence my “regular attendance” on-site. I suppose it’s good that I’m busy, since I’m grieving for my sweet Jericho. Some days I can’t do anything but cry and others I’m sad and kind of stuck in a weird limbo. BUT I SURE MISS MY SOUL MATES HERE ON ZENNY’S SITE & will, hopefully, be “back in the swing of things” as a contributor from today on.
Even THE VAULT is feeling neglected, I’m afraid but it’s rather hard to immerse in things like “using talk to learn” (it’s an education site for English Language Arts teachers) and then switch off and go to thoroughbred research & writing. Still, the website should ease up post- November 25th and, if I get lucky, I’ll squeeze in another article for THE VAULT on Black Caviar before then.
@ Shari Voltz: Glad to hear that your husband is okay now. My thoughts & prayers were with you yesterday. I celebrate our friendship every day. (I had sent Shari a book for her classroom about Secretariat and a few days before my Jericho died, back came a beautiful thank you from Shari’s students, together with a class photo. ) Similarly, I of course received my Dumpling badge as well as a lovely note from Brenda Springer, who so kindly put mints on Secretariat’s grave for me when she visited Kentucky.
All by way of saying how much I LOVE my fellow Zen-sters! It’s just amazing what a community we’ve become now that Dottie has gotten us a virtual place to meet. WHAT A PRECIOUS AND GENEROUS GIFT! There’s hardly a day that goes by that I don’t think about this community of ours and how much help, support, enthusiasm and information it generates. As the saying goes: “It takes a village … “
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Z,
Love Cozi Rosie. Wish her all the best at BC. Hope you are well and having fun in the paddock with TT. Love you and love to all of you, Judy and Russ
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Abigail from Montreal:
Fell the same as you do about Z’s Fan Family and her Diary. Have to visit every day. It’s become a part of daily life. Hugs, JB
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Susan in Tn.:
Congrats to Mama of the Groom. So glad to know that Chester and Chopper are doing so well. Hugs, JB
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Terry Crow, DJ and Kari B.:
Missing all of you. Hugs, Hugs, Hugs, JB
Jan S. in Houston
Zenyatta,
Thanks for the video of Mr. Commons. He looks great. I bet you are excited about your upcoming party. :) Lots of love and kisses coming your way. xoxoxo. Wow! Uncle Mo looked like a rock star arriving in Kentucky.
@ Diana S. Please accept my deepest sympathy on the passing of your Dear Aunt Helen.
Misty
This time last year I was on pins and needles cause we had just bought tickets for the Breeder’s cup! We were right out from the tunnel where they walk out onto the track. When Zenyatta stepped out the place just exploded with excitement!!! It was so amazing!!! I could see Zenyatta dancing and her muscles just rippled!! She may not have won that race, but what she did will probably never be repeated!! Such an incredible horse!!!
signofthetimes
Tizway out of the BC and retired
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/65768/tizway-out-of-breeders-cup-classic-retired