Good Morning,
I have been having so much fun! I am really starting to feel like I am one very POPULAR HORSE! Thank you for writing so many nice things about me!
Yesterday, in the morning, JOHN and MARIO called. I was able to visit with them via TANGO. It was great to HEAR THEIR VOICES. In the afternoon, MY OWNERS called and we got to TANGO. I’m just getting up to speed on my “tech skills’…and being able to see and hear my friends on the phone like this is a real thrill. Technology is totally amazing to me!
Earlier today, Sarah put some footage up on my FACEBOOK page. I had some special family visitors. The children were so much fun. They also wanted to share with me that MY DADDY, STREET CRY, literally lives right by them. Their DAD works with MY DAD…and they get to see him all of the time. The whole family came to visit and brought me lots of HUGS from my DEAR DAD. Sweetly, they also told me HOW PROUD HE IS OF ME! I am so honored.
I know in the video, I am really ‘woofing’ down the carrots they brought. I’ve done this in the past…and rest assured, I do chew my food carefully. I LOVE carrots! And yes, my other friends in the barn also had lots of treats! I am quite good at sharing!
Several of you have also asked for a video of me PLAYING in the MUD. Sarah is getting here early each day and trying to get this …but I’m teasing her right now. (She is a very good sport!) Every time I see her, I jump up (covered in mud) and run right over to her! I’m sure she will figure out a clever way to surprise me soon and get video of me rolling in the mud for you…and she is trying! But for now, this is a FUN GAME I am playing with her!
When we talked about the different bandages yesterday, Cathleen asked about the ‘red’ color on some of them. Dottie included a photo above to help illustrate this for you. The red color is red chili pepper. These big white bandages are called ‘standing bandages’. They are made out of a nice cotton fabric. The primary reason for wearing them is to protect a horse’s legs while in the stall.
Thus, when I’m in my stall, moving around, laying down, sleeping, or getting up again, the intention is for these bandages to keep me from hitting, nicking, or scratching myself. Mario would dilute the red pepper so he could smear the substance on the bandages as shown in the photo. He would put just enough pepper on the fabric to keep me from ‘amusing myself by playing with them or removing them’. Doing this can be a FUN GAME FOR ME…but not Mario. In truth, I did want to cooperate and keep them on for protection! So, I’d go along with Mario’s plan and NOT touch my bandages! I was a very good girl!
At Lane’s End, they often put standing bandages on me when I am back in my stall. Again…for protection. The just want me to be totally safe.
Elena asked about Mario’s Facebook page that someone started for him. John checked it out for you…and it is under: MARIO ESPINOZA, GROOM!
WOW…just heard DON ROBINSON…who foaled and raised me…is coming to visit. It will be great to see him again! I better get ready!
Have a splendid day!
With Love,
Hugs to all~
Z
Dani
I should make a correction. Uncle Mo of course turned 3 years old on January 1st. He is bound for the Kentucky Derby. :)
Nancy
Good morning Queenie Zenyatta, now you go on out there and play in the mud so we can get that video shot, I know Sarah is going to get tired of it, coming early and you messing it up for her, so this time, just keep on playing, that is what a good girl would do..We all love you anyway, but it would be such fun to see you having so much fun… here are some virtual carrots for you
Judy Sims
CONGRATULATIONS to Team Zenyatta for the very special Eclipse Award. So well deserved. You all are so special each in his or her own way and all together. God smiled on all of you and us fans when Zenyatta came into our lives. Good luck at the awards ceremony in Miami on the 17th. All of Z’s thousands of fans will be holding our collective breathS until HOTY is announced. I expect to hear “ZENYATTA!”
Judy 8-)
Patricia M
Hi, congratulations on the Special Eclipse Award – I think it is wonderful and well deserved!
Appreciate so much the wonderful writing of these diaries, they really reflect Zenyatta’s sunny and sweet self.
By the way, how many brothers and sisters do you have, Zenyatta? So nice you got to see the family that cares for your dad. Does your mom live nearby? Are any videos of your mom and dad posted?
Thanks so much, love you always, sweet girl!
Rosanne Glynn
Congratualtions on winning the Special Eclipse Award! You so deserve it. I would also love to see a video of Zen “TANGO” with her CA family. And rolling in the mud. I love all her videos:) Thank you Dottie for doing all of this, I wonder if you can’t sleep at night thinking thoughts of what you forgot to post about Zenyatta, I would be jumping out of bed if I were you and writing stuff down that I wanted to post the next day. lol It can be very mentally exhausting! But love Lady Legend and you, two great ladies! Good things happen to good people.
Barbara
Thank you for this wonderful post! I can’t tell you enough of how these mean so much to us. I just got my 4th Zenyatta hat in the mail yesterday! There are 2 of us here that will be fighting over all of the hats!!! Love you Lady Z:)
Georgia Harper
It is so much fun coming down every morning and reading your posts before going off to work. A big thanks to Dottie and all those who help with this and keeping us up to date on each of your days. we all miss seeing you on the track but love all the pictures and videos we get to see. I do hope you are happy and Congrats on the team award, it is so deserving. I saw yesterday that some of the other owners are starting to let the public close to their hoses as well maybe you have started a new trend. How you have changed racing we love you so very much
Pam Zacek,
Oh wow, I wish i had known that trick, when I had my horse, that would have been perfect, for her, and I can’t wait to see if you roll in the Mud, I know you love to see the people, come , and so some day, that will happen, You be a good girl, is good, don’t mess with the banages, so all is well, good for you , and know its all for you,Love these diary.. Have a great day and play, good, good to hear you Dad is proud of you, but heck who isn t, ya know??
Dawn Deems
Zenyatta,
I can’t wait to see photos/videos of you getting all dirty! My mare, Paris (also a thoroughbred) loves to roll in the mud every time she goes out.
Hopefully your fans will get to come and visit you later on. I’m sure you’ll love this as much as we will.
Hugs and kisses from Ohio,
Dawn
Sue Fredrick
@Deana – glad to see someone else has figured out this connection with Eblouissante. I said the same thing in an older post, but noone responded, so I did some investigating and found Eric Kronfeld, the breeder (Maverick Prod.) owner of Vertigineau sold the filly (Ebby as I call her )privately to someone who wouldn’t be named. I’m hoping it was to the Mosses. If you go on Facebook for Zenny and go to pictures of Eblouissante underneath there are comments from the current trainers daughter and she said they want to keep it quiet. Interesting ! I also want to congratulate Team Z for the history making access they have allowed the public and the Eclipse award they will receive. Special mention should go to Dottie for her work on this website. Luv you all.
jeanne
My San Diego newspaper columnist, Hank Wesch, gets a ballot to vote for the Eclipse Awards. Here is his vote for HOY: “Zenyatta. Allowing overall importance and contribution to the sport — a constant source of positive ripples in a sometimes raging river of negativity — to cancel out a loss by a short head in the head-to-head confrontation in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.” No Kidding!!!
Allen
Have fun in the mud. Be sure and let us know when all your fans can come and visit you. Z it doesn’t matter how the vote for HOY comes out, you are still number one to all of us.
Carole
@Mari J Flippen — El Vino, Zenyatta’s workmate, is racing today at Santa Anita. He is in my Equibase virtual stable so I receive notifications of his works, races and racing results. Good luck to El Vino, the Shirreffs’ barn and the Mosses.
Helen
Oh Zenny, I just watched this video called along came Zenyatta and it made me so proud of you again and again. Yes, Ruffian was my first filly I fell head over heels in love with and my heart was torn out of my chest the day of the match race. I will never ever forget that horrible sight! My heart has always belonged to the fillys and always have wanted them to beat the boys and you my girl are one fabulous mare! You have brought me much joy even on days when I was not having the best of days. I am so glad you stayed strong and healthy over the years to be able to retire and enjoy your life now. I would love to see you rolling in that mud even though when my horses do it I am not fond of it…lots of elbow grease to get you guys looking good again especially when it’s too cold for a bath. I am still hoping for HOY for you my wonderful girl, you deserve this award! No other horse other than the immortal Secretariat has brought this much support and fan base to racing! Your connections are the best in the world for sharing you along the way. When your baby is born and old enough to start training I sure hope he or she goes to your fabulous team! How do you feel about A. P. Indy? Just askin.
Suzanne G
Jeanne, thanks for letting us know about Hank Wesch’s vote. I mentioned a url on post #49. If you haven’t seen it, it’s well worth checking out plus it’s another vote for Zenyatta…
http://www.gradeoneracing.com/davidowitz.htm?read=91
Bobby, Nicole & Joey
Hey Z, Happy New Year beautiful girl. We are so glad you are having so much fun & enjoying your well desearved retirement. Although I am a fairly newbee to this sport which I totally love now (about 5 years or so) our family just wanted to say Thank You so very much we have enjoyed watching you every step of the way. Especially my father-law John & his best friend Steve they love you so much and they have been following this sport since the early 70’s and to them you are the next best thing to sliced bread LOL. It has been an true honor & privliage to watch you run Thank You for the joy & fun you have brought to our hearts I feel so honor and spoiled now ;o)). My wife crys everytime time they replay last year’s Classic win on TVG and I must say I get misty eyed too ;o)). I am so glad we were able to make to Churchill for our vacation to watch you run in the Breeder’s Cup. Even though you came in second you were still first in the hearts of the whole world and your faithful adoring fans who all love you so much. It was our first trip ever to KY and we had so much fun. The experience & excitement of being there in pearson (even though we were in the cheap seats LOL) will be a memory we will cherish for the rest of lives so again Thank You very much. Congrats to your connections for their special award they have all done an excellent job bravo and Thank You for letting Z be so accessable to all of us her fans. Also Dottie great job with the website your posts are so great, well written, funny, adoable and heartwarming too we feel like we are there with you sharing the moment. If we ever get to come back down there again hopefully we can come visit you via a tour if the barn does open tours I’m sure everyone will be coming to visit you. While we were down there we took a horse farm tour one of the places we visited was Paul’s Mill your friend Summerbird says hello he is chillin too. Well cya later you go have tons of fun. Hugs, kisses & best wishes from our family to yours and also to those that take care of you everyday too. Happy belated Holidays to all & be well !!!
Carole
So happy to hear that Don Robinson is coming to visit you. I will never forget how he described your reaction upon seeing him for the first time since you left his farm as a yearling. And his reaction — he was shaking upon seeing you and knowing you recognized him. But then you are an exceptional horse. I hope you will tell us about his visit.
Richard
@Helen — where did you see the video,”Along Came Zenyatta”?
Lauren
I can’t wait to see the new videos and can’t wait to see pictures of your Dad. What a wonderful group of friends and family you have and we are blessed to have you in our lives. Love you Z.
Lauren
Just caught the video you mentioned in today’s post. It is absolutely adorable. You are such a sweet gentle horse. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to see your dad again. I love your postings.
Richard
@Suzanne G — Thank you for the reference, a great summation for HOTY. Bravo, Steve Davidowitz!
jeanie langford
Wonderful post. I look forward to them so much. With all the much and fun are you still groomed daily. I would like to know if you get enough exercise just playing and will you ever be ridden just for fun anymore.
Pat Beck
This is one of the most adorable of your diary posts. Warmed the heart! Love you!
Carolyn Caswell-Brown
Congrats to Team Z on The Special Eclipse Award. I hope it is a sign of things to come. I have long used diluted chili pepper around my flower garden to discourage critters from munching on the plants. Relatively inexpensive & environmentally safe way to protect the blooms. Keeps the dogs out as well. I am so happy that you can still here the sound of the voices of your loved ones and “talk” to them. My husband & I always put the phone up for our dogs to listen/talk to whenever we are away; creates happy tail-wagging energy & a reassurance we are still around. . . somewhere. I hope you feel this same sense of Joy when talking with your CA family. PLEASE let Sarah catch you in the mud! PEACE & LOVE
Zenyattaisqueen
I am so greatful that you do these posts. Thank you with all my heart for letting Z’s fans stay up on her daily life. She is very important to us! It’s been driving me crazy wondering what that red was on her bandages, so thanks for the educational info. Love it!
Mary G
Hi Z, Glad to hear you like rolling around in the mud…nothing like a good mud bath to get rejuvinated and start the day! Congrats to Team Z for the special Eclipse Award. It was well deserved! I always wondered what those red stipes on your bandages were and now I know…Very Cool. If you have some time maybe you could answer a question of mine…I read after the 2009 Breeders cup race that Zenyatta had a bad start as she broke from the gate on the wrong foot. My question is are horses naturally right footed or left footed (similar to a person being right or left handed) or are they trained to always leave the gate on a certain foot. I notice that Zenyatta when doing her dance or pawing at the ground for treats or attention usually uses her right foot so I would think this would be her dominant foot. Is that true? Anyway, I received a wonderful Zenyatta picture for Christmas so I am putting it up in my office next to the one I have of Ruffian (my first favorite filly)! Now I have my two favorite girls on display :). Enjoy your time out in the paddock today and be sure to get extra muddy!
Debbie
hi Z can’t wait to see you rolling in the mud!!! love you xo
Mary
Zenyatta, LOL, you are so funny! I love reading your daily diary posts! What a cleaver and funny writer you are. I laugh at your silliness. I do hope we get to see you playing/rolling in the mud. Thank you for all the horse education. I’m sure Mario and the rest of Team Zenyatta misses you as we also do, not being able to see you on the racetrack. Hugs and Prayers
Mary
Zenyatta, I just read; TEAM ZENYATTA won a SPECIAL ECLIPSE AWARD! Congratulations to TEAM ZENYATTA! You are certainly the most wonderful and loved team in horse racing! Thank you for the memories. Hugs and Prayers
Nancy
Hey everyone
Z’s mom was sold to a man named Michael Tabor
Shortly after her broodmare of the year award 2009.
Google him. Very interesting man. She was probably
sold for about 10 million and she is worth every penny.
Mosses are interested in racing not breeding.
@Deanne
I looked up Bernadini and was confused he looks
like a light bay. Maybe wrong pic ?
Thanks so much Z and Dottie!!!!!