Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Z's Diary

Diary Post #440

I love looking at CLOUDS! Photo by John Shirreffs

Happy Friday!

I’ve shared the clouds and sky Tasty and I see from our Lane’s End paddock with you on many occasions. At about 5 o’clock Wednesday, MY JOHN and Dottie were running an errand in Arcadia and they just had to take this photo. The FOOTHILLS looked as though one could literally touch them…and the trees on the mountaintop were so precisely outlined. The CLOUDS were equally amazing. It appeared as though they were hugging the mountains in a soft and gentle way. What an amazing sight! It is so special to take a moment and enjoy views like this and all of the beauty they offer.

Thank you for the LOVELY COMMENTS about my life-size bronze that is going to be installed at Santa Anita this fall. I must say, I am truly excited about this. It is like I will still be with ALL of you each day at the races. I’ll be right there…by the path I took to the paddock for some of my most exciting races…including my 2 Breeders’ Cup victories. WOW!

I hope you are all getting ready for a FUN weekend of racing. There are 3 year old stakes taking place at various tracks around the country, ANIMAL KINGDOM returns to the races….and BLACK CAVIAR (Aus) goes for #19 on Saturday. She is running in the Coolmore Lightning Stakes-G1 at Flemington in Australia. The race is 1000 meters on the turf. She is shortening up for this race. Her last race was at 1400 meters. Black Caviar will carry 125 pounds in her quest for another victory. From what I’m hearing, the race will run at 12:10 a.m. EST.

I’m sending her a HIGH HOOF for GOOD LUCK! Her accomplishments are something to truly be admired. Etching one’s place in the record books is not an easy thing to achieve. All the best to you on Saturday, BLACK CAVIAR (Aus)!

Many of you have asked HOW I AM DOING? I am doing extremely well. I am due at the beginning of March…but from what I am hearing from Charles and Mike….maiden mares ‘can do their own thing’. Since I have never done this before, meaning have a foal, …it is getting really exciting. My pals here at the farm did tell ME to relax, it is still early. It is only February 17th. So, I am listening to their sage advice! I’m taking life easy, enjoying my time outdoors, and all of these precious days before the big event! The same concept applies to TASTY as she is on the exact schedule I am. This is all TOO CUTE!

Have a great weekend and enjoy the PRESIDENT’S DAY observation on Monday. Many businesses are closed…but several tracks will be open for an additional day of racing. Have fun, handicap lots of winners, and enjoy yourselves.

With Love,
Hugs to All~ (A HIGH HOOF to Chrissy and Steve on their wedding!…She’s Dottie’s niece!)
Z

Reader Interactions

813 Comments

  2. / Reply

    Happy Friday Zenny!!! Hope you are doing well today. Congrats on the lifesize statue, I can’t wait to go see once it’s finished. I will be going to the Breeders Cup here at Santa Anita this year. I will plan on going to the grand showing of your statue. Have a wonderful weekend.
    It’s getting closer, I can’t wait for Baby Zenny!!!!!

  4. / Reply

    Hi Zenny and all! I just wanted to take a minute to thank everyone that offered me prayers and encouragement in my rehab the other day. I went thru this same process last year for the right hip, but didn’t have all these problems, so it’s been a real experience for me. Thanks to all of you here, and YOU, Zenny, I know I have a place I can come to for inspiration when I need it. So THANK YOU to all of you! I greatly, truly appreciate it!

    Love you, Sweet Zen! (and all the Z-sters,too!)

    Ingrid in MA

  5. / Reply

    The Arcadia Skyline is gorgeous! Total flat land around my house and I don’t have views like that! Have a great day Zenny and can’t wait for “baby Z”. My great-niece or nephew is due Feb 29th so I’m looking forward to both babies…

    • / Reply

      Dear Sally:
      Congrats on soon becoming a Great Auntie. I have a Great Niece whom I adore. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      So, your great-niece or -nephew will be the same “year” as Zenny’s foal! Close to the same day is fun!

  7. / Reply

    Dearest Zenyatta,
    I am so sorry that I did not have the opportunity to respond to your fantastic news yesterdayI It was such an emotional day, in more ways than one.
    The magnificent statue which will come to life through Nina Kaiser’s genius hands will realize one of our most cherished dreams. Your dance will be forever frozen in time and cast in bronze, which, like your name, will develop a rich patina that will grow in lustre through the years.
    Old John Henry will no doubt prove a bit of an ornery handful at first, and will want to nose you out of the spotlight, but he will soon be head-over-hocks in love with you. Seabiscuit may give you his famous hairy eyeball, and challenge you to a race around the paddock oval, but in no time flat, he too will be totally smitten, and thinking that he would rather face a half-dozen War Admirals than one Zenyatta! The “Iceman” will be struck with wonder then he beholds your splendid vision, and will rue anew the fact that he was born too soon to have known your greatness. And when Nina’s illustrious “heads” get a squint at you, dear Z, they will soon be talking heads indeed—-all about YOU!
    What an UN-BELIEVABLE fall meeting at Santa Anita is waiting in the wings! And YOU will once again be the star of the show!

      • / Reply

        Thank you, Kennedys! Speaking of entertaining, don’t forget that Downton’s grand finale of the season airs this Sunday night!

      • / Reply

        Hi Sharon, another fellow Downton addict. Thank you so much for your good words. I will try!
        Did you know that the MASTERPIECE site has been featuring live chat with cast members for the past several weeks? On Monday, February 20th, Brendan Coyle (Mr. Bates) will be be the guest. 10:00 A.M. PST.

    • / Reply

      Cynthia, the way you worded this post I could just imagine it exactly the way you said. Gave me goosebumps. Thank you.

      • / Reply

        Darlene and Cindy, Your lovely words are so appreciated right now. My journalist hero, Anthony Shadid, age 43, died yesterday. He is the bar by which I measure all writing standards.

        • @
          Cynthia – I was listening to TERRI GROSS on NPR RADIO today. She did a repeat interview with Anthony Shadid. It is such a great loss to journalism and the world. My deepest condolences to his family. Apparently died as the result of an asthma attack while fleeing on horseback – allergic reaction — I’m sure more details will follow. Very sad. Such a vibrant man.

        • Delrene, yes, it was an asthma attack which got him, and not the extremely hazardous conditions under which he constantly lived—-by choice. Hemingway said that he felt that no-one lives their lives all the way up, except bullfighters (please excuse that reference on this site). Well, Anthony Shadid really did live his life all the way up, everyday. Thank you very much for your words in his honor. It is great consolation to know that, although he is gone, his words will live on.

        • So sorry I am coming to this post so late. I too admired Anthony Shadid. I knew him through interviews Amy Goodman conducted with him on her TV and radio show Democracy Now. Anthony will be sorely missed–he was truly the best of the best, and took on the dangerous task of reporting from the Middle East because he knew it was vitally inportant that the world better understand what is happening there. He had the skill, talent and courage to do it like none other. May he rest in peace.

    • / Reply

      Love all of the greats mentioned and their little
      Quirks. Wonder if Zenny could have beat the likes
      Of ornery John Henry and the small but mighty Seabiscuit,
      Only in our dreams these matches will happen.

      • / Reply

        I think it is all of the best that these matches can happen only in our dreams, Sign. I for one know, that my nerves could not take it!

    • / Reply

      Love it,! You make it all come alive. I will have to make it out of the Midwest and get to Santa Anita to see it.

      • / Reply

        Thank you, Bobbie. You MUST put a visit to Santa Anita high on your bucket list! Come and experience the magic for yourself!

    • / Reply

      Thank you Cynthia for so beautifully capturing the Santa Anita paddock & the incredible history commemorated there! It’s one of my most favorite places on this earth!

      • / Reply

        I am so glad that it resonated with you, Carmela. Pasadena is also one of my favorite places on earth. Incredible city!

    • / Reply

      Dearest Cynthia, Your comment is UN-BE-LIE-VA-BLY BEAU-TI-FUL! It is always such a pleasure to read your posts. High hoof, and wishing you all the best!

      • / Reply

        YOU are unbelievably beautiful, Trina “Great-♥.” High hoof to you, for your selfless devotion to Zenyatta’s Diary!

    • / Reply

      Cynthia, Congratulations on a fantastic post, I loved it. All I can say is that the boys will soon be put in their place when the Queen looks down on them, or should I say that they will have to look up to her. Thanks for the heads up on the Downton interviews, I missed them so I hope they will repeat.

    • / Reply

      My dear Cynthia, your post was wonderful with fantastic descriptions!! Thank you so much!!! You made my mind travel to Santa Anita and the stillness of evening just before darkness decends and a soft glow lights the sky. It is now that history comes alive and the spirits of the past live again. Zenyatta will be surrounded with memories that thicken the air. The warm days of summer, the crowds filling the grandstands, stars of the silver screen taking their places and stars of the racing world leaving their mark. What a dream like setting for our Zenny to dance in.

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTgCJDefFrE&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL88491B40E167056B

  8. / Reply

    Love you so much, Z and your amazing and wonderful team. You have no idea the joy you bring to our lives. Enjoy every minute of every day and know that love follows you all.

  9. / Reply

    Darling Lady Z, I won’t ever be able to see your statue, as Santa Anita is too far! However, I KNOW there will be plenty of pictures! I wish I could have an autographed picture of you, sweet lady! Hugs and kisses and best wishes from Tennessee for you and Tasty.

  10. / Reply

    Happy Friday, Zenny and Tasty! I look forward to being able to have my husband take my picture standing next to YOUR statue! Happy long weekend, everyone.

  12. / Reply

    Love the news about your statue–and love the fact that I’ll be going to one of the few stakes races here in Berkeley at Golden Gate Fields this Saturday. Jerry Hollendorfer is running Lady of Fifty, who the California Oaks and is only the third filly ever to run the El Camino. Go ladies!

  13. / Reply

    Oh I do love that picture. I have seen the clouds hug the hills a few times and it is so pretty. We visit our daughter in San Diego and I sure hope I can get to Santa Anita sometime in the future. I saw you at Hollywood Park in the paddock and I was so moved I cried. It was my son in law and I and just a few others standing at the rail . Mario was letting you graze under a large tree and when you lifted your head and looked at me it took my breath away.
    I wish you restful waiting and for your family , too.
    Love you

  14. / Reply

    Oh Zenny, you make my day. The first thing I do when I get up in the morning is look to see if your foal has arrived.
    Wishing you a happy weekend, and to Tasty too…

    xxx000

  15. / Reply

    Zenny, I didn’t get to congratulate you yesterday but I cried as I read the article about your statue. I always get teary when you get such credit for being the wonder girl that you are. What a terrrific honor and so deserved. Bless you and I love you.

  17. / Reply

    Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!! Zenyatta, you and Tasty just keep taking it easy!!! Your lives will change fast enough! It will go from relaxed and easy to keeping an eye on the little ones!!!! They are so frisky when young. All have a great weekend!!!

  19. / Reply

    I know your statue is going to be gorgeous – just like you. I hope to one day get out there to see it (and play some races, of course.) I wanted to share a pic with all of you. My autographed photo I got at YOUR Breeders Cup party back in November just came back from the frame shop. It’s got the Moss’ silks colors in the mat board & the frame is BC purple. Some may find it a bit too wild, but I think it’s perfect. At least, it’s just right for me. It has the good museum glass to protect the photo & all the autographs. It makes me furiously happy! http://tinyurl.com/85czl6m

    Happy Friday, y’all!

    • / Reply

      That is very cool!! I’m sure it will brighten up the room in which it hangs and if other people think the color choices are too wild that is just their problem – lol!!

      • / Reply

        Thanks y’all! My honey does think it’s obnoxious, but he also knows it’s completely my style and exactly what I wanted, which is why he a) took me to the BC -twice, b) bought me 2 tickets to Zenny’s party even though he was NOT planning to attend – he wanted me to have a friend with me, and c) paid to have the photo framed. He knew this was what I would want & didn’t mind a bit. BTW, I am SO excited to be going to the Derby this year! So lucky and thankful to have such a wonderful man who understands me better than I understand myself.
        I hope ALL of you out there are as fortunate & have someone who adores you for your good/bad/ugly.
        Mwah!♥

  20. / Reply

    Can’t wait to see your statue!! I won’t miss that for the world. And I am looking forward to seeing your baby!! Me and the rest of the world.Have a great weekend Lady Z!!

  21. / Reply

    Wow, Z! That picture really is beautiful! I am so glad to hear that you are doing well :)

    The bronze statue of you is a wonderful idea and I am sure it will turn out great!

    Good luck to Black Caviar! She is truly a remarkable race horse. Horses that have winning streaks like her and yourself is great for the sport! It brings people together and captivates fans. Hopefully she will win and continue to bring people to the sport (just like you did for me)! <3

    Has TEAM ZENYATTA picked out a new "boyfriend" for you yet?? ;-)

    Love, Katie(future jockey)

  23. / Reply

    Zenny and Dottie, have you decided how much specific information you are allowed to share at the time of the precious baby’s birth? Will we know when labor begins? I realize privacy is important. Have any possible names been considered by The Mosses and will they be there? So many questions. We are so thrilled and want everything to be just right. I played again a Youtube video of Bernardini which showed some of his fantastic races where he won by several lengths. He was described as having good conformation and temperment which balanced Zenyatta’s large size and high strung nature.

  24. / Reply

    Hey Big Mama Z! I always love a good picture of the San Gabriel mountains. I never get tired of looking those gorgeous mountains. I ran out and got the Racing form yesterday so I could have a hard copy of your statue story. Good scrapbook material. It’s getting very close to junior coming along. Oooh, I can’t wait. Take it easy, sweet girl. XOXO!

  25. / Reply

    Maybe we will all get to see it at Santa Anita when we are all there for hopefully the second annual Zenyatta celebration on Breeders Cup Ladies Day….? Can’t wait.

  26. / Reply

    Dearest Z–what a lovely picture of the mountains. I remember reading some time back in an issue of BH magazine about Einstein when he went to SA for the first time. It recounted how he was mesmerized by the view of the mountains. But YOU got to enjoy them often.
    Safe trips to all racing this weekend. We are eagerly awaiting momentous NEWS from you (wink,wink).

    • / Reply

      Most likely not yet.

      Soon her bag will fill with milk–but Z is a maiden mare (never giving birth before) so her milk might not come in until just before she delivers or after.

      It’s still too early. We don’t want anything before Feb 26 (day 330).

      So how will Lane’s End know? They won’t! That’s why the mares are constantly checked. When they are outside there checked every 15 mins. A telltale sign is a mare leaving her paddock mate. Mares generally like to be alone to give birth. It’s hard wired into them to not bring attention. Test strips may or may not be helpful, but watching the mare in her stall pace could be an indicator.

      This is why you ALWAYS have experienced broodmare folk on hand. This kind of experience is something your born with. You have unlimited patience, can stay awake at night and have the know how to help the mare. Some of this learned, but just like some kids are born athletes are some are born clutzy–those are things that foaling people are graced with.

      Another thing to look for is the baby dropping. Everything will change. Right now in the photos we see Z big in the tummy. But not the dropped look. It will be VERY pronounced. The area right in front of her hind legs will drop. She’ll look like she ate a huge boulder or balloon! Have no fears–that’s the baby turning over getting ready for delivery.

      Right now her baby is still sitting width wise in her tummy. Right before (usually a couple of a days but it could be weeks with some mares) the baby will drop. Then the positioning of the baby becomes critical. We want two forelegs in front with babies nose on top. We want one foreleg slightly in front of the other.

      Funny enough if the baby’s turned the wrong way–getting the mare up and walking her will a lot of times turn the baby. With no invention! Sounds bizarre and how so. I can only tell you what I’ve read. That’s as far as I’m going in this direction.

      Other than thinking good thoughts for Z (and praying if that is your thing)that’s about all WE can do. Don’t think negatively. It’ll make you more anxious and won’t help Z at all. And it’ll make the others here worry more.

      Stay away from caffeine! It makes you more nervous! Pacing is good. And just be patient which is a whole lot easier said than done.

      Believe you me I worry and get anxious. Then I remind myself that it’s still too early. So what do I expect in the days ahead? Pacing, trying to distract myself with good books and movies. Checking throughout the day for news. Since I’m not there and couldn’t help anyway I just try to be a quiet fly on the wall.

      I hope this helps. And I don’t mean to preach.

      • / Reply

        Margaret–thanks for the details…it’s been a while since I’ve been around a foaling mare…and I do remember it being very nerve-wracking as it gets closer. And yes, with maiden mares you can’t always go by the “book”…nature does play her variations on the theme with them, alot. I just pray that Z’s little one comes out straight & strong, and she takes to mothering like a pro.

  28. / Reply

    Dearest Zenyatta,

    I really enjoy all the pics you share with us in your diary. The clouds are something I gaze at every day and I know that you do, too! I’m not sure if I’ve ever heard you say you like to birdwatch, but since you’re such a curious mare I have a feeling that you do. My horses and cats both watch all the birds closely. Here on the gulf coast we have hundreds of them and the horses are especially captivated when they see the tall sandhill cranes feeding in the pasture next to them.

    Here’s wishing you see many beautiful clouds and birds today, dear Z, as you relax and wait for Baby Z to arrive. Many hugs and kisses to You and Tasty!

    Much love,
    Stel

  30. / Reply

    Zenny I am so excited about your baby. I can’t wait. I am trying to rescue a mare that is due in april but is in bad shape so hopefully they will sell her to me and they will do well when I get them. Keep your hooves crossed this will work out. I owned her as a one and two year old and she fell into bad hands. I wish they all had a life like you. God bless you and all your connections you all are the best!

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