Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Z's Diary

Diary Post #417

OVER ONE YEAR LATER...……….. Photo by Michelle Jensen

Good Morning,

It is amazing how quickly the time flies by. Over a year ago, the ZENYATTA LOUNGE was created at Santa Anita to provide the women who work on the “backside” (meaning barn area with the horses) a special place to relax, visit, and have some time to themselves.

My dear owners helped to make this possible. Santa Anita graciously provided the space. Ms. Headley and Ms. Vienna worked with Dottie and the Moss’ to get all of the final details organized so the furniture, video / tech equipment, etc. could be delivered, and installed for the women to use and enjoy.

Over one year later, this LOUNGE has been a huge success! When Dottie stopped by on Christmas to drop off some See’s Candy for the ladies, everything was beautifully taken care of, the Christmas tree was lit up in one corner of the room, and the warmth and coziness of this space was quite special and inviting. She said you could really tell the women CARED about this LOUNGE.

The ladies are also having a great time. Special activities are planned for them. Each Tuesday is BINGO night…and the winners’ receive gifts of products especially designed for women. Once a month, all of the ladies are invited to a dinner party. A different restaurant is selected each month and the outing is completely sponsored by an owner, trainer, or group. A special THANK YOU for your kindness!

We’d also like to send a huge THANK YOU to THE SPERO FOUNDATION. For the holidays, all of the women who signed up each received a gift card from this Foundation to a store of their choice. The ladies voted and selected Walmart. I heard the shopping trip was great fun! The ladies not only had a wonderful time shopping, but they also enjoyed sharing the items they were able to purchase using these gift cards with each other.

TO THE SPERO FOUNDATION, again THANK YOU for this generous ‘gift’. This organization does a great deal to help ‘women’ and they have certainly been very kind during the past year to our ladies who enjoy the ZENYATTA LOUNGE.

I’m really so pleased to be able to share this update with you. In life, often people do charitable and loving things for others and never say a word. They just do it! They simply do these things because they have a kind heart and it is part of their basic nature to be thoughtful, caring, and giving…whenever they can and to whatever level they can.

At times, it is also very important to recognize the generosity of others. I’d personally like to send a HIGH HOOF to those who do so much ‘quietly and behind the scenes’ working with great devotion to assist others…both HUMAN and HORSE. From the bottom of my heart, MY TEAM and I…..THANK YOU!

With Love,
Hugs to All~ (A special HELLO to all of the ladies at the ZENYATTA LOUNGE!)
Z

Reader Interactions

232 Comments

  1. / Reply

    They say ” its better to give than receive!” Zenny you and your wonderful team do just that.

    We’re all so humbled and grateful to you! :)

  2. / Reply

    Wow Zen what a beautiful plaque they have put up for the lounge, and I find it very special that instead of the Mosses and Sheriffs putting their name on it they put “with love,Zenyatta”,that is really great! You are sure surrounded by the best of the best!!
    @Terry Crow, my God is that Elvis story true. What a lucky guy you were to see him up close and personal and to have actually talked to him on the phone. I would have loved to go along but at that time I was too busy brushing”sand out of my hair”.
    @Kari thanks for another lovely video you are truly a talent!

    • / Reply

      Absolutely true. If I had known you at that time, this was in the 70’s, You would have been welcome to join me. We were sitting right next to the stage so scarfs came our way. The problem with talking with him on the phone is that I didn’t realize it at the time.

    • / Reply

      Sue, I like your point about how special it is that the plaque says “With love, Zenyatta” (and bilingually too!)! So very sweet and thoughtful of the Mosses. High hoof!

  3. / Reply

    Zenyatta,

    What a wonderful gift to the hard working ladies behind the barns. They are very lucky to have such generous donors. Happy workers make happy horses. :) Hope you and Tasty are having a fun day together. xoxo

  4. / Reply

    what a nice gift you gave to them zenyatta

    zenyatta heres what i want from you
    a healty foal and no complacations during
    birth.

  5. / Reply

    @Karen, a big thanks for providing the link to Kari’s new video. I love everything she does …all her videos are masterpieces. When I first heard of Zenny, a few years ago it was her videos that caught my attention. I wept many tears and laughed with pure joy with every one of them.
    Zenny, a HIGH HOOF to you for being her inspiration …the same goes for your CA and LE families.

  7. / Reply

    Wow, I can’t believe the lounge has been around for so long! As HappyHarriet mentioned above, there has been a horse seizure in Louisiana involving many Thoroughbreds. My dear friends at Remember Me Rescue have worked alongside other rescue teams to help these horses but still need donations.

    Here is a link to my blog about the seizure. It also has links to other sites that have information on the seizure: http://pastthegrandstand.blogspot.com/2012/01/making-effort-to-keep-horses-safe-many.html

    Zenyatta fans, please help these poor horses.

      • / Reply

        sent mine yesterday when I read about it on facebook. Then heard on the local news about 3 horses found starving and abandoned here in San Diego. (so close to the border) They are not TB’s but still Gods Creatures who deserve so much better. I’m beginning to wonder if it is better to keep trying to give small donations as they come to my attention or should I just pick a couple and consistantly give more? I have been fortunate to see some happy endings but I know there are so many more that do not end the same way.

        • Well, economists will tell you that your money has more power the more you focus it–one or two causes dear to you, and one charity per cause. It is very helpful if you can send an automatic monthly or yearly donation. Charities benefit from knowing that they can expect a certain amount of cash flow. That’s hard to do from an emotional standpoint, however. It is for me, at least. I had once decided on one primary equine charity. I give to them, but I also found myself donating more and more to Old Friends’ various projects or sick horses, then other charities like Valley View.

          Maybe compromise? Pick a charity that you feel does a good job and pledge to send them a monthly donation. Then allocate an additional amount per month or pay period that you can use to respond to specific appeals, projects, or emergency situations. Or send it to Mike Smith’s charity of the month or something like that.

          One thing I urge anyone to do: check with your employer to see if there is a matching gift program. Some or all of your favorite charities may qualify for matching under the terms of the employer’s program. You can double your donation this way.

          I think the important thing is to give what we can realistically afford, even if it is a small amount. Heck, $10 will buy a bale or two of good hay. Small donations add up!

  8. / Reply

    Hi Zenyatta. What a wonderful story – the lounge has been such a huge success. Hopefully, more tracks will do the same. Generosity spreads generosity – how wonderful of the Spero Foundation. Zenyatta, thank your team for making this all possible – they are all so special and give so much of themselves. High hoof to all of them. I go to the mailbox each day waiting for my Bloodhorse edition! Also, can’t wait to get my Plushie! Love you big girl, you and Tasty stay toasty, eat well for two and enjoy your time together. Love you, Angels.

  9. / Reply

    Hello Zeny! Good morning to you and Tasty. I am still here in the Philippines visiting my mom. We had a great New Year. Filipinos celebrate New Year like we celebrate July 4th. They welcome the New Year with fireworks and firecrackers. It has been good quality time with family. My mom was doing well until she caught a virus. As I mentioned she is 94 and fragile. We were all so worried Monday because she developed complications and we were not sure if she would make it. Thank God she recovered.

    I am flying home January 17. I pray my mom gets out of ICU this week so I can have peace of mind when I leave.

    Hugs and Kisses to you and Tasty! Marilu

  11. / Reply

    “Their” Can’t believe I wrote “there”……
    Kari and Karen – What an incredible video. Just loved it…
    I love all your videos. I need to watch all of them sometime…… Just need to portion my time in front of the computer.
    Hope you had a wonderful day, had your suppers and are in for the night in Ky.
    One of Kari’s pictures in the video was of Pirate’s Queen. How is she doing? She is so beautiful……. I hope she is doing ok and on her scheduled “Mommy to be ” track.

  12. / Reply

    @ Abigail – I LOVE THAT LITTLE VIDEO. I’ve seen it over and over again. Thanks for posting it….. Such a nice fellow with those cute boxer pups.

  13. / Reply

    The Lounge. A kind, and generous gift from the great lady. Hopefully, one day, your baby will be able to visit the Great Race Place, maybe win, and make a mark like you did.

  15. / Reply

    So many fabulous things have your name on them. That is sooo special. Thanks for sharing. Your kindness has no bounds. Love and kisses.

  16. / Reply

    Thanks for the wonderful update of the success of the Zenyatta Lounge. It is great that so many have given of themselves and not expected a thing in return and a huge thankyou to those very special people and organizations. It is great that there is a place for the women to gather and enjoy themselves and to make friends.
    Wishing the best and the continued success of the Zenyatta Lounge.
    Take care Zenyatta and hope that you have a wonderful weekend. You are in my thoughts each and every day and you always bring a smile to my face-thankyou for being a part of my everyday.
    I love you more than can ever be measureed!
    Love & Blessings to you!

  17. / Reply

    Hi Z,
    Even in these lean times when giving is a little tougher to do, people still pour out their hearts to help others whether it be equine or human. Even when maybe our last dollar is at stake we give to those that need it more. High Hoof to all that are so generous!
    The lounge sounds so nice. i am happy to see the women of racing have such a lovely place to go. I am also impressed that they keep it looking just like new.
    Mrs. Whitney does so much here in Saratoga during the race meet. She and her husband make sure on Sundays that the backstretch workers and their families receive a nice dinner which usually is accompanied by a theme. No one leaves there hungry. She has always been a guardian angel behind the scenes during her lifetime. Just as the Moss’ have done at Santa Anita.
    Take care, Z. I hope you didn’t get this miserable storm today that we did. Almost forgot it was winter until today. ;>)

  18. / Reply

    @Abigail from Montreal,
    That video was something else! Zenny could easily get some singing lessons from some of the Moss’s music recording buddies.

  19. / Reply

    Zenyatta, I’m really happy that you’ve brought up the Zenyatta lounge which was started a year ago. It sounds like the place has come a long way in a year. Shopping trips to Wal Mart, outings to restaurants for women, and other things. Sounds like a lot of fun. You are so right about how some people just do things instead of talking about it simply because it’s the right thing to do. You are one of those whom I’m talking about.

  20. / Reply

    @Kari Bussell – Kentucky is up by four at halftime. I don’t know if we can beat Tennessee’s 36 game SEC win streak, but if we’re ever going to do it, it will be this year when we have a good team for a change. Either the women or the men better win so I don’t have to sing Rocky Top!
    @Terry Crow – What a great Elvis story! Wow, that is incredible. It sounds like he was really a cool guy.

    • / Reply

      Most of what I know about him came from others. But, from my brief encounter with him, he was, indeed, a cool guy.

  21. / Reply

    Thank you for updating us on The Zenyatta Lounge – a wonderful concept at the time and I’m so happy that is has been so successful and means so much to the women there at Santa Anita. Without them, the lives of the racehorses could suffer without that added feminine touch so it is beautiful that their needs are provided for also. Thank you all so much for all that you do, beautiful Team Zenyatta!!

  22. / Reply

    Zenyatta You and your family are just so very special. What a beautiful place for the women. Thank you to Your Family and Team for all they do to make this world a better place. I love you sweet mama. Hugs and Kisses, Shari XXXOOO

  23. / Reply

    Hi Z! Wonderful to hear about the lounge! I am so glad that there are people who give from their heart. It is so good to know-especially during these very trying economic times. Hope you are doing great-heard it rained in Kentucky today. Stay nice and warm and enjoy the evening. love you xxoo!

  25. / Reply

    Hey Z,

    I think you should be asking Dottie to FedEx you some See’s candies. They are really great and since you are eating for two……..

  26. / Reply

    Dear Karen and Kari – the video was wonderful. Of course, I consider each of you to be even more than wonderful as human beings. Bless you both for all you do. Mary

  27. / Reply

    HRTV will present live coverage of the the 41st annual Eclipse Awards Monday, January 16th at 8 p.m. ET. Recognizing the best in Thoroughbred racing, the awards are are voted on by National Thoroughbred Racing Association, the Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters. Winners for for multiple categories will be announced that evening, as well as the Horse of the Year.

  28. / Reply

    Dear Zenyatta and Tasty. Stay warm my angels. Winter is here and I have something to say to you Mr. Winter. You are here today with your icy winds, your horizontal snow and wind chills in the single digits. You have had your say, but you dont need to stay. However when you are gone spring will be here and that means Kentucky Derby! Only 3 1/2 months away. Stay well everyone. Love to all. Darlene Daniels

  29. / Reply

    This is such a lovely and generous thing for all of you to do! I know all the ladies must appreciate it very much. Dottie, I buy See’s Candies for my mother-in-law all the time. They are simply delicious. i hope you are feeling well Kari Bussell.

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