Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Z's Diary

Diary Post #385

DEAR FRIENDS, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!


FROM ALL OF MY DEAR PALS AT BARN 55, WHO HAVE DONE SO MUCH FOR ME OVER THE YEARS…


MY FRIENDS AT MAYBERRY TRAINING CENTER WHERE I LEARNED MY VERY FIRST LESSONS….


MY JOHN, DOTTIE, AND THE ‘ADORABLE SOPHIE SHIRREFFS’….WHO ARE SUCH SPECIAL AND TREASURED FRIENDS WHO’VE SHARED SO MANY AMAZING EXPERIENCES WITH ME DURIING THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS,


MY LANE’S END PALS…WHO I ENJOY SPENDING MY DAYS WITH NOW…


AND MY BELOVED OWNERS WHO I CAN’T THANK ENOUGH FOR ALL THEY HAVE DONE FOR ME……

FROM OUR HOMES TO YOURS…..THANKSGIVING GREETINGS!

WE ALL WANT TO WISH EACH OF YOU A VERY HEALTHY, HAPPY, AND BLESSED THANKSGIVING!

PLEASE BE SAFE AND ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF THIS VERY SPECIAL HOLIDAY!

WITH LOVE,
HUGS TO ALL~ (AND I SINCERELY MEAN THIS!)
Z


TOO CUTE! TASTY WANTED TO BE SURE WE ALSO SENT HER HOLIDAY WISHES TO YOU. I THINK SHE IS WHISPERING THEM IN SARAH’S EAR!

PHOTO CREDITS: Several people sent the above photos to Dottie. THANK YOU!

Reader Interactions

412 Comments

  4. / Reply

    @Diana S
    Oh yes, very unusual in TB but do exist. More so in quarter horses.
    Have not seen a liverchestnut arab, but believe you. The Arabs have been around since the beginning of time so they come in all colors.

  6. / Reply

    @DS
    Just Recently found the “Zenyatta’s People” articles, missed them when they came out. They are so lovely and well written.

  7. / Reply

    @JAG
    I love the video/photo of John Sheriffs having a talk with Giacamo before the Derby. I think he was talking to him about strategey. It is so very cute. He is standing straight on looking at his head having a conversation.” THOSE SPECIAL WORDS AND GESTURES FROM THEIR TRAINERS, mean more that a whole day at the barn.”

  8. / Reply

    Hollywood Park—-Nov.26th——-
    Race-2
    Fordham Road-MSmith/J.A.Shirreffs/Moss
    Nov.27th
    Race-5
    Battle Force-M.smith/Shirreffs
    Race-7
    Alokee-J. Catellano/J.Sadler/MOSS
    Race-9
    Cloud Man/Smith/Shirreffs/Moss
    Race-19
    High Greeley-V.Esponza/Shirreffs/Moss
    Go-GO-GOOOOO!
    Our fingers and paws will be crossed cheering you on!
    @signotimes—-@Delrene from Carlsbad- thanks for the links and trip down memory lane.
    @Anita-Amen!

  9. / Reply

    @Jag- Thank you for sharing your wonderful day with us. What a JOY!

  11. / Reply

    Dearest Zenny—- The Mosses, your John, and your Mikie had a great day at the track—high hoof to all! I tried posting this message and some more of my poem for Reckless earlier, but it didn’t show up—maybe it was too long. I sure hope it doesn’t come up twice since I’m trying again. Now sleep tight till the morning light.
    @ Kari Bussell/Good Ole Rocky Top(Whoo!)- Rocky Top Tennessee-Rocky Top Tennessee-ee-ee!!—You’re SO welcome! I’m so glad you like it. And thank you for your kind words, and for the notes on the horses to watch this Sat and Sun. (Thank you, Debbie G, for forwarding that little momento to Kari for me.)

  12. / Reply

    Top of the morning to ya Queen Zenyatta. Kudos to your John’s three wins yesterday at Hollywood Park. Blingo, Utopian and Star Billing fantastic job. Enjoy your Saturday. Love always.

  13. / Reply

    @Trina Nagele in So Cal
    Thanks for the very useful link and the explanation about “breezing.”
    @LauraJ in Cincinnati
    Thanks for spelling it out a bit further. I’m learning a lot here.
    @Signofthetimes
    Thanks for the links to the great articles about Zenyatta’s people!
    Sandy

  14. / Reply

    I can’t see pictures of your changing to accommodate the lovely foal growing inside you, but when I think of the wonderful day when Mr. Sherriff allowed me to see you by touch, I smile and thank you and your team for giving me one of the most special days of my life!!! How eagerly I await your little one’s arrival not, I’m sure as eagerly as you do!!

  15. / Reply

    Just a thought about Ebby…her owner is the same person who was the breeder of Zenny, meaning he owned her mom. I recall Jerry Moss saying he is very superstitious and never went to one of Z’s races for fear he would jinx her. Maybe he is slightly overwhelmed by all the pre-race expectations being placed on E and wants things to quiet down a bit. Without a doubt her debut will be the most watched and anticipated maiden race in modern times. Whatever is happening you can bet John has things under control and is doing the absolute best for her.

  16. / Reply

    Dear Zenyatta Happy Thanksgiving sweet girl. Thank you (Dottie) for the pictures. I loved everyone. Sophie is too cute :) Please tell Miss Sarah I really like the one with You, Tasty and Sarah. Oh Zenny you give me strength to get through some difficult times. My picture of you came yesterday. WOW it is so beautiful. I called Rosemary and thanked her again. I am getting it framed and it will hang in my house. I will show the children at school too. I hope you and Tasty enjoy the warmer weather today. I love you very much. Sending you many many Hugs and Kisses, Shari XXXOOO
    @ Trina You are one Special Lady :)
    @ Hi Dawn :)
    @ His Susan in Tn :)

  17. / Reply

    Congrats to your John for his 3 wins at Hollywood Park yesterday including the Matriach. I swear that Chauntill’s mount reminded me so much of you with the Moss colors, shadowroll and late big closing move. We miss you so much.

  18. / Reply

    RE: My poem for Sergeant Reckless (requested by Karen Gogue)
    Here’s a revision of Part One,
    And some lines from Part Two,
    Which still is not done,
    For there’s much more to do.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    A Poem for Sgt. Reckless
    (PART ONE REVISED)
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    In the Korean War,
    Sergeant Reckless
    Was a Marine
    Like none ever seen
    Before.
    She was a chestnut mare
    Who had been a racehorse
    On the Seoul racecourse
    In the loving care
    Of her young owner Kim.
    She certainly was dear to him,
    But his need for money was dire,
    For his sister,
    Wounded in the war,
    A leg had lost,
    And he desired an artificial limb
    To assist her.
    Thus when Lt. Petersen came as a buyer,
    For a cost
    Of no more
    Than two hundred fifty dollars,
    The mare left the track
    And the racing fans’ hollers—
    She’d never be back.
    Kim Huk Moon
    Sadly said good-bye
    To the mare he’d given the name
    “Ah-Chim-Hai”
    Or “Flame-in-the-Morning.”
    She naturally had no warning
    Of what was in store
    For her in the war,
    But life would never be the same
    For that bright burning Flame—
    Red from poll to stifle.
    Soon
    She was to gain fame
    As “Reckless,”
    From the nickname
    Of the recoilless rifle
    Used by Petersen’s platoon.
    This anti-tank weapon was no trifle:
    Carried by three or four men,
    Its lethal projectile
    Could easily reach
    Targets at more than a mile
    With deadly precision.
    The rounds
    Weighed each
    Twenty-four pounds,
    So then
    It was of course
    A wise decision
    To get a horse
    To carry shells
    To each new firing position
    On the treacherous hills.
    This task Reckless soon could do well,
    But first upon being bought
    She had to be taught
    New skills.
    In hopes she’d be able
    To stay alive
    And the war would survive,
    To “hoof camp” she had to go
    With her own Sgt. Joe
    (Joe Latham, that is),
    For the duty was his
    To teach her to be capable.
    From him she did learn
    Numerous tactics in turn.
    The instruction was truly ample—
    For example,
    At the cry of “incoming fire,”
    If in the field, down to hunker,
    Or, if in camp, to rush to a bunker,
    And also how to step higher
    Over a wire.
    The duty of her routine care
    To Pvt. Monroe Coleman fell,
    Who certainly did lots
    To keep her well,
    Adding healthy apples and carrots
    To her daily fare.
    Not liking to be alone,
    She through the camp
    Did freely roam
    And often chose to share
    This or that tent–
    Never too far did she rove.
    And in the cold or the damp,
    Her nights happily were spent
    Near the warmth of a stove.

  19. / Reply

    (PART TWO)
    Lt. Pedersen had no source
    On the scene
    For the tack
    Which was needed, of course,
    To load a pack
    On the back
    Of a horse.
    To solve this plight
    He with foresight,
    Before even getting the horse,
    The help of his wife Kathleen
    Did solicit.
    He asked if she’d mind
    The tack stateside
    To find
    And if she then might
    Be able to ship it.
    On her help he relied,
    And she most graciously complied
    As fast as she could–
    The gear was already on its way
    When Reckless came to stay.
    The very day
    That cargo arrived,
    Sergeant Joe Latham stood
    With the saddle in hand
    By Reckless’ side,
    As she obeyed his gentle command
    Steady
    To stand.
    Next onto her back
    He slipped the pack,
    And still she showed no fear
    Of her new gear.
    The very first time he the pack tried
    Fully loaded,
    He noted
    That Reckless was ready
    It to abide,
    And so off they set for the hills
    To further hone their warfare skills.
    After one such practice maneuver,
    Instead of plain water
    Which would normally do ‘er
    To slake her thirst,
    Sgt. Latham thought maybe he oughta—
    And this is no joke—
    Offer her a cool Coke!
    ’Twas her very first,
    And she savored the zing
    Of the so-called “real thing.”
    From Latham’s helmet
    She the Coke guzzled
    And then his arm nuzzled,
    Asking for more.
    Would it be for her health untoward
    To give her a double reward?
    Latham wondered what to do,
    So Corpsman “Doc” Mitchell he consulted
    As to what that stand-in horse vet would say,
    And this resulted
    In an allotment per day
    Of no more than two.
    TO BE CONTINUED…

  20. / Reply

    On BH the have a poll for the top 25 most intriguing horses of 2011. Zenyatta is included. Go VOTE. Of course I put her at the top. What other horse is still commanding the attention that she is? She is the best of the best.WHO STILL INTRIGUES more than she???

  21. / Reply

    @Delrene — Thank you for posting the Wright Thompson article,”The Legend of Zenyatta” from last year — it is a must-read for those who have not read it and a must-reread for those like we who enjoyed it when it was first published. He captures the essence of that time in Barn 55 which we experienced.

    In the first paragraph, the author writes Zenyatta “likes Guiness, likes it at room temperature, likes it at certain time of the day.” In one of our “Mario/Zenyatta Gems” posted a few months ago, we wrote:

    “Every day around 3 PM Zenyatta would run around her stall screaming for Mario. When he arrived in response to her call, she was so excited and happy as if she had not seen him for weeks. She knew it was Happy Hour — time for a Guiness followed by grazing — two of her absolute favorites.”

  23. / Reply

    @Dawn Conrad: YOU are lovely! Thank you.
    @Kari Bussell/GORT: YOU are beautiful! Thank you.
    Thanks to Kari for posting the entries for Barn 55 this weekend. GOOD LUCK to all, and let’s keep it going!
    FORDHAM ROAD (today).
    BATTLE FORCE; CLOUD MAN; ALOKEE (Sadler); HIGH GREELEY (tomorrow).

  24. / Reply

    Thank you for another post that touches my heart and raises my spirit. The photo of you, Tasty and Sarah is beautiful and conveys such serenity and love. As always, thankyou for sharing and being who you are.
    avec coeur,
    Mary Ann

  25. / Reply

    My adorable Zenyatta, to Dottie, John, and to your owners, congratulations for the great wins! Like always I bet on Utopian, Blingo, Star Billing, and I won, love you Ingrid.

  26. / Reply

    @Past the Grandstand–Perfect, especially on Thanksgiving, for people and horses. Thanks.
    @Trina Nagele–Wonderful! Staying tuned…

  27. / Reply

    Awesome Feather wins the Gazelle Stakes (Gr.1) at Aqueduct. This 2010 Juvenile Filly Champion is now 8 for 8. BRAVA!!

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