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
Heidi Kruckenberg (vallejo, ca)
Zenny, love this photo. Love them all! Counting down the days until that very Special Moment!! I like the idea of a web cam too. That would be so neat to see you foaling and to see the baby standing for the first time on the wobbly legs. Take care and be safe. Love you and Tasty too.. xxooxxoo
Dawn Conrad / Colorado
Dear Zenyatta. How fun to see you and Tasty stretching your legs. You certainly do still “have it” beautiful. You both look like lovely carousel horses. I wonder if it might feel like that to your foal, a rolling carousel ride. Won’t it be wonderful when there are four of you racing across your paddock. When you talk about the desire and love to run, I am always amazed at how quickly young foals can be up and running. Those long legs, not quite stable when standing, getting up or laying down, but reaching out in a beautiful stride. It is wonderful that you and Tasty are part of one big happy family!!Thank you for the great information explaining the tracking of the female side of the pedigree. I often look up pedigrees and there is so much to them, it is great to have two such gifted teacher’s in yourself and Dottie. I have often heard breeder’s talk about the continual search to find that magic combination of female and sire lines. I join you in congratulating Rapid Redux and his connections on his special Eclipse Award and now the Vox Populi too!! I loved Ms. Chenerys remarks about recognizing the fact that thousands of horses race, day in and day out and how remarkable his wins were. Have a restful evening my love. Sweet dreams. Hugs and kisses. XXXOOO
Brenda S..Ontario, Canada
Terry C – I am honored that you would consider me. President of the Canuck Redneck Chapter is beyond anything I aspired to and so I would be happy to accept. I certainly don’t have the store of jokes that you have but I think I may have a bit of your “off the wall” sense of humor and so I defer to you when it comes to supplying the daily dose of humor.
Terry Crow
Brenda-It is noted that you are the president of the Canadian chapter. I used to know some good Canadian redneck jokes but I will have to dust them off in my mind so that I can post them for you.
Abigail from Montreal
YEAH, BRENDA! GREAT SUGGESTION TERRY! If anyone epitomizes the magnanimous Canadian spirit, it’s definitely OUR BRENDA!!!!
Terry Crow
Abagail-You are one of our most erudite posters. However, I would hate to have Brenda as the only member of the Canadian chapter, even if she is president. Would you consider becoming a member?
Roberta Smith
Hello Pretty Girl! I love this picture of you and Tasty romping about your paddock…two beautiful Moms-to-be! I love you so much Zenyatta!
Dawn Conrad / Colorado
@Mary in Lynchburg VA – HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Hope you had a wonderful day!
@Valeria Cannon/Illinois – Loved, loved, loved your post from #411 describing the celebration for Zenyatta’s foal!
@Wiggy – Welcome to this very special place!!!
Kelly Ruf
You ladies look FANTASTIC!!
Robyn Mullhausen
You and Tasty look absolutely beautiful runny and enjoying your freedom. Two very healthy looking Moms to be. I hope Rapid Redux stays as sound in his racing career as you did Zenyatta. You are so lucky to have had a Trainer and Owners who care deeply about their Thoroughbreds.
Denise Skladany
Robyn, well said, echoes my sentiments. Thx
Kathryn
Beautiful photo of two very elegant ladies in waiting.
Diana Stuart
@Zenny: I’d love a filly, please! And your mom can have the colt so we don’t have to compare that little one to you all the time! I’m just sayin’. But YOU come from such a powerful female line – more GIRL power!
@You might be a Canuck Redneck if your pappy ever snuck a jug of maple syrup direct to the still from the tree.
@You might be a Canuck Redneck if your mammy snuck a similar jug from the still to the back porch while your pappy was huntin’ in the woods!
diastu is no teetotaller in tempe
Brenda S..Ontario, Canada
I’m with you, I’d like a filly. I’ve been thinking about you in LA for the holidays with your family and hoping that you got to the zoo to ride Zenny. I have been enjoying a sweet little cocktail, Kentucky Honey with ginger ale, it sounds similar to your redneck drinks. Maybe we could sample at Santa Anita in November???
Terry Crow
Diana-Great Canadian redneck jokes. You might be a Canadian redneck if the directions to your home include the phrase “turn off the paved road.”
Stephanie in San Diego
Fordham Road ran a great race today, thought he had it!! He is one very classy looking boy. Great race..can’t wait to see him run again.
MK
You two are gorgeous! Thank you for the beautiful picture.
Shari Voltz from Ohio
Dear Zenyatta I love this picture. I was thinking even pregnant you run like the wind :) I love to see you running. I also want to say Way To Go To RAPID REDUX!!! He is an Awesome horse. I hope you and Tasty enjoy your day tomorrow. I think the temps are going to be close to 50 again. Yea!!! I love you. Hugs and Kisses, Shari XXXOOO
@ Dawn Larry’s blood pressure is up again. He had to go to Dr again. I am a little crazy from this. It is scarey. I will talk to you soon :)
Dawn Conrad / Colorado
I know it can be scarey for both of you. Hopefully the doctor will get his medication worked out soon. Let him know I am thinking about him and of course you know that you are always both in my prayers. Love and HUGS (((((( )))))
Lover of horses
You just amaze mee, Zenyatta! You are so, so beautiful! I can’t wait till your foal is born! I love Tasty’s daddie! Medaglia D’Oro and Bernardini and my favorite studs. Love you so much, dear one!
Lover of horses
Sorry I meant Medaglia D’Oro and Bernardini are my favorite studs.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Z,
Goodnight and Sweet Baby Dreams. Love you lots, Judy and Russ
Paula Higgins
What a beautiful picture of both the girls! I hope they do not separate them down the road. Thy look healthy and happy. Congrats to Rapid Redux!!! So well deserved.
catherine
I think your Daddy Street Cry is a big beautiful horse, and your Mama is a pretty gal .I see why you turned out so beautiful! Tasty’s Daddy is a good looking stallion too!
Alex Bowdoin in MA
You and TT look Fabulous in the photo! I like the idea of “foal sit” too…I would love to thank you very much. HUGS TO ALL…
evy
What a beautiful photograph. Simply stunning of 2 horses, pregnant, and enjoying life. Thank you for posting it.
kaj
Thanks for the great diary today. I love to hear about Tasty and her background. Can you tell us more about her personality and traits? Does she have any quirks?
AJ from CA
Z – pix of you and TT are postcard perfect – you both look so poetic in motion!
Congratulations to Rapid Redux and connections for deservedly winning the 2nd Secretariat Vox Populi award! I think Mrs. Chenery herself deserves a special award in her efforts to give voice to the fans and everyday people who love horseracing. I hope Rapid Redux will be there on the 15th when she presents the award…I’d love to see him in person!
Dawn Conrad / Colorado
Here, here, AJ!! I agree whole heartedly that Penny Chenery is an amazing ambassador for horse racing and always has been.
Debbie
hi Z! I love the photo of YOU and Tasty!!! to see YOU so happy and enjoying YOUR time with Tasty just makes me sooo happy! Love YOU gorgeous mama xoxoxo
Denise Skladany
You and Tasty look the picture of health. May you both have wonderful, healthy foals who in turn have a wonderful life. Noticed you are in front, hmmmm. You are tooo dear. Will any of your team be out for the foal watch?
And glad to hear that RR is being awarded the Secretariat Vox Populi award. Well deserved. He reminds me of the book about the little engine that can (“I think I can, I think I can”).
Delrene in Carlsbad, Ca
Dear Z and TT – I love you two just “chugging” along together. Carrying a bit more weight in the middle, but so absolutely adorable it made me laugh. Too cute…. I haven’t had time to read all the posts but just quickly saw the winner of the Vox Populi award, None other than Rapid Redux. Super congratulations. I wish they would fly him out on the 15th to be there for us to see him in Ca…http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2012/01/05/rapid-redux-wins-vox-populi-award.aspx I hope I got it right this time. My computer has been acting funky. Love to all of you, and don’t forget to cast your ballot fr the Eclipse Awards – I think it was TT OR Bloodhorse on line…. Now I forget.
Sunny Boyd
Good evening Zenyatta,
what a sweet pic of you two. I must say you do take lovely pictures. :)
Thanks to your thoughtful people who keep them coming.
I am actually recognizing some of the names you mentioned. I am learning.
I wish for a restful night for you & Tasty, we all need our beauty sleep, you know.
Barbara Wood (Texas)
Hi Zenny–I forgot to tell you that when we have a cold spell, I put YOUR afghan on top of the bed and snuggle under you. It’s very toasty. I never want to get up on cold mornings. (Of course creaky joints have something to do with that too!) Have a peaceful sleep tonight, dear one. Love you always.
Julie DuVall / Ontario, CA
Your talk about the importance of the FEMALE LINE prompted me to do a little research. Here is a page I found about FAMILY NUMBERS, which tell which foundation mare a Thoroughbred traces back to: http://www.reines-de-course.com/family_numbers.htm
There are only THREE foundation sires (the Godolphin Arabian, the Byerley Turk and the Darly Arabian) but many, many more “taproot mares.” I think this illustrates how stallions’ genes are more widely spread, while a mare’s are not. One stallion can be the direct ancestor of many more horses than one mare can.
One interesting notion from the Reines de Course website is that a stallion RACES like his female family but BREEDS like his overall pedigree. In other words, a stallion from a female family of stayers would win at long distances but could sire sprinters if there are more sprinters in his pedigree overall. So it is likely that your SONS will be late running distance horses just like you …
It looks like YOU are descended from Family 4 (Layton Barb Mare) whose descendants include Assault, Cozzene, Fall Aspen, Fanfreluche, Flower Bowl, Graustark, Hail to Reason, His Majesty, Kincscem, Man o’ War, Matchem, Nearco, Ribot, Storm Bird and Whisk Broom II — not a bad family to belong to!
Vicki B. near Hollywood Park
Thanks for posting this information!
Barbara Wood (Texas)
How very onteresting. Thanks! I knew about the chefs and the reines, but din’t know how they related to progeny on each side.
Elizabeth in NM
MOMMIE MAGIC! YOU and Tasty are just WONDER-FUL! Isn’t 2012 going to be the best year yet, ZENNY, for YOU and Tasty? Beautiful photo by YOUR John! He captures such great moments in YOUR life! Thank you Dottie and John for such meaningful and inspiring updates!
HappyHarriet
Hello Queen Mommie –
.
Ms. Tasty Temptation was shown recently on HRTV in one of her races! It was quite a surprise to hear the announcer say her name, I must say, and I said “Oh, I know who THAT is!” She was looking very smart, and of course has a great heritage, as you do.
–
Many good wishes for the New Year, and the new Horses’ Birthday Year as well. Soon there will be four lovelies in the paddock, once you and Tasty have your babies.
.
Horse Hugs to All ~~HH