Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Ask The Experts

Ask The Experts #2

Q:

When a mare has a foal, and then is sent to another farm to be bred for the next season, is the foal left back at the farm until the mare returns or does the foal accompany mom in the horse van to the stallions farm ? Is someone assigned to the foal to keep it calm while mom is being bred?

Sally Wade

Saginaw, MI

A:Typically, as long as the stallion is local, the foal will be left at home while the mare is bred. They usually return within a one to two hour period, and someone in the barn will watch them closely while the mare is absent. In our breeding shed we will make concessions for mares that are travelling some distance to be bred and allow them to bring the foal with the mare.

Photo by Kyle Acebo

Q:

Zenyatta has always been a big girl and has packed on quite a few since retirement—do you have a way of providing structured exercise to those horses that need it?

Karen in Indiana

Indianapolis, IN

A:In Zenyatta’s case she came to us in peak physical fitness off the track in the dead of winter. Due to the dramatic climate change for her we had to let her down slowly and carefully. Obviously she needs the extra condition for farm life as she has the elements to contend with now. She gained weight gradually and she is a mare than can hold a lot of condition due to her size and depth of girth.

Typically we do not have issues with broodmares becoming too overweight—in fact when they have a foal at their side they need a lot of calories to maintain the foal and their own condition. We feed the mares grain at least twice a day and sometimes three for those who warrant more. The mares are turned out as much as possible when the weather permits, as free exercise is the best way to keep them in shape and healthy both mentally and physically.

We do sometimes have weight control issues with the stallions. We have a horse walker in place at the stallion barn to keep some of the bigger guys from getting too heavy, especially before the breeding season when they need to be fit and ready to go!

Our Expert

Alys Emson

Client Management, Lane’s End

Alys has been at Lane’s End for fourteen years. She has worked in every division of the farm and is now in charge of client management, keeping owners up to speed about the lives of their horses.

Reader Interactions

625 Comments

    • / Reply

      Sign. Very interesting line up for the Suburban with at least two of Bernie’s boys in it. I love Stay Thirsty so that I will be cheering for him.

      • / Reply

        Me, Too. Max

        Like To Honor and Serve

        These stallions make it hard for us fans to root for only one of their off spring !!!

        • Sign. It will get easier when 12Z starts to race. We will be cheering for him. However he will probably be known as Zenyatta’s boy.

        • Sign. Apropos of the influence of the sire and the dam, listen to what Henry Cecil has to say about Frankel and the impact of his mother’s side of the family. He also says some amusing things about Frankel’s brother Noble Mission and his hood.

          In 12Z’s case, he is the image of Zenyatta who in turn favors her distaff side. She could easily be mistaken for Roberto on the track.

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wWQWOEBAQI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

        • Great Link, Max
          to Sir Henry Cecil interview and insight into the great Frankel

          He is truely a champion and one of a kind.

    • / Reply

      Sign,
      Oh thanks for posting this I love these guys and will plan to watch, I almost hope its a dead heat, ha, ha. Love Miss Delta too will want to watch that race also. Hugs

      • / Reply

        Me too, Sue

        Dead heat would be great.

        Anyone doing a pre-race BCC bet in Las Vegas for Royal Delta ???

  2. / Reply

    Mike Mitchell Update July 1
    Shea Mitchell‏ tweet
    Dad leaves the hospital tomorrow.
    So thankful for the power of prayer.
    Will be cheering from the hospital as a family again today

    • / Reply

      I emailed Shea last week to let her know lots of people from all over the country were posting on various sites, sending well wishes and prayers for her dad and the family. She sent a nice reply thanking me for letting her know.

  3. / Reply

    Thank you LE for your continued updates and educating all of us! Great pics of Zenny and 12Z as well. She is beautiful and a stately Mom.

  4. / Reply

    Hi Z family.

    The basket project is going well! I am getting more donations like candy and brushes by the day! It will all go to SHERR, so if you haven’t sent anything in yet, please please please do! It’s going to help Gus and the mare and the baby and many other deserving horses! Those who sent money for the basket, thank you! I will have a picture of the final product posted, and some pictures of the horses. For more information, please email me at bakablonde@aol.com.

    Here is a Rescue Gus update! He’s all healed from his sunburns on his lips and head!
    Wrinkles! http://t.co/JFwXXqeU

    Finally! Some shade!!! http://t.co/U20YhIeL

  5. / Reply

    RIP …John Johny Jak….won his race yesterday but had to be vanned back to barn…
    trainer said trying to save him…tvg reported he had to be euthanized…this poor boy had survived colic surgery last year and rehabbed to run again…very sad
    …..

  6. / Reply

    carol in utah…. Where did you read that about JJJ?? I’ve been all over and haven’t read that he was put down just, that everything was being done to safe him.

    • / Reply

      Hollywood Park: John Johny Jak euthanized after Kerlan win
      By Steve Andersen Daily Racing Form 07/02/2012 12:01 PM
      John Johny Jak was euthanized following his victory in Sunday’s Robert Kerlan Handicap.
      INGLEWOOD, Calif. – John Johny Jak, vanned off after winning Sunday’s $70,800 Robert Kerlan Handicap at Betfair Hollywood Park, was euthanized Sunday evening because of a shoulder injury, trainer Kristin Mulhall said.
      John Johny Jak was pulled up about a quarter-mile after the finish and transported to Mulhall’s stable for evaluation. Mulhall said that several veterinarians were consulted in the hours after the race.
      “We ended having to put him down,” she said Sunday evening. “It was the hardest thing.”
      Owned by Kretz Racing, John Johny Jak won three minor stakes in the last year, including the Brubaker Stakes at Del Mar and Lure Stakes at Hollywood Park in 2011. Last December, John Johny Jak underwent surgery for colic, which kept him out of training until this spring.
      The Kerlan was John Johny Jak’s first start since a fourth in the Grade 2 Citation Handicap at Hollywood Park last fall.
      A 5-year-old ridgling by Wildcat Heir, John Johny Jak won 9 of 25 starts and $342,279.
      http://www.drf.com/print/news/hollywood-park-john-johny-jak-euthanized-after-kerlan-win

  7. / Reply

    To All Dressage and Olympic Fans,
    Just found out that Ann Romney rides dressage to help with her MS and is part owner of a Warmblood that just made the Olympic team! She will not be riding but the Romneys are going to London to watch the Esquestrian events and she is very excited her horse will be competing! If you Google 2012 American Dressage Olympic team you can read more about it. How exciting!

    Sadly I also heard that our dear Neveille Bartos fell during trials and he did not make the team. He is okay as is his rider, but what a disappointment! This was going to be such a great finish to a great story.

    Mike Mitchell is in my prayers for a clean bill of health, bless him and his family!

      • / Reply

        Sorry, Max. Here is the story
        The United States Equestrian Federation named its three-day event team for the Olympics Monday, rounding out its team across all three disciplines. In a surprise, Boyd Martin will not ride Neville Bardos

        Team USA–It’s Official
        Eventing Nation has confirmed from multiple sources in England that the Eventing High Performance committee has approved the following selection for eventing Team USA’s Olympic team:
        Will Coleman and Twizzel
        Karen O’Connor and Mr. Medicott
        Phillip Dutton and Mystery Whisper
        Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister
        Boyd Martin and Otis Barbotiere

        Here are 2 links with more info
        http://eventingnation.com/
        http://www.nbcolympics.com/equestrian/index.html

        • Keta. Very disappointing news for Neville fans. He is however still named as a replacement. I guess that we will have to support Otis. Go Otis! And Boyd!

  8. / Reply

    I think the duct tape will hold for awhile, at least until I can post. Congratulations to Hansen. It was great that the people of Iowa were able to see such a horse in action. I would think that Hansen would be a real threat in the BC mile. @Sue, Florida chapter president–I will work on the list as soon as I am completely up and running. There are, like you, several states which only have member who also serves as president. The lack of participation puzzles me. The Redneck Club is a fun place. @Trina-Great stuff on the Battle of NO. The strange thing about that battle is that it actually took place after the war of 1812 was over. Here are today’s redneck jokes. You might be a redneck if you think Long John Silver is formal underwear. You might be a redneck if your clothesline has at least two splices in it. You might be a redneck if your idea of cleaning house is to throw everything in the back yard. You might be a redneck if your hood ornament used to be a bowling trophy. Speaking of bowling, you might be a redneck if your most expensive shoes have numbers on the heels. You might be a redneck if you can imitate a deer mating call from an orifice other than your mouth.

    • / Reply

      Terry Crow. Communications were not what they might have been during the War of 1812 and messages did not always get delivered on time even such news of the signing of the Treaty of Ghent. I am informed that the cause may have been a shortage of duct tape supplies. LOL.

      • / Reply

        You are ciorrect, Max. I am sure it was lack of communication or the delay of such. Still, it is unfortunate that the battle was fought after the treaty had been signed. Duct tape was probbaly the reason.

        • Max and TC,

          You are both too funny, duck tape !!!

    • / Reply

      Funny TC and Max. Good to see you back in the tech world TC.

      Cleaning the house…that’s my kind of cleaning. I’d rather clean a barn, the horses seem to appreciate it, more so than my crazy varmits(kids).

      Have a good week everyone! Stay cool. Only 100 today…yeah.

    • / Reply

      I hope that Dawn and Shari have heard about Hansen’s win in Iowa. Shari’s students must be over the moon.

    • / Reply

      Terry, I don’t know either why there isn’t more participation in the Redneck Club. It’s an awesome place to be. (Does throwing everything in your closet instead of your back yard count?)

      • / Reply

        Definitely. However, you have proved your redneck qualifications several times over and no longer need to validate it.

    • / Reply

      Great redneck humor you really made me laugh. I needed it too. I have been in an all out battle with the dreaded dog fungus ringworm. I have been cleaning her or the house nonstop. I even contracted the darn thing Monday. I am on medication for 3 weeks and the poor dog is a spotted black Dobie now. She is getting a little better. I am so careful with her and her health. One step outside in some old stinky spot and then a scratch and bam you are in the fungus trap. Thank you for working on the new list when you can. I know there are other Florida rednecks. We are going to find them!!! Sue
      I will consider any ringworm tips anyone would like to share. Thanks

  9. / Reply

    Hi, This may have been posted on an earlier Blog. I did check & could not find it.
    So, apologies if this is old news. Keta
    Hollywood Park: Zazu out till the fall
    By Steve Andersen Daily Racing Form 06/21/2012 4:12PM
    ( Keta: Great head shot photo of Zazu-by Barbara Livingston!)
    INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Zazu, the winner of three graded stakes in 2011, is out of training until later this summer after a nuclear scan test taken earlier this week showed stress on a tibia, trainer John Sadler said on Thursday.
    Zazu was entered for the Grade 1 Vanity Handicap at Betfair Hollywood Park on June 16, but did not start after she was reported to be “off behind” in the days before the race.
    Sadler said on Thursday that Zazu could return to racing by the start of the Santa Anita autumn meeting, with the hope that she can start in late September or early October in advance of the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic there on Nov. 2.
    “We’re planning a fall campaign,” he said. “I’m optimistic that we can get her back.”
    Owned by Jerry and Ann Moss, Zazu has made one start this year, finishing fourth in the Grade 2 Marjorie Everett Handicap in May. Last year, she won two Grade 1 stakes – the Las Virgenes Stakes and Lady’s Secret Stakes – as well as the Grade 2 Hollywood Oaks. She was taken out of training last October, in advance of the BC Ladies’ Classic at Churchill Downs, because of a shoulder injury.
    A 4-year-old, Zazu has won 4 of 12 starts and $691,985.
    http://www.drf.com/news/hollywood-park-zazu-out-till-fall

  10. / Reply

    Three Chimneys Farm‏ tweeted July 2
    Unfortunately our phones are down today due to last night’s storms
    (all horses/people are fine, so no worries!)….

  11. / Reply

    U.S. Equestrian names Olympic show jumping team
    Kessler, Ward, Madden, Fellers to lead quest for third-straight gold medal
    By: Jeff Kassouf, NBC OlympicsUpdated:
    It could not have happened any other way. What more appropriate medium is there to find out that a 17-year-old phenom taking the equestrian world by storm has made the Olympic team than Twitter?
    Reed Kessler will represent Team USA in show jumping at the 2012 London Olympics, which was first revealed by her excited tweet on Sunday afternoon. The U.S. Equestrian Federation confirmed on Sunday that she will be joined by McLain Ward, Beezie Madden and Rich Fellers, three of the most experienced show jumpers to ever compete for the red, white and blue.
    Ward, 36, and Madden, 48, are the only two riders to have been part of both back-to-back U.S. show jumping Olympic gold medal teams. Team USA won the competition in 2004 and 2008 and now it heads to London with a mixture of youth and experience.

    • / Reply

      From: The Chronicle of the Horse
      Margie Engle Breaks Her Leg
      By: Molly Sorge
      Grand prix show jumper Margie Engle has suffered a broken ankle.
      Engle, 54, fell from a horse on June 28 while competing in a 1.30-meter class at the Lake Placid Horse Show (N.Y.). “He just misjudged a vertical and went through it,” Engle said. “It wasn’t one of my grand prix horses but a catch ride.”
      Engle broke her ankle and fibula on her right leg. “It was the only good appendage I have! I don’t think I’ve ever broken any bones in that leg; they’re some of the few I haven’t broken,” she said. In 1990, Engle broke her left leg badly. In 2004, she suffered a broken hip when a horse fell on her.
      Engle plans to undergo surgery on July 5 to repair the damage. “It’s subluxated out of the joint, so they’re planning to put it together with some screws,” she said.
      Engle suffered a concussion in April, and she was disappointed to be named ninth on the short list for the U.S. show jumping team for the 2012 London Olympic Games aboard Indigo. “It’s just one thing after the next, but hopefully I won’t be out for too long,” she said.

    • / Reply

      The photo of Gypsy and Riata is beautiful. Gypsy has beautiful coloring and Riata seems to have inherited it. I hope we get to see additional photos as they progress.

  14. / Reply

    I’ve always had very strange, bizarre, nonsensical dreams, but I had a fabulous dream last night that I just had to share. I dreamed that there was a small farm next to where I was living. I walked over to the farm and saw a horse in the field. I looked closer and discovered it was Zenyatta! She walked right over to me and let me hug and stroke her and she nuzzled me and was very, very sweet. Then Z12 came over and he was very sweet, too. Ann Moss then walked up and told me that I could visit Zenny whenever I wanted. I was so disappointed when I woke up! I wanted to go back to sleep and pick right up where I left off. I guess if I can’t visit her in person, seeing her in my dreams is the next best thing!

    • / Reply

      Debbie-My wish for all who post here and want to have the experience is that they can visit Zenyatta up close and personal. We were spoiled here in California in that this magnificent horse was available to her public. You couldn’t pick up one of the local papers without reading a story about how generous Barn 55 was with letting people visit Zenyatta. I don’t know what the future holds, but I hope that eventually, some years down the line, she will be available to her adoring fans. One can only hope.

      • / Reply

        Terry, what I’m wondering is why a race hasn’t been named after Z either at Hollywood or Santa Anita, the 2 tracks where she raced the most and did the most to get fans to attend. RA has a race named after her. I think it’s only appropriate that one be named after Z. If Santa Anita can erect a life-sized bronze statue of her, why can’t they name a race for her. Hav you heard anything about this being done? Out here in GA, we don’t get any news of this kind. I’m not on the blog very much, so if you want to answer, you can use my e-mail address, sharon_call@att.net. Thanks!

        • I always try to answer questions directed to me, especially from a president of one of our state charters. The question is difficult to answer. Z definitely should have a race named after her, preferably a Grade 1. As you may recall, there was a movement afoot a few years ago to name the Lady’s Secret handicap after our Zenyatta, but there was an outcry from Lady’s Secret fans. I will send an email to Santa Anita management to try to ascertain why there is no race named after her. SA is the logical place since her greatest triumphs were there and who know how long there will be a Hollywood Park. This is a difficult situation. Even John Henry. a particular favorite of our JAG, has been shortchanged in that regard.

        • I’ve been browsing onnile more than three hours as of late, yet I by no means found any interesting article like yours. Ita1afs pretty value enough for me. In my opinion, if all website owners and bloggers made just right content as you did, the web shall be much more useful than ever before.

      • / Reply

        Thanks, Trina and sign. Terry, I am hoping that one day she will be available to the public, but I try not to get my hopes up. I saw on Old Friends website that they’re auctioning off a visit to see her. Maybe if I clean out my savings I could win it!

  15. / Reply

    To all posters,
    Because of the lack of comments regarding Ann Romney’s horse making the Dressage team, I’m afraid it was taken as a political ad. It definitely WAS NOT for politics I posted it. I thought it was amazing that she rides horses to help her deal with the Muscular Dystrophy she has……..therapeutic riding like the Mosses support with their Zen donations in Kentucky. I never intended to bring anything political to this site, I felt it was one more case of how handicapped people can benefit from our beloved horses!

    • / Reply

      Sue – I didn’t see it as a political comment at all. I had not heard that Ann Romney was riding to help her with the MS, but I’m glad she is being proactive. Speaking for myself, I sometimes don’t comment on various posts until the evening when I’m home after work, but it just so happens it’s quiet at work today, and it’s almost time to go home, so I’m doing a little bit of goofing off.

    • / Reply

      Sue. I guess that we were all so upset with your news about Nev that we missed commenting on that good news about Mrs. Romney. I heard about this on the radio last week and thought at the time that this was very nice. I certainly hope that her horse wins for the US team. Thanks for posting this.

      • / Reply

        Yes, Sue,I was upset about Neville too. I am happy for Mrs. Ann Romney and wish her the best,in health and in the 2012 Olympics. Very exciting.
        It’s all good!!!! Thanks Sue.

    • / Reply

      sue…i missed the connection completely….encroaching senility ..thats my excuse and i am sticking to it…am glad that Mrs Romney is using therapeutic riding to help her condition…just one more way that all these lovely equines enrich ours lives…
      never considered anything political about it….

    • / Reply

      Dearest Sue, I don’t think ANYONE took your post as being political. I certainly didn’t. I didn’t comment earlier just because I’m having a hard time keeping up. It certainly is a good thing for horses in general, as well as dressage horses, that Mrs. Romney’s horse and the therapeutic benefits of riding are getting some time in the limelight. High hoof!

    • / Reply

      Isn’t is Multiple Sclerosis ???
      Women rarely get muscular dystrophy.

      You made a great point, Horses are very therapeutic in all aspects of their lives,
      no matter what they do. To see the face of a child with cerebral palsy come alive
      when they are on a horse is so very amazing.

      Not interpreted by me as a political comment, thanks for sharing.

      • / Reply

        Sign,
        Dah, yes Multiple Sclerosis must have had Jerry Lewis on my brain. Glad all who read it took it in the spirit I meant, was feeling a little worried it might be misinterpreted. Thanks all who commented. Hugs

  16. / Reply

    Visit with Zenyatta Online Auction

    During the Belmont Ball auction, we offered an opportunity to meet Zenyatta, Horse of the Year and Queen of Racing at Lane’s End Farm in Versailles, KY. The winning bidder has generously donated the visit back to us so we can auction it again! We would like to thank her, Lane’s End Farm and Team Zenyatta for being such good friends of Old Friends.

    The auction is running now Tuesday, July 10th at 8 PM EST. We will accept bids on our facebook page ONLY.

    The visit is for four people and will be with Zenyatta only. The date is to be mutually agreed upon between the winning bidder and Lane’s End Farm. All proceeds directly benefit Old Friends. The winning bidder will be notified via facebook. Once payment is received, Old Friends will relay all information needed to arrange the visit.

    • / Reply

      its times like this that i wish i had a little extra put away….but Zenny ..i will see you in my dreams….always

    • / Reply

      Maybe if all of us Zensters put a specific amount in a pool, we could win and then have a drawing for the 4 people who get to go??? (Only way I’ll ever get there :-)

    • / Reply

      What a grand opportunity this would be. Oh, to see The Queen…and maybe 12Z running around the paddock.

    • / Reply

      Unfortunately for me, only a ride on top of the great Zenyatta would be my wish come true, since that is not possible, I wish the 4 who visit her the best experience for a life time.

  17. / Reply

    Hi Z family!

    So I visited the farm today, and guess who I got to pet and touch?? Riata!!! Gypsy actually let me touch her! She is such a ham for the camera, kinda like a famous mare and foal we happen to know!

    http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eWdUw2B_sZQ

    Please ignore te background chatter, between me answering questions and getting baby’s goldfish attention span to focus on me and not other edible objects, there is a lot of noise. Just mute if you like and enjoy the first video ever captured of Riata and Gypsy!

    I rode Ty, the big white Percheron mix. He used to be a fox hunter, but he’s retired now. The people needed to let him go, so rather than be cruel like most of the people we take horses from, they were kind and came directly to us for retirement options. We took him in and here he shall stay! He rides like a Cadillac folks. Yup, a Cadillac.

  18. / Reply

    Dear Max,
    Here is a paragraph about Neville and Boyd Martin. I guess the selection is really made on how well the horse performs at all levels of eventing. Neville is a very difficult horse and may not show as well as Otis. Sounds like Otis is a much better show jumper. Neville is head strong and more difficult and may not present himself as well.
    Wonder what was going on when Boyd fell off, was Neville a little strong and fresh??
    I am disappointed, too.

    “Boyd Martin is also a sure thing, but the question of which horse he should ride is definitely in question. I am Neville’s biggest fan in the world, but I believe the selectors have been starting to lean towards Otis since after Bromont. Otis is widely regarded as a better show jumper. Show jumping is all important in the Olympic format, which features one team and one individual show jumping round. Remington made a great case for himself this weekend after getting added to the short list at the last minute. All three horses deserve to represent their country and I don’t think any one would be a bad pick, I just don’t know which would be the best pick. Either way, Neville will probably re-route to Gatcombe after Boyd’s fall from him on the Barbury XC. The Canadians will have their final outing in a couple weeks at Gatcombe.”

      • / Reply

        Oh yes, maybe someone will get “sick” a cough or fever or something and Neville will be on stage.

        • Sign. Thanks for this. I was really looking forward to seeing Nev at the Olympics. You are probably right that Nev is a little difficult and Otis is the better choice. However being difficult has never stopped me from loving a horse. Dynaformer. Hastings. Northern Dancer. TT. Nijinsky etc.
          Maybe Nev will still have an All About Eve moment and get to compete?

        • Definately agree Max, Jethro was no push over.
          The more challenging the horse the closer ones gets
          To them when break throughs are made.

          Unbelievable that it too a professional horseman
          Like Boyd a year to make a connection with Neville.
          Guess bouncers are really “tough guys”.

    • / Reply

      Sign and other equestrian fans.
      It is great to see that Breezie Madden has made the team again with her new horse. Constant Star is a young horse for this kind of competition and a TB. It will be interesting to see how CS does. Good luck to them both. The competition is fierce at this level.

      I posted this once before but it never gets old. This is Breezie’s horse, Authentic, now retired, carrying on with the competition even though he lost Breezie on the way. No injury to Ms Madden. These horses are well trained and very competitive. Authentic proved that.

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wdb7qAtTLbc

      • / Reply

        Love this video Max and glad to see Bezzie has chosen a TB.
        Guess everyone has gotten into the Warmblood for Grand Prix
        Jumping due to better temperment. TB are a little more
        Unpredictable and have more dramatic good and bad
        Days , but you can’t bet their drive boldness courage
        And competative nature.

        Tracy Finney has a gorgeous TB mare that she competes
        With less now as she has some really good warmbloods.

  20. / Reply

    Mucho Macho Man is scheduled to run in the Suburban. He is a beautiful big horse and his trainer has an amazing story. So, pardon me Bernie’s boys, but I am going to be pulling for MMM.

  22. / Reply

    sign-I was watching my local news this morning and up popped a vignette on a redneck place in Sweetwater, Texas. Can you fill us in on this? And, in that vein, here are today’s redneck jokes. You might be a redneck if you think A-1 sauce tastes good on possum. You might be a redneck if, when you pay for beer, spare pistol shells fall out of your pocket. You might be a redneck if you can’t spell your name wihout looking at your belt. You might be a redneck if you have fake fur on your dashboard. You might be a redneck if a night on the town includes the city jail. You might be a redneck if all of your relatives would have to die to stamp out illiteracy. You might be a redneck if the oil stain on your driveway looks like the result of a tanker spill. You might be a redneck if your co-workers have started a petition about your coffee cup.

    • / Reply

      These are great, TC.

      Am checking out Sweetwater, Tx; rednecks.

    • / Reply

      Ah Terry,
      You tickled my “Fancy” again, and I don’t let just anybody do that you know! Oh, and by the way, someone sent me an e-mail of you with the skunk hat on…….what a handsome devil our GP is! Now all we need is to make them into posters for each chapter. Hugs

      • / Reply

        Sandy-I know it was you. Yes, there is such a picture already but it is a photoshop effort. Sandy did a terrific job with it and I can’t deny it is me. What is, is. The base photo was taken at last year’s Gold Cup race. Fond memories of that day for me.

        • Guilty as charged, but I didn’t think you would mind (and hey, she DID call you a handsome devil!!! :-). I thought it was only appropriate given that Sue had been asking about the hat and there was another effort a foot at the time.

        • TC, waiting for the real photo of you in a PETA
          Proof skunk hat.

          Have a great 4th everyone !!!!!

        • Sandy=As I said, you did a great job considering you had very little to work with. No, I don’t mind. The picture was created in fun and that’s what we should have with it. It does make me have some concern for Sue’s eyesight, however. Anyone who wants to see the picture can contact you since I do not have the computer knowledge to display it. The hat itself was one of the examples sign sent to me as one which would be PETA proof. Final decision pending.

        • I used to love Buddy Holly. I find it interesting that old country star Waylon Jennings used to play in his band.

        • Really? That is so neat TC. I’m going downtown for the 4th. 8 bands!!! Don’t know who,but sure will be fun finding out. Sure there will be some Blue Grass,maybe the Dead Skunk song will make an appearance.

        • Think so, Buddy Holly a fave of mine, too = Lubbock.

          Have a great time Ann on the 4th and please share
          Your fun. Don’t drink tooo much Guiness.

        • Whenever some TV station would have a documentary about Buddy Holly, Waylon Jennings was one of the people interviewed. He did it reluctantly and would always say that the show was about Buddy, not him. Apparently, and Jennings verified that it was true, he and Holly flipped a coin to determine who was going to ride in the plane that crashed. I don’t think he ever really got over it.

        • Very sad story about the plane, Buddy Holly and Wylon Jennings. Did not know that tidbit.
          I am sure he was devastated at the time and still haunted as you said.

  24. / Reply

    Hansen headed for West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer
    By Marty McGee Daily Racing Form 07/02/2012 6:27 PM
    Mountaineer Park in West Virginia could be getting a surplus of big-name Kentucky horses for its biggest day of the year, Aug. 4.
    Not only is Hansen, a 1-10 winner of the Iowa Derby on Saturday night, scheduled to make his next start that day in the $750,000 West Virginia Derby for trainer Mike Maker, but the Garry Simms-trained duo that swept the two big Churchill stakes for 2-year-olds, Blueeyesintherein and Circle Unbroken, also could race on the undercard in the $100,000 Mountaineer Juvenile Fillies and $100,000 Mountaineer Juvenile, respectively.
    Dr. Kendall Hansen, majority owner of Hansen, also is a minority partner in the Travis Morgeson V partnerships that have ownership interests in both of the Simms 2-year-olds.
    “Dr. Hansen said he thought he’d have three horses running at Mountaineer,” said Dr. Harvey Diamond, the managing partner in Skychai Stables, a minority owner in Hansen. “We’re thinking about renting an RV and a driver and making a big day of it.”
    http://www.drf.com/print/news/hansen-headed-west-virginia-derby-mountaineer

    • / Reply

      Thanks for the info.
      West Virginia is a beautiful place. I lived just 40 minutes away for more than 25 years. Terry who do we have in the club from WV? Hope they can go to the race and fill us in on the day. I love Hansen my White Flash.

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        Our dear Sherry Drish is in WV. Sherry, will you be going to the race? Or Shari Voltz from OH? It’s your chance to see Hansen run in person!

    • / Reply

      Great link, Keta.

      So glad they are giving him a slow come back so maybe he can rate a little instead of getting so upset and strong from the gate.

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        Really love the fact that Dr. Hansen gave away squezzy, white Hansens in Iowa.
        He really loves that horse and when his is bred to his rescue Danzig mare, who knows what will happen.

        • Doctor Hansen may be a bit odd himself, but he loves his horse and is definitely good for racing. Who would you rather have on top–Reddam or Doctor Hansen?

        • Terry – hands down Dr. Hansen!!! Peeps make a stink about the colors – there are a lot worse things being done to our race horses! People need to chill regarding Hansen IMO He loves racing and the horses – not what the horses can “earn” for him…

          Whew – I feel much better now LOL
          JAG

        • JAG-You put it as well as anybody could. Sharon Call is asking why there is not yet a race named for Z. Maybe the Santa Anita Handicap could be named jointly for John Henry and Z. I am once again going to email the “guy” at Santa Anita and see if we can get some action.

        • Definately agree with Jag. Dr Hansen is odd but
          A very typical physician, most are a little on the
          Strange side. Don’t think the color thing was a good
          Thing and all of the commotion around Hansen for
          That race may have affected his performance. Joann
          Jones brought that point out on her HRTV analysis.
          Horses need to have a restful race day so they are
          Rested and ready to go. But this was harmless compared
          To what Reddham did. Just so very sad for IHA.

        • @ Terry

          Please do! It’s been two years over due!

          I hope that eventually it will be a Gr. 1 seeing as Zenyatta ran in what, 13 of them? I hope it will be a distance that she ran in most often, not a sprint or that it starts long and gets degraded to a sprint… I would cry. And there would be public outrage that would shame any ” Occupy Wallstreet” demonstration. :-D I would be at the front of the movement with the megaphone.

        • Pati-We can only hope. At the time that the Lady’s Secret Handicap was going to be changed to the Zenyatta, we actually had people come on the diary to complin about it, saying that some other race should be designated as the Zenyatta. As so often happens, the change was not made and Z is still not honored with a race.

  26. / Reply

    Good Morning Zenyatta, 12Z and all Zsters.

    GOD BLESS AMERICA!!

    Happy Fourth of July Everybody! Have a safe and wonderful day!

  27. / Reply

    To all Z’sters, Dumplinga and fans of the great Zenyatta…A happy, blessed 4th. of July.
    Zenny and 12Z, enjoy the day with your wonderful LE family. Team Z…God Bless each and every one of you.

  28. / Reply

    Good Morning and Happy 4th of July to all Zensters, have a happy and safe day.
    Hugs to you all from both of us in Fort Erie.

  29. / Reply

    Happy 4TH to All
    I hope we get a new Blog update today. What is Z doing to celebrate the 4TH with baby Z? Maybe a few red white and blue peppermints…
    Be safe with those fireworks later. I know rednecks love to blow stuff up.

    • / Reply

      The stash of cherry bombs is gone. I have locked the oxy acetylene tanks away. We will have no big, loud booms tonight. We will blow one watermelon up,only one. I promise.

      Sue, can I rent the condo w/ the tarp roof? The one under the pier?

      Have a great day, Sue.

      • / Reply

        Sure the Beach condo is cheep. Send us a video of blowing up that watermelon and I can book you for a weeks stay. Please be safe.

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