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

  1. / Reply

    Hello Beautiful Girl,

    I hope you and Tasty are safe, there is so much news about the bad weather in Louisville and Lexington today, 3/2/12.

    So happy to hear you are making all the healthy hallmarks of pending motherhood. I pray that your delivery goes well. I’m saying prayers to Archangel Michael to watch over you and the foal at delivery and forever after. Today I will keep a vigil checking your website everyday.

    Stay well my beauty!

    Hugs and Kisses,

    Nancy

    • / Reply

      Dear Nancy P.:

      Archangel Michael is one of my favorite saints. The Saint I pray to for Z the most is St. Francis of Assisi. He loved all animals and is their Patron Saint. All the love and prayers for Z from all the Z’sters and Dumplings is just a wonderful thing. Hugs, JB

  2. / Reply

    Please let everyone be safe during these strong storms. I was watching the “radar” from Weather Underground/Lexington all afternoon at work. I am so worried…as is everyone else who loves you. I am so pleased to hear you are “waxing up” Very Soon now and then we will be “Aunties” HUGS TO ALL…EVERYONE BE SAFE!!!

  3. / Reply

    GOOD AFTERNOON, DEAR ZENYATTA,
    WE IN CARLSBAD ARE SO EXCITED AWAITING THE BIRTH OF YOUR FIRST FOAL.
    OUR GUESS FOR THE BIRTH DATE IS MARCH 7th.

    WE HAVE ANOTHER SPECIAL LITTLE GIRL’S BIRTHDAY ON WEDNESDAY, THE 7th.
    IT WILL BE HER FIRST BIRTHDAY.
    HOPEFULLY YOU AND OUR LITTLE LADY CAN CELEBRATE ON THE SAME DATE :)
    THIS IS SUCH A SPECIAL TIME…

  4. / Reply

    @Zenny: The words to a blues song come to mind – “Mama’s got a brand new bag”. It sure takes on new meaning now. Poor Auntie Judy is hoping for the 9th, but all of us just want you to have a safe delivery and a healthy baby whenever Mom Nature starts the process. Wish I was there on foal watch! I miss that excitement!

    I worry about the storms and hope all horses and people in your area stay safe. I feel for the people who died and were hurt in the tornados the other day. Rain is nice but it comes in a scary package sometimes.

    Your Mikey is on a lot of horses this weekend – I think it’s going to be his lucky weekend! He’s riding an Arizona horse I really like named Uh Oh Bango. Go Mikey! Go Bango! (And of course, Go Mr. Commons!). I hope all the SoCal Dumplings have fun at the track – and it takes their minds off all the anticipation (wink, wink) for a while. Safe journey to Mr. and Mrs. Moss on their way to be with you.

    diastu in tempe – pacing – pacing – pacing

  7. / Reply

    Waxing!!!!! I think that is the magic word we have all been waiting to hear!

    I guess if there is no Baby Z by midnight on Sunday I will have to cancel my doctor’s appointment on Monday because I don’t have a battery pack for my laptop and can’t afford a tablet. Oh and I have a “prehistoric” cell phone that is JUST a phone.

    This waiting is NUTS! Glad I have all of you to go through it with!

    Have a great weekend everyone and good luck to Mike this weekend, too!

    • / Reply

      You think you have it bad, I do not have internet access at home so I will have to make some phone calls or something.

    • / Reply

      LOL my friends………..I guess we all need to get up to date technology wise!

      Anyone have a few thousand dollars they would lend to lend me?

      I used my ‘puter to go to The Weather Channel’s web site and actually watched the live storms go through the Lane’s End area and one BIG RED ball with one of those “bow echoes” they always talk about went RIGHT OVER Versailles and I about had a kaniption fit (or however you spell it) but then I came here and read some of the posts and apparently all is out of there now and Versailles didn’t sustain any major damage.

      WHEW!

      Can you imagine how Barn 55 and the California Crew out there (I have to assume that Ann and Jerry probably are either on their way with the news of “waxing today” or are already in Kentucky) must have been climbing the WALLS during all of this?????

      I am sure I will be back later to check to see what “news” might be here………….

  8. / Reply

    thinking of you almost constantly as the days draw near for the big day….keep warm, safe and away from the inclement weather…don’t be too curious as i know you so often are…

    • / Reply

      @Shannon: Only HERE is a dripping bag a thing of beauty! An outsider coming here would think they’ve tuned in to the loony channel!
      diastu in tempe

  10. / Reply

    Prayers and thoughts are with Dr. Leslie please let us know how things go. Please stay safe, am anxiously waiting each day for you and TT to have your babies. I feel like grandma waiting to hear!!!

  13. / Reply

    It would be really awesome if you have your foal on March 8th which will be a full moon!
    Everyday when I come to YOUR site I get butterflies in my stomach thinking this is the day that you have YOUR foal! I am so excited and keeping my fingers crossed that everything goes well.
    Speaking of weather we are having wind gust up to 50 mph! Talk about a bad hair day!!!
    Can we PLEASE get a close up and full body of YOU before you have you precious baby???? PLEASE PLEASE!!!!!

    LOVE YOU FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER!!!!!
    XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXXOXOOXOXOXOXOOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
    I GAVE YOU EXTRA TODAY…

  14. / Reply

    The 5th race @ SA is in a few minutes. Mike is favored on UNBRIDLED AMBITION – GO MIKEY! Get those wins down to 6 for tomorrow!!!

  16. / Reply

    I’ve got good news. The storms are past the Central Kentucky area now. It was pretty scary. The weatherman said it was headed toward my neighborhood, so I grabbed my kitties, my phone and a glass of wine and got in my closet! All we got here in Lexington was just a lot of heavy rain, though. They said there wasn’t a lot of damage in the Versailles/Midway area either. It’s not even raining now. I’m sending prayers to everyone that is now in the path of the storms.

  17. / Reply

    Dear Z, TT and Z Fans:

    We are thinking of you and praying for your safekeeping. All of the subtle signs are happening Z and it won’t be too much longer now. Your Mario and friends at Barn 55 are just as anxious as we all are to see your beautiful foal and TT’s as well. Love you with all our hearts, Judy and Russ

  18. / Reply

    @ All who live in the area’s being hit with the big storms, please check in with us on this site to let us know you are ok…HUGS

  19. / Reply

    My dear and adorable Zenyatta, I am so happy because nothing happened to all us you at the farm. The photos from the Barn 55 there are so cute, I think all of them are great persons; they care for you a great deal, we all love you so much, we cannot wait for the big day, please keep save. Ingrid.

  20. / Reply

    Zenyatta is getting very close. My mares dropped their foals just shorly after waxing. The storms are just starting over us right now. After the tornado that hit 2 yrs ago, i get very nervous whenever i hear the wind kicking up. Lovely, now some distant thunder…going to be a long night in WV.

    • / Reply

      I know it’s scary, Beth, especially after you’ve already been through a tornado. Hopefully the brunt of the storm will miss you. I’m sending you prayers and positive thoughts.

    • / Reply

      Beth, you will be in my thoughts and prayers. Try to think about some great Zenyatta moments and hopefully you will feel a little Zen-magic surround you!

      Hugs,
      Dawn

  21. / Reply

    hi again Z! I’ve been watching the weather all day, looks like it’s past YOU now, I hope and pray YOU and all are ok!!! Then I can stop worrying about the wicked weather and concentrate on YOU having YOUR precious baby- March 5th on my BD;) Of course I really just pray that YOU and BABY are ok!!! Tasty too;) I’ll be watching Mikie and keep checking for any updates about YOU!!! Happy Friday to YOU and have a fantastic weekend!!! Love YOU gorgeous mama xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo (xtras for this stressfull day and weekend;)

  22. / Reply

    Ok, if she foals this weekend I’m sure there will be a post however just to let everyone know if you don’t already that you can see the list of recently foaled mares at Lane’s End. So with it being the Queen I’m they would update it quick since they are already quick about getting it updated anyway.
    lanesend.com
    click on Farm News and then on Farm Archive and the fourth section down is 2012 foals just click there and you can see all the mares that have foaled so far. I almost can’t stand it! :o)

  23. / Reply

    I just love all of this information we are getting about the blessed event; I am so glad everyone is safe from the weather; stay safe and warm; I think the date of arrival will be on March 7th, no particular reason the date just popped into my head. The time has just flown by and we all are looking forward to seeing BABY Z.

  24. / Reply

    Such exciting news that you are progressing closer to your foaling time! I can hardly wait, but of course, we all will, but I am so happy it is all going so well for you. Thank you so much to our Dear Dottie for keeping these lines of communication open so well so that we can follow your journey to being a new mom! The photos from your Barn 55 friends are so cheery and I’m sure helped brighten your day, my Queen. They are all such dear people! I am so sorry to hear about Dr. Leslie! I will be keeping her in my thoughts and prayers. Enjoy your time being safe inside your stall with all the storms going on, dear Zenyatta. Soon there will be sunshine again and you and Tasty can get back to your pleasant hours outside. And soon with precious foals by your side. You make my heart so happy, my Queen!

  26. / Reply

    I hope the weather is gone by now for your area Zen, really and Tasty and you, go have some fun for the weekend, before you foal, I m wishing, again, march 4th, a special date, or March, 6th, be so good, I just hope the weather, goes else where, for the lanes end farm and every one, there, Be Safe, and thanks again for the update, sounds, really close to me, you go and show everyone, the best Mom, you can be,

    • / Reply

      Dear Pam Z.:

      March 6th is my Sister Allee’s birthday. That would be a good date. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      JAG~ Thanks for re-posting this as I hadn’t had a chance to see it.

      Dottie~ You are one classy lady and there is just no way I could ever put into words how much I appreciate what you do for us. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking us on this journey of a lifetime.

      Love and Hugz
      Zenyatta’s #1 fan in Montana

      • / Reply

        JAG, I appreciate the link. When Dottie says this diary gets lots of hits I have to smile. I know a lot of men who read here but don’t post…and they enjoy the fellowship and news. It’s such a special place.

    • / Reply

      JAG…thanks for the link. We loved this article. Dottie, John, the Mosses and our Queen….class all the way!

  28. / Reply

    Sweet Zenny, Sweet Dottie, Sweet Tasty, Sweet Babies 2B + Sweet Zen-sters:

    I’ve been watching CNN for the last hour with EXTREME ANXIETY about not only you, Big GIrl, but all of my friends here. I must say, like Canuck TV, CNN does little to assuage one’s fears. Here in Montreal, if there’s more than 5 inches of snow coming, every media station goes ape with doom-and-gloom theatrics. It would be nice if television networks learned something from you, Zen-Dot about hope, faith and resilience in times of stress. Which is not to minimize in any way the extent of this disaster in towns like Marysville, Indiana that was literally wiped out. But it would be so much better if major Canuck & worldwide TV networks could see themselves as providing leadership, too, in times of natural or man-made disaster.

    But THANK GOODNESS FOR YOU, DEBBIE G. of KENTUCKY! (CNN has yet to report whose safe in all of this weather nightmare, so hearing from you was WONDER-FULL!)

    Zenny — waxing up a little? It won’t be long now, sweetheart. All that important colostrum is there for your baby to help him/her build important health defense systems. And it only shows up — at least in humans — right before or immediately after a birth!!!!!**** Still, reading some of the previous posts, I DO APPRECIATE that all mummies are individual…..and MOTHER NATURE is no computer! But I must say that if I had an appointment this coming Monday, I would be a basket-case to be far from your virtual home, Zenny.

    ….a little Zenny munch-face. OHHHHH! I can hardly wait to see those first photos or videos or both. I just think that as Bernie tends to “stamp” his babies with his good looks, and that you will, too, Zenny (because I’m inclined to see you as a “genetically dominant” girl like Rachel & Rags & Personal Ensign & Somethingroyal and a bevy of others) ….. this is going to be one beauty of a foal!

    So glad you’re safe & warm, girls, in your foaling barn and so glad my Kentucky family seems to be okay too. Of course, I’ll feel MUCH HAPPIER when the others report back.
    And THANK YOU SO MUCH, Dottie, for letting me share Zenny’s amazing journey with those who are closest to her.

    Love & hugs to all, be you near or far —

    • / Reply

      Thank you Abigail! I just saw the radar and the storms are all heading east now, so I’m sure Z and Tasty are safe now. Hugs, Debbie

        • Hi, Abigail!! I agree with all of you ladies, Zenny’s will be the most beautiful foal in the world!!

          Hugs,
          Dawn

      • / Reply

        ha, ha That will mean really long water borders for both countries, without the benefit of good friends nearby. I like your horsey jokes much better and have in the past enjoyed your stories. I don’t think this one came out as you intended (at least I hope that is the case).
        Proud former Canadian. Proud current American.

        On a happier note, LOVE and more LOVE to Zenny, and her wonderful little one to be, with very best wishes for a safe birthing. This will be her first time and I wonder how scary it will be. Thanks to those who will love and care for them both.

        • Joyce-Native Diver is also one of my all-time favorites. However. if you don’t mind my correcting you, both he and Lava Man won the Gold Cup three times.

  29. / Reply

    I’m definitely on baby watch! I’ve been thinking of Z the past few days thinking, “Is today the day?” and I’d come home and quickly check this site and the Web. Take care and watch out for those storms. It’s all so exciting.

    Love you!

    (Thank you, Dottie, for all that you do!)

  30. / Reply

    Abigail, How right you are about the TV coverage. I’m watching Global news and even tho they haven’t shown Lexington I know that things are not good. I tried checking Cigar at KHP and all I got was a little black square so I’m guessing that the camera has been knocked out. The weather system is moving quickly and it looks as if it might hit SW Ontario early tomorrow. In the meantime it would be wonderful, and so reassuring, to hear from any Dumplings in Indiana, Tennessee and Kentucky that all is well with you.

    • / Reply

      Yes, the cam malfunctions during a storm or bad weather. If it’s not working by Monday, I will drop them an email – a day without seeing Cigar is…. well, just not a day seeing Cigar LOL He loves that we watch him, ‘ya know! ;-)
      Auntie Judy G

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