Hello everyone!
What a fun day I had yesterday! The morning was playful and I was in my normal routine. Then in early afternoon…LOOK WHO CAME TO VISIT WITH ME! My dear friend and close pal, MIKIE SMITH! He flew in all the way from CA to see ME! This is so exciting.
At first, Mike went out to the paddock area to see me play and interact with my friends. He brought some great goodies for us…carrots and peppermints. I think it was fun for him to see how happy I am in my new environment!
Later in the afternoon, he walked back with me to my barn. He actually led me part of the way. As you can see here, it is just HE and I standing TALL right there in the barn area. So much fun!
I know Sarah took a bit of video of our visit. She will put it up soon on my Facebook page. You can reach this by CLICKING on the FACEBOOK ICON in the upper right hand corner of my web-site. It will take you right there…my FACEBOOK PAGE.
Oh, by the way, this is very exciting as well…as of 7 a.m. CA time this morning, I have 63,848 FRIENDS on my Facebook page. You guys are really amazing! My numbers are growing every single day! Thank you so much!
Have a special day!
With Love,
Hugs to all~
Z
Borntobreed
@Mary McGuire
She does not have alpha characteristics which are
Aggressive and dominant. She is the lead or boss mare
And with a flick of her ears the others back off. If she
Were alpha there would be biting and kicking with
Both rear legs.
Sharon in Ohio
<3 <3 Hearts and Love are in the air for Zenny, and Mike !!A surprise Valentine visit! How wonderful! Oh Z, you were out there with your girl friends and then…WOW ! Mr. Wonderful showed up…your own darling Mike ! What could be a more wonderful visit, how perfect. You are his GIRL and we all know that it is TRUE LOVE, for you both ! So cute!! Thanks for the picture of you two together, hope that you have one on your wall. I have to see the video now !! Love you Z !!xxxoxoxo
Patti in Carlsbad
MIKE AND ZENNY…BEST FRIENDS FOREVER :)
Dawn Conrad
Dearest, Zenyatta. What a lovely valentine present you received! Watching the video with you and Mike certainly touched my heart. As every good valentine should, he brought flowers and candy (carrots and peppermints). And although he was not on your back, he was in a race, keeping up with your sweet tooth, Zenny. The way he stood by your shoulder and you put your head down saying, “more. . .more” was too cute! I thought you were going to reach into his pocket. The bond you have is very special, because after all the training and all the care at Barn 55, it ends up with just the jockey and the horse alone on the track. Mike was right there with you, Zenny, keeping you safe and guiding you to the finish line first 19 times. A remarkable feat by a very experienced jockey. And even in the final race, you both showed what you were made of and our hearts burst for you. Mike’s concern was not for himself, but for you beautiful girl. He is an extremely talented, kind and generous man who always makes “us” the fans feel special. I have to tell you Zenny, that his looks and that great smile, always reminds me of my older brother. My brother was my hero and I loved him more than words can say. I lost him several years ago to a massive heart attack at age 50. Much to young! In that same 5 year period, my beautiful sister-in-law died of cancer and my beloved father died again of a heart attack. I performed CPR on my father until help arrived, but he could not be saved. It was all very difficult to handle, but I look to God, family and friends for strength and I hold all the precious memories we shared in my heart. I believe the joy with which we live our own lives honors those loved ones who have gone from us too soon. So, you can understand Z why seeing Mike always brings a smile to my face. It was great that David was there with you also. You actually had two valentines, lucky girl. Thanks to Divine Dottie and Sarah for everything! Sweet dreams, Zenny. Hugs and kisses. XXXOOO
Borntobreed
@Kizzy
Sea gull the chestnut was turning around to get
some carrots. She had no reason to try and kick
Zenny and the chestnuts ears were not back. Zenny
Wanted Mike and the carrots to herself for a while.
That is why she flicked her ears to get Sea Gull to
Back off.
Mariel
Mike and Zen, together again! There is a picture that I have been waiting to see. I am so glad that Mike got to see his First Lady enjoying her new life, her new friends & her new home. I wish them both a beautiful life.
Dawn Conrad
Mike, goodluck on Drosselmeyer!!
Amanda Gilliland
My Sweet Lady Zenyatta, What a treat to see the video of you & Mike! You are such a cute pair together. I think of all the memories you have created together and I thank you & Mike for the memories I have of you both racing. I love Mike’s smile & your look at him,it is priceless! I am so glad you had a special time together. The trust that each of you have with each other is so powerful and led to 19 victories and helping to show your heart of gold in your last race to overcome unbelievable odds. I love you so much, Zenyatta, for all the wonderful memories, joy and strength you’ve given me. Stay safe! Hugs & Kisses From Alabama, Amanda G.
P.S. Dottie, as always, Thank You for sharing Zenyatta with her Fan Family!
Donna from Baltimore
What a sweet video. It’s always great to see Mike with Z. He really loves her, and it sure looks like the feeling is mutual. I thought she was going to go right into his pocket for those mints! It’s just great to see them goofing around. The contrast is so striking between Mike and Z. Yet he is not the least afraid, and she would never hurt him. It’s a sacred trust.
Borntobreed
Dear Zenny
Forgot to mention that I noticed that Bernardini
Raced with his ears back and you raced with your
Ears forward. TOO CUTE!!!!
kristen
Wonderful to see Mike with Zenyatta. He truly loves her with all his heart. You can see it in his face.
Deneen
So nice that Mike came to visit you. I can’t imagine how much you both miss each other. I see you liked the treats he brought you. Thanks Sarah for the video. . . you are awesome!! Keep them coming!! My very best to everyone!!
Cathleen
I’m so happy to see you and Mike together! You’re one lucky gal, Ms. Z! XOXO
Paula Higgins
Love that video of Mike with Zenny. Thank you so much for posting it for us. Mike clearly loves her very much. She is hilarious with those mints and carrots. She just inhales them. I am so glad he went out to visit her. I believe her record of 19 straight was partly due to their horse/rider relationship. He knew her and she knew him. Without him, it wouldn’t have happened imo. He was crucial to her and she to him in his life. He will always have those memories.
TZ
What a great video clip! It’s nice to see Mike with you Zenyatta. I wish we could all go back to the beginning of your career with Mike and see you guys all over again and again. What a great bond you have. He took good care of you and you did the same.
Hopefully you’ll always be great friends and you’ll never forget him and John and all your California team. What a greta story this is for horse racing and everyone who likes horses.
Jackie
Good Evening Queen “Z” what a very special video and such a connections between you two! I am jealous! It takes a very special person and love to fly cross country in this horrible weather. You are so treasured!
Hugs and kisses
Jackie
Sunny Boyd
Good night Zetty,
I didn’t get to watch the video all the way, it loaded for 20 sec and then the program stopped responding, but I did see where you put your ears back and Mike getting away from the paddock fence quick, it looked to me like you were going for Mike, there wasn’t really any other horse challenging you for Mike’s attention. I was surprised to see that, I think in horse language that means you’re angered, it looked like you were trying to protect the mares from Mike? :)? Did you think he was trying to take you back to the track and you didn’t want to go? But judging from some of the other viewers responses you did have a good time with Mike then after that. So all’s well ends well. You had your Valentine carrots & mints. How nice :)Well, have a a good night and sweet dreams :) :)
Sondre
Mike loves Zenny
+
Zenny loves Mike
Someone find a tree…(-:
Sunshine on a cloudy day, my girl… as the song goes. Fits Zenny to a T. Great video!
Barbara Wood
@Dawn Conrad–your handling of the tragedy in your life is an example to us all.
Good night, sweet Z. Love you always.
livey
@SunnyBoyd
.Hmm, it’s interesting how we all interpret ‘that’ reaction differently. I too thought the ears pinned back was directed at Mike, until i watched video again. You’ll notice that as Z walks towards Mike, the chestnut turns her backend towards Z and takes a step back towards her as if positioning to kick her.
.
I also think Mike’s relationship with Z is a little different and how Z views him. I don’t mean that as a negative, just a thought. Even someone on here had read somewhere, where Mike mentions how Z never kisses him. Just like she liked Steve as her conditioning rider but she would buck other riders off.
.
But, if I had to take a guess, I’d say Z does have positive memories of him..that was her buddy during races! She did come right to him AND she seemed very relaxed in the stable with him. I think she just looked preoccupied by other girls.
.
My two cents. :)
Sharon in Seattle
to Happy Harriet, I love “VOZ”!!! wow!! that is the coolest acronym! And to Robbie, “a state of perfect peace” – that’s EXACTLY how I feel when I see that picture of Mario and Zenyatta. And I’m one of the tens of thousands who could just sit and watch a video of Zenyatta munching grass for 10,20,30 minutes!!
JENN
I a so happy that Mike got to spend some time with you! I bet it was really hard for him to resist throwing a leg over you, just one more time!
Dona
Too Cute ! You told those girls stay back this is my man! This is my man and he brought me goodies! Course you were about to break out in a dance if he didn’t get those mints open faster! :)
Cheryl
You are the Valentine of our hearts! You are way cute with Mike – he loves you so much. Have you been getting lots of valentines? I guess its flowers for people and carrots for horses – I think the horse way of it makes much more sense! You can eat the carrots! Thanks so much for keeping this site for us and the diary!! I look forward to it so much every day, just knowing you are well and happy means so much to me! LOVE YOU!
Pamela J Hebert
Oh Zenny I did so enjoy the video of you & Mike. I was sure he was your surprise visitor. What love he has for you & how moving it was to watch him open the peppermints for you. He couldn’t get them open enough for you- how truely sweet to watch. Not many jockey’s are so close what a wonderful life you have had & so blessed with so much love. I like so many fans would’ve liked to have heard it with no music. Once again dear Dottie thank you from the bottom of my heart for your devotion to the beautiful Z. I must share with you an email I received from Christine Crocker from Santa Anita. I had made a mistake on my poster order & she so kindly emailed me back about the correction. She said she is blown away by how different the Zenyatta fans are from all other Daily Racing fans. How true sweet Zenyatta. I wish that in the future you can return back to California to be closer to the wonderful family God has given you. Dottie what a great lady you are for devoting so much of your time to Z & her fans. Happy Valentines Day to Team Z!!! Like so many of your fans who haven’t met you, I hope that someday I may. Good nite sweetie, may you dream of your loving friend Mike.
Pamela J Hebert
Correction Z- Mike couldn’t get them open fast enough for you….truely loving.
Char
I think you’ll always be Mike’s #1 sweetheart.
Holly Zemba
If that isn’t True Love I don’t know what is. Mike Smith is a class act. I’m so glad he came to see you and I’m sure he misses you so much.
Karen Mitchell
I loved the comments about Vitamin Z and the Zenyatta effect. And I loved Robbie Kahn’s description of Zenyatta having a look of perfect peace. And of Z leaning her head on Mario (that was beatific). And Dawn Conrad’s story of heartbreak, loss, and healing was beautiful. I know Zenyatta has helped me in these past 11 months since my husband died; it is amazing that a horse could mean so much to so many people in such a positive way. Thanks to all for your comments.
OraJean Stevenson
Dear Queen-Z & Team-Z,
Thanks for sharing your surprize visit from Mike Smith. The video on Facebook was wonderful to watch. The two of you look so HAPPY to see each other again.
Take care and keep warm. Hugs to all. Fondly, OraJean