Good Morning, Everyone!
It was such a fabulous, yet rather quick weekend! I am constantly amazed at how fast the time is flying by now.
It seems like BABY NEWS is definitely in the air here at the farm. I just received this message and wanted to share it with you. It’s from my dear friend, Pirate Queen. As you may remember, when I first arrived at Lane’s End she was one of my original paddock mates. Then Mike and Charles moved things around a bit….and TASTY and I became such dear friends in our own paddock.
Often, so many of you ask about some of my friends here at the farm.
Well, I am very pleased to announce that PIRATE QUEEN had a grey colt…this morning at 3:50 a.m… by QUALITY ROAD. This is her first foal…and the first crop of Quality Road foals…so this adds to the excitement!
I’ve heard that from all reports everything is going well for both Mom and Baby!
I’m due to be rechecked later today to see how i’m doing and how ‘my bag’ is developing. I can tell things are progressing ‘a bit’ in a very nice, positive, and relaxed manner. Since this is the first time for ME, I can’t wait to hear what my veterinarian and the professionals here at the farm have to tell me about my Mom-to-Be news!
I’ll share it all with you in the morning.
On the racing front, the stakes activity over the weekend was fabulous. UNION RAGS put in a very impressive effort in the Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth (G2). It is so great to see his successful 2 year old form carry into his 3 year old year. The Fairgrounds finish in the Risen Star (G2) was a close one…with both El Padrino and Mark Valeski separated by a close photo. The Factor ran one fast race at Santa Anita in the San Carlos (G2)…and a HIGH HOOF to Summer Applause on her victory in the Rachel Alexandra (G3).
Overall, it was a wonderful weekend of racing!
Have a lovely Monday!
With Love,
Hugs to All~(Congratulations, PQ on your new foal!)
Z
Maryp (New York)
Thanks Zenny for the update on Pirate Queen and her new colt…Congrats to her and Quality Road! Can’t wait to hear how your check-up goes tomorrow. Love to you and TT.
Rachael
Congrats to Pirate Queen on what is sure to be a Quality Pirate! We’d love some pictures of your first Kentucky friend and her newborn babe!
Elaine
I want to thank your Dottie and John for being so nice to the students from Santa Maria High School on Friday. My sister, Carolyn, is their teacher. They helped make it a very special day for them! The students were also thrilled to be given Zenyatta hats! Everyone in your “family” is so incredibly nice!!
Sarah Powell, Clemson, SC
Happy to hear that PQ and baby are fine. Lots of pacing, waiting, watching, crossing hooves, fingers and toes out here in Zenyattaland! Collectively holding out breath!
(thanks Dottie as always).
Sarah Powell, Clemson, SC
Oops – Should have read holding “our” breath.
DMCQ in AL
I’m pushing the virtual “like” button Sarah! :)
Barb Zylbert
Can’t wait to hear Z’s status report tomorrow. Congrats to Pirate Queen and her connections! Post pictures of her little one soon please!
harold moore
NICE TO KNOW YOUR DOING GREAT AND THE TIME IS GETTING CLOSER FOR YOUR BABY. BIG Z ONE OF A KIND.
suew/Va
Indeed she is!
Arlene
Hi Zenny and Zsters, Anxiously awaiting the new arrival ! Happy belated birthday to those who recently had birthdays. Prayers for Shari Voltz, husband and Miesha.
Congratulations to PQ.
Looking forward to Tasty’s delivery, too!
Love & Prayers, Arlene in Vermont
Trisha from VA
Congratulations Pirate Queen and Quality Road on your first foal. How exciting. Can’t wait to see a pic of the pretty boy.
Hope the news tomorrow is good news. You know all of your “Nannies” are anxiously waiting.
Love to you gorgeous, Tasty and all
Love hugs and kisses
Jamie Smith
Congrats to Pirate Queen–I love babies. Can’t wait to see yours. Congrats to Union Rags for the FOY… I’ve been watching him since last year. He has grown up some since last race and so far, he’s my derby fave.
Hugs to you and your team and much love.
Cathy
Congrats. to Pirate Queen. and Quality Road! I think the name of the little guy should be Ps ‘n Qs! Love ya, Zenny!
Lisag in Texas
That is too cute!
Cathy
Thanks!
Barbara Wood (Texas)
Love the name!
Pam Homeier
I agree, that is a fantastic name!!!
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Cathy:
Catchy and cute. Hugs, JB
Vampressqueen Sue Colvin -NJ
that’s a good 1
Dawn Conrad / Colorado
Cathy, that is great!! Too fun!!
Janet Newman
Congrats to Pirate Queen and her little guy. Glad to hear things are going well. Looking forward to seeing all these great babies grow up. Way to go Union Rags and El Pradino on their wins. Have a good week Z!
Lisa
They should have a foaling pool contest. Date born, sex, time of birth. Wouldn’t that be fun?
Keri Mattingly
What terrific news! I bet that little grey colt is absolutely adorable! Looking forward to seeing pictures of your little one and Tasty’s too!!
S.Kidman
Hello Zenyatta! Much love to you and Tasty today! Congratulations to Pirate Queen! I used to love watching Quality Road run in his races! Glad to hear mom and baby are doing great! Yes, KUDOS and a big WOW to Union Rags! The race was awesome to watch! He’s definitely one of my favorite Derby contendenders! He reminds me of you in a way with his big 17 hand size form!
Have a great week and stay healthy and fit! Can’t wait to see your new little one!
Diana
Congrats to Pirate Queen! How exciting. I would love to see pictures of her and her baby. I love Quality Road too so seeing his babies would be awesome. Have you picked a new boyfriend yet or are you staying with the wonderful Bernardini? I am so happy for you and cant wait to see you with your baby. Get your rest and enjoy your time now. its getting close. :) Love you Zenny and send my love to Tasty and Pirate Queen!
Kimberly Potter/Montana
Hello My Beautiful Zenyatta~ I just LOVE Union Rags, what a romp he had in the Fountain of Youth. Wishing Alorithms a speedy recovery from his shin splints. I love him too!
Congratulations to Pirate Queen and Quality Road. Hope we get to see some pics….I am sure he is “too cute”!
I love you Big Momma….anxiously awaiting the Vet Report tomorrow morning.
Ann Maree / Tennessee
Hi, Zenny, so happy to hear about Pirate Queen. One of my favorite pictures is of you, PQ, Alys, and another mare all lying around on the grass last summer.
Can you believe it! Your Facebook page is now OVER 99,000!!! Still hoping to get to 100,000 before your wee one arrives. Whee-e-e-e! Your name is still mentioned in news stories quite a lot, and whenever you are the subject of a story, you can bet the writer gets a record number of comments! Look forward to the daily updates on your “condition”!! Not long now!! Hugs and tons of love, Ann Maree
Ann Maree / Tennessee
P.S. Does anyone know anything about Vertigineux’ foal by Street Cry? Has it been born yet? Would love to know the status and whether a colt or filly.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Ann Marie:
Virtigineux is on my mind too. She had her Henry the Navigator filly on 4/2/11, so she should be due with the full sibling to Z in March sometime. I believe she’s at Ashford Stud in Kentucky. Here’s an old article and photo of her and the 2011 filly. (Scroll down a bit). Hugs, JB
http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/throughthelens/archive/2011/04/20/catching-up-with-silverbulletday-and-vertigineux.aspx
Anita Carville
Judy, thanks for the link. The picture of V in the “family pose” is wonderful, as is that whole slideshow :-)
Trina Nagele in So Cal
Congratulations to your dear friend, Pirate Queen! So nice to welcome another beautiful gray to the world!
Here’s two more birthdays to celebrate today:
A Birthday Poem for Theresa and for Kent Desormeaux
(February 27, 2012)
Five days ago
Theresa let us here know
Her own birthday
And that of famed jockey
Kent Desormeaux
Today will be,
So,
Theresa and Kent,
Please permit us to say
We wish you both all the best:
May none of your horses run slow,
May they all win, place or show,
And may you live lives full of zest!
judy berube from Rhode Island
Happy Birthday Theresa and Kent D.
Trina:
More wonderful poems. Thank you. Hugs, JB
Vampressqueen Sue Colvin -NJ
ditto & god bless <3
hugs/prayers
Susan Carothers (in TN)
Happy Birthday, Theresa! Hope it was a good one! (and Kent)
Trina- wonderful poem!
Dawn Conrad / Colorado
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, THERESA!!! I hope your day was wonderful!!
Dawn Conrad / Colorado
Wishing Kent a very happy day also. Kent does alot to help Old Friends in Kentucky and visits whenever he is in town. I loved reading in their Blog one time about him going to see The Wicked North. Kent had ridden him in most of his races. The Wicked North won eight of seventeen starts and over one million in earnings. One day when Kent stopped by they were getting ready to groom The Wicked North. Kent took the lead rope and snapped it into the halter to form reins, jumped on his back and rode him up to the barn. He said it brought back alot of memories to be riding him again. He then helped give The Wicked North a bath. At Old Friends the handsome chestnut was known for his kindness and great personality. He was a fan favorite until his death in March 2011. I know he was a favorite of mine.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Dawn:
I read that Blog about Kent riding Wicked North at Old Friends. Think it’s great when jockeys form an attachment like that to horses they have ridden. Mikey, Gary Stevens and Chris McCarron, I think, to name a few more, have that special love of horses too. Hugs, JB
Terry Crow
The Wicked North was the victim of one of the worst DQ’s ever at Santa Anita in a big race. I would love to talk to Kent D about that one.
Terry Crow
I should have added that I was referring to the 1994 Santa Anita Handicap.
DMCQ in AL
Thanks Trina, I always enjoy your poems!
Trina Nagele in So Cal
PS. Some people who I believe never saw the poems I wrote for their birthdays are the following.
Mary in Lynchburg [posted on #411]
Katie Clawson (15 years old) [posted on #419]
Emma (11 years old) [posted Jan 24 on #423]
Shell (Jan 26)
Irene Caty [posted Jan 27 on #427]
Hannah (wants to be jockey) [posted on #433]
Keri Mattingly [posted Feb 9 on #434]
Betty Feb 17 [posted on #440]
Christine in Placerville [posted Feb 24 on #444]
Elaine [posted Feb 25 on #444]
Trina Nagele in So Cal
Oh my goodness! I just now realized that, although I sent Delrene the first stanza of her birthday poem back in January, I never finished that poem and never posted it here on the Diary! Delrene’s son is due back from Afghanistan mid-March, and here is the belated poem, with apologies to Delrene for its belatedness and my failure to address Delrene’s very important on-going rescue activities with German Shepherds and with cats. Prayers for Delrene’s son Steve and his homecoming…
A Belated Birthday Poem for Delrene
(for January 22, 2012)
When her parents together did team
To name Delrene,
They did seek
A name, personal, unique
And fine,
Which would the whole world tell
Of their love for their precious new belle.
Since her mom was Irene
And her father was Dell,
They their own names did combine
To show right from the start
And for all time
How their two hearts
With hers
Did sweetly intertwine.
Fast forward to the last decade
And the extraordinary Rose Parade
When the son to whom she’d given birth
Flew
The famed B-2—
The svelte Stealth bomber—
Worth nearly twice its weight in gold,
I’m told—
Over the Rose Parade crowd,
And she heard his name read aloud.
’Twas for her
One of the greatest thrills on Earth
And her heart with pride nearly burst.
That was in 2001,
But today
Her heart’s filled with worry–
Her dearest wish
Is for the work of her son
In a foreign land
To soon be done,
And that this dear family man,
Serving still in Afghanistan,
Soon be able to hurry
Safe and sound
Back to home base,
Found
In Missouri,
No more Taliban threats to face.
How she Steve’s safe return will relish!
Dearest Delrene, we with you pray
For that blessed day!
Keta
Trina,
Love your poems.
Delrene, a belated Happy Birthday!
Know we are thinking about you.
Sending a belated birthday hug ♥ ♥ ♥
Kimberly Potter/Montana
Happy Belated Birthday Delrene
Kimberly Potter/Montana
Happy Belated Birthday Delrene!
Trina~ you rock the birthday poems and make everyone feel sooo special!
Vampressqueen Sue Colvin -NJ
couldnt have said it better myself
Susan Carothers (in TN)
Delrene- a belated Happy Birthday! I can imagine how excited you must be that your son will be home soon! Bless you both <3
Trina- you are amazing!
Vampressqueen Sue Colvin -NJ
delrene, your son is a hero in my book for being a soldier. god bless him
Elizabeth in NM
Trina,
Awesome! Happy Birthday, Delrene… even though a bit after the ‘actual’ day. Praying for your wonderful homecoming soon with your son! Just a few weeks to go! Love you Trina and Delrene, Elizabeth
Dawn Conrad / Colorado
Trina, what a lovely poem for wonderful Delrene!! You are both marvelous ladies!!!
DMCQ in AL
Happy belated birthday Delrene! It’s always such a relief when our military people return home to their families safe and sound. Sometimes I think we forget how much the families are sacrificing for us with the absence of a family member to give that service to our country. Trina, you captured it again.
Cheryl
Thank you for the very good news about Pirate Queen. Congrats to her and Quality Road! Every day brings you and Tasty closer to being Moms! I can’t wait! Love you both!
ellen
How exciting for Pirate Queen. Can not wait to hear about your good report tomorrow morning.
sue and tony
Oh, Zenny…thank you so much for the update on your pal, PQ. We have often wondered how she is doing and now we know…she has a colt!
We are so anxious for an update from you after your vet check….bet it’s this week when little Z/B arrives!
Lisag in Texas
@Delrene in Carlsbad & Sue in WI, response from #444. Yes, Delrene, I do believe it has something to do with ordering Z’s Plushie, in case you missed my post, my plushie is Z and he colt, which we named ‘Ragzzo’ my young boy. Z’s for Z and Itailian for B. I am so hoping the three of us get their card today, somebody got their card today, saw the post. Glad we are not alone. Lisag
Maureen From Santa Barbara, CA
Thank you so much for the update on PQ. Very excited for her foal. Anxious for your check update as well. The Mosses have SISTER MOON who is by DIXIE UNION making her a half sister to UNION RAGS. She is looking great and hope she will race soon. UNION RAGS is my favorite for the Derby. Will look for your news tomorrow.
Rachel from CA
Dearest Zenny,
I would love to know how Tasty’s checkups are going. Are you and she about equal in the readiness department? Maybe you’ll both being foaling at the same time…! Wouldn’t that be TOO CUTE?
signofthetimes
Might be private information regarding TASTY; her owner’s might not want to reveal her
details publically.
Terri Bey
Hey Zenny,
Are you as excited as we all are? Bet you can’t wait. Congrats to PQ as well. HUGS
Brenda S..Ontario, Canada
Happy Monday Zenny, what a great way to start the week with the news about Pirate Queen. Please tell her congratulations and that we look forward to seeing a picture of her boy. The best news is that YOU are feeling good and will be having a check up today so we can look forward to more good news tomorrow. Does your doctor make a forecast on your delivery date like human’s doctors do?
Congratulations to Union Rags and YOUR MIKIE on their races this past weekend, also to YOU on your FB page numbers. I watched all the races on TV, wish I got HRTV, the channel I get is HPI which shows at least five tracks and just bounces from race to race. Sometimes I don’t even know who the horses are they switch tracks so quickly and there isn’t much commentary but it’s better than nothing.
I just checked Cigar’s paddock, he’s not out but I can see it’s a sunny day so I hope that you and Tasty are out in your paddock enjoying the sunshine. Hugs and kisses to both of you from both of us. Brenda and Vic. xoxo
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Brenda S.:
How’s Vic’s toe coming along. Hugs, JB
Brenda S..Ontario, Canada
Dear Judy, thanks for asking, Vic’s toe is progressing well. She was able to go to the barn this afternoon to do her co-op program from school. I just hope she spent her time mucking out, grooming and doing all the other barn chores and not kissing and talking to all the horses. She needs her high school credits to make sure she keeps her place in college in September.
Vampressqueen Sue Colvin -NJ
what happened to her toe?
i’m happy for her. :)
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Brenda S.:
So glad Vic’s better. Sounds like she really loves them; she’ll get down to business though. Love and Hugs, JB
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Vampressqueen:
Brenda told us in a post over the weekend that Vic had to have a toenail removed. Painful. Hugs, JB
Abigail from Montreal
Hi Brenda: Glad to hear that Vic’s toe is healing up. Brave young woman! And belated Happy Birthday wishes from me to you. May your year be filled with peace, joy and much, much love, starting with mine — love & hugs, Abigail
Shanda Hooton
Enjoy your day…congrats to Pirate Queen and baby….Can’t wait till tomorrows diary post to here the vet report….excited just like you girl!