Happy Wednesday Everyone,
Today is a day of CELEBRATION! Not only am I sending a HIGH HOOF to my horse pal, RAPID REDUX, for his win #21 in a row yesterday at Laurel, I am also sending one to my dear friend, Michelle, at Barn 55.
Rapid Redux’s victory yesterday has him tied for the modern-day United States record for wins in a single season…19. He tied CITATION who accomplished this in 1948 and Roseben who established this record in 1905. What a wonderful achievement. Congratulations, RAPID REDUX!
As for my dear BARN 55 friend, MICHELLE, she has just completed her MASTERS’ DEGREE in “Marriage and Family Counseling”. Throughout the last several weeks, in particular, she has been incredibly busy….working at the barn…and then studying for her COMPS. YEAH…the results are in and she passed beautifully. I AM SO, SO, SO PROUD OF HER! All of my dear friends who have worked with Michelle during the last several years are as well! This is very special!
When I was at BARN 55, Michelle was not only one of MY JOHN’S assistants…but she also studied massage therapy (human and equine) for 3 years. Thus, she was my personal masseuse while I was in training. Michelle and I spent countless one-to-one hours together. I must say…I enjoyed every moment with her….and I hope she felt the same about ME!
At this time, Michelle must complete a required number of hours applying her skills as a type of ‘practical training’. This is required by the STATE of CALIFORNIA for her to officially be LICENSED as a Marriage and Family Counselor. She is actively doing this right now…working with people on the ‘backside’ (meaning all people who work at the racetrack)…under the guidance of the Winners’ Foundation and it’s staff. The latter organization provides a place where people who work at the racetrack can go and get the proper ‘help’ of various types one might need in life. This assistance is provided at NO COST to the backside employees. It is truly a wonderful source of guidance, counseling, and help for so many individuals at a time in their lives when it is deeply needed.
On another note, Michelle is also a very accomplished rider. One of her wishes before I left Barn 55 for my ‘new career’ was to RIDE ME!
WISH GRANTED as you can see in this photo! MY JOHN said that she and I could take a ‘tour of the barn area’ together the day before I left for Lane’s End. SUCH FUN MEMORIES!
Cheers to RAPID REDUX!
YEAH and a HUGE HIGH HOOF to my dear friend, Michelle!
They both are achieving such special goals!
Have a wonderful day!
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~
Z
JAG ~ Zenny's Auntie Judy / So. CA
Zenny ~ I’m taking a break at work… I wanted to share a story with you. Seeing Michelle on your lovely back reminded me of your carousel ride.
I mentioned to Dottie at the track how sore I was after riding YOU… I said to her, “Thank goodness the ride isn’t life-size!” Dottie laughed :)))) tee hee
Jeanie
@Barbara Wood (Texas)
Yes, that would be great! I have your email address, right, moo?
Jeanie
LouAnn Cingel of Union, Missouri
Wow, what a fantastic good pic of you Zenyatta and Michelle-thanks for sharing and for John always capturing such good times and making memories in photos that we all are able to go back and reminise with. And Michelle congrats to her for her accomplishments in regards to her counseling education. She will truly do fantastic in her assistance and helping of others who need it.
And Congratulations to Rapid Redux for his fine race at Laurel Park coming in first-he truly has done an exceptional job this year and now hitting the total of 21 straight wins in a row, 19 being just this yr. He truly deserves recognition and rewarding for his accomplishments. There has been no other horse that has done that this year and who has stolen the hearts of so many as he has. He is fantastic and has real heart-he is a champion in his own right!
Glad that things are going well for you too Zenyatta. Wishing you & your connections the best and also your paddock pal, Tasty Temptations.
Sending my Love & Blessings and prayers too!
Mary
Congrats to all the accomplishments of Michelle….wow…she has to be one busy lady!! It is good to see you and Michelle in the picture together. Merry Christmas to you Z….a little early…I love saying Merry Christmas…such a fun time of the year. Hugs to you Z….
The Kennedys in San Diego
@Karen Gogue — We join you in lauding Michelle’s always gracious, welcoming, informative manner with visitors. She is such an asset to Barn 55. And we always enjoy spending time with her.
signofthetimes
Dear Zenny
Congrats to Michelle for her accomplishment and
Becoming involved with helping those on the backside.
All those massages from her helps everyone find
Your best spots to scratch. Hope you had a great
day relaxing, eating and exercising with TT.
XXXXOOO
signofthetimes
@DS
Wow!!!! stallion directory and jockey calendar.
Can hardly get any better!!!! Drool, drool, drool!!!
Barbara Wood (Texas)
@Barbara Grimaldi–could you post Juliet on the Equi-Army FB page? I bet you could! After all, she was rescued!
@Jeanie–yes–moo here!! Hubby calls me that–came from one of our daughter’s old boyfriends and has nothing to do with cows, although I love them too.
Debbie G/Kentucky
Congratulations, Michelle! That’s quite an accomplishment. And congrats to Rapid Redux also.
@Terry Crow – Thank you! I feel so honored.
@Happy Harriet – That’s so cool about Bernardini. I saw an article about him in the Thoroughbred Times today that said he is the top sire now that everyone wants. They were even comparing him to Lebron James (the “chosen one”). Too cute!
The Kennedys in San Diego
Good news on Weemissfrankie.
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/66602/prognosis-very-good-for-weemissfrankie
Heidi (Vallejo.Calif)
Congrats to Michelle and RR!!! Sending fist pumps your way!
Jeanie
@Barbara Wood (Texas)
Thanks, Barbara. I will be in touch.
@ALL: Re: Weemissfrankie
I am so glad her surgery went so well and seems like it was a fairly minimal fix with only one screw needed. I LOVE that name. I understand it was about missing someone named Frankie, but I like to think of it as “wee” in terms of “little” because it is “wee” and not “we.” Anyway, very cute and I’m very glad all is OK w/ her.
j
Rosemary McCauley - Southern California
Congratulations to Michelle. That’s quite an accomplishment. I wish her the best.
@Rednecks – Why do rednecks go to the movies in groups of 18 or more? 17 and under not admitted.
A redneck farmer walked into an attorney’s office wanting to file for a divorce. The attorney asked, “May I help you?” The farmer said, “Yea, I want to get one of those dayvorces.” The attorney said, “Well do you have any grounds?” The farmer said, “Yea, I got about 140 acres.” The attorney said, “No, you don’t understand, do you have a case?” The farmer said, “No, I don’t have a Case, but I have a John Deere.” The attorney said, “No, you don’t understand, I mean do you have a grudge?” The farmer said, “Yea, I got a grudge, that’s where I park my John Deere.” The attorney said, “No, sir, I mean do you have a suit?” The farmer said, “Yes, sir, I got a suit, I wear it to church on Sundays.” The exasperated attorney said, “Well, sir, does your wife beat you up or anything?” The farmer said, “No, sir, we both get up about 4:30.” Finally, the attorney says, “Okay, let me put it this way. WHY DO YOU WANT A DIVORCE?” And the farmer says, “WEll, I can never have a meaningful conversation with her.”
Cecile
Kudos to Michelle and Rapid Redux – such fantastic accomplishments! Love the photo of you and Michelle, a special moment that you both will always remember :-)
PatB from NM
Heartwarming post. Lots of love from and to our Zenyatta. I too had a sore tush after riding you on the carousel, but to actually sit on the real you would be such a gift.
Kudos to RR; he’s a good boy and always tries his best. He’s got my vote!
Love you always, Z.
Yvonne and Maurice
Hi Zenyatta. You are always so gracious. Love the picture of you and Michelle. Congratulations to Rapid Redux and Michelle for their wonderful accomplishments. In a day when racing needs a “hero” Rapid Redux should be applauded instead of put down because he has won against $5,000 claimers. Everyone knows there are so many ways to lose a race and he has done something so remarkable. We were at Lone Star yesterday and I was hollering and clapping for him – I seemed to be the only one. Everyone should have been cheering him on – this is a great accomplishment!!! Love you big girl, thank you so much Dottie for sharing Zenyatta’s inner most thoughts daily. Zenyatta, please stay toasty, eat well for two, have loads of fun with Tasty and all of your barnyard and human friends and family. You are a treasure. Good night, Angel.
signofthetimes
Sounds like Rapid Redux is going to retire next year, so nice they said they did not take him up in claiming price or to stakes races and burn him out. Does not sound like he is a talent as mostly works at 80%, but he sure does love to run and is a very cute boy.
Look forward to seeing him at KY Horse Park. Just a great Blue Collar Guy, would love to have him in a second career. GO GO GO REDUX GO !!!!!
signofthetimes
Dear Zenny,
I think sitting on you would be like sitting on a big couch. That is how my 17 hand TB was. Lots of horse underneath and lots of power; likes to GO GO GO GO, although you are going slower. I bet you could bet Rapid Redux pregnant. TOO CUTE. Sweet Dreams Big Girl, Daddy’s girl, you look a lot like him. XXXXOOOO
signofthetimes
Great Redneck Jokes tonight everyone and our master jokester Terry Crow.
signofthetimes
@Nicole
Such ambitous career plans, wonderful to hear such a love for horses/animals.
Barbara Wood (Texas)
@the Kennedys–thanks for the great report on Weemissfrankie.
@Rosemary McCauley–too funny!
Sunny Boyd
:)
quarterhossgal
Congrats to Rapid Redux and Michelle. My husband is a LMHP with a Master’s degree.
The help he provides his patients is really special, it is such satisfying work.
Queen Z…hope all is well with you and baby Z.
Jeanie: I am a life long resident of Omaha,Nebraska and spent many years enjoying racing at Aksarben Race track.
tony
Zenny, just a thought as another year comes to a close. Have you and your team ever thought of a contest where we get to win a meet and greet with YOU? So many here would love the opportunity and a contest, drawing, etc. may work for all of us.
Dolores Pshsnychniak
Congrats to your Michelle and Isn’t that great for Rapid Redux! He deserves awesome treatment like you. Have a wonderful night Zenyatta! stay warm and cozy!
Barbara Wood (Texas)
Don’t mean to be hogging the diary, but I just got great news from Panhandle Equine. All the minis and donkeys have been removed, taken to the vet, and Coggins pulled. There are only 5 jacks and 2 mini mares who have not been placed. Their pictures should appear on the website tomorrow at http://www.panhandleequinerescue.org. Diane is very thankful for all the volunteers and those who helped with donations.
Z–you inspire all of us to be our best selves. Good night, Sweetheart and Baby Z.
Paula Higgins
Congrats to Michelle on her educational accomplishments!! Just wonderful. I am glad she got a chance to ride The Queen. A kindness she will never forget I know. Rapid Redux continues to make racing history. I voted for im for the Vox Populi Award. It would be so fitting if he won it. I hope the Eclipse “powers that be” will honor him in some way. I know he isn’t racing in graded stakes but his accomplisments stand on their own.
stephanie (s in san diego)
Just one more sincere Congratulations to Michelle and RR:)
Also…so sad about Strike the Gold and the accident at Penn.
Enjoyed reading everyone post tonight..to tired to do much more …sweet dreams everyone. xoxo (especially you sweet Z)
M. Kern
Congratulation to Michelle. I wish you the best of luck. High hoof to Rapid Redux for his 21 continues wins. I love you Queen Z and have fun outside with your best pal Tasty.
Uncie Arlan and Auntie Gayla
So enjoyed the diary of Zenyatta,and congratulations to Michelle, she is a very busy and lucky lady, and a hard worker. We have followed you throughout your races and have thoroughly enjoyed cheering you on. Great picture of you and Michelle, and miss seeing you on the race track, but enjoy retirement and being a mommy.