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
Ellen
Black Caviar – win #16
That is Sweet 16!! Go Mr. Commons and Harmonious. Safe trip for all horses and riders
Barbara Grimaldi
I guess this is my first visit here in a very long time…I want to say that I watched all the races today and was glad no serious injuries happened to horse or rider. What a magnificent collection of horses I saw today…all so beautiful. Then I went onto Mary M’s blog and saw four films about Zenyatta and I still have not stopped crying. The one of Zenny in the snow, her first time in the pasture at Lane’s End…just broke me up. Was she saying–where am I? What’s this white stuff? Where are the other horses? What kind of place is this? Well, sorry for being a mush, but whenever I see Zenyatta films i just cannot stop crying. She moves me so deeply. I love her so much. I pray for her every day. I thank heaven for the gift that is Zenyatta…her like will never come again.
Susan in TN
Zenny- well, I had decided that I/we couldn’t leave Choctaw so soon after the California trip (even though he is totally FINE), but then my husband suggested we drive up for the party and a race and then come home (about 3 1/2 hours each way). We waited too long to leave because we were trying to act as if nothing out of the ordinary was going to happen- I’m not really kidding! We still would have made it fine, but on the way we got off the interstate to use the “facilities”, had to follow a detour due to construction, were stuck for 20 more minutes due to the road work and then went 12 miles out of our way in bumper-to-bumper traffic to get BACK to the interstate. John let me out as close as he could get to Churchill Downs and I hurried as fast as I could to get to your party. I have to admit I cried when I got there and it was over. I so wanted to meet your John and Dottie, Ann and Jerry and your Mike. And, of course, the other Dumplings! I wore my Dumpling tag. I went to the section on my “Z” ticket (124) but I didn’t see anyone else with a tag. We went to the paddock then but it was too crowded to really see. Churchill Downs is amazing- but you know that, Z! I took pictures and I got my Zenyatta seat cushions- a very nice surprise! John and I watched the 4th, 5th and 6th races- it was phenomenal! We were so close to the track, we could see the veins on the horses’ necks and the jockeys’ faces up close. Z, the horses were so beautiful and powerful as they ran by- I guess you know that. It was exhilerating- we loved it! If anyone saw a woman in section 124 who looked like she had been crying, that was me. Seeing all the names of Derby winners around Churchill was a thrill! Does anyone know why Sir Barton’s name is in a sort of gold/bronze color and all the others are in white? The statue of Barbaro and Edgar is fantastic. Someone had left roses for him.
I’m really glad we went. It was a dream come true to see Churchill Downs and BC races and all the horses and jockeys I’ve been following.
Zenny, please thank your Team for me for hosting such an event and please apologize for me. Love you <3
P.S. That photo above of you and Ann is exquisite! You really love her, don't you?
P.P.S. Choctaw was fine when we got home- he was waiting in the front field for us.
Susan in TN
@Dawn: Thanks for the link to the painting of Zenyatta- WOW!
Stephanie
@Susan Sir Barton is a triple Crown winner. All the TC winners names are a gold/bronze color.
Judy in Aiken, SC
Dear Zenny….that photo of you with YOUR girl, Ann, is one of the most precious things I have ever seen! The love you have for each other is sooooo beautiful.
Saw some clips of you during BC coverage (that Baby Bump is getting bigger!!!!)
Think of you every day but especially during Breeder’s Cup weekend. No horse stepping on those hallowed grounds can EVER fill YOUR hoofprints!
Take Care Big Momma.
Much love to you and Baby Z.
Kimberly
hI Momma Z, It looks like you had a wonderful time with your family today!!
I was upset that I couldn’t get time off from work to go to Kentucky. I live in California about 5 minutes from Santa Anita. Things are not the same without you big girl…. Love you,,, PARTY ON!!!
vicky o'connor
What a lovely, lovely picture! I rarely post here, but today I just had to!! We are so lucky to have all the people we do, who have made ‘sharing’ Zenyatta possible. Thank you, thank you, thank you to Dottie, especially!!!
Paula Higins
OMGosh this picture of Zenyatta with Ann is the sweetest one ever! The love between the two of them is obvious and very special. I am so glad Zenny’s family visited her. It is clear she remembers the ones who love her. Have a great time at the party everyone.
Elizabeth in Oregon
What a wonderful photo of the Queen with her 2-legged mom. Love it! Thanks to all who sent links to the Jaime Corum interview and the clip of Haskins and Richard Migliore visiting Zenyatta. Richie is doing a great job on HRTV, and it was nice to see more of him and hear his high praise of Zenyatta.
Hope everyone had a great time at the party!
Snoprinz
I wish I could be at your party. Hopefully some pictures will be shared on this website. Luv you Zen, baby bump and all!
Linda in NJ
Hi Zenny: I just saw your painting. It is truly amazing!! You look beautiful. I hope everyone had a wonderful time at your party.
@Dawn Conrad: Thanks for the link to the Zenyatta painting.
Linda in NJ
Does anyone know the story on ROYAL DELTA. I understand she is to be sold? Did I hear correctly that her connection passed away so there will be no horses in the barn after next Friday including ROYAL DELTA!!!
Linda in NJ
Hi Karen: Thanks for the link to the Mine That Bird at the Gate book. Do you think it would be safe to order the book online?
nancy applegate
you love your mommy, don’t you, Zenny?
Abigail from Montreal
@ ALL. Here’s a link to watch Black Caviar’s 16th consecutive win. Also a bit on 2 other very good Aussie horses: Albert The Fat & Einstein, both winners on the last day of Melbourne Carnival. Scenic Blast is in the race against Black Caviar & one couldn’t help but see that this fellow is clearly finished his racing career & should be retired:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltfW7WLK9q0
Linda in NJ
I just read the story on Royal Delta! Thanks just the same.
Cheryl Harshall
This awesome photo choked me up! It is truly touching. Thanks for sharing it. You are really missed at the races this weekend! Really enjoying them, but there is only one Queen! Have a great weekend!
Sid
This a great time to ride the trails, sit on the dock, or just wonder from your favorite swing. Bright colors pepper the trees, and the cool weather energizes all the little rascals. Enjoy the day, and the races. 3^
zenyattaloveramy!
cutiest pic of the month!!!! FROM YOUR BIGGEST FAN AMY.
Trina Nagele in So Cal
Congratulations to Black Caviar! Thanks for the link, Abigail! Congratulations to Royal Delta.
@Anna M—Best wishes to you for a happy birthday!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Birthday Poem for Anna M
(November 5, 2011)
Dear Anna,
Today you’re top banana!
And we hope your horses are too—
So, Anna M,
We’re rooting for them
And for you!
Trina Nagele in So Cal
@Sid—Nice post!
sharon in seattle
wow, thanks, Dawn, for the link!! what an amazing painting – fittingly it makes her look like she could dance right off of the canvas. I’m so glad the artist painted her “in motion” with her extended leg. It’s BEAUTIFUL!!
Barbara Wood (Texas)
@Dawn COnrad–thank you for the link to Z’s life-size painting. It is AMAZING!
@Susan in TN– I’m so sorry that you missed the luncheon, but thankful that you got to see some of the races. Did you get to see the painting? Also grateful that Choctaw is fine.
Hugs.
janet Cutting
Hi Zenny: I couldn’t be at your celebration,but I have been reading and looking at the videos many of the Diary folks have posted—your painting is” A MASTERPIECE” and the artist is just UNBELIEVABLE!!!!! it is AMAZING and it is a very real connection for many fans to feel you are right there and to experience your “AWESOME” presence. I hope to see it myself. Zenny, you and Ann are so adorable –that is a wonderful painting waiting to be created!!!!!
Trina Nagele in So Cal
@Dawn Conrad—Thanks for your beautiful post and the fantastic link to Zenny’s portrait!
@Abigail in Montreal and Brenda and Vic in Fort Erie, Ontario—Hoofray, Canada! Congratulations on Perfect Shirl and Roger Attfield!
@Susan in TN—So sorry you missed the party, but I’m glad you enjoyed those races and that Choctaw was happily awaiting your return.
@Margaret—Great post! Thanks so much.
Trina Nagele in So Cal
@Sharon Call—There’s a city in So Cal with the same name as the Canadian province, Ontario (where Brenda S and Vic are). We So Cal-ers are lucky to be able to claim Julie DuVall as one of our own. She is active with The Second Race, retraining OTTB for new careers and new homes.
Alex
Love you Zenyatta! You make my world go round. <3
Dawn Conrad / Colorado
Dear Zenyatta. Good morning, Zenny and everyone! It is another beautiful Breeder’s Cup day!! I am so excited!! Hopefully we will get to see more of you today on the broadcast beautiful girl. I found a post about the party, it sounds so wonderful. Next year, you can bet I will be there with bells on!!! Sweet dreams. Hugs and kisses. XXXOOO
@Margaret – Thank you for the great info!
@Susan in TN – So sorry that you did not make the party, but glad that you were able to experience some of the Breeder’s Cup magic and keep Choctaw happy at home too.
@Abigail – Loved seeing Black Caviar’s win #16!
http://therail.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/05/the-zenyatta-experience-one-year-later/
Linda in NJ
@ Trina Nagele in So Cal: Very Nice Poem!!
@ Anne M: Happy Birthday to you!!!