Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Z's Diary

Diary Post #412

I'VE STILL GOT IT! Photo by John Shirreffs


Good Morning,

You are ALL TOO CUTE! I love your comments wanting to assist as NANNIES and the requests to help ‘foal sit’ on a voluntary basis. One never knows…..this MOM-to BE thing is very new to ME. I’ll keep you posted, for sure!

Yesterday afternoon when David called Dottie, it was about 50ish degrees here. In our quest to be healthy and fit….TASTY and I do get our proper amount of exercise each day. Weather permitting, we take laps around the paddock. I don’t go 40 miles an hour like a did when I was racing…but I still get all 4 feet off the ground and get ready to stride right out….ears forward….and mane blowing! I must say, this is all part of my background and heritage of being a thoroughbred. The DESIRE and LOVE TO RUN is definitely a part of my being!

Hmm…they say when MOMS are expecting, the babies can sense the tone of the day, the music that is being heard and the stories that are being read. I wonder if my baby can feel the sense of timing and the length of stride I utilize as I’m romping about in the paddock? Just a thought!

Several of you made a reference yesterday to TASTY’S family. She is owned by Woodford Racing. My pals at Lane’s End wanted ME to have a dear friend who they felt would be ‘in the family’ for some time. It was a great idea and terrific planning on their part. As you know, WE are dear friends.

Tasty’s sire is Medaglia D’Oro. When you are following the pedigree, heritage, and family lines of a thoroughbred, the female side is the one that is the most important and determines more of the full-brother or sister type of family lineage. Sires have many, many foals each year. A mare has just one. So on the pedigree page, the female side is what is traced and noted.

By MOM, VERTIGINEUX, is the MOTHER of WHERE’S BAILEY, BALANCE, and ME to name a few of her foals. On our pedigree pages, these are the family lines that are followed. The sires are definitely prominently noted and very important, of course, but the actual family tree is traced via the female side of the pedigree. Whenever you read a sales catalog or a pedigree page, you will see this in complete detail.

Congratulations to RAPID REDUX…on #22. It is a very admirable accomplishment! It is also very rewarding to see that he is being honored by our industry this year with a SPECIAL ECLIPSE AWARD! I’d like to add my sincere congratulations to those of others and send him an ‘elated’ HIGH HOOF on this achievement! I’ve also heard that he is going to continue racing during 2012. Here’s wishing the best to RR in each of his future races!

With Love,
Hugs to All~(Thank you for thinking of Louie Cenicola and Humberto Ascanio!)
Z

Reader Interactions

275 Comments

  2. / Reply

    Hi there Zenny, TT, Dottie & sweet Zen-sters!
    I LOVED the comment that the two of you look like Pepe Le Pew bouncing along — TOO CUTE! I looked and thought of ponies on the old-fashioned merry-go-rounds. It must be that 4-legs off the ground that does it…..with those tummies, you look like you’re bouncing instead of running!!! Anyway, you both look ADORABLE, as well as HEALTHY & HAPPY.
    TASTY is a CANUCK too! I had forgotten that until the discussion about her racing @ Woodbine. HOW NEAT IS THAT? (I’M THINKING A PAIR OF MAPLE LEAF BLANKETS MIGHT BE IN ORDER……)
    DOTTIE: I believe it was our signofthetimes who told us that unborn foals can actually hear their dam’s hooves pounding when they run. I just LOVE that image. It really speaks to me of how these unborn souls are already learning the music of the turf!!!!
    It’s really mild here today after 2 days of killer-cold…the damp cold that gets into your bones & makes everything CREAK! Schizoid as our winter has been thus far — one of the cities on our Canadian Prairies, Saskatoon, had the WARMEST day it’s had since 1906 yesterday — I’m wondering: Is it equally mild in Kentucky this winter?
    LOVE TO ALL!!!

    • / Reply

      Abigail, glad to hear that you’re not freezing your rear ends off , it was pretty cold here the last few days. I feel pretty proud that our Queen has a Canuck as her best friend and I totally agree – maple leaf blankets are definitely required.

  6. / Reply

    You and Tasty look beautiful running together, and I bet your right, your baby, will know how to run, and play, and then take off and be a jet, like you, have a great day, you and Tasty look so Happy, and having a fun day, Pretty soon that baby be here, and then Mommy, mode will take over, enjoy your fun now, Love you Queen Z,

  7. / Reply

    @Stephanie in San Diego-You qualify. Welcome to the California chapter. @Brenda S-You could be president of the Canadian chapter if you care to accept the position. @Rosemary McCauley, Denise in AZ and Diana S, charter members of the Arizona/New Mexico chapter-You might be a redneck if the engine hanging in your yard is newer than the one in your car. @Debbie G, president of Kentucky chapter-You might be a redneck if you answer the door with a baseball bat in your hand. @Marshall, president of North Carolina chapter-You might be a redneck if the doghouse and your living room have the same shag carpet. @Judy Berube, president of New England chapter-You might be a redneck if your prenuptial agreement mentions chickens. @signofthetimes, president of Texas chapter-You might be a redneck if your new sofa was on a curb in another part of town yesterday. @Stephanie in San Diego, member of California chapter-You might be a redneck if your wedding rehearsal was held at Denny’s. @Sue Fredrick and Sally B, charter members of Wisconsin chapter, presidency to be determined-You might be a redneck if your standard of living improves when you go camping. @Susan in Tn and Kari Bussell-You might be a redneck if Holler is anywhere in your mailing address. You might be a redneck if you practice wrestling holds on your dog. You might be a redneck if you measure distances in minutes. You might be a redneck if your husband can’t take a nap without at least one hand tucked in his pants. You might be a redneck if your answering machine message includes a belch.

    • / Reply

      Great jokes today as I “wrasle” with my computer.

      Thanks for reminding me of the claiming trainer’s name in CA.
      I think he is going to be a great addition to CA racing.
      Seems to be very talented getting connected to the horses and
      into their minds to help them become a “winning equine”.

      Did not realize that Bobby Frankel did not come from a horse
      family, he learned and developed his talent all through experience.
      How very awesome.

    • / Reply

      Excellent jokes today, Terry! I mean they’re good, every day — but I would get bored repeating my compliments every day. But today’s rang especially true: My brother has an engine like that (or more than one), and I know that they’ve NOT answered the door, with worse than a baseball bat. And about 30 yrs. ago my housemates and I acquired a sofa from a curb across town, and it was our living-room “guest bed” for several years.

      • / Reply

        Vicki-your qualifications are obvious. Welcome to the club. You and Stephanie in San Diego are the only current members of the California chapter. Thanks for your post. I do this for people like you.

        • Thanks, Terrry – you already welcomed me, ages ago, and told me I didn’t need to embellish my resume. But I know a lot has happened, and I haven’t been able to spend as much time here, as I used to, before you came back.

  8. / Reply

    Hello my angel Zenyatta. There is nothing more beautiful than you with all 4 feet off the ground, full stride, ears forward and mane blowing on the beautiful blue grass of Kentucky! You look fabulous and Tasty does too. I want to thank whoever it was that posted the link to Sissel’s Auld Lang Syne with the animals. I have scrolled back to see who posted it but couldn’t find it. But thank you so much for that wonderful link. I was so moved I took my laptop to work that night and shared it with my fellow nurses, the look on their faces as they watched was priceless. @Trina Nagele, thank you so much for taking the time to answer all my questions about Rainbow Bridge, 12th heart and smile boxes. I am not only enlightened but am even more enriched now. Thank You. @Tony Crow, I doubled over laughing about being a redneck if you have ever used an ironing board as a buffet table. Years ago when I was early married I actually did that. At the time I remember thinking “this is really hillbilly”. Thanks for the great laugh. Take care my angel Z. My love to you and love to all. Darlene Daniels

      • / Reply

        Darlene-You definitely qualify. If you would post your area of residence, I will add you to that chapter. Or, better yet, if the presidency of that area has not already been claimed, you are it.

      • / Reply

        Congratulations? You are now the president of the Indiana chapter. I’ll let Kokomo slide. You will be recognized as such on my general redneck posts from now on. Glad to have you aboard.

  9. / Reply

    AWWW! so happy to see you and your best pal tasty looking so happy and healthy! and keep harlem rocker in your prayers he is having spine surgery today! And wont be able to continue to breed till 2013! poor boy! And gongrats to rapid redoux!

  10. / Reply

    Zenny, You and Tasty look so happy running together – full of JOY & HEALTH! Have you kept in touch with former buds Alys & Pirate Queen? Are they still nearby & are either of them Moms yet? Just curious. I am still getting comfortable with the new format of your site. For me personally, I think I preferred the dark background with white type. I found it easier to read. but then you know what they say about “old dogs”. My opinion is that we CAN be taught, just a little slower. At any age, we can all appreciate this great “winter weather”. Good luck to Utopia tomorrow.
    PEACE & LOVE

  11. / Reply

    The book mentioned “horses never lie about love” I received it for xmas and it really is a very good book, only half way through.
    Z and TT such a cute picture of the two of you with tails up and hooves off the ground. Priceless picture. So nice that you are the best of friends too. Kisses on your noses and belly kisses too. XOXO

  12. / Reply

    All your photos are wonderful Dear Queen. But the ones with Tasty and you running or just hanging out are precious. They always bring tears to my eyes. Stay well girls..

  13. / Reply

    WOW! I wonder how many moms-to-be can run like you and Tasty! I’ve always been impressed with your athleticism and now, more than ever!
    Thank you for explaining about pedigrees and how important the Mom is. I’ve often wondered about that and how one would interpret a pedigree. I learn something from you all the time. I’ve owned horses for a long time but you still teach me.
    There has been one baby born in our barn and I was there. He was born at 6:15 in the evening which was very convenient for me. I don’t know if I could have survived another night of foal watch! But, I’m ready to do it all over again if you’d like company when the time gets closer. Has anyone mentioned how much fun a baby shower is?
    I think your baby can feel your stride. I used to talk to my mare’s tummy all the time. If I was there, I’d say to your little one, “You are so special. Just about two more months, my darling, be patient, and I’ll see you in March. I know you will be the most outstanding baby ever born. Bernie and Zenyatta and the entire Team will be so proud of you. You have the world’s best Mommy to look after you and thousands of fans who can’t wait to meet you. Your Aunt Tasty and her baby will be your best friends. Love you, my little apple dumpling.”
    Take care, Zenny! Sending you a big hug around the neck!
    Thank you, Mr. Shireffs for the fabulous photo of my two favorite girls. It’s so nice to see them enjoying themselves. If only every horse in the world was as loved and well cared for as Z and Tasty.
    Can’t forget a big congratulations to Rapid Redux. May his good fortune continue!

  14. / Reply

    Absolutely love the paddock photos — this one is special with all four feet off the ground.

    ***** ****** ******* ******
    While either sex will be a wonderful gift, we would prefer a colt — he can produce many Zenyatta grandbabies each year spreading her genes far and wide.

  16. / Reply

    Very happy to see Blind Luck and Awesome Maria made the list of finalists for the 2011 Eclipse Awards. While Havre de Grace will take the championship for Older Filly/Mare and likely HOY, the recognition is well deserved and appreciated. Love all three fillies.

    We did not recall in past years that the finalists for HOY were not announced until the night the awards are presented.

  17. / Reply

    I love the new web site, I just downloaded every pic of YOU to my computer!!!!
    Zenny, you and Tasty look so beautiful! Love the growing belly’s.

    LOVE YOU FOREVER AND EVER!!!!!!

    XOXOXOXOXOXOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOXXXXXXXXXXXXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

  18. / Reply

    Dear Zenny,
    You are definatly right, that sweet young foal is definatly hearing/feeling you run and all of your movements that go into running and moving. He/She is hearing your lovely sounds when you wake up, whinny, and call out.

    Maybe he or she will have your “style”. Lovely mothers running together. So glad you have a very sweet best friend. Although I do cherish the photo of you, Pirate Queen, Elyse and the fourth mare in your previous band all lying down together that one day. Very very precious photo of you and your BBF’s. Lanes End is such a thoughtful and beautiful place for you to be. Wonder how they will make sure you and TASTY foal together????

  19. / Reply

    My dear Zenyatta, I love you so much! I have been counting down the days until your due date and here we are, just under 2 months to go!
    I look forward to you’re diary post every day and I they always make me a little bit happier!
    It is great to see you and Tasty getting your exercise. Thank you for that insight on her as well!
    You are going to be a fantastic mother, Zenny! The FOAL SITTING idea was TOO CUTE.

    Have the Mosses decided on who you’re next “boyfriend” will be?
    Love, Katie(future jockey)

  20. / Reply

    Thanks for the info. Beautiful picture of you and Tasty. You guys are so gorgeous. If weather permit have fun outside but please be safe. I love you Queen Z. I love you too Tasty!

  23. / Reply

    Dear Z, TT and Z Fans:

    You girls look so happy and content running free together. You’re both beautiful. Love you Z and love to all of you, Judy and Russ

  24. / Reply

    Dear Signofthetimes:
    I’m hoping for a colt too. Although, will love a filly just as much. Hugs, JB

  25. / Reply

    Thank you for sharing another glorious photo that just takes my breath away! I love your flagged tail and four hooves flying – such beauty in motion – wow. Thank you so much to you and Dottie for kindly explaining so many of the intricacies of pedigree to all of us – I am always so happy to learn more about these horses that I’ve fallen in love with. Sweet hugs and kisses to both you and Tasty Temptation, my Queen. This web-site/diary is such a special treat for me – a gift of time I give myself each day to lift my heart. Thank you.

  26. / Reply

    Congrats to Rapid Redux on winning the Secretariat Vox Populi award. He well deserves it and is in great company. Love and Hugs, JB

  27. / Reply

    Dear Terry C.:
    Love the prenuptial agreement for chickens. Laughing out loud. Ha, ha. Thanks. Hugs, JB

  28. / Reply

    I never get tire of saying that you two ladies look so amazing, love you, and congratulations to RR, Ingrid.

  29. / Reply

    Once again, a lovely picture of you and Tasty in a magnificent setting…more like a great painting, a work of art. What can one say? You and Tasty are awesome! I can”t wait to see your babies…! Thank you for sending your photo… Jean

  30. / Reply

    Hey Z! I have a question for you. Why do the humans always put cotton balls in your ears? It seems in every picture you have cotton balls. I love you Zenny! Can’t wait to see your beautiful bundle in his or her works!

    • / Reply

      The cotton balls are put in the ears of John’s horses boarded at Barn 55 . Zenyatta no long lives under the flight pattern of LAX, so she doesn’t have to wear cotton anymore ;-)

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