Good Morning Everyone!
HOORAY! The 2 days of racing we have all been waiting for and planning on for the last several weeks…The World Championships…are now here! I truly want to wish all of the entrants and their connections ALL THE BEST! May this weekend of racing offer some of the most exciting moments in sports that we’ve enjoyed in quite some time! My Lane’s End pals are discussing their selections with us each day. Then TASTY and I add our thoughts after studying the DAILY RACING FORM and listening to the on-air handicappers. Hmmm, I wonder who will pick more winners: Matt, Sarah, David, Charles or ME???
Yesterday afternoon was SO MUCH FUN! MY TEAM came to visit ME. Everyone hugged and kissed ME Then they ‘checked out’ my BABY BUMP. MY JOHN looked ME over from head-to-tail. (I kept waiting for him to check my legs…just like he did for years at Barn 55.) The overall consensus was that I looked absolutely TOO CUTE! TASTY also joined in the fun and we had a wonderful afternoon.
Ann was so sweet! She and I cuddled for quite some time…and then she scratched ALL of my favorite spots. It was fabulous. I relaxed and truly enjoyed each moment! We talked about my party and all of the things going on in my life right now. It was truly like old times!
Later during the visit, I thought it would be fun to DO ANN’S HAIR for MY PARTY! She is such a good sport! I must say, this could be another career option for ME in the future.
As for MY PARTY, ALL of the festivities begin at 11:30 today. For those of you attending, please remember that the traffic patterns change on these busy World Championship Days. 4th Avenue is closed in certain spots as you get close to Churchill Downs, so please allow for this in your planning. The shuttle buses start running around 11:30 if you’d like to wait for them.
To enter the party, please go to the area by the BARBARO statue. You will see a sign by the doors of this building for the party. Please enter here. Your name, having ordered your tickets in advance, will be on a master list. Then go on in and have a GREAT TIME!
It has been such an amazing 12 months! Last November, I was at Churchill Downs preparing to run in the BREEDERS’ CUP CLASSIC! This year, I’m again SO FORTUNATE! I’m able to share in the festivities with my dear friends…just in a different role!
I’ll see you there…BABY BUMP and ALL! Oh, how I do love this modern day technology!
ENJOY!
Have a wonderful, wonderful weekend!
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~
Z
Barbara Wood (Texas)
I think according to tvg.com, Flat Out was fifth.
Olivia
Lady Z i can not wait for your little baby to be born i am so excited
Kimberly Potter/Montana
@Erin~ Are you attacking me? As far as the talking heads…I try to not let that get into what it is all about. Chantal on Game on Dude and Mike Smith on Drosselmeyer ran a fantastic race. Just sayin.
Gloria
Big Mama Z! I LOVE that picture of you and Ann! I can’t wait to get more details on the party. I watched Breeders’ Cup from So. Cal. Great two days of racing. Not as much with without you, though. Love to all of Team Z. Hope everyone had a great time at the Z party!
guido
What a beautiful photo Z! You are so adorable. Havre de Grace didn’t make the win but we hope she’s the third lady to be horse of the year! Sure the party was fabulous and hope to see photos! I heard on the radio there is a new book with three of the greatest horses – Secretariat, Seabiscuit and you!!!!! Congrats!
Kimberly Potter/Montana
@Erin~ By the way, I was watching ESPN, compared to TVG, big difference in classs.
Ingrid Arnone. South Beach.
OH! My God, my dear Mike Smith, I bet on Drosselmeyer, and I won, I bet $200.00 I got $3.160.00, this time you ran really very good, why did you run Zenyatta like that, thank you again hugs, Ingrid.
@ M Kern, thank you for the link about A.U. Miner, I bet on him, I also lost with Shackleford, hugs Ingrid.
Jenna
Ingrid: You read my mind!
Nighty night, Zenyatta.
Mwah big kiss. Thank you, Dottie!
Kimberly Potter/Montana
@Debbie G~ yes, it does seem like a let down now that the 2011 races are over. But I tend to look at the next short term goal…the Kentucky Derby preps….it is never ending when you are a lover of horses and all that they do to enrich our lives.
The “Zenyatta” is a Classic and will always be one on my favorities!
Kimberly Potter/Montana
@Ingrid~ Great job!
sharon in seattle
redemption for Mike – I love it! what a great stretch run by Drosselmeyer. And to think that at this time last year I was in a serious funk!
Sandy
@Dawn Conrad – thanks SO much for the link to the NY Times article – what a great story; I can’t imagine how you find these things, but your efforts are greatly appreciated. Sandy from Ohio
Erin
Z@Kimberly
I too watched ESPN and I agree with all you have shared. We’re both on the “same page”. My original comment of course had nothing to do with any rider’s performance. They are both a joy to watch. Seems as if you wanted to read more into what my observations were. You started this dear, I’m ending it Enough already.God Bless.
Kimberly
YEAH MIKIE!!!!!!!!!!!
Barbara Grimaldi
I was glued to the tv set yesterday and today…sad to see Goldie and Gracie lose, but they are hopefully safe and sound. Loved seeing the O’Brien son win for his father on a long shot. That will become a legend in that lovely family. My Shack ran a great race and almost had it–he gave it his all, as he always does. Looking forward to following the careers of Union Rags and Hansen. I definitely would have had money on Amazombie and Smith. Had i been at the track i would have hit one decent exacta–Wrote and Excaper…but all i did was play on paper for two days! I would have lost on Dynaslew, Shumoos, It’s Tricky and Weemissfrankie but would have won on Afleet Again. Woulda coulda shoulda–next year i’ll actually be at the Cup and probably will love my Equi-Army shirt!!!! Zenny, I saw your portrait–it is stunning. To me, this day made me think of you over and over and even the announcers said that when you came out of the paddock last year, the crowd went wild. No horse this year got that, but they were kind to Goldikova. What did you think of the farm commercials on television, particularly the edgy one from Three Chimneys? All in all, an exciting two days. The only thing missing was–our precious Zenyatta. I am so glad she is safe and sound in Lexington…
Vicki B. near Hollywood Park
The link to the party story & pics led me to the story of how Liza G. Fly came to write her song for Zenyatta, which I had not seen before, and nice to see the video again. http://therail.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/05/zenyattas-inspiration-brings-a-songwriter-back-to-horses/
Kimberly Potter/Montana
@Erin~ We are both on the same page. Enough said. I am just thankful that all came home safe. Except for U.A Miner…and my prayers go out to him and his connections. God Bless all that ran in the World Championships. To get this to this level is a feat in itself! Truce.
HUGZ to All!
Barbara Grimaldi
Of course a typo is above–LOSE my shirt, not love my shirt!
By the way, why wasn’t Blind Luck entered in any of the Cup races? Did that sale happen yet? Let’s not forget about her…
Vicki B. near Hollywood Park
I’ve read a lot of articles commenting on or dissecting the BC 2010 Classic, but I think this one I just discovered may be my favorite: http://therail.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/08/a-loss-happens-but-doesnt-diminish-zenyatta/
JAG Adores Zenny & John Henry / So. CA
The Zenyatta Experience, One Year Later
http://therail.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/05/the-zenyatta-experience-one-year-later/
JAG Adores Zenny & John Henry / So. CA
Checking in with Zenyatta (video)
http://www.wave3.com/category/195955/video-landing-page?clipId=6422122&autostart=true
John Shirreffs showing his emotions speaking about Zenny…
JAG Adores Zenny & John Henry / So. CA
Breeders’ Cup 2011 Sprint Press Conference (VIDEO)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3eoJYE8UMI
Sunny Boyd
Good evening Zenyatta,
well, what an exciting day. Your Mikey won twice today, Amazombie & Drosselmeyer. He’s like the energizer bunny, he keeps on going & going.
After all that excitement I bet you’re snoozing the good sleep, all curled up on your straw. Have a good night
Germaine
Zenyatta, noticed that Afleet Again has some Roberto in his line. Just like you. I surely hope that Mike Smith stopped by to see you. Sweet Dreams and a kiss on your soft nose.
Linda
Hi all – I was lucky enough to be at the big party yesterday and want to add my thanks to Zenny’s family for such a wonderful day. The Kentucky Derby Museum was a perfect venue for the event and the mood was very festive with one highlight after another, including of course the unveiling of the FABULOUS portrait of the Queen. Zenny’s races were replayed and it was so much fun to cheer her on to victory once more in the company of so many other devoted fans. Mike Smith, John, Dottie, and the Moss’s were incredibly gracious, accessible and patient when so many people were waiting for autographs. A number of stunning items were available for the silent auction, including saddle cloths, signed pictures, a framed horseshoe and even one of Zenny’s bridles – all proceeds for good causes, of course. Like others, I’m sure, my personal highlight was seeing the live video feed of Zenny from Lane’s End. Watching her munching carrots and nuzzling a stuffed replica of herself was TOO CUTE!!!!
It was also great fun to sit together with other Z-sters watching the races, visiting the paddock and comparing handicapping notes!
I only wish that all of you could have been there too!! I drove back to NC today and so missed the live racing, but got home in time to see MIKE win the Classic on Drosselmeyer. Sweet!!!
Linda in NC
suew/Va
Zenny…your Mike won one for you! The races were good but not the same without you on the track. I loved all the Zenyatta comments throughout the two days of coverage. YOU are sorely missed by everyone.
Vicki B. near Hollywood Park
@JAG – Thank-you thank-you, for that “Checking in with Zenyatta” link – such great video of the Queen at Lane’s End, and how “our” John feels about her.
tony and sue
A HUGE thank you to everyone who has provided links to recent Zenyatta articles and videos. The one video when John gets emotional talking about her is very special. How we miss her!
Shema Satya
Great weekend of racing. Hope you enjoyed your party Z! I still feel your excitement still carries over to today’s racing. You are a GEM in my heart!
Margie in So. Calif.
Hi Zenny, what a day, huh? Your Z-posters are reporting in and word is your party was fabulous, but we knew it would be. I’ve cried countless times today over shots of you, Goldi’s trouble today, Uncle Mo not winning, yay for Mikey winning and I agree with other posters “this one was for Zenyatta,” and a whole bunch of other stuff. Then, I zipped on to your site and saw the most loving photo ever of you and Ann. That did it, game over, floodgates open. What an emotional weekend. Glad you had great family time, Zenny, and that Tasty got to play, too. You have a wonderful evening, Zenny. Dottie, many thanks.
@Carousel Z’ers: you Dumplings have yourself a blast tomorrow at the Zoo Carousel. I know it will be fabulous. Please give Zenny a High Hoof from me! Can’t wait to see who got to ride her first. I guess the person who ran the fastest!
@Ingrid – way to go, girl!