Good Morning,
Well, I am feeling fabulous this morning! After I came back from Darley yesterday, I relaxed and enjoyed the rest of the day in my regular routine with my friends. We had a great time ‘visiting’ and “just doing girl talk!” It was also a day when one reflects on one’s family. I have this great photo of Mario I wanted to share with YOU. When he came to visit me last time, Mario also spent some fun time visiting other farms. He really wanted to meet MY MOM, VERTIGINEUX. We were able to make this happen for him.
During his visit with Vertigineux, he spent a great deal of time just laughing and smiling! I guess it is because she is “MY MOM”! Mario commented that we have some very similar physical qualities. She is also a good-sized MARE with a PRETTY FACE and GREAT eyes! And look at those adorable EARS! I really believe all of my friends at BARN 55 would know them ANYWHERE! (I think my whole family has a ‘thing’ for fabulous EARS!) Very, very cute!
As for my personal ‘baby’ status, many of you asked several questions about what happens next. Well, with horses, the vets will scan me at approximately 16 days to see if “I look to be in foal”. This is considered to be the ‘early pregnancy scan’. If all looks to be in good order…they will rescan me about 12-14 days later. The primary goal of these early check-ups/scans is always to monitor the “IN FOAL STATUS.” The third pregnancy scan is done 42-45 days from the breeding date. This one is especially important. At this stage, it is really a good sign when all is A-OK with the pregnancy. So, I’ll update you as we go along…but the 42-45 day report is very, very important!
Like I said yesterday…HOOVES CROSSED.
All of my CA FRIENDS and BARN 55 are very excited! Dottie was teasing them….THINK “BLUE” or THINK “PINK.” The anticipation is so much fun! Also, I did want to tell you that I so appreciate ALL of the KIND WORDS, CONCERN, and THOUGHTS you shared with ME on my Web-site and Facebook Page. You are all such loving and caring friends! I hope the next year is a GREAT EXPERIENCE for all of us! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING!
I will keep you posted!
With love,
HUGS TO ALL~
Z
Janet Cutting
Hi Zenny and All: @RobbiePK– I am in on the “mario visits Zenyatta” I will keep watching for info on when, where and how. I was also reading thru comments about visiting Z–I understand–thanks to all of you out there with your excellent sources and knowledge–I will wait. I have to admit I was looking forward to driving to KY and meeting alot of you while we would be waiting in a lonnngg line to see her–but that will come about. Just want to say I enjoy your comments very much– LIVEY, L, SIGNOFTHETIMES, SUNNY BOYD,LIZZIE,KATHRYN COGSWELL,ROBBIE PK, ENSIGN– I have learned so much from reading and viewing links that some of you mention. Yes, we do have a great group out there!!!! I am thinking PINK for our Zenyatta–we need a “little Z”. Have a GREAT WEEKEND TO all and a big hug to DOTTIE (VOZ). Janet C.
@wingspanexpress
Definitely a Man O’ War connection to Zenyatta. See here:
http://www.wingspan.wordpress.com/2011/02/02/rachel-and-zenyatta-bloodlines-on-the-wings-of-the-past-%E2%80%93-war-admiral/
and here:
http://www.wingspan.wordpress.com/2011/01/23/zenyatta-bloodlines-part-iii/
ENSIGN
@ Sharon Call,
.
Isn’t that the most wonderful article? I’ve seen the photos in the past on Barbara’s site, and DRF did post it a few days ago, mistakingly a few days early (oops!) but it’s really just a treasure. While the photos are somber they’re beautiful at the same time and I’m glad someone took the time to record that important piece of history.
.
I hope the others enjoy it and your sentiment in posting it. Be prepared for the worst though…posting a link to a deceased horse could get you a serious flaming…. ;-)
Janet Cutting
@Gloria Jeanne– Dont worry, we are all
looking real good out there– we just
get a few stormy times–I’m sure Dottie and Z will be ok with it. @Ensign– you are right on!!!
signofthetimes
To Honor and Serve one of Bernies (Bay) 3 year old colts will run tomorrow at Gulfstream in the Fountain of Youth Grade 2 preparing for
Derby. I understand he is one of the top contendors.
Good Luck to him !!!!
Martha in Ocala
Z, Your dam isso BEAUTIFUL!!!!
Which farm is she residing?
I hope you get to see her again.
Glad you had a restful day.
Yes, we are breeders, and I know you’ll do fine. Congrats and Good Luck.
Brenda
Your mom is beautiful! You are beautiful! Your babies will be too!
Robbie Pfeufer Kahn
To SUNNYBOYD and L: You may be right that to offer a travel gift to Mario Espinoza (and Carmen Zamora) would be inappropriate. It could seem an intrusion into the affairs of Team Z and could seem condescending to Mario, as if we were offering a handout.
I’d thought of a gift to him in the same spirit that Karey R expressed: “Not because Mario couldn’t afford it himself, but because the fans appreciate him so much. It would be fun to show him how we feel.”
In my original post I had asked permission of Dottie, Zenyatta, and Team Z. If they think the gesture inappropriate I’m sure they will find a polite way to say so.
Thank you for raising these issues.
Best–Robbie
Sharon Call
@Ensign. Well, that’s always a possibility. I was interested because of the connection to Z and did state that the article made me sad, which it did. But Man O’War was 30 years old when he passed and that’s a more than respectable age for a horse. The respect and love that was shown to him was humbling and I hope that anyone that takes the time to view the article understands that I meant no ill will but just to show how the bloodline has gone on. Barbara Livingston’s work is just amazing. She takes so much time to research and her writing ability is one of the best I’ve ever read. Hope everyone takes it in the spirit it was intended, but if they don’t, I’ll survive.
Dallas
Hey baby girl, your mama is hot! I see where the looks come from. Just wanted to say hi and to let you know that you are surely loved and missed from the track. You will stay in my prayers.
Dallas from Texas
Cynthia A. Holt
Just look at her. The Queen Mother. WOW.
Lynn Simonaitis
What a great day you “picked” to have your
interlude with Bernie. I was married on the 23rd of Feb. in 1973. The same year as Secretariat won the Triple Crown.
I personally hope you have a filly.
Dani
That little Rags to Riches colt is cute as can be. I can just imagine him romping and bucking around the paddock quite pleased with himself. I really miss Rags to Riches. She is the reason I became interested in horseracing. I never use to watch racing except for the Triple Crown. And then there she was like a beautiful shooting star across the sky in the Belmont. I just couldn’t get over her. Sadly of course she developed that hairline fracture and had to be retired. But I wasn’t deterred. I ordered TVG and HRTV and started watching races. I read BloodHorse and DRF and the Thoroubred Times and picked out horses to follow and soon became a convert to the sport. I often wonder though, what greatness would Rags have reached if she’d stayed healthy.
Dani
… of course I meant Thoroughbred Times – bad typing today.
Jenna
Happy Friday!
I hope Zenyatta is all warm and cozy in her stall. Thank you for the updates, Dottie, and all that you are.
I hope our girl had a great day today and that we hear good news in 13 days.
Have a nice night. Sleep tight, Z.
Nighty night :)
Barbara Wood
@Sharon Call–thanks for the great link to the article on MOW. Our quarter horse is descended from him,as are most thoroughbreds.
Good night, sweet Z. Pleasant dreams until tomorrow.
Signofthetimes
@Kate
I missed your post yesterday about Z ‘ s mom.
How very special to share your experience with
Her and a real comparison to her mom. Thanks
So much for sharing. They both are very special.
It seems that Bernie and Z will compliment each other
Both with very good minds, sound and talented. Bernie
Seems to be very in charge and focused like Z. I love
The mix!!!!!
Theresa Buck
Zenny your dad is a good looking fellow
Theresa Buck
Zenny your dad (STREET CRY) Is a good looking fellow as well as your mom is beautiful
Dawn Conrad
@Sharon Call – Thank you so much for the link to Man o’War. I found it beautifully moving. The video of him at the end took my breath away, how majestic he was! I just finished a book written by Dorothy Ours a couple of weeks ago. It is called “Man o’War: A Legend Like Lighting”. His story is truly amazing and I love that his outstanding talent and wonderful spirit have not been lost forever, but lives on from generation to generation in his gifted offspring. Such marvelous history is the hallmark of the thoroughbred.
Suzanne
Thanks for making this web site so fans can see where life takes Zenyatta. I’ll keep hoping she has a healthy pregnancy and a champion foal for us to cheer on at the track in the future.
Kate
Zenyatta, noticed that your Dad does not have a star or blaze. Sure hope your foal has some sort of marking on his face like you have. We sure would like to visit you. Would that be possible this year or will we need to wait for a year due to the breeding process?
Christine
Night Zen
One more day gone to wait…those eyes your peaceful lipid pools of serenity. Love ya Zen
lizzy
@signofthetimes:
I read your post to Kate and went back to read. Very neat having someone post on here that had hands on experience with V. ;)
.
I’ve copied and pasted below Kate’s original post for those that missed it in the thread. Here it is:
“Kate said:
February 24, 2011
How wonderful to see a photo of Vertigineux! I worked for Michael Dickinson when Vertigineux was there in training and from what I have read about Zenyatta, she inherited a lot of her mother’s personality!!! Vertigineux was a little more highly strung (probably from her daddy Kris S.) but she was very “people-oriented” and kind. She loved attention and affection! I have a photo of her as a 4-year old, an Z looks just like her momma! The size & the sweetness genes are definitely Vertigineux’s… I for one am hoping for pink… Good luck Zenyatta!”
.
.
What stuck out to me in Kate’s post was V’s spunkiness as a yungin. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I recall some (Steve from Backside) saying she had some of that as well. Her bucking ‘riders’ off — that is when Steve took over. So, maybe she’s more like her mommy than we think. ;)
.
I really can’t get over how much Z looks like her Mom. It would be so neat if one day they could meet…something to put on our wish list I guess. :)
lizzy
-AND to Janet Cutting:
Thank you for the kind words. :) :) Love the Z fans.
L
@Lizzy,
It’s funny you mention Zenyatta having a kick to her gallop. There are a couple of pictures on e-bay of her morning workouts and her exercise lad has his ‘feet in the dashboard’ trying to hold her in! :D
She was probably QUITE the handful.
Joyce
@ENSIGN Thank you for the pictures of Roberto (I have ALWAYS admired him and pay attention to his progeny) and also of Street Cry. Both of them, along with her beautiful mother, show some more great reasons for our gal’s stunning good looks.
Z – wishing you the best of everything each day. You have brought so many of us so much happiness. Some of my friends think I am quite out of it for being in love with a horse, but what can I say!
Everyone – Thanks for brightening my days. I feel we are all part of a very special group, and it is so much fun.
Sunny Boyd
Good Evening Zenyatta,
well, you have me all excited about the new foal, now, I know it’s a way off yet, but it sure is sthg. Wheehee :) :) :)
So I wrote you another poem, hope you like it
Winterfoal
Clouds heavy on the winter’s sky
Ready to give birth
The great mare in foal is showing
with her very large girth
The barn people said
No weather change till nightfall
Not to worry
Her due date is not for days
There’s no hurry
But the great mare knew better
Keeping her nostrils to the wind
She moved cautiously as best
as the snow would let her
No longer feeling the wind
She laid down
The white frosty blanket beneath
Changing now as if rose pedals
Had fallen to the ground
Inscripted eons ago it was time for
The clouds and the mare
As the foal dropped onto the snow
Large snowflakes dropped into a dance
Without a care
They were kissing the new mother
cleaning her kin
Landing softly on the filly
Now nestling safely
Under the great mare’s chin
Snowdrops were falling onto
The foal’s ears from her whiskers
The mother’s soft neighs telling
Secrets of bows and dance steps
turned to a whisper
For voices from the barn
Moved the mare’s ears flat back
On the dare
Snorting, she and the foal stood up
Mustering the barn people
Offering blankets while approaching
With care
Their voices regaining
The usual familiarity
The great mare’s stance softened
And she bowed her noble head
To being led with the foal,
Born, almost in the wild
Back to the barn
Keeping warmth, schedules,
Appointments with the usual
Regularity.
Sleep tight, and sweet dreams of carrots & mints.
Kim S
@Sharon Call: What a great link to great part of history. What a grand, proud individual Man O’War was. Even though it seems as if he was in pain the latter part of his days, he gave of himself for those of us in the future to behold his majesty.
@Ensign: Thanks for the link to Rags to Riches and colt. It brings a smile and a reminder of her Belmont win.
Zenny you have some great and informative fans who are appreciated for sharing info amongst us.
Lotsa love to all.
Pamela J Hebert
Congratulations on your California Awards Zenyatta both you, Ann & Jerry!!!!!!! You are the absolute BEST!!!! Have a lovely weekend beautiful girl!!! HUGS N’ KISSES!!!!!!!