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

    • / Reply

      Dear Sign, Max and Abigail:

      Wow, that’s great. Ten years old. Third spot not bad for first race of the year. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      So glad to hear Musketeer’s history.
      TB are very durable if treated well and obviously
      He has been. In the regular horse world a 10
      Year old is a great commodity. Time enough
      To be well trained, just enough experience but
      A youngster. Have to be 15 or 17 to be a veteran
      Or pro that has done everything many many times
      And have lots of intuition and conservation
      Qualities to their personalities.

      • / Reply

        Dear Abigail:

        Can you believe it! We’re almost there. BTW, love all your posts. Haven’t had a chance to visit The Vault lately, but will soon. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Judy, I loved this video. Thanks. I’ve been calm so far, but….. Looking forward to a new diary entry tomorrow. Maybe there will be news of more progress.

    • / Reply

      Musk is a great horse. Coming in 3rd is great for his first race of this year.

      Simmard is owned and trained by Roger Attfield. Looks like Canadians owned that race. Congrats.

      • / Reply

        Max: Yeah — just terrific horses. And I just LOVED the way Atfield got all soppy about Musketier. But Atfield is one of my VERY FAVOURITE trainers. He just loves his horses and he’s so respectful of them — another John S. or Nick Zito.

        • Yes. He is a great man and trainer. Musk is just a wonderful horse with a lot of character. Today’s effort was no disgrace and he came in the money to keep himself in oats and carrots. Johnny V always seems to like to ride him. He goes to Woodbine often to do it. He was interviewed last fall in Toronto and said some very positive things about both this horse and his trainer. I like to watch the videos of races at Woodbine because a lot of their horses enjoy tossing their riders, jumping the fences and going back to their barns to see their pals. It is never dull at that racetrack.

        • Didn’t his finish make him racing’s newest millionaire?? He was gutsy though. Skills on his behalf to fight hard, and get that third, but I think the winner and the third placer combined are 17 years old. It was a day for the graceful older men. ;-)

  6. / Reply

    Congratulations to Loro – Excellent effort!!! Almost there.
    Must catch up……. I’ve been really concerned with the safety of my son currently in Afghanistan. He has approx. 3 weeks and due back on U. S. soil mid March . He is one of the pilots training Afghan Air pilots and has been there since last March. Not much he can say. but got a short e mail saying he was ok as of Sat. Trying to think positive for all and having a bit of a panic attack. Can’t believe I just said that but I feel safe here. Looking at the links will keep me busy and watching some of these great races is comforting. I’m just a bit fragile at the moment. Zenyatta diary helps calm me.
    A big hug to you Zenyatta and Tasty too.
    Hugs & kisses on your noses.

      • / Reply

        Delrene
        My apologies for name mistake.
        With an unusual name, I try and be aware.
        Had a “senior” moment.
        Still thinking of you & keeping you in my prayers.

    • / Reply

      Delrene,

      Sending positive thoughts from Colorado. March is going to be a great month with much anticipation, “on so many levels”, as Zenyatta would say. Chin up…we’re all holding your hand waiting.

    • / Reply

      Delrene, God Bless you and your soldier son. I shall pray nitely for him and all our precious young men over there. Hugs

    • / Reply

      Delrene: My thoughts are with you and I send you hugs. As a mother I can well understand what you’re feeling, but it’s best to keep yourself occupied with other things besides worrying. We’re here for you & Zenny + Tasty are about to present all of us with THE MAJOR DISTRACTIONS of early March! Much love, Abigail

    • / Reply

      Delrene
      What a stressful time. Prayers for safety and a quick
      Return to US soil, he is truely one of our American
      Heros. Thoughts and prayer to you for making it
      Through every day with a focus on other things and
      The love of everyone on this site.

    • / Reply

      Delrene…will be praying everyday for the next 3 weeks till you let us know he is on home soil. xoxo Stephanie

    • / Reply

      Delrene,
      You ARE safe here with us in Zennyland! Take deep breaths and feel the hugs that are coming your way. Thoughts and prayers for your son’s safe return home to you. All the very best, always.

    • / Reply

      Delrene,
      Will be praying with you and for you – for your son and his squadron. I’m so glad you are on this wonderful website and part of Zenny’s family, as I know so many people with be sharing lifting up you and your son in prayer. We lived in Carlsbad when my husband was at Camp Pendleton and later in San Diego. Went through waiting for him to come home from Mideast and also my brother. Will be thinking of you especially in the next few weeks. Wish I could hug you…. please consider yourself hugged from NM! You’ve raised a warrior, so your a warrior’s Mom. Think about Zenny’s races – always coming from the back – stealthily coming round to win. She’s been a warrior too. Love that thought, don’t you?! So glad you’re sharing your waiting time. Everyone I know with be keeping prayers up. Love to you and will keep praying, Elizabeth PS We are so blessed to have your son defending freedom.

    • / Reply

      Derlene,
      PPS Peace-keeping. Thanks to your son.
      Post postscript…. Derlene, remember Zenny’s looking to you to keep up the Auntie Pacing for she and Tasty with the rest of us aunties and uncles … looking forward to 2 new little ones soon (well perhaps not ‘so’ little).

  7. / Reply

    UK is the first school to win both the men’s and women’s SEC regular-season title
    since LSU did it in 2006.
    UK=University of Kentucky!
    Go Big Blue!

    • / Reply

      He was strolling at the top of the stretch. He finished and his ears were pricked and he didn’t look tired at all in the winner’s circle. He may never be Barbaro, but the similarities are almost scary. I am expecting big things for him, and I think he will do VERY well in the TC trail.

  10. / Reply

    Great ride by Julian Leparu; cake walk to the
    Wire: the Derby Favorite; no lugging out
    Wide for UR. Wow what an easy win.

  16. / Reply

    Union Rags — VERY impressive! I hadn’t seen “Rags” since he became a 3 year-old and am so impressed with him — he’s filled out nicely & seems to have gained some height too. Appears to be a strong, solid colt. I don’t really think that Discreet Dancer got the ride he needed though, considering it was also his first time around two turns. If he really is a speed horse, he should never have been allowed to hit the front that fast. It will be interesting to see if he has learned anything from this his next time out.

    • / Reply

      Abigail. With that blaze, Rags looks like Northern Dancer, who is on both sides of his pedigree. Good win. He looked very determined to win that race.

    • / Reply

      Abigail – I’ve been told that when a horse’s natural running ability is to be on the lead, is running around two turns and going the distance for the first time, you need to put the horse on the lead. It’s more advantageous for the horse to be up front than to be trailing and trying to make up the ground. It didn’t help that the horse that was racing in second was at his throatlatch either – but that horse had to “go” from the start because that was his only chance of winning. I’m sure that being under that type of pressure took something out of him. It may also be that he’s limited by his pedigree. The best thing for Discreet Dancer at this point is to have him compete in a route race (it doesn’t need to be a graded race, but it needs to be more than a mile) to see if he’s capable of winning at that distance. If he’s not, he’s probably better off running at a lesser distance. Only time and his ability will tell.

      • / Reply

        Doreen: thanks for this. Very interesting! But isn’t it also an advantage to try to teach a 3 year-old alternate “moves,” given the fact that so few horses can get through the Triple Crown (or their careers) unless they have a “Plan B”?

        • Abigail – you can try different scenarios, but you need time on your side and a willing horse. If you have neither, it’s best to have him run in a race that is more suited to his running style and ability. It’s like putting blinkers on a horse for the first time prior to the race. It might help the horse to focus better, but it’s something that he has to get accustomed to, if he does at all. Horses are creatures of habit and anything that is introduced to them will take time and acceptance on the horse’s part. Even if you get him to rate, it doesn’t mean that he has the ability to win at any given distance.

        • Doreen: Thanks for this fuller explanation! I really appreciate it. I would never have made the connection between blinkers & rating off the pace, although I do know that there are horses who need to always run their race their way (like our Zenny). But for many years now, I have considered how Secretariat varied his style in each of the three Triple Crown races & it’s my opinion that being able to do that kind of thing makes any horse tougher to beat. I guess, in a certain sense, that I may be right about that. Thanks again. It’s always so fabulous to be able to learn from others.

    • / Reply

      Thanks for posting this, seems to have the talent
      And determination of his brother !!!!

      Really loved Well Armed and his story with
      Winstar farms.

  21. / Reply

    At SA, Gary Stevens announces the winner of the 2012 George Woolf Memorial Award, and the winner is—Ramon Dominguez! Congratulations to Ramon.

  22. / Reply

    OOPS–BIG MISTAKE! Bob Baffert ran TWO horses in the first race this morning–I only noticed that the favorite came in third! THEY SAY BAFFERT HAS NOW WON 13 IN A ROW! My apologizes for wrong post above.

    • / Reply

      Okay, now they announced that Baffert’s streak ended with race fourteen, but thirteen in a row is quite something, I’d say.

  24. / Reply

    Congrats to Union Rags and the weekend’s winners.
    @Delrene in Carlsbad–dear girl, I wish all the Dumplings could be ther ein Carlsbad for you now. It sound so trite, but we ARE with you in spirit, dear one. We’ll pray for his safety and eagerly await any updates you have. Big hugs.

  25. / Reply

    Dear Z Family thank you for all the prayers for Miesha. It was another hard day. My husband and I are so praying this Dr. can help her. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful group of people that are loving and caring. I have been sick and it makes everything seem worse when one does not feel good. I have missed many Birthdays and I want to Wish All a Happy Birthday. The Beautiful poems that Trina writes makes every birthday so special. Trina you could write for Hallmark. In fact I think your better than Hallmark.
    I will let everyone know what the Specialist says. Thank You and God Bless. Love, Shari
    @ Delrene I am praying for your son. God Bless that Brave young man.
    @ Dawn I am so glad you liked your card. It spoke from my heart : )

    • / Reply

      I am praying every day for Miesha and a speedy recovery for her as well. I am sure she is a tough cookie, just like her strong, and kind owner. Many prayers, and good wishes. I will try to write something for Miesha and you, and post it on here as soon as I can.

  26. / Reply

    Hay Website Team,
    Need to check out Z’s 19th victory video as it caused my computer to go blue screen! I rebooted okay but after I backed up everything, I tried it again with the same result.

  28. / Reply

    Dear Z Fans:

    That race, Z’s 19th, is the most exciting, stunning performance by any horse I have ever seen in my life. Every time I watch it, I’m in awe. It’s not just how many races she won, but the way she won them. What a magnificent horse she is. Hugs, JB

  29. / Reply

    I’m so humbled by all your positive comments and I feel your positive strength coming to me through this website. Yesterday I went for a hike at the Point Loma Lighthouse monument – a spot where you can see the navy Jets fly in to North Island. It was a beautiful day and I tried to wear myself out with physical exercise. Probably today just a bit too much time to think. You are all wonderful. I’m honored to know you all even though it’s in writing. The energy comes through. I thought this was a great article about the “old warriors still racing”. My computer is really slow today…. http://www.drf.com/news/hovdey-happy-ending-one-old-gelding

    • / Reply

      This is an exceptional article about some exceptional horses. It was a joy to read.

      As for you, I hope that you will be okay in this time of stress. Someone here said that service men and women are all heroes. So are their families, especially the moms. We fans of Zenyatta will be thinking of you each day until he is safely back. We will be pacing positively during the next weeks for you, your son and Zenyatta. Best to you.

  30. / Reply

    Dear Delrene:
    Thank you for the article from J. Hovdey. So nice to see people like Mr. Irlando watching over these older horse and giving them a chance at life after racing. So many times the stories are very different. Keeping you and your boy in our prayers, Judy and Russ

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