Good Morning,
I must say that I am STILL so excited about all of the kind comments you are writing about my friend, BERNARDINI, and MYSELF. They are really sweet!
This morning, Dottie mentioned that my FACEBOOK page has continued to get a great deal of activity. As of 7:00 A.M. CA TIME, I have 62,209 FRIENDS! This is fabulous! I know the number has gone up quite a bit since my last race. I truly want to THANK ALL OF YOU for CARING SO MUCH ABOUT ME!
On Thursday, DOTTIE and SOPHIE were at Santa Anita to watch some of my Barn 55 Friends SCHOOL. In racing, this means that a horse (usually getting close to a race) goes over to the paddock and spends some time there…kind of like a practice run. The objective is to familiarize the horse with the area…and some of the pre-race things that will be taking place! John, Mario and I used to do this all of the time before my races. I’d get to see the surroundings and CHECK IT ALL OUT…so on race day it was very familiar to me! The whole process takes approximately 30-45 minutes. I always enjoyed SCHOOLING!
Well, while they were by the paddock, they met Candace Chew (who works for Santa Anita) and Michael and Lisa Merrigan. In CA, they have allowed a few facilities to be developed where people can go and bet on the races. The traffic is sometimes so intense in CA that it is hard for people to drive 20-30 or more miles to actually go to the race track…so this is being done to help make it easier for people to ENJOY OUR SPORT.
Michael and Lisa own the OC GRILL AND SPORTS Facility. It is located at 2369 S. El Camino Real in San Clemente, CA. Interesting, John and Dottie saw it driving back from Carlsbad on Christmas Day when they stopped for gas…but it was closed for the holiday. Well, not only is this a fabulous thing for the fans who can’t drive all of those miles to go to the track…but…LISA and MICHAEL HAVE DECORATED IT WITH MY PHOTOS. Candace helped them with this project! I am so flattered! If you are in the San Clemente area, it might be fun for you to stop by and see ME…and also visit with Lisa and Michael!
Yesterday, John and Dottie were contacted by some people from Sweden. They know many people who are reading my DIARY each day….and wanted some of John’s photos for their news items. This is really special…SWEDEN!
I deeply hope I have IN SOME WAY made life a bit more FUN for my FANS! I know hearing all of this from people all over the world…has certainly made ME FEEL SPECIAL!
Enjoy your Saturday!
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~
Z
ENSIGN
LindaB,
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No need to be rude. If you care to only read what Dottie posts, then by all means do just that. There is no requirement to read the ensuing posts/replies.
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Most people who are admittedly uneducated enjoy learning from a variety of sources…
Linda B
@ENSIGN
You have your following do not need me. Lets just agree to disagree. You do not need me to pat you on your back for all your expert input.
Suzanne G
@Valeria–beautiful post. Alydar was always very special to me as well. Thanks for remembering so many great ones so eloquently.
Kathryn Cogswell
As far back as tulips, Robbie, bubbles have risen on fashion & busted on fashion; sadly, these are not tulips, and they are very precious, and vulnerable to the whims of humans.
Linda B
@Valeria Cannon thank you for your post
I have been reading about many of the great ones and how they fought to be what they are. Some of the stories broke my heart and then I read of some of the great horses who lived and passed with dignity and peace. I think that Zenyatta’s owners, trainers and team have shown what the great sport of racing can be. Not only the race but the beauty and dignity of the horse itself. In some small way my family has tried to honor animals by working with the NGAP in the adoption and rescue of greyhounds from racing tracks. Only when we respect and honor the animals on this plant do we raise our selves as humans.
Robbie Pfeufer Kahn
TO KATHRYN: After Barbaro suffered his catastrophic injury the NYT News of the Week in Review ran an article (front page as I recall) about how in Europe Thoroughbred horses are bred for stamina and strength, in the U.S. for speed. The article referred specifically to how U.S. Thoroughbred horses’ legs are too thin to support their large bodies safely, especially when racing.
Best–Robbie
Betty Ritter
Zenyatta you make my day. I can’t get enough reruns of your races…Yoou picked the right mate…
lizzy
@LindaB
I read your post that was directed at Ensign. Don’t really know what issue you have with Ensign, other than some on here appreciating his knowledge and input. It’s snarky and passive aggressive and has no place on this thread. The only person attempting to turn Ensigns contributions into something it’s not, is you. The same could be said with your post–what does greyhound rescue or the childhood trauma you experienced have anything to do with Z??? See how irrational and elementary that statement sounds? It doesn’t matter what people on here chat about (to Z/Dottie or each other). Z’s gift to us is that it’s brought us together on this thread, to learn, laugh and perhaps to even connect with others we otherwise wouldn’t have.
*
Please folks, let’s keep this site positive.
*
Z lovers unite.
ENSIGN
LindaB,
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I’m not here for any ‘following’ or ‘pats on the back’. I enjoy the blog and enjoy sharing what knowledge I have with others when possible.
.
I *don’t* appreciate rudeness. You’ve been rude to The Kennedys and to myself and I’m not sure what your reason is for that. I’d like to expect better from people on this blog…
Anna Wiley
ZENYATTA, You are TOO sweet!!!!! Do you know all that you MEAN to me? If it weren’t for YOU, I don’t know where the HOLY COW I’d be! Oh, I put you in the book I’m writing! It takes place in 2020, so, you’re in your late twenties. In the book, you get mated to a horse named Tough Beans. :D The foal is going to be named Zennybeans. Speaking of foals, how’s Bernardini? :D
Luv,
You VERY DEVOTED FAN, Anna
Barbara Wood
I can’t bear the idea of squabbling on dear Z’s website. After all, we’re all here together because of her. Love you always, big Z.
L
@Linda B,
You are the only person I’ve seen who gets so wrapped up in the more informative comments from Ensign. Some people genuinely enjoy getting the information and others who don’t probably just skip right on by, they certainly don’t get so hostile.
YOU are making this a hostile blog, which is the last thing it needs. There is room enough for everyone on here and if you are here to read just Dottie’s posts, then by all means, it’s very clear cut what are her words and what are comments by readers.
@Ensign,
Thank you for your educated, polite posts about the reality of what can be expected for Zenyatta’s breeding experience. They have always been tasteful and show a lot of thought and I look forward to reading your input.
Barbara Wood
For whatever it’s worth, we have watched a breeding at Three Chimneys, and it was just as Ensign says. I’ve often wondered if the mare conceived and if so,what happened to the foal.
Kim S
As I said earlier, a few diary posta ago, thanking Ensign for returning with knowledge for those of us that do not know ALL that goes into breeding. This is as close as some of will come to a breeding shed :) and we appreicate your taking the time to post on Zenyatta and Dottie’s behalf. I’m sure just putting the diary together takes a lot of “their” time. Wow Zenny!!! an International Star you are!!!! Who needs the Triple Crown when you have royal subjects all over the world?!?!?! Donating in honor of Barbaro for the month January and then to the Double L for February. See what great things you make happen Zen, just by being you. Hope it warms up soon for you and all your friends. Best wishes for all!
Lynn ....from California
My goodness… squabbing in here on Z’s site!? I enjoy Z’s blog. Sometimes I read a little here and there.
Anyway, .. I hope for you, Zenny, that you have very healthy pregnancy & foal. Then, a wish for the BEST LIFE for the colt for filly you bring into this world. Her foals will be so specia. The options are huge for any activity on or off the track, because they will be from the Queen.
.. Love you Zenny ..
Cathy Polansly
YOU ARE VERY SPECIAL ZENNY. WE all love you so very much. I will keep San Clemente on my list of places to visit when I visit Southern California. Have a great day Zenny, we love you so very much. With lots of Love and Big Hugs.
z4ever
Dear Ensign, Kennedys + Linda B,
It’s great to hear from Z/Dottie, Ensign, the Kennedys and all who love Z and are interested in her, horses, racing and the connections that she inspires. Everyone’s contributions add to the grace,spirit and connection between animals and humans that Z embodies. It’s such a a gift to read Z’s posts and everyone’s comments!
Barbara Sanders
I am probably the poster child for someone who paid no attention to horse racing since Secretariat and that was because my last name was Turcotte (unfortunately no relation to the great jockey). Then one day my sister talked me into going to Hollywood Park to see Zenyatta live after watching her 18 wins on YouTube and it was love at first sight. I had never seen a more beautiful horse. She gave me goosebumps and her 19th win that day near gave me a heart attack. I could not get enough of seeing her and visited Barn 55 many times before she left for Kentucky. Her connections were the politest, nicest people I’ve ever met and had such patience with all those fans. My sister and I have been so besotted with Zenyatta that we joke about needing a twelve step program for Zenyatta addicts. But my interest in horse racing has continued well beyond Z’s wonderful career and Saturday found me at Santa Anita photographing the likes of Amazonbie and The Usual Q.T. and having a fabulous day. Like I said I’m one of the poster children of what Zenyatta has done for the sport.
NancyP
Hello Beautiful Girl,
My dear sweet Zenyatta – You Are Special to all of us! I’m not surprised about Sweden keeping up with you on FaceBook. There are probably many more countries following news of you. Bless Dottie for keeping up your website for us.
I have accumulated quite a few of your pictures now, including all of The Blood-Horse covers you appeared on. My goal is to devote one wall to pictures of you. I have also been collecting articles to put in a scrapbook. I just love you more than words can say.
Stay well, keep us up-to-date on your meeting with Bernardini. Say hello to Dottie too.
Hugs and Kisses,
NancyP
Nancy
Barbaro – the name still brings tears of remembering watching him race and then his gallant struggle to live. Zenyatta, you have brought that same excitement to the race tracks that he brought a few years ago. You and your team have been so gracious in allowing us to be a part of your life. Thank you.
Trisha Veazey
Your fame has no boundries. After all you are THE QUEEN
Agnes Carlson
Zenyatta, you’re the best!
Hugs & kisses from Sweden :D
Kathryn Cogswell
There`s ‘Scout,’ in a tizzy, with ‘Atticus,’ on the front porch swing, telling her sometimes trying to walk in another`s shoes makes it easier to understand them. Harder than it seems, yet, in between the lines, currents here flow for the best in life, while, surely, we all know misunderstandings, given & received, even on purpose. ‘Creative u-turns’ — and their reversals — all are part of ‘The Great Conversation.’ When this closes, keep us as proud of it as of its namesake, ‘The Empress,’ and her way of going.
Melissa
Yes, you are special and so accessable to your fans. You are the number one reason more and more people are becoming horseracing fans. How could we not love you. You thrilled us all on the racecourse and off.
Paul
It must be really nice to be recognized by a restaurant in San Clemente, California, Zenyatta. In part, that shows how much you are missed in California. If I lived anywhere near that community, I would eat at that restaurant as often as I could get away with it. You are worth long drives. I also intend to visit your Facebook page. It is really amazing that people from Sweeden know people who are your friends on Facebook.
Rosanne Glynn
I can’t wait until throughbredtimes.com announces the winner of the contest for the name they liked for Zenyatta’s foul. I hope it was mine!!!!!!
Love and miss you Zen. Hope you are keeping warm, drinking Guiniss, eating peppermints and chilling with your buddies on the farm. xooxoxox