Happy Monday Dear Friends,
I must say, whenever MY JOHN visits he has so many wonderful compliments for ME. He has always allowed ME the opportunity to be ME…and to feel so good about myself. I love spending time with him!
Per my California update this morning from Dottie, I heard that it rained over one inch in just a few hours yesterday afternoon at Hollywood Park. For some parts of the country, this happens quite a bit…but in Los Angeles, this is truly a rarity. Thus, the last few races at Hollywood Park were canceled…simply for safety
reasons.
This morning, it is absolutely gorgeous there…the sun is shining brightly and it is crisp and lovely outside. It is the perfect November morning! Thus, the track should dry out quickly. All should be A-OK for the horses and Hollywood Park’s Autumn Festival of racing to take place there this weekend.
On other racing fronts, I do want to send a HIGH HOOF to Steve Asmussen on winning his 6,000th race this weekend. This is truly a remarkable accomplishment…and then to top it off by having SABERCAT win the Delta Jackpot adds to the FUN!
The Delta Princess went to NOW I KNOW who is now 5 for 5 in her racing career. This is very special! Congratulations to this lovely filly and all of her connections.
Then tonight, RAPID REDUX goes for #20 in a row at Mountaineer Park. His race runs at 9:55 Eastern….6:55 Pacific. All the best to him in this one mile event! My Lane’s End friends and I will be watching! His sire is Pleasantly Perfect…who is one of the stallions who stands here at our farm. Good Luck, Rapid Redux, in this quest!
With Love,
Hugs to all~
Z
MARY
<3<3<3 YOU ARE SO CUTE:) BIG HUGGS ZENYATTA, I LOVE YOU
Barbara Wood (Texas)
@Delrene in Carlsbad–thank you so much. Isn’t little Autumn adorable? Wish I could pet her and that she could know how much she is loved by so many!
@Deborah Richman– too funny. Loved the FB pictures.
@LauraJ–always enjoy your information that you share with us.
@Patricia–you are so lucky to have all those horses! I am so sorry for the loss of your young gelding. I worry about that with our grandhorse too.
There was an interesting article in the latest BH magazine about mares. The bottom line was that body condition should be between 5 and 7 for optimum conception/full-term pregnancy/foaling to occur.
@Dawn Conrad–you’re welcome and thank you.
D Stuart
@Zenny and JOHN: Too Cute and so sentimental. Loved Karen’s story about the great book you were reading.
@Terry Crow: You know.
@Rapid Redux: I love a hard-knocking blue-collar horse. Just wish your win would come at a more respectable track. All the best to you. Home safe and to retire?
@You might be a California Redneck if you have a black velvet painting of the Beach Boys.
@RIP DON. We’ll ALL miss you.
diastu in tempe
henrietta wolfe
Zenyatta, I don’t know how they stand it out in California without you!! xoxoxo
Kelsey Geldrich
I love reading about you. You are one of the most beautiful mares ever. I love watching you run and hope to see more of you.
cindy albrecht from seattle
I must say the latest pictures posted by your family are truly the greatest,so far. I imagine next springs will be pretty great, too. It is stormy here in Seattle, but it always is Thanksgiving week. So I am watching the flicker eating outside my window and also the goldfinches and catching up on all the horse news. Oh and my DANCING QUEEN poster arrived Saturday. so excited. that’s all for now, stay well and happy and a very HIGH HOOF to you and yours and all us fans,,,HAPPY THANKSGIVING
suew/Va
Zenny, a picture of you and John is priceless.
RR seems like a good horse who deserves muchos credit for his work. Although he is not racing at your level, his accomplishments should be applauded. You will always be our number 1, Miss Z, but it’s gracious of you to follow others who are doing great things on the track.
Ingrid Arnone. South Beach.
My dear Zenyatta, every one of your photos they are so unique, you always look so peaceful and happy, one more time I have to say that your team is awesome!
To Rapid Redux, good luck today! Ingrid.
@ Dear Judy B, so glad Russ is better I always say a prayer for him, hugs Ingrid.
tony and sue
Zenny, great picture of you and your John. He always had a keen eye for the best and you are surely it!
Nancy C from California
What a great picture of you and YOUR JOHN. What a precious gift you are; can’t wait till your foal is born; what and event that is going to be. Just ordered your print and foal charm bracelet. Wanted your signed print but was to late. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving Blessings to all.
Gloria
Thanks for the time of Rapid Redux’s race. I knew he was running, but didn’t know what time. You rock, Team Z!
Kimberly Potter/Montana
@Patrica~ Thanks for all the Broodmare info….there are SO MANY knowledgable people here. I learn something every day.
@ALL~ Thanks to all who contribute a never ending education on everything equine. I love this place.
@Rapid Redux~ Good luck and SAFE trip tonight Beautiful Boy! You have acomplished MUCH more than most and you should be honored and respected. More than anything though…..PLEASE come home sound. I will be watching (along with many, many others)!
Kimberly Potter/Montana
~Deborah Richman~ That was hysterical and certainly created a “visual” in my mind. LOL
Thanks for sharing!
Suzanne Metzinger
John looks at you so lovingly. You two certainly have a connection. Thank you Dottie and John for your wonderful diary.
Heidi (Vallejo.Calif)
Happy Monday, Zenny! Love the pic of you and John and I agree with other’s that it looks like you’re blushing! Too Cute!
JAG Touched Zenny & John Henry / So. CA
@ Deborah Richman
Dang! You weren’t suppose to share the “sorted” details or our unruliness LOL
~~~~~
I am actually sore today from riding Zen!! I can only imagine how it was for her exercise riders and jocks tee hee “-)))))
Carole #42 Wisconsin
Zenyatta, You are the best!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you and team Z. Kisses on your soft nose. XOXO
Margaret
Hi Z I just got the poster in the mail and it’s even more gorgeous in real life. Just a shame I probably won’t be able to see it in real life unless that painting goes on a country roadtrip. I’ll be getting it mounted and framed on Wednesday.
About RR. Sorry as many here have there own opinions I also have mine. These owners stated months ago that it was about the record–that’s why they were racing so much. Yes RR is a tough horse. He has to be to stand up to the brutal training and racing he’s been having to endure. Kinda reminds me of Seabiscuit’s two year old season. If one could GIVE THE HORSE AND NOT THE CONNECTIONS an award I would be all for that. But sadly if an award were given it would be seen as an award somehow for the connections.
Let me explain. Years ago there was an incident at the Olympics. A rider was disqualified for continuning his cross country event even after the horse was clearly not himself. The horse wasn’t DQ–the rider was. It was the correct call. Usually it’s the horse that’s DQ for a variety of reasons.
I would love to see ATTENTION GIVEN THE HORSE and not the connections. This won’t happen. Somehow the connections will be put up on a pedestal for all the world to see and praise. That’s where I have an issue.
Enough said. I have my opinion and others have there’s. I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree. In any event I wish the horse a safe trip tonight and that all goes well for him, no matter the outcome.
Michelle
YOUR JOHN IS SO SPECIAL JUST LIKE YOU! You and Dottie are lucky to have him in your life. A very sweet and caring man. Dottie is pretty special too. All of your team is.
Mary
I love seeing a picture of you and John together….wow…the talks you two probably have had. He guided you through a racing career that I do not think any other horse will ever see and you came out with no injuries….safe…sound…and now happy in retirement. Hugs to you Z…. and to all your team!!!
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Z,
Another beautiful photo of you and John. You look like you’re feeling shy. Love you, Judy and Russ
Dear Ingrid A., Dawn C, Kari B, Terry C, Terry Z, Stephanie in S.D., Vicki B. and Z Fans:
Miss you and thank you for all your prayers and good wishes. Love and Hugs, Judy and Russ
Dear Terry Crow:
Sorry for the loss of your friend, Don. Glad to see you back posting. Hugs, JB
Kathleen Kimber KC, MO
Win or lose I just want R.R. to come home safe and when the time comes I hope he gets a really good retirement which he is deserving of.
Barbara Grimaldi/NJ
Terry–I know exactly what you mean about feeling your mortality. Time will help…
About Rapid Redux–I don’t know why he is being compared to Zenny in any way, shape or form. He has raced at low-level tracks in average races with average competition. He’s been used as a checker on the board by his owner–being trailered here, there and everywhere to find the right race to blow the competition away. He is a good horse but look at the way his career has been plotted. I agree with everyone here that all this owner wants is to break a record. RR is an promising high school junior; Zenny has her PhD. No comparison. I wrote on FB earlier today that it’s too bad RR has to achieve this goal at a garbage dump like Mountaineer, although that won’t matter in the record books. To hell with the record–i hope this horse isn’t being run into the ground and injured tonight. Owners like this will find another record to set or break, leaving this horse no rest.
Allie from Texas
Zenyatta, you are getting bigger (but in a good way) and I notice that John is getting leaner. Guess that’s a good thing for his heart.
@Laura J.~ Good ol’ Lockland isn’t even a town anymore…think it’s a Village. When I visit Ohio these days, I’m usually in Dayton as my brother plans a lot of reunions at Wright Patterson AFB. Small World. When my parents were dating that expressway was a canal, hence the name “Lockland”.
JAG Touched Zenny & John Henry / So. CA
‘Redux’ to Face Four; Eyes Claming Crown
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/66299/redux-to-face-four-eyes-claming-crown
“Post time for the starter allowance test, eighth race on a nine-race card, is 9:55 p.m. As of 5 p.m. track officials didn’t know whether HRTV or TVG, two racing networks that sporadically show Mountaineer races, would carry the race.”
JAG Touched Zenny & John Henry / So. CA
IMO Zenyatta is well aware that RR is not a threat to her racing record – by any means! I think Zenyatta – the gentle soul that she is – just wants all race horses to give their very BEST. Whatever the Racing Gods deal RR remains to be seen. I, personally, wish him well. There is – and always will be – ONE ZENYATTA!
~~~~~
John Henry’s trainer once said: “Records are made to be broken.” Cigar and Citation’s records were broken; fate stepped in… can’t fight FATE!
Andrea
Thank You for the beautiful photos. Thank You for this forum, it is good for people!
signofthetimes
What will Rapid Redux do at the end of tonights
Race is he wins?????
Retire at the Kentucky Horse Park, so well deserved!!!!
GO GO GO Rapid Redux make it 20 !!!!!!
signofthetimes
@Judy B and Russ
So glad you are semi back.
Max
Zenyatta. Fabulous looking from every camera angle as always.
Z Fans. We all love to see fillies do well. Atlantic Hurricane ran away with her race at Woodbine on Sunday against some horses with very good pedigrees including three trained by Todd Pletcher. In June she was a 40K claimer and now she is a possible championship sprinter. She has Storm Cat in her genes so it might be expected. There are some interesting close up shots of this fine chestnut filly at the very end of the video. She is quite regal and a great closer like Z.
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/66290/atlantic-hurricane-blows-past-in-bessarabian