Good Morning, Everyone!
I truly love to stand in my paddock and GREET all of my Lane’s End Pals as they are busy driving around the farm and working. I must say that is one of the greatest parts of where TASTY and I have our paddock…we are right in the middle of everything. It is absolutely fabulous!
Chris Balmes asked yesterday in the Diary Responses if TASTY and I will continue to be together once we have our foals. The answer is YES. The normal plan is to keep ‘foaling mares’ who are due at the same time together. Once their babies are born…they are able stay together as their foals are approximately the same age. Obviously, MOTHER NATURE plays a part in all of this…but that is the plan at this time.
My FARM FAMILY is so forward thinking. I believe this is one of the reasons they wanted TASTY and I together from the beginning. Not only do WE get along fabulously and our personalities blend together extremely well…but our paths in life are very similar. We are both ‘maiden’ or first time mares having our first foals. We were bred and conceived on exactly the same day…which I personally think is TOO CUTE. Thus, our babies are due at exactly the same time. All of this establishes a wonderful pattern which should allow US to remain friends for quite some time. LUCKY US!
On another note, when I wrote the entry for yesterday’s Diary, I did not know about the passing of INDIAN CHARLIE. ALL BLESSINGS to him! What a wonderful racehorse and stallion! HE will be deeply missed.
I imagine all of this is truly a reminder that LIFE is so very precious. It is important to treasure and appreciate each moment as it is happening…and the FRIENDS you are sharing these special times with each day!
To ALL OF YOU, who are so special and have shared so much with ME each day….here’s wishing YOU a peaceful and wonderful weekend!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
eastcoastkid
ok….I lied…called Senator Kerry’s office in DC just now and was informed he is also a co-sponsor of the bill…so Massachusetts people, we have two “good guys” as far as S1176 is concerned…I hope you all find the same outcome in your individual states…now…no more bad stuff…Happy Holidays to all…
Love you Zenny!
Mary in MA
Rosemary McCauley - Southern California
@D Stuart – Thank you for the info and I agree, they would both be beautiful even if they were born with stripes AND polka dots.
Carole J in MN
Such a wonderful photo… you certainly are a beauty!! Sad about Indian Charlie as well as Strike the Gold… RIP to two champs!!
luvscritters
My two Zenyatta ornaments arrived today!!!
I might have to put up a tree just so I can hang them this year.
So nice that you and Tasty will get to hang out after the babies are born. Horses love to have a buddy and letting you stay buddies will make you both happier and better moms.
Sarah Powell, Clemson, SC
Hope you and Tasty are staying warm and dry today – heard the weather was not good. It’s unseasonably hot here for Dec. but supposed to rain and bring in cooler weather. Hope we get enough rain this winter to get a good hay crop. Hay is very scarce just now and it will get much worse during Jan. – May. I’m trying to store as much as I can find. Glad you and Tasty will get to stay together for a while – I know horses get very attached to each other – at least mine are – they don’t like to be separated from their “buds”. Hope all are enjoying this special season. (thanks Dottie)
ginger Hiscock
I love reading your diary each day. You are a true superstar girl! I just got the Breyer ornament of you and Mike Smith. It was sold out everywhere last year. Love it.
Can you tell me Tasty’s registered name. She is gorgeous as well, Did she race much?
carol in utah
@ ginger hiscock…hi..tasty is tasty tempation and she raced..and raced well…in canada…but when i look her up it still shows her as a 5 yr old mare and “active”…wish there was some way to follow these girls when they leave the track for other careers..
Yvonne Lentini in NJ
Zenny, I am so happy to hear that you and Tasty will be together with your foals for along time to come. I was very sorry to hear about Indian Charlie, may he rest in peace. I have read your posts daily since the beginning but do not respond much. Its great to see all the friendships that have been made through your site. I wish nothing but good health and happiness to you and your foal and I also wish the same to Tasy and her foal. May you enjoy all life has to offer you and be happy and warm. I love you more and more each day. Love Ya
Trisha
I think it is wonderful to be able to share this special time with such good friends. I experienced this also. My good friend at the time , we were pregnant together, delivered the same day and were in the same hospital room and our children are still friends as well as we. Such a special time.
So sad about Indian Charlie. This has not been a good week. May he RIP.
Love to you and all your connections
Love hugs and kisses
Julie DuVall / Ontario, California
Those of you who are going to Hollywood Park tomorrow: Stop by The Second Race booth in the paddock area. Sharla is raffling off one of LAVA MAN’S halters plus the chance to have breakfast with LAVA MAN in January! Lava Man is retired from racing but he still “works” as a stable pony in Doug O’Neill’s barn at Hollywood Park. Such a character!
Zenny: I will be mailing YOUR “tasty tempations” tomorrow, I promise! I would love to see a photo of YOU and Tasty sharing a candy cane. Talk about TOO CUTE! :)
Kari Bussell/sending prayers & love from Tn.
@Julie DuVall//-or the person who wins breakfast with the Great Lava Man…..take pictures and share link to view them …PLEASE!..
I love the Great Lava Man with a passion!! I love his story, strength, & character. What a personality & Champion!!
suew/Va
Zenny, I really enjoyed reading the article about Trevor Denman and his thoughts about the greatest race he ever called. Yes, it was your 2009 BC race…who could ever forget it! I also love the interview he did for ESPN before the 2010 classic. Again he heaped such high praise on YOU and said you were closest to his heart. You see, you have that effect on everyone who sees your magnificience.
I am happy TT will continue to be your BF after your foals are born. You seem to compliment each other nicely and will share first time motherhood and all the joys that come with it.
It looks as if you are the official greeter at LE! I LOVE it! Maybe I’ll be lucky enough, one day, to see you standing by a fence just to see me. Dreams do come true, right?
tony and sue
Zenny, you are the perfect meet and greeter for LE. We love how you continue to be curious about everyone and everything.
It’s great news that you and TT will continue to be together after your foals are born. You do seem to be the best of friends.
Alex Bowdoin - MA
Thanks for the reminder, I lit a candle…
lobieb
Zen can you tell me who Tasty was bred to so we will know when the babies are do. Thanks
LauraJ (Cincinnati, OH)
@Rosemary McCauley, to elaborate on what Diana S. said, there is a 50% chance that Tasty is carrying a gray foal. She is Gg (we know she is heterozygous because her sire is not gray), and Candy Ride is gg. There is a 37.5% chance of her having a bay or brown foal. Of the remaining 12.5%, we don’t know. She may or may not carry chestnut. Her third dam definitely did. If she does, then she could have a chestnut foal. Candy Ride does carry chestnut.
Lover of Horses
So sad about Indian Charlie. He was a great racehorse and stud! How’s the baby, Zenyatta? It’s getting closer to your due date! So exciting! I had to make a model memorial for art, so I decided to make it to you! It came out very well and even included your trainer in it!I love you dearly, darling, and always enjoy reading your diary entries! Love you, Zenny!
Kimberly
Please wrap up nice and cozeeeee. Don’t let Baby Z get cold…. You are truly magnificent!!!
LauraJ (Cincinnati, OH)
@Jeanie, thank you so much for the update on the Clouds. It is nice to have good news.
maryp (New York)
Zenyatta, you and Tasty are so lucky to be such good friends and to be together now and later with your foals. Enjoy your days and stay safe and strong. Love you lots!
LauraJ (Cincinnati, OH)
Cigar is out, 3:27 EST.
Ingrid Arnone. South Beach.
Thank you my adorable Zenyatta, love to you and Tasty, Ingrid.
Kari Bussell/sending prayers & love from Tn.
Zenyatta’s 2009 Breeder’s Cup – Pre-race coverage with her “Dancing with the Stars” segment.
Part one-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXWDdFYmhkI
this has been posted many times, but can you ever see this too many times?
Rosemary McCauley - Southern California
@LauraJ-OH – Thank you also for the info on Tasty’s foal. I’m impressed that you and Diana S. know about this subject. Explains why gray horses don’t appear that often.
Kari Bussell/sending prayers & love from Tn.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoyYGjCTQGk
Part two- the race.
Zenyatta’s 2009 Breeder’s Cup Classic Win!!
@Jag- thank you for the link to the article about T. Denman.
Kari Bussell/sending prayers & love from Tn.
The Great Lava Man’s 2005 Holloywood Gold Cup-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adazjmPXRuM
Susan in TN
Zenny- this is from Anna Sewell’s “Black Beauty” and it reminded me of you and Tasty. Hope you enjoy it!
“It was a great treat to us to be turned out into the home paddock or the old orchard; the grass was so cool and soft to our feet, the air so sweet, and the freedom to do as we liked was so pleasant- to gallop, to lie down, and roll over on our backs, or to nibble the sweet grass. Then it was a very good time for talking, as we stood together under the shade of the large chestnut tree.”
Love you, sweet girl <3
Susan in TN
Indian Charlie and Strike The Gold- may you both rest peacefully and happily <3
Sharyn ~ Vermont
I just love reading that you and Tasty will be able to stay together after your foals are born. How special is that!! And so important because you are so comfortable with each other!!
Love to the fact that you paddock is in the middle of all the action around you – you always loved knowing what was going on – too cute!
Have a wonderful weekend and stay warm!!
Susan in TN
RE: Chester and Chopper’s new friend:
There is a new girl with the boys as of last Sunday. Her name is Annie and she is a lovely, dark liver chestnut with a pretty narrow blaze. She is 28 and belongs to the family where Chester and Chopper live. I was concerned that Chester would be the odd man out or intimidated by Annie, although she is very sweet and laid-back. WELL- Chester spent the first day fiercely “protecting” Chopper from Annie- or keeping her away because of jealousy, as Chopper was very interested in such a pretty girl! We introduced them all slowly and all was fine for 2-3 hours. Then Chester would fly at Annie, ears back, and she would wander off. Chopper looked rather bemused, actually, but stayed away from her to keep peace. It was kind of funny at first because no one was getting hurt, but then it was somewhat heartbreaking to see how desperately Chester was working to maintain what he had finally gotten- a friend and plenty of food. By the next morning, things had calmed down- Chester makes the occasional cranky face in her direction but is much more relaxed. They graze together and stand at the fence together- that’s a good start! Annie gets closed in the barn during meal times. Bless her heart- she (like me) is an easy keeper :) Anyway, that’s been the excitement of the week here!
Warm wishes to all <3