Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Z's Diary

Diary Post #449

HELLO ZENNIE! It's your pals from BARN 55! Photos by Michelle Jensen and John Shirreffs

Happy Friday!

The weather in Lexington has been quite ‘active’ lately and we’ve had several storm warnings. This part of my life is so different than anything I ever experienced in California. Lane’s End is exceptionally careful with us when this happens and our time outdoors is very structured and limited….if at all. Everything depends on the weather conditions and our safety.

Fortunately, TASTY and I love our stalls and are very comfy and cozy indoors. We do hope it clears up soon. This way we can get back into our ‘spending time outdoors routine’ …and things will be safer for everyone.

My days of ‘traveling alone…without a foal by my side’ are becoming more and more monitored. As of this morning, per the farm, my ‘bag’ is getting a bit larger. It is making all of the gradual changes necessary to increase in size…and I am ‘waxing a bit’. This all pertains to my udder and milk production levels which are consistently and carefully recorded all of the time now.

I must say, I never thought the words ‘bagging’ and ‘waxing’ would take on such great importance in my life! However, I have now learned when a mare is getting ready to foal…these terms become extremely significant!

From today’s report, it appears I am still on target to foal ‘sometime next week’…but nature is nature. I’ll keep you posted! As I’ve said so many times before, this is all so NEW TO ME! Thank you for your support!

This morning, my pals at BARN 55 wanted to send ME some fun….THINKING OF YOU…photos. They are wearing my NEW T-SHIRT and sending ME lots of hugs, warm greetings, and positive thoughts. They always do…but as it is getting closer and closer to my foaling experience….they really wanted to reinforce these thoughts and tell ME how much they care, think of ME, and MISS ME!

Michelle... dancing and sending ME a HIGH HOOF and hug!

I miss you guys too….all of you….more than I can say!

MY MARIO and CHEVA above... and now FRANK is also sending his regards!

So many stakes races are running the next few days…it is very busy! As always, I wish all of the horses running and their connections a wonderful time and lots of success! I’ll be really tuning into the Grade 1 races running at Santa Anita on Saturday and the Gotham for 3 year olds at Aqueduct. Focussing on racing over the weekend will not only be fun, but it will help to keep my mind busy!

With Love,
Hugs to All~(Thank you, everyone, for thinking of ME!)
Z

On a very serious note….. A special hug and prayer is needed for one of my other BARN 55 pals, Dr. Leslie… who checked in on ME often when I was in California. She had a skiing accident yesterday and all of our prayers are with her at this time!

Reader Interactions

915 Comments

    • / Reply

      Queen Z, First of all I want you to know that Dr.Leslie is in my prayers for a speedy recovery.
      WOW!! Next week sometime!! I am so excited to see Princess or Prince Z. I know your baby will be nothing less then GORGEOUS. Jusy like YOU!! I hope you have an easy and short labor and delievary. I also hope Baby Z is very healthy. Kisses on your beautiful face. I love you SO MUCH!!

    • / Reply

      Am watching the news, and just thought….uh-oh…Zenyatta…..Stay inside Mama with the good folks who love you so, and perhaps baby will be named ‘twister’ ;)

    • / Reply

      Z …..See that awful storm has passed you and all you ladies are out of harms way. You are getting a nice snow fall and the peace and quiet of it should be calming for you….had the hooves crossed for all of you, 2 legged and 4 legged. My love and thoughts to you and all your friends. Pacing!!!

  3. / Reply

    Thank you for the post Z and Dottie. We too North of the border are concerned for all in the danger zones. Glad to hear you are progressing on schedule. Thinking of you and all your connections,

  4. / Reply

    @Terry, you know I never bothered to check what horse won the Big Race at Laurel the year I was born. It would have to be the Washington, D.C. International. I researched it and C. V. Whitney’s horse ‘Fisherman’ won. Eddie Arcaro, the only MAN to Win the Triple Crown twice was up. You see the fish on the back of cars all the time. ‘Fisherman’ was the first American horse to win the race. Another coincidence in my Horse Horoscope, Granny’s maiden name was ‘Zeman’ and my Mother was born in 1923, (‘Zev”). The International was inaugurated in 1952, the year my parents were married. It was replaced by the Breeders’ Cup Turf. ‘Kelso’ finished second three times in a row. The great gelding finally won the race in an American record time of 2:23.80. He had given the event international status in Europe and around world. I would say at age 7 he was ‘Determine’. Like you say he was the first grey, his son was the 2nd. His color is kinda like the Pale Rider, the 4th horse. Maybe they have already been here twice in the past 3800 years and just maybe the SHOW HORSE hasn’t crossed the line yet. What is your Derby horse? I bet it’s not before ‘Aristides’ LOL

    @Lisag REPOST:

    THE ANIMAL KINGDOM

    Amongst the animal kingdom,
    Humans just ad-lib.
    We sacrifice for their care,
    So we all can live.
    We do the donkey work,
    And have a little fun.
    We drink the same water,
    And flourish from the sun.
    If all the animals in the world,
    Turned against man kind.
    We would most likely face,
    A stoppage of time.
    The beginning of a war,
    People could not overcome.
    For if the animals win,
    We will all be done.
    But if the masses prevail,
    We wouldn’t be the pray.
    But then we wouldn’t eat,
    So we lose either way!
    Here in GOD’s Kingdom,
    The burden is a ton.
    Until there is no other choice,
    Strive to be the one!!

    g

    @signofthetimes, horsewoman or not 1898 is a very important, special, and good year for me. May I ask when she passed?

    @Trina, ‘Pensive’, I feel I know you a little better now. Granny was April 17th the same day as ‘Ruffian’ and you. As for the little z poem, it might have to be a month or so after the move. YVW Note fellow.

    @Judy, I savor the memories every day.

  5. / Reply

    We all were waiting anxiouly to hear about the weather in your whereabouts! I hope you are inside and very cozy at this moment in time!

    We are so thankful to hear about your “udder nonsense.” Just kidding, of course!

    Thinking of you so much all day. Can’t wait to order one of those fabulous T-shirts!

    Hugs and kisses,

    Rachel

  6. / Reply

    So good to hear from you! “Sometime next week” sounds like an eternity for all your anxious aunts and uncles who are pacing, practicing deep breathing, and generally making ourselves crazy! I hope you and TT enjoy every moment of your remaining quiet time…
    Love the photos from Barn 55 — they are a special, funloving bunch, to be sure.
    Best racing luck to YOUR MIKEY as he rides 9 tomorrow.
    Hugs to all and a speedy recovery to Dr. Leslie.
    Annie B in MA

  7. / Reply

    I’m so glad you and Tasty and everyone are ok and doing well! The weather has been awful in that part of the country. Hope ALL remain safe and it passes soon. Thank you, as always, for the UPDATES….very exciting!

    • / Reply

      Also one more tidbit….yours truly (moi !) was invited to do a guest column in commemoration of the 75th renewal of the Santa Anita Handicap, running this Saturday in Brian Zipse’s Horse Racing Nation. Here’s the link — don’t know what they did with the formatting, guess they were in a hurry! http://www.horseracingnation.com/news/The_75th_Santa_Anita_Handicap_is_steeped_in_American_Tradition

      I absolutely love the traditions of this sport, all the wonderful history, the thousands of individual stories about the horses, the people, and the times in which these events have occurred. Don’t like it when horses or people get hurt, and unfortunately, when you are dealing with live animals and humans, that is always a possibility. I’ve learned to let the tears flow when events happen that break my heart….and, also, when there is much to be happy about and grateful for. Tears and laughter.

      Just as a side note: This is the 75th renewal, not the 75 anniversary! The race did not run during the war years between 1942-44!

      Hugs to you, sweet Z….pacing, pacing, pacing, as some have said!! Ann Maree

      • / Reply

        Ann Maree, I am so excited for you, congratulations lady!!!! The article was great! We have some many talented Z-sters, it is amazing!! Thank you so much for sharing!

        Hugs,
        Dawn

      • / Reply

        Ann Maree,
        Outstanding article you wrote. Excellent job!
        Hope you stay safe and sound in Tennessee during these nasty storms.
        Hugs!

      • / Reply

        Ann Maree
        Thanks for such an informative article. I had seen “the Big Cap” referenced on this site and had no clue what people were talking about. I will never truly get “up to speed” but I enjoy making even small steps toward more knowledge about this sport.
        Sandy

      • / Reply

        @Ann– Thanks for the great memories, I saw many of these horses, and have many favorites… *Noor, Silky Sullivan, and so on and on and ON.

        *******
        Stay safe, Zenny, and chat with TT over the aisleway… you’ll be outside again soon and soon you will have an entirely new focus to your life. Your foal will have hordes of loving “aunties” and “uncles”…. myself somewhere among them.

        Please thank Dottie for posting these great photos, it is so obvious that Barn 55 is a very happy place to live and work. Loyal, loving people and plenty of patience, time, and knowledge for every horse. And owners who understand that if a horse is happy and trained with thought and care it can have a long career and be productive at whatever level it races.

        When I was a kid the LA Times would devote at least one page daily to horse racing (charts from all over and entries for the local tracks) and if it wasn’t Swaps it was Silky Sullivan… two of my all time favorites… Shoe was the top jockey, Arcaro was that Easterner who was so good… and on the Sunday after a big Saturday stakes race the sports section would have all sorts of articles and interviews. AAAAAAHHHHHH…. “the good old days”….. the word “racing” had only one meaning, the wonderful sport of horse racing. Nowadays they usually mean auto racing (smelly and dangerous to all involved), and they tell us horse racing involves “smelly” horses and it’s “dangerous” to go near the horses or for the horses to run…. yeah….

        Last night I found an old pastel painting I did of *The Axe II who turns up in an amazing number of today’s pedigrees, and has passed on his gray color very strongly. I must have been 18 or 19… and looking at it critically today, it was pretty durn good. Maybe I’ll change my status of “retired horse portraitist” and go back to it. For my own enjoyment, anyway.

        Fun to run through old pastures….

        Patricia

      • / Reply

        Thank you Ann – that was a great blog! Thoroughly enjoyed it!

  11. / Reply

    Glad to hear from you…I just knew that everyone at LanesEnd would be taking every precaution with you and Tasty
    PACE…PACE…PACE…
    sounds like you are right on schedule …and seems that our JAG may yet get her wish for JH and the 9th
    PACE…PACE…PACE…
    Stay safe and warm
    as always kisses for your soft nose…some for Tasty too

  12. / Reply

    Queen Z….have a wonderful week end. Can’t wait for you to foal. St. Francis will have his eye on you and Little Z. Safe delivery and healthy foal for you Zenny.

  15. / Reply

    Dear Zenyatta,

    Hope you are all safe up there at Lane’s End. The weather looks pretty bad on CNN.
    Glad to hear things are going on schedule for you. It won’t be long now. Try and relax and let mother nature take it’s course. :) Prayers for Dr. Leslie. Hope her prognosis has a good outcome. Everyone at barn 55 look so happy….

  16. / Reply

    I am so worried about the tornado danger. There’s no place to hide in a horse stall. I hope Zenyatta and all her equine and human friends will be safe. Mona

  17. / Reply

    Dear Zenny – Hope you are all safe. I predict a little prince or princess on Monday, the 5th. Keep warm and snug beautiful girl. xoxoxo

  18. / Reply

    Everyone from Hot Springs, AR, who loved and appreciated you entertaining us at Oaklawn wish for you a wonderful and safe delivery. I personally was hoping for a March 1st baby… as that is my birthday and I was born in ’55…. but guess you have better plans or that foal does anyway… anxiously awaiting ……

  19. / Reply

    I completely stop sleeping when the “wax” starts to show! So excited that you’re making cholostrum so your baby will have lots of nutrients & antibodies! Can’t wait to see your foal great mare!!!

  20. / Reply

    Thanks Dottie, for putting all our minds at ease a bit. :) All the best to Team Z, as ever.

  22. / Reply

    Hoping you and Tasty will be ok. The just announced on HRTV that they are being warned of tornadoes in which I presume is your area. Hoping they do not materialize and that everyone will be safe and sound. Awaiting both your foals in the very very near future.

  23. / Reply

    hi Z! I’m sooo happy to hear from YOU!!! The storm watch there is scary, the weather channel has a reporter in Louisville and the storm’s arriving now, STAY SAFE GORGEOUS MAMA!!! I’m praying YOU and all are safe and sound!!! Love YOU Z!!!

  24. / Reply

    Cant wait to see the baby pics and videos, you will be a great mommy. Stay safe and cozy…
    Luv and Hugs

  25. / Reply

    Lauren- I would love for the foal to be born on March 5th.. that is a special day for me and my family.. My grandfathers birthday was March 5.. He passed away 1 1/2 years ago..

    I am heading back to the doctor today.. I did cancel that original appointment but I dont feel any better in fact I do feel worse. So I called work today and told them.. Not sure yet if I will be going in after the appointment. I will see what the doctor says.. This cough medication I got doesnt work.. Well it takes 2 hours to start working and then once it does start working it doesnt last long.. I am tired of coughing.. Plus I am really congested now..

    • / Reply

      thank you guys… I hope they can give me something to give me some relief.. My ears are driving me nuts too… feels like I need to pop them but I cant.. will be bringing that up too.. still have 1 1/2 hours until my appointment..

      • / Reply

        Cough medicine with DM–like Robotussin. Cough medicine with codeine to help loosen the gunk and help you sleep. Bubble gum. Try nose spray that clears the sinuses. Not altogether– you have to separate them out.

        Antibiotics, rest and fluids. A totally warm but not blistering hot shower.

        DO NOT USE A COUGH MEDICINE THAT DRIES UP THE GUNK! YOU WANT TO EXPEL THE GUNK NOT HAVE IT DRY UP ON THE SIDES OF YOUR LUNGS!

        Feel better. This thing is going around. It knocked my sister flat for a week and my sister could beat the energizer bunny for energy and being non stop. She was sick for two weeks and still isn’t 100% after 4 weeks of this thing.

      • / Reply

        It’s good you’re going to the doctor. I’ve been through that so many times and it’s really unpleasant. You could be setting up with a secondary infection just from all of the coughing and the irritation it produces. Your doctor will know what to do. Keep us posted on how you’re doing.

  26. / Reply

    Stay safe, sweet Zenny. Here in southwest Ohio it is very stormy and scary. I hope people are with you to help you feel safe. My father used to sleep with his horses in the barn when the weather would get dangerous at night. We love you and Tasty, kisses, hugs, and many chucks up your noses. Love, love, and more love! h+++

  28. / Reply

    Dear Z, Keeping you all in our prayers both for safety from the wild weather and for a safe foaling of LITTLE Z! Won’t be long now.
    Prayers for Dr. Leslie also.
    We appreciate the updates and pictures. Thanks to all who contribute to them.

  29. / Reply

    Now that you are waxing up …. it’s getting really close …… At my barn we use to get so excited when a mare began to wax up ……… Just remember when it starts ….. BREATH !! That’s what they told me when I had my babies …LOL
    All the best, Beautiful girl !

  30. / Reply

    Hi Z and Tasty! Be safe and prayers to all of the horses and staff that they remain safe. Also prayers for Dr. Leslie. Hope it is nothing life threatening and that she will recover soon. Thinking of all of you-just you and Tasty -please do not consider foaling in this bad weather-LOL Sending you smooches and hugs!

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