Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Z's Diary

Diary Post #444

Tasty and I....relaxing in the sun! Photo by Sarah Campion

Happy Friday Dear Friends,

I have always been one to enjoy an early afternoon nap! I was on a very definite schedule when I was in training at BARN 55. MY JOHN used to have the entire barn area be completely peaceful after our morning training hours and 10:30 a.m. breakfast. This way all of the horses could totally rest, relax, and nap. He would have the fans turned on so we would have lots of fresh air circulating and the entire environment was completely tranquil. This is a habit I have continued to enjoy since I’ve been at Lane’s End. I must say, I love my naps!

When at Barn 55, this was the time MY JOHN would walk around and just observe us while we were resting! It was sweet to see him always ‘peeking in on ME’ as he walked around the shed row and made sure everyone was A-OK! Here at the farm, when I’m napping in the paddock, TASTY watches over ME to be sure I’m safe and happy. I do the same thing for her when she is resting. We have truly developed quite a bond. It is all so very special!

FRIENDSHIP is such a wonderful thing….and a TRUE FRIEND is something to be cherished!

Amid all of our other activities over the weekend, TASTY and I want to keep up on the great racing. The Fairgrounds, Gulfstream, Oaklawn, Santa Anita and Aqueduct have some very contentious fields running over the next few days. Several of the races will help to determine more about the 3 year old picture. Breeders’ Cup Sprint Champion, AMAZOMBIE, is running at Santa Anita and this should be one “fast” race. Good Luck to him and MY MIKIE who will be on board.

Don’t forget, MY MIKIE is getting close to win #5000! We have to keep current on his countdown as well! There is so much each day for us to do! This is really very positive as it keeps our minds busy as we progress through the next few weeks!

Enjoy the weekend of racing…relax, have fun, and here’s wishing you lots of WINNERS!

With Love,
Hugs to all~(Isn’t TASTY “TOO CUTE” in this photo!)
Z

Reader Interactions

836 Comments

  2. / Reply

    Another lovely picture by Sarah. She’s so lucky to have such a fantastic job, getting to see YOIU every day and be surrounded by all the other beautiful horses. Perhaps you can whisper in her ear that if she ever decides to take a few days off I’d love to stand in for her. I do hope that you and Tasty foal close together, you’ll both be lonely if you have to be separated, but maybe Lane’s End has adjoining paddocks waiting for you and your little ones to romp in.
    Vic is going to miss Suki today, no riding lesson. Vic had to have the nail removed from her big toe on Tuesday and it’s quite swollen and painful. She can’t get any shoes or boots on so we won’t be going to the barn. I’ll miss seeing the horses and perhaps they’ll miss me – no treats today. Good Luck to Amazombie and Mike, safe trips to all.

    • / Reply

      Brenda and Vic, oh my gosh just the thought makes my toe ache, I had an ingrown toenail once and was practically incapacitated for days. Hope you are feeling better real soon I bet it just kills you to give up seeing your horse! Hugs Sue

    • / Reply

      Brenda; Owwie, owwie! Fingers and toes are the most sensitive parts of your body I was told!! I was wearing winter boots walking so much, I think I got a type of turf toe.
      Then our weather got mild so I could wear tennis shoes. That helped. My sister gave me these big cuddle socks for X-mas. They were so roomy and really helped alot. Of course so did soaking with epsom salt. But a nail removed!! Ouch!!! Hope Vic & you can resume seeing your horse real soon.

    • / Reply

      Ouch indeed! Feet and toe issues are very tough to bear. Each time that I buy a new pair of shoes I have problems and sometimes old shoes or boots just suddenly decide to wreck havoc on the feet. I understand why horses need special care with their hooves. I hope that Vic gets better from this very soon. Keep us advised.

  4. / Reply

    Zenny & Tasty, you two BFFs are just too cute! I think that is so special that you take such good care of one another. I must say though when I was pregnant if I would have laid on the ground this late in my pregnancy, they would have needed a crane to get me up. Can’t believe how amazing you mares are carrying all the weight and still being able to get around.

    Sending best wishes to Mikie on Amazombie this weekend for a safe and successful ride towards the big 5,000.

    It’s going to be hard to get thru this weekend with no news, my god not till Monday, so much can happen by then. Guess I’ll just continue to pace, pace, pace. But I know Kari is there keeping an eye on you two.

    Kisses on your noses, Auntie Sue

    • / Reply

      Dear Sue Fredricks:

      Try not to worry. I have a feeling if something happens over the weekend, Dottie will let us know. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Hi Sue:
      I was thinking the same thing. Tasty can relax now. Kari is now watching over Zenny! And you know she won’t let anything happen to Zenny.

  5. / Reply

    Jag, Another HIGH HOOF, what a great thing to do. By the way, the Decorah eagle nest is snowy today, do you know whether they have three eggs now?

    • / Reply

      @ BRENDA
      No, I still only see 2 eggs! Yes, the snow storm came in last night while I was watching – incredible how they adapt!! I love them dearly XO
      Judy G

    • / Reply

      @ Brenda
      Yes, she laid the 3rd egg Friday night around 8 p.m CST!! It is just amazing! ♥ ♥ ♥

  6. / Reply

    Zenny, I look at you and Toasty and get such a peaceful feeling as it reminds me of my afternoon nappers here on my farm..It is so nice to see you so relaxed I am so looking forward to the birth of yours and toasty’s foals. You’ll both be great moms..Waiting patiently. Brenda

  8. / Reply

    Ahhhhhh Queen ”Z” I love to see you and Tasty being so close !~!~! And it just warms my heart that the ”Two” of you are being first time ”Mom’s” Together and will raise your babies together !

    It won’t be long now !~!

    Huggggzzzz ,

    Jan in WV

  12. / Reply

    Zen, nice to have good friends :) Hope you have a good weekend. I won’t be around the internet again until Monday and I sort of wonder if this is the weekend you have the foal. I know it’s a bit early but just a feeling… Guess we will see. Maybe I’m just impatient for baby news! :)

  13. / Reply

    Zenny, I was thrilled to get a card from you yesterday. I’ve already put it in a place of honor here at home. Such gorgeous pictures of you and Tasty. Love always to you both.

  14. / Reply

    I love today’s photo — TT is such a beautiful guardian angel for the QUEEN as she rests. The countdown is so exciting! I’m a Feb. baby (13th) but my day would have been too early, so I’m hoping that all JAG’s karma works out for the 9th.
    The Mosses have a great record for creativity in their name selections, so I know they will find a wonderful name this little one. But it’s so hard to wait!!!!!
    Have a great weekend, all you pacing aunts and uncles, and go MIKEY!
    Annie B in MA

  15. / Reply

    Zenyatta. TT looks like she is a first rate protector for you. You both look well and relaxed in the photo. The countdown continues. Everyone but you and TT is anxiously pacing!

    According to her Facebook, the lovely Zazu is 4 today. Happy Birthday, Zazu.

  16. / Reply

    And of course, Zenny, keeping current on Mikie’s countdown to #5000, helps “keep our minds busy” as we progress through the next few weeks of PACING! Same for the various races around the Country, and the Oscars (Academy Awards) this Sunday — just other things to think about, besides you-know-whatl!

  18. / Reply

    What special friends you and Tasy are! When your babies are older will you and Tasty be able to be turned out together with your “little ones”?
    You two are so cute I can hardly take it!

  19. / Reply

    Dear Keta, I have just finished reading the tribute by Lee Harris to your beloved late husband, Bob Hagen, inductee in the Broadcasters Hall of Fame. He was a HERO! I was very moved learning about how he had stood up for his principles and championed the causes of civil rights and union members, and how he rose to the top of his profession while doing so! Bless him! And I was charmed to read how he loved YOU for your beauty, intelligence, outlook on life, and sense of humor—bless you too! Thank you for sharing this inspiring story with us.
    To those who missed the link which was posted late yesterday in the midst of recollections by Sandy (NE Ohio), Signofthetimes, Jan S (Houston), and Marty R (CO) of younger years spent in Ohio, here it is:
    http://bobhagen.com/index.htm

    • / Reply

      Trina,
      What a touching post! Thank you.
      You are right. Bob was very special.
      We were married just short of 46 years,
      I was/am his biggest fan,
      I am grateful that I kept so much of his work.
      Still love hearing his voice.

    • / Reply

      Have to share a Bob story
      He knew from the start the love this KY born girl had for horses.
      As we moved around the country, he would make sure that we would go to the tracks.
      I mentioned these in an earlier post. These were infrequent in a very busy life of
      crazy schedules and breaking news.
      Now, I would study the bloodlines, read the charts, and bet my $2 with all this scientific data.
      Bob would look at the card, the jockey colors, the horse and bet his $2.
      We would sit in grandstands and stand by the rail.
      I hold the family record of having every horse I bet one day come in last.
      That same day every horse Bob bet came in 1st.
      We often laughed about this–yet to this day I still study bloodlines & charts.

      • / Reply

        Keta-Wonderful memories indeed. I think I did better, betting wise, when I didn’t know as much about the horses as I do now.

  21. / Reply

    Is Zenyatta watching “Luck?” They had a race scene last Sunday that evoked Zenyatta’s wonderful stretch runs . . . not half as great as she, but did catch that special magic. Actually, it might not be good for Zenyatta to watch Luck unless she has her cotton balls in her ears to avoid the salty language !!

    • / Reply

      Everyone needs cotton balls in their ears to watch such filthy stuff as that. It’s not fit for a family…….or for encouraging new people to fall in love with horseracing.

    • / Reply

      PeggyOne: I ditto that. After all the hardwork that the trainers and the various track owners did last year to promote the sport of horseracing and then you have this filthy show: “Luck” air. The show is a disgrace. And I hope no one watches it.

      Horseracing has been on life support for several years. This show does nothing to promote the sport. It is an absolute disgrace. And I have lost all respect for the actors in this show. Where are their principles.

      • / Reply

        Linda, I was going to say, “in their pocketbooks”. But they must think this is a “reality” that people want to see — people stuck in sleaze. Except they’re likely wrong. It just left me feeling, “Okay, so why would I want to sit in the gutter?” I have better things to do with my precious time.

        • I just watch for the horses. I loved the scene when the solid, dark horse made the dead-last-to-first move. It reminded me of Zenyatta, but of course, nothing can come close to the original patented version. But it made me tear up from the sheer emotion of the moment. It was a beautiful scene. I also remember a particular line that Vick Stauffer (spelling?) made about Zenyatta that the announcer in the movie made about the horse:
          “We are looking at a future super-star.”

        • Point taken, Pati. I did like the horses too, the jockeys, and the cinematography. That showed a “love of racing”, as Milch said in an interview. I saw it on a free preview, but if I had a subscription to HBO, I might try it again with the sound off, or frequent use of the mute button.

    • / Reply

      I haven’t seen “Luck” as the satellite money is now spent on hay. Regarding the “salty language,” that’s life on the backside. Not for the faint of heart, nor the easily offended.

      • / Reply

        Hi AngelaFromAbilene: I am not offended over the salty language. The 2 times that I tuned in, I found that this show is about the very, very, very dark side of horseracing. And that is what I took offense to. The sport needs promoting not this.

      • / Reply

        I don’t have HBO any more, however, I heard “rumors” at the track that if the viewers stick it out… the show will get better – whatever THAT means! I guess better story-line and not such graphic images as in the premiere. Again, I don’t have HBO so I won’t be watching to give my opinion! :-P

      • / Reply

        Luck is actually getting better; the characters are developing and not such
        a dark side of racing, but darker that we are used to.

        • @Signofthetimes
          Thank you for some positive feedback on “Luck”………it unfortunately shows the side of racing that most race fans don’t WANT to acknowledge exists. The language may be offensive to some (I am having a hard time hearing Gary Stevens swear like a sailor LOL) but the visuals of the dark side of racing that does exist and has ALWAYS existed I suppose is just too hard for some to that only believe in the glamour they see on the surface to watch.

          I don’t mean to offend anyone — but in all things good there is always some bad.

          The actual writing of the show is quite brilliant.

  22. / Reply

    Happy Friday to you too, dear Zenny! I hope you and Tasty have a fabulous weekend and enjoy all the great racing.

    That pic is too cute! I’m glad you and Tasty share such a special friendship.

    Love to all,
    Leslie

  27. / Reply

    Hi Zenyatta and Tasty and Z fans ….. I am curious about the cards you are receiving. Is it a different card from the signed card by the Shirreffs */Entitled the Jockey Club with the number of the plushy (mine # 0046) >http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/24/science/sifrhippus-the-first-horse-got-even-tinier-as-the-planet-heated-up.html?src=recg? Enclosed with that came a lovely little picture of Jamie Corum’s Dancing Queen. – wallet size Are you all saying another separate card came with a picture of Z & TT in a separate envelope? . Just wondering . Thought you might find this article from New York Times of some interest…http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/24/science/sifrhippus-the-first-horse-got-even-tinier-as-the-planet-heated-up.html?src=recg

    Have a wonderful racing weekend everyone. Hope to get thereon Big Cap day….

        • Linda, The Big Cap is the Santa Anita Handicap, the signature race of the Santa Anita meeting. Recall last year, Game on Dude won. Seabiscuit also scored in The Big Cap. This year it will be run on March 3. It is has traditionally been run on the first Saturday in March. We plan to be there.

          The Santa Anita Derby, a major prep race for the KY Derby, is run on the first Saturday in April.

      • / Reply

        John Henry won this race TWICE! In 1981, and in 1982, when Perrault was DQd from 1st for making John drift out wide :-) The head on video is amazing, John didn’t give up! He kept up with Perrault but was forced out which actually made him run MORE ground but he stayed in the game – I love this guy! ♥
        Judy G

        • The 1982 Big ‘Cap was the first non-Triple Crown race I watched on TV … and the race where I fell in love with John Henry. After that I kept bugging my older sister to take me to the track and that fall we went to the Oak Tree meet. I was in junior high and I was so excited about being at Santa Anita! I haven’t missed an Oak Tree/fall meet or Opening Day since, and have seen most of the Big ‘Caps and SA Derbies as well (in fact, the only 2 Derbies I missed were 1988 [Winning Colors] and 1989 [Sunday Silence] who both went on to win the Kentucky Derby).

    • / Reply

      Delrene; The most wonderful surprise came just this past week. It is such a cute card with pictures of Z and one of Z & TT. This card came to, I believe, those who ordered a Plushie, saying “Thank you for being a special friend”, or something like that. Signed “Zenyatta”. You ordered so I think you will get one. Hopefully!

  29. / Reply

    Dear Zenny,
    So nice to see another picture of you and Tasty (but I’d bet it’s not easy for you to get up and down to take naps these days – do you sleep standing up sometimes????). One of my friends (who agreed to be “counted” in your Facebook numbers so now gets your diary entries) called me today to say that she was reading a story in Time Magazine about animals and their friends! She said that although more is known about other species, there was a segment on horses, and researches have found that animals who have friends do better in many ways than those who don’t. Of course we have always known that you and Tasty are such a great help to each other, but it was interesting to hear that this type of friendship had been noted in a non-horse publication. Hope you have a restful weekend and best wishes for safe travels and safe rides to all of those going to or running in races. Have fun you Dumplings out there!
    Love from your Ohio friend, Sandy

    To the former Ohio resident peeps:
    Keta – welcome to the group. I SO enjoyed your story yesterday about Zenyatta and her foal and then found you again in the midst of the “Ohio saga.” That was a wonderful tribute to your husband, and I had to smile at yet another link – I taught at KSU for almost 10 years!

    Now about Cedar Point – I actually did make it there at least a few times, and there is a funny family story about it. Sometime in the late 60s or early 70s, my sister (who had moved to southern Ohio after she got married) came home for a weekend and wanted to do something fun so eventually, my parents, sister and I wound up at Cedar Point. I don’t think that was our original destination, but somehow we got there. It was a beautiful day, and we decided that we wanted to sit on the beach but were dismayed when the “beach guard” wouldn’t let us through because we didn’t have on bathing suits (the beach was apparently ONLY for those who wanted to sun or swim).
    I was continuing to try to “negotiate” when I saw the guard’s expression change to one of shock (the only one who was more shocked was my father!). What I hadn’t seen was that my sister, standing behind me, was taking off her clothes!!! NONE of us knew that she had worn a bathing suit under her outfit of the day. Having achieved the appropriate dress, she said to the guard “OK – NOW can we get on the beach?” He said – “well, YOU can” and she shot back “You HAVE to let the rest of them in so that there will be somebody to watch me” The guard gave up (or probably thought “anything to get rid of these crazy people”) and we spent a pleasant afternoon watching the sights on Lake Erie. We laughed about it for years, and I found the picture this morning which was also good for a giggle.

    • / Reply

      Sandy,
      What a fun story!
      See there are ways around some rigid rules.
      I appreciate the warm welcome to the Ohio group.
      Going back in time, I think Cedar Point was the place where the Big Bands played.
      Touring were bands like Glen Miller, Dorsey,
      If not, maybe someone will remember where.
      Although we are spread around the country, there is always that special connection
      and those small world moments.
      Thank you for looking at Bob’s site.
      Have a good weekend!

    • / Reply

      Great post Sandy! Felt as if I were there! Wish we had something like that out here (CA) when I was growing up! OH WAIT! We did: POP (Pacific Ocean Park) Pier Point Landing in Long Beach Harbor, Knotts Berry Farm (the REAL Knotts – rual- not what it is today) the first Zennyland, oops, Disneyland, AND the one and only, The PIKE in Long Beach – with the largest roller coaster in the world at the time, and who can forget the US NAVY and the sailor boys all over downdown LB, and the wonderful carnival on the PIKE, all the rides and the scary, not so thrilling, forgettable ‘freak’ shows. And the wonderful riding stables where you could rent a horse for an hour or two and ride down the riverbed trails on over to Shady Acres mini golf, where you’d tie up your horse on the hitchin post and go inside the old fashioned soda joint to wet your whistle! What a wonderful time for ‘us’ kids in LB! Thanks Sandy for reminding me those childhood memories!

      • / Reply

        Diana S., you should remember all of this! Gosh, we were neighbors and didn’t even know!

      • / Reply

        The Pike was a great place. The cyclone racer was not to be missed. You can catch a glimpse of what it used to be like in a movie titled Beast from 20,000 Fathoms. The climatic fight with the beast takes place on a model of the old roller coaster.

      • / Reply

        Hee hee – well, you’ve MORE than outdone Cedar Point! Will you be giving tours to Zensters who possibly, maybe might come to the BC??? :-)

  30. / Reply

    Dearest Zenyatta,
    You and Tasty look adorable! You two will be eternal friends.

    Hope You and Tasty have a great weekend keeping up with all the great races!

    Hugs and kisses with much love,
    Stel

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