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
Barb G
Dear Z: There have been some great horses during my lifetime, and I was lucky enough to see some of them in person in NY-NJ. You and Secretariat are the King and Queen of Thoroughbreds–each of you attained heights that other good horses just cannot reach. I, too, mourn Barbaro, and cried throughout his ordeal, watching him slowly lose his great battle to live. I am also a Rachel Alexandra fan and saw her in person last year and she is beautiful, too. Yet she somehow could not sustain the racing life as you have, Z. I wish her well and hope she, too, lives a long and healthy and happy life. But you, Zenyatta, are the Empress of racing–and you will always be. Your record, your style, your great looks, your dancing–indelible in the minds of people who love horses and people who are new to racing, thanks to you. It is no longer the sport of kings–it is the sport of the Queen, the Empress–Zenyatta. Our hearts are with you all the way.
Jacalyn
Sweet Zenny, of course you are loved all over the world. Like others who love Barbaro, I too prayed only that you would come home safe and sound. God bless all your connections who made sure that always happened… that put your safety before everything else.
I am sending you a present I bought when most folks thought AP Indy would be your first date. It’s called a swimmer… its a small, round felt ball with a big smile on its face and a squiggley tail… Yep, its a little sperm, fertility good luck charm. Bernardini is such a good “Daddy”, I’m sure you won’t need the extra luck. But,it also makes a great cat toy and I know you have friends who would enjoy it.
Irene Caty
Hi Zenny, I hope to go to Santa Anita On Saturday to watch your Z-Team except your award from Penny. It will be exciting. I will have to say that I was not much of a Horserace fan before I fell upon you and I really have not been to the track since your farewell parade at Hollywood Park. I do love the horses and like to watch them run but the feeling is not the same as watching you in an exciting race. It took me so long to stop crying when you left us that I am afraid going to the track and not seeing you may start me going again. I am going to give it a good try on Saturday. Have a good week-end and stay connected to you Z-Team. Love you always Queen Zenyatta.
margie
Happy Saturday, Sweet Zenny and Girlfriends. Today I received my Z T-shirt ordered from your web page. I was so excited, and it’s really pretty, too. I wish I could wear it to the Santa Anita event one week from today – S.A. is only 20 miles from my house – but I’ll be out of town :-( I’ll be there in spirit, though, with all of your fans who plan to meet there. What a great day they will have in your honor! Dottie, thanks for the wonderful diary on Zenny’s behalf; we all love you for it. And most definitely, RIP Barbaro…
Laurie
What an interesting full circle with you – I loved Barbaro so much and followed his fight and I just realized that Bernadini was the horse that one the Preakness that Barbaro was injured in! Poor Bernardini didn’t get much happiness shared in his win with all the sad Barbaro following! I am so happy that Bernadini now gets YOU – the most wonderful horse in the world!! I haven’t loved a horse since Barbaro but you have changed all that for me! You are unforgettable and I love reading all your posts!!
Debbie
Z, don’t EVER stop writing, it makes my day, every single day!!! love you Z!!! xo
sherry drish
WE ARE NOT SURPRISED THAT YOU, DEAR ZENYATTA, ARE SO LOVED. YOU ARE TALENTED AND BEAUTIFUL. I WISH PEOPLE COULD TRY TO BE KIND TO OTHERS AS TEAM ZENYATTA. I KNOW YOU HAVE A LOT OF FANS AND THAT EACH OF US WOULD MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN LIFE IF WE ARE A SWEET SPIRIT LIKE YOU. TAKE CARE AND STAY WARM …SHERRY D.
Nancy L
I have a question that John or Dottie probably need to answer. I read an article that mentioned one reason you didn’t start until late in your 3 year old year because of a set back. I know all the things that could have been the cause but I am curious about the specific reason. I actually think the piece I read was reporting what John said several days after the HOY dinner and awards. Thanks for the explanation.
Lynn Simonaitis
I cannot imagine anyone else’s picture on the walls!!
Lynn
Cheryl Heath
Hi Zenyatta. Love you and the next time I go out to California, I will plan to go to the OC Grill. How nice that they decorate with your beautiful photos. Worth the trip to see. My HOY Zenyatta is next week and we are all looking forward to celebating again your award and of course talking about you and your upcoming breeding. Many things going on and we all love getting together to talk about you and racing. You are the very best.
My heart too goes out today to all the Barbaro fans. I loved him too and will always miss him. A great horse on the track and off. There is a beautiful bronze of him at Churchill Downs.
I say a special thank you every day that you stayed safe on and off the track. The Queen of a lifetime.
Eileen
Love the pictures! Again, thanks to the “Z” team for letting us as fans be a part of all these exciting events. It means so much to continue to see and hear news of the Queeen. She is soooo special!
Jess
“You will go down as one of the greatest race mares of all time. Happy to hear about you everyday. And I hope your foal turns out to be better then you or Bernardini, if at all possible.” Love, Jess
Henrietta Wolfe
Good day Zenyatta. It is a rainy day where I live in the State of Washington. I am just staying in and keeping warm. YOU are famous all over the world. That is no surprise to any of your fans. YOU ROCK!!! YOU have made millions of people happy and will continue to do that FOREVER. YOU are in our hearts because YOU are SPECIAL! YOU ARE INTELLIGENT, YOU ARE NICE TO EVERYONE, YOU ARE, IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING, TALENTED, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL, CARING AND LOVING TO ALL AROUND YOU, YOU ARE RESPECTFUL, YOU APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU HAVE AND REALIZE THAT YOU WORKED HARD TO EARN IT,YOU CAN DANCE AND BRING TEARS TO OUR EYES, HAPPY TEARS. ZENYATTA, YOU ARE, PERFECT!!!! I LOVE YOU Z AND WILL BE WAITING FOR YOUR NEXT POST. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Sue Fredrick
Hi Zen, I love the beautiful mural they have there at the OC, but being from Wisconsin it will be a long time before I ever see it in person. I’m saving my pennies to come to Kentucky again to see you and some of the stallions, hopefully, your daddy and your date to be. I wrote a message late yesterday on the diary about a book I read about Barbaro, really great, and where to get it. Anyone interested see my message from late yesterdays postings. And yes, please put a yellow and green ribbon in your hair for the Packers. They are a great story like you, and are owned by the people of Green Bay not a big corporation. Have a great day. Luv and kisses on your nose
Judy Gadwood Loves Zenny/California
Hi Zenny!
WOW a restaurant decorated with your photos… I wonder if it looks anything like where I live ;-)
I’m so thankful for all the pics I have of you… some of the winner’s circle! I wish I had one of your halters to go with my John Henry halter!
XOXO hugs & kisses
Jennifer Adelman
Dear Zenyatta, You are as famous as Secretariat, Man o War, Ruffian and will be remembered and admired for years to come. I think pictures of you and Mario will be remembered as well as Will Haribut, Man O Wars famous groom.
Too bad we have to 11 months for the foal.
Hugs!
Joan Walls
Queen Z I hope that you know that all of us will never be ready to stop hearing from you and reading about what is going on in your life. YOU need a BOOK. It would be good to wait until after the “baby” comes! You are beloved around the world. Hugs and kisses. Joan
Sue
Hi Z, I must say many girls might not be so happy about dating a boy that is shorter than you. I think you are so very special even height does not bother you with your new main squeeze!! I sure miss watching you run. Three years is a long time to wait for your baby but it will sure be worth it. love ya
S
Sitting at Santa Anita waiting on the 6th to start. Just wanted you to know that there has been on going Zenyatta-Bernadini chatter all around us:). People talking about you, your daddy, your baby daddy , his daddy ……it’s like reading your blog but with sound ;)
Mimi Griffith
How very smart of your team to embrace all of your fans by being so open and sharing you in this way. It keeps you in our hearts and I think it is really appreciated by so many. I sure wish Lanes End was open to the public in the spring so I could see you when in town for Rolex. So glad you are loving your new life.
Trish & Mike in Colorado
One of our best memories was seeing Zenyatta schooling for 45 + minutes the day before the Ladys Secret at Hollywood Park in October, 2010. We felt we got a private showing seeing you prance, pose, and buck a little bit when you heard the call to the post and even a race call. The love and care Mario gave you was so evident. What a treat, your coat was sparkling, too.
max
Queen Z. You are an amazing and unique American superstar race horse, but you also have the bloodlines of some great British, Irish, Argentinian and Canadian thoroughbreds in your pedigree. You belong to the whole world because your heart and courage both on and off the track shine as an inspiration to anyone who has seen or read about you. Long live a true champion.
Ingrid in MA
The only thing I’m sorry about is that it’s taken the rest of the world this long to discover you! Granted, I didn’t discover you until Mike started riding you (that’s not the reason I discovered you,but that’s when you first appeared on my radar!),but I guess once you appeared on 60 Minutes,the rest of the world realized your greatness! I just wish it hadn’t taken so long – I felt like it was just a very small group of us defending your talents to the naysayers!!
I had a dream about your first foal last night! As in all dreams,it happened quickly – a mere few hours from conception to birth! And he – it was a colt – was ADORABLE! His name (in the dream) was Namen (German for “name” – that was never explained in the dream!),and he was this beautiful dark brown,with a burst of white on his forehead. He was SO adorable! He wasn’t even racing yet,but people couldn’t stop talking about him. I just wish that the dream would have sped up enough to show Namen as an adult,racing. I have seen the future,Zenny, and he is BEAUTIFUL!!! (Was there really any doubt about that,though??)
Love you, Team Z!
Mary
Thank you so much to Dottie for helping you put news on your site, Zenyatta. It is always so cute, just like you would talk. Question, how do we log onto a website for John and Dottie, or the Mosses and get news, send a comment or an address to send stuff too, etc. I do not log into Facebook, guess I’m old fashioned. I only go there to see your photos. You posted your Facebook count of friends, but know that you have thousands more just like me who aren’t counted there. Glad you are so happy and well. Hugs and Prayers…
Ingrid in MA
And I must totally agree with Joan Walls when she says you need a BOOK about you! You need to have a serious talk with Steve Haskin – he’s written “biographies” about all the ol’ greats. A book about YOU,written by HIM will go instant #1 Best Seller!! PLEASE,please,beg the man for us, would you? Much appreciated!!
Sally (B)
Hi Z! Thankyou for the mural pictures; awesome. You have made my life so much more special and I can’t thank you enough for sharing your life with us. Sweet Zenny; it is because of you ( and your team) that this is the most memorable time in my life, as well as the worlds!!
I am happy you liked schooling! I imagine you looked around everywhere, just like you do at Lane’s End. I thank my friend for introducung me to you earlier in your career. We followed you to Oaklawn and the Breeders Cup in 2010. We went back to Keeneland for your fan day! I swear I won’t go back, though I’d love to see other stallion farms, until I can visit with you first. I thank God for you. I will always be sad for Barbaro; my heart just broke for him. That is why I prayed for you before every race as well as others. I get to serious sometimes–gee, you make me feel so happy! Love with a kiss on your soft nose.
Gloria
Hi Big Mama Z. You’ve made life a ton of fun for me! I am almost done with my Zenyatta scrapbook. It’s becoming very heavy! Tee hee! That’s okay. It’s so great to have all of those memories in one place. The next book? Your second career as a mama! Love you!
Boo
Hi Zenny! I was a very sweet boy today when my mamma rode me in her lesson! She told me the story of Barbaro. She told me that on this very day, he went to horsey heaven.He was such a good boy!!!! I bet you would have loved him. You two are REALLY fast!!!!!!!!! I know that you respect all of your fellow competitors and wish them all well. My mamma doesn’t ride to well, and I go REALLY slow otherwise she fall off!!!!!!!
Love Boo!!!!!!!
P.s. OC Grill sounds yummy! I call my pasture the “All You Can Eat Salad Bar! It’s really delicious!!!!!!!!!
Elaine
Yesterday I heard “Everything She Does Is Magic” on the radio and got teary eyed thinking of you. That might be good background music for you and Bernardini. You are magic, Zenyatta!
DEBBIE GUSTAFSON
IM SO HAPPY FOR YOU ZEN, BERN, SEEMS SO EXCITED ABOUT MEETING YOU,,,,I SURE HOPE YOU TWO HIT IT OFF, JUST BLINK, THEM EYES AND DO YOUR DANCE AND HE WILL JUST MELT,,CAUSE YOU ARE THE QUEEN Z~~~~LOVE YOU GIRL,,,