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

    Happy Birthday Jeanie E. Hugs, JB

    Happy Birthday Allen. Hugs, JB

    Dear Trina:

    Wonderful poems. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      That was fun, Judy, thanks! It has such variety, her different expressions, the whole Team, and runs the gamut.

    • / Reply

      Thank you so much for sharing this, Judy. Our girl never takes a bad picture, does she? I especially liked the one where she was resting her head on Matt’s shoulder. Too cute!

      • / Reply

        Dear Debbie, Sierra, Vicki B., Sign and Max:

        Love these photos so much too. Debbie, I love the ones with Mario, especially when Z is hugging him. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Judy, thank you so much dear friend. Barbara’s pictures are outstanding, she is so very talented and of course Zenny is absolutely beautiful. Seeing them can bring joy and tears all at the same time. Amazing!!

      Love and hugs,
      Dawn

  4. / Reply

    Dear Zenyatta Hi sweet girl. I had a dream last night that you had the foal. It was an easy birth. I did not know the sex of the foal in my dream. Just that you gave birth. I am just as excited about this as everyone else. I just want to thank you ( Dottie ) for allowing us to be part of this wonderful thing. Please tell Tasty she is always in my prayers too.
    I watched our Beautiful Dawn on TV. She is a STAR and a HERO in my book. Dawn handled that interview like a pro. WAY TO GO DAWN.
    Well sweet Zenyatta. I hope you and Tasty have a good night. Hugs and many Kisses, Shari XXXOOO
    @ DAWN FOR PRESIDENT : )
    @ Abigail I hope you feel better real soon. I am getting over Bronchitis. The whole school is sick : )

    • / Reply

      you are right about Dawn,Shari. Pelrhapsl she should be named Diirector of Media Relations. She would be good at it.

  5. / Reply

    WAY TO GO HANSEN !!!! My class will be so excited. We yell Fly Hansen Fly !!!! He looks like Pegasus : )

  6. / Reply

    i think the CIGAR camera is fixed….its dark there but the time stamp is right now and the out of order sign is gone….i will check first thing in the am…
    PACE…PACE…PACE

  7. / Reply

    @ Abigail – Here’s hoping that cold gets better soon. No fun.
    I have been watching the races on Cal Races and placing my “make believe” bets before they run. I’ve been doing great!!!! Too bad it’s all playtime. Race 3 was very unusual. Thanks for the explanation. My money was on the winner, Mr. Bossy Pants.
    Mr. Commons , you almost made it, but it was still a great run….
    Seeing Lava Man with I’ll Have Another was such a treat too. He is a peppy fellow and loves his job as “chief pony horse”. No retirement for him……. He acted like he won the race out on the track and you could sure tell he is used to the crowd loving him.
    I’m sorry I didn’t get to meet up at SA, but it was not to be today.
    But , it was not too bad to watch it on Cal Racing – live!
    The storm news is just sad to see. I hope most got through it ok.
    thanks for checking in with LE.

    It will be interesting to find out about Z and T progress on Monday! ( Unless there is some news tomorrow).
    Hugs to all.

  8. / Reply

    WOW has Hansen improved, what a great race;
    Guess he can go the distance; relaxed stalked and
    Blew the field away.

    WAY TO GO HANSEN!!!!

  9. / Reply

    Good afternoon, Dumplings. Some great racing today but, the Gotham was spectacular! I don’t know what Maker has been doing with Hansen but, keep it up, whatever it is, it’s working. I was actually shocked when I saw Hansen settle off of the pace. All I can say is Wow!!!! You go Hansen!!
    Lava Man busted me up!! He’s such a Ham!! I’ll have another had a very nice work and was feeling all spunky.
    We’re going to GGF tomorrow. The weather is supossed to be gorgeous!
    Ok well, I guess I’ll go back to pacing. LOL

  11. / Reply

    Good evening
    Jim Cantore of Weather Channel tweeted:
    Outbreak update: 37 dead,
    74 of 100 tornadoes confirmed,
    12 states reported tornadoes in 2 days.
    #snow is 4cast to cover Henryville, IN EF4

    Lane’s End, all its people, & Z & Tasty were very blessed to be out of harm’s way.
    Tomorrow–prayers for each who lost his or her life,
    prayers for those who have lost so much–communities & property,
    prayers of gratitude for those who were spared.
    And, a prayer for Dr. Leslie for a full recovery.

  12. / Reply

    Good evening my precious Zenyatta. Hope you are doing well this evening. I’m so grateful that you were safe from all the severe weather we had yesterday.

    I would like to give a big shout out to my Handsome Hansen for winning the Gotham. Way to go!!!

  16. / Reply

    Dawn C, Thanks for your post of your friend’s letter. So nice to hear about a happy ending!

    Queen Z, Won’t be long now!

  17. / Reply

    Gosh, it’s been a LONG day! My sister and I went to the track for the Big ‘Cap. I got some great photos of Lava Man but by the time they ran the Big ‘Cap the light was almost gone and my photos were all blurry :(

    We got home to find a pinhole leak in one of the hoses going into the hot water heater shooting water at the wall in the garage … and eating a hole in the drywall! Turned off the water at the water heater and at the front of the house (but can’t shut it off at the street, we don’t have the tool to do that) and duct taped the pinhole as best I could. We’ll have our neighbor (who is also the landlord’s handyman) take a look in the morning.

    I hope things have gone more smoothly today for YOU, Zenny! ;-)

  18. / Reply

    congratulations Silent Achiever for winning the NZ Derby she became the first filly since 1993 to win the New Zealand Derby Also good luck Zenny hoping u have a safe happy birth :)

  19. / Reply

    @Zenny: I just had an idea. Since you’ve always had great timing, if you have your foal at 12:XX AM Kentucky time on 3/9, it will still be 3/8 California time. That makes lots of aunties happy all at once! And for anyone on the other side of the date line, you get 3/10. Yep, that’s my trifecta and I’m stickin’ with it!
    Miz Covering All My Bets Pants
    (diastu in tempe_

  20. / Reply

    @signofthetimes thank you for your message i am doing well at school, not rode my pony for few months as had bad fall off him last year and was in hospital then he got stuck in the field and cut his leg, i have a go on my mums horse when we are on the way back to the field, it is 10.30 sunday morning and raining so having a look if Zenyatta has had baby yet, i watch frankels races on you tube and on sky plus with my mum and also kauto star, he is a jump horse, fingers crossed he is going or a 3rd win in the gold cup in a couple of weeks, keep in touch, love to Zenyatta and baby xx Lauryn xx

    • / Reply

      Glad to se you posting again, Lauryn–sorry about your fall and your pony’s cut leg.

  21. / Reply

    Fellow Zenykins, please pray for a small child 1 1/2 to 2 yrs old who was found 10 miles from her home after being picked up by the tornado. Her family was all killed and this little Angel (her actual name) is in intensive care in a Louisville hospital fighting for her life. Hugs and love sent to her!

    • / Reply

      Read about this…carried ten miles by tornado and dumped in a field…prayers and positive thoughts to little Angel…children are amazing….babies especially …they have recuperative powers adults can only dream about
      PACE…PACE…PACE….
      to all of Zennys friends battling health issues…please get well soon…yelling and happy dances will be the order of the day soon
      PACE…PACE…PACE…
      on another front…any more news on little Jewel…40lb filly from Many,LA rescue…believe her mom was by Dynaformer..and hls kids are tough..to survive that awful situation and have live foal…amazing
      PACE…PACE…PACE…A
      Again….prayers to all trying to cope with devestation left in wake of tornados

    • / Reply

      This just breaks the heart – God Bless you little one!

    • / Reply

      I heard about that little girl this morning. How sad. It’s a miracle she’s still alive. Sending prayers out to her and everyone else affected by the horrible weather this week.

    • / Reply

      Dear Sue Fredrick:

      Will pray for this precious little one. So sorry for all the victims of these horrible storms and their families. Love and Hugs, JB

  23. / Reply

    God speed Zenyatta, good luck, best wishes, you are thought of often, especially these weeks when you are expected to foal. Prayers that all goes well and your beautiful baby is just as healthy and happy as you are. Can’t wait to hear the news.
    Love from Grandma Bea and my four kitties listed above. We love you all.

  25. / Reply

    Happy Sunday Morning Zenny, Tasty too. I hope the weather has settled down now and that it didn’t spook you. It was pretty nasty here, very strong winds but it’s calm this morning. I watched some great racing yesterday, Hansen was amazing , Pants on Fire ran a good race and Mr. Commons almost made it. Your Mikey was unfortunate to get boxed in several times but still managed to get in the money.
    The waiting for news is very stressful, I’m finding it difficult to leave the house in case I miss something. I hope you are feeling good and taking each day gently as your body is getting ready. Hugs and kisses to you and Tasty from anxiously waiting Fort Erie.

    • / Reply

      Happy Sunday to you Brenda. Glad to hear everything is well with you. I enjoyed the racing this weekend also and I agree, it seemed that Mr. Common’s was blocked a couple of times. It is wonderful to think that Zenny’s little one is going to be here soon! It is all so exciting!! Did Vic pick out a shirt? I ordered a pink one! I hope the school plans for both of you are going great. Mom is doing well. I posted above that I cancelled the first appointment due to bad weather and she is scheduled for this Tuesday.

      Hugs,
      Dawn

  26. / Reply

    Dearest Zenny and Tasty–so glad you girls are safe and those nasty storms have passed. Sorry to hear all the sad news following these terrible tornadoes. Prayers for everyone in the aftermath.
    I posted, well tried to post, the other night but my laptop locked up and it doesn’t look like it went through. But it was the night that they had the bad spill at Charlestown and Miss Fifty was the only horse to finish the race. I thought this was the special horse of Past the Grandstand and had it confirmed, after coming to your diary. Thoughts and prayers to all involved in that race.
    I also think i wanted to post belated Happy Birthdays to the Februarians and also try to catch the Marchites before it was too late. SO Happy Birthday to all.
    @Jeanie E–a special Happy Birthday to you for being Marlene’s “Town Crier”. Please let us know when you hear from her and when/if we can help in another “roundup” from the feedlot.
    I just love all the posts and the links, just have a hard time trying to keep current with working and then helping out more and more at the horse rescue. As you all know, my daughter, Adrianna and myself, sponsor William (Which Way Do I Go), a retired racer. But it seems to have gone further since we have furnished him and of course, his girl, Lacy, with new feed and water buckets. I try to keep their stalls clean and smelling nice, since they don’t get let out into the big pasture and have their paddock behind their stalls. But almost always seem to come back to their stalls to do their business :) I also found Zephyr’s Garden online with natural hoof spray, anti-fungal spray and fly spray, to help with William’s personal hygiene. They seem to work well and we have to keep ahead of thrush since the stalls are usually so wet.
    Adrianna is still taking her riding lessons, usually on William, but she did get to ride her instructor’s horse, Fox a couple of weeks ago, It was in a smaller pasture area but she was very excited and did a great job.
    All the horses have been doing well, except for the usual scrapes and cuts from playing. And there is now a pot-bellied pig, Penelope, that had been abandoned and is now a happy member of the farm.
    The cats that were dropped off at the farm, at the end of November, are doing well. Especially the 3, yes it is now 3, that I took home. Diana S warned me, but I’ve been through this before, that kittens/cats are like potato chips, and you can’t have just one :) We have the original male, JB, the smallest, because he wouldn’t push his way in to eat when the food was set down for 10 cats/kittens. Then I was contemplating taking the next smallest, which was a female, now known as KC but waited a day too long and she was mauled by 3 dogs that were being babysat at the farm. Nothing too serious, other than a broken rib or 2 but you couldn’t tell it by her. She was a little subdued for a couple of days but was feisty with JB as soon as she felt better. The third one is AJ, who is a female and a polydactyl. After she was taken to be spayed, along with KC, at a shelter that does discount spay/neutering for feral cats (ssshhhh), it was found that one of her 6 toes had grown into her paw/arm and become infected. It was surgically removed and she couldn’t stay outside, at the farm, with all the dirt and other cats soooo my daughter begged me to take her home until healed. Well, she’s healed but now a part of the family.
    All 3 have long fur, JB has gray tabby markings with a white chest and white toes. the girls, are tuxedos, with KC looking like she has half a milk mustache and AJ having a white blaze down her nose. We also have an 8yr old orange tabby, CT who has begrudgingly accepted these intruders but does keep them in their place.
    @Abigail and Susan’s Beth–hope you are feeling better soon. Thoughts and prayers to everyone that is under the weather or has been bothered by the weather.
    @Sally B–hope you get this but Sue was going to let you know that I will be at Tampa Bay Downs on March 10 for the Tampa Bay Derby. I’m going to try to get there early as it will be crowded but I will have my Z Dumplin name tag and possibly one of Z’s new t-shirts (pink) by then too.
    Went to the track yesterday and fell in love several times over with all the beauties that were there. I ended up $18 to the good, had fun with friends and of course a a great time looking at the horses.
    Wow Zenny, looks like I should work Sundays more often. I can really catch up and post too, LOL
    Waiting room is still crowded but what great companionship there is. I don’t know if there’s ever been this much anticipation for a little one, animal or human, ever.
    You and Tasty take care and this all will be over soon. Then you can run and play with your little ones.
    Thanks Dottie for keeping us informed amongst your busy schedule.
    Lotsa love to all.

    • / Reply

      Great post, Kim. You’re right about cats and potato chips. You can’t have just one. I have four. My youngest, Leroy, is also a polydactyl, as was my late angel Leo. Polydactyls are so cute. They look like they have mittens! I’m so glad that KC’s and AJ’s injuries weren’t any more serious.

    • / Reply

      Great post! Thank you – I enjoy hearing from dumplings and what’s goin’ on – yeah, I’m nosey!!

    • / Reply

      Wow, Kim, thanks for that post! High hoof to you with all the good care you take of William and Lacy, and the kitties!

  27. / Reply

    Hi Zenny
    Got a brief report from your Dottie yesterday at Santa Anita – all systems are go!!!! Anytime this coming week! Love ya pretty momma!

    • / Reply

      Hello, dear Karen. Thank you so much for sharing the info from Dottie!!

      Love and hugs,
      Dawn

  28. / Reply

    Good morning Zenny, Dottie, Tasty, Babies & Zen-ster Aunties, Nannies and Pacers!

    Well, thanks to Tylenol, I am able to face the computer screen for a bit this morning — it’s one of those viruses that’s stuck up in the sinuses between the eyebrows, making your eyes feel paunchy.

    Now that the news is coming of lives lost and lives at risk, like little Angel, I am bereft for my American cousins and can hardly find the language to express the depth of my sympathy. Just terrible, terrible stories, coupled with impossibly brave people who celebrate their good fortune in being alive and resolve to go on. There was a beautiful book published in Canada over 30 years ago now that showcased paintings from WW11 called “A Terrible Beauty” and this is the phrase that came to mind as I listened & watched the coverage on the news last night of this disaster.

    After taking our morning walk, Daisy & I shared our yogourt and scone while we caught up on yesterday’s racing. Of course, we came here first to check up on you, sweet Zenny & all of our friends. Seemingly, the Nannies, Aunties & Pacers have a bit of a wait ahead!

    Was thrilled to watch Hansen’s victory. As I noted here about a week or so ago, this talented colt needed to learn how to rate off the pace if he’s not going to get nailed near the finish like he was awhile back. Of course, not every filly or colt can be taught to do that, but it was GREAT seeing Hansen adapting his usual running style! Kudos to his connections for a job well done. WOW!

    Ron the Greek and It’s Tricky — how great to see them both back in top form. What a BIG win for Ron, in particular. I was glad for him & his connections — such a hard-working campaigner and ridden brilliantly I thought to a Zenny-like victory.

    Sorry that Mr. Commons got headed by Willyconker, although OUR JOHN’s colt got stuck in traffic and I think it cost him the win. But what HEART he showed getting up at the last! HIGH HOOF to you, Mr. Commons. Willyconker is a horse with a great story, a former claimer out of the sire, Pyrus, a shuttling son of Mr. Prospector bred by John Magnier & co. but now owned by Gaines/Gentry Thoroughbreds & Vinery. Impossible not to love a horse like Willyconker for overcoming great odds to get to a place where he’s safe from the feed lot and from harm.

    Love & hugs to All and kisses to you, Zenny. With some of your Zenster family having birthing dreams, auguries of a new life are clearly in the air!!!!

    • / Reply

      Agree on Hansen and Mr. Commons. When Game on Dude scratched out, I thought that Ron The Greek beat a suspect field, one of the worst for the Big Cap in my memory. However, he did win and deserves credit for that.

    • / Reply

      Abigail, I really do recommend a hot toddy, drink it in bed, with or without the Tylenol, ( a night cap) and snuggle up with Miss Daisy. I usually feel somewhat better in the morning even with Miss Daisy. Feel better soon dear friend.

  30. / Reply

    I think Zenny will have her foal in the wee hours of March 9–the night of the full moon–so that beautiful moonlight will illuminate her and her baby and all will be calm and peaceful. I think 2 AM should be about right…Zenyatta, I love you so much and won’t rest until i know that you and baby are fine–you first, precious Z.

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