Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Ask The Experts

Ask The Experts #3

Q:

What is Zenyatta and Baby Z’s daily routine at Lane’s End?

Haley Van Vleck

Lawrence, KS

A:Currently their routine is pretty simple—they are out in the evenings when the weather is cooler. They come in in the morning to get checked over. We check their eyes, take their temperature, check that he’s nursing and that they’re both happy and have no cuts or bumps from the night before. They get their food in the morning. 12Z is now three months of age so he gets feed of his own, and Zenyatta will have her feed after him. They stay in their stall during the day, where they have fans on them to keep them cool in this heat. They go out again around two o’clock in the afternoon and play all night!

Expert: Charles Campbell

See Charles’s response on video:

Q:

How long do Zenyatta & 12Z sleep, and do they sleep together at the same time? Also, is there anything Zenyatta doesn’t like?

Jan Stein

Cypress, TX

Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane’s End

A:In the mornings they do sleep together. 12Z sleeps most of the day when he’s in his stall, but when he’s out he’s always playing with his buddies and grazing with mom.

Zenyatta is a very easy going horse, but she does seriously dislike flies. We use a fly mask and fly spray to keep her happy.

Expert: Craig Andre de Villiers

Our Experts

Charles Campbell

Broodmare Manager, Lane’s End

Originally from England, Charles has traveled the world working with horses. He has been the Broomare Manager at Lane’s End for four years, and he was with Zenyatta the night she foaled.

Craig Andre de Villiers

Mare Barn One Foreman, Lane’s End

Craig has been at Lane’s End for four years, working mostly within the Broodmare division. He grew up in South Africa on a game reserve and stud farm, and has been around animals his whole life—not just horses, but lions, elephants and everything in between!

Reader Interactions

746 Comments

  1. / Reply

    This is one of my all time favorite Zenyatta videos. It gives you chills and the music is amazing. Smile and enjoy the Queen of Racing.

    • / Reply

      Sign. That was the Brigadier’s only loss. Roberto came flying out of the gate like “a bat out of hell.” His regular jockey, Lester Piggott, had abandoned him so that his owner brought in an American jockey who had not ridden in England before that race. It was a stunning victory, which has never been forgotten. Although Roberto was born in the US, he raced in Europe, but finally retired to stud at home in Kentucky. From him arises the great Zenyatta to whom he bears an incredible likeness in physical and racing form. They also both shared the same blaze and a fierce mental determination to win. In that video, you can see that there was no way that Roberto would ever let the Brigadier pass by him.

      • / Reply

        You are so right Max, Roberto was going to win and not by a neck, Brigadier was not going to get near him and Brigadier looked like he was just cantering compared to Roberto. Definately her determination come from him. I noticed
        the white blaze. Am looking for some photos of him.

        Great information about the jockey situation, do you know why Lester Piggott
        gave him up ????

        So glad you and Donna brought up this race. Am envious of her mother going to YORK to see Frankel.

        • Sign. They say that Piggott left Roberto because he thought that Roberto could not win and chose to ride another horse called Rhinegold. Roberto’s owner then turned to the US for a jockey. The Brits could not believe it when Roberto took down the Brigadier. No other horse ever did that. The Brigadier is a legend in the UK.

        • Thanks Sign for the link.
          Thanks Max for the wonderful story. I really enjoyed it. I will always have a soft spot for Roberto. My father’s name was Robert, his best buddies called him Roberto, after The great horse Roberto came onto the scene. I can hear them now…hey Roberto,let’s go to the races today!!! So for me….two greats!!!!!

          Another horse that took the UK by storm….Jay Trump. That is an incredible story .

        • Much appreciated Max.There is an area for him at the KY Horse Park. I was glad to see it there.
          Mother Nature is gonna do what Mother Nature wants to do…hey?
          All of those studs books were thrown out the window the day he won, I bet!

        • Ann. I am not certain, but I think that there is a steeplechase named in his honor. He was a fantastic horse. Those jumps were quite incredible and require superior stamina and sheer grit from a horse. Winning the most famous English jump race is very difficult to do. Not only was he American bred and owned, but I think that his jockey was also American. It would be equivalent to a non North American bred and owned horse ridden by a foreign jockey winning the Kentucky Derby. That has never been done. Jay Trump, you are an amazing horse.

  3. / Reply

    Donna and Max,

    Love the comments about YORK and Roberto’s win. Had to find it and he
    clobbered Brigadier, his only loss.

    Love to hear so personal asides from the race Donna, too.

  4. / Reply

    Z family.

    It’s a nice day in North Carolina. Not very hot, and breezy. Computer has decided it won’t charge, so I can’t use it anymore. I hate technology.

    Going to go see SHERR tomorrow. Going to visit Gussy, Riata, and Gypsy. I will make sure to take plenty of pictures!

    • / Reply

      Pati,
      I think we will finally get a break. It is a hot breeze today ,but can tell something is changing.
      Give all hugs from me at SHERR.
      Tell Bubba, were waiting for his RSVP!
      Gus, jump in your pond.
      Can’t wait for your new pics. Enjoy!…you don’t even want to know what Siri told me last night! HA.

      • / Reply

        Dear Pati:

        Thanks for the photo of Gus. Will look forward to more. Please give him a hug from me when you visit. Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Sweet Gus. Thanks Pati.
        I think he is saying….God Bless these folks with SHERR.
        Hang in there Gus. Cooler temps coming our way. Make sure Pati behaves herself!

        • Our hold out now is….that hard-headed, little spit fire, by the name of, BUBBA!!!!!
          TC, talk to Pati about him…..please.
          I’m outta here for a few days, I’m trying to get a sighting of the UR.
          Y’all be good,have fun.

          TC……tru TV…..Lizard Lick Towing…check it out. Guy used a toilet plunger to chase off the repo man….hahaha!!!! Lord help us.

  5. / Reply

    Holy Bull pensioned….such a handsome guy …should be about 12 more little bulls next yr…enjoy your rest and relaxation

    • / Reply

      Holy Bull was a great race horse, ridden mostly by Mike Smith. I believe that he was the favorite the year he ran in the Derby.

  6. / Reply

    Hello all!!! To add to what JAG said earlier, yes we had a grand time at the zoo carousel on Friday. A very delightful day! Then Gold Cup Day was terrific as well. In the am we saw IHA out walking and then posing, plus Lava Man (yes Doug was there–more on that in a minute)–in fact yours truly got into kind of a tussle with L.M. I have a ( non electronic) photo of him well, kinda pulling me–he did not like where I was holding him on his halter–(although I had been told it was okay) and there I was ready for our photo-op and WHOOPSIE—even Doug asked if I was okay. (he had been in his office.) So, now I have a personal Lava Man story. LOL. In the photo, you can see me from behind holding on, with LM’s head reared up. Then, as I’m sure JAG will describe, we lucked into seeing EBBY, Mr. Commons and Nehrid, all out in the pasture behind barn 55. EBBY is so–ooo personable, just like You Know Who! :-)

    Now, the story I heard was that Doug turned over the parading to Leandro on purpose, because Leandro was in Calif when the Triple Crown events took place, so Doug wanted him to have this particular honor with IHA. BTW, Doug and Mario had a big signing event, lasted a couple of hours by the paddock. I came upon it when it was about over , but was given the ok to get in line, so got my IHA cap and Preakness program signed by Doug and Mario.
    I also heard a nice story about Reddam (honest!), but that will wait, because nerves are still understandably raw. I, too wish IHA would be standing “here” in KY.

    High hooves to MMM, Mikey, and to Chantal and Game on Dude!!! They sure fit together well.

    In any event, it was a wonderful day at the track–many thanks to JAG for organizing it. What a blast. If I think of more details I will add on later.

    I want to “review” some pages I missed. Thanks again to LE for the Q&A’s….nice stuff! A high hoof to all of you!

    • / Reply

      Great update ANN,

      Just wonder why Chantal lets Game on Dude run the show and she would not let MIKEY, Guess Game on Dude makes her more money than MIKEY did.

      Gotta be careful holding the halters of the racing TB, they have been yanked around a lot by the starters etc… Jethro would not have any part of anyone touching his bridle or halter, period end of sentence and if you did you were marked for life by him. Should have held him by his lead rope.

    • / Reply

      Anne. Very nice of you to share the story. I really look forward to seeing the photo of you with Lava Man. I am just green with envy that you got that close to the Man. Green is not a good color for me. LOL! Love you, Lava Man.

    • / Reply

      Oh Anne! heehee, I have that on video GF! And yes, you came off the ground and swung around, LOL! Good thing you let go when you did – you may have been stepped on GF and had more than a LM story! I was relieved you were OK! But we all had a good laugh, sorry, but you were laughing the hardest! Love ya my friend! Rod would never have forgiven me IF you did not get back to him in one piece!

      • / Reply

        Oh yes, Ann a permanent horseshoe mark somewhere
        On your body, what a prize !!!!

        I walked by a nasty biters stall named Walley. No one told
        Me of his history. Ended up with a very big bite mark
        On my back lucky the flesh was left.

        • Ouch!
          Have a friend that breezed at the track. She has part of her ear missing. She always said…it was my fault, I lost respect fro that one and he paid me back,big time.
          We never forget those love bites, do we.

        • Humans are always at fault for causing things, if I had not walked too close to the stall door, I would not have gotten bitten.

          Everytime I confused or upset Jethro, I always sincerely apologized.
          The horse is a wonderful animal, but when we make them unhappy
          they need to know that we are in the wrong.

          IT IS ONLY HUMAN TO ADMIT OUR MISTAKES.

    • / Reply

      Anne,

      I always enjoy your posts. Please keep them coming.

      If I ever got “roughed up” by Lava Man, I think I would be laughing too, ha ha!

      Great story and thank you for sharing. Hope we all get to see photos or video.

    • / Reply

      Anne,
      Glad you had a nice day. You will never forget Lava Man,will you? Glad things worked out for the better.

    • / Reply

      Dear Anne:

      Happy to hear you are none the worse for your “go around” with Lava Man. You are a brave one, but it must have been scary. Wonderful that you got to see Ebby, Nehrid and Mr. Commons. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Anne glad you were not hurt. But what a fun wonderful story. Can’t wait to see a photo.

      A groom at Claiborne told us a story about Secretariat pulling an earring out of a woman’s ear when she stood too close to him. He could have had my earring any time he wanted it. After all, what are a few stitches?

  8. / Reply

    Found an unbelievable photo of Roberto, the very same blaze as Zenny’s, and bedroom eyes, similar conformation as well.

    http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.sporthorse-data.com/horse/621401/716/Horse_Roberto-_3big.jpg&imgrefurl=http://community.tvg.com/t5/History-and-Photos/ZENYATTA-quot-S-GIFTED-ANCESTORS/td-p/424235/page/2&h=480&w=581&sz=69&tbnid=pv0qWYKoYn9tcM:&tbnh=89&tbnw=108&prev=/search%3Fq%3DRoberto%2Bhorse%2Bphotos%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=Roberto+horse+photos&usg=__rH7XEhL8moJzwit-okfJIoXyqEg=&docid=cN9V_NVewkczOM&sa=X&ei=tDv6T4r8GcOA2wX9zIzlBg&ved=0CEcQ9QEwAA&dur=746

    • / Reply

      Roberto has small ears, guess her ears come from Kris S and her mom “V”.

      • / Reply

        Sign. I am not so certain about Roberto’s ears. They look smaller than Z’s in the photo. If however you watch the video of Roberto which you posted, his ears loom very large after he won that race. Very Z ears in that video.

        • Max,

          Will take another look at the video, maybe he was younger in the photo than in the video and his ears grew !!! OR maybe winning that race made his ears
          prick up really high, because he knew he was very special.

    • / Reply

      Thanks Sign,

      Very interesting and enjoyable to look at. I think I see a great resemblance of Hoist the Flag and our little guy 12Z. What do you think?

      • / Reply

        Darlene. Yes, you are right about Hoist the Flag. Baby Z seems generally to take after his distaff side. There are great horses there, especially his mother.

    • / Reply

      Wow Sign, this is great info.
      Princequillo….smuggled thru German lines and then brought here. Imagine the ifs w/ that…..
      Thanks Sign. I love the history behind these greats and appreciate the love and care that has goes into them.

    • / Reply

      Dear Sign:

      Thanks for the photo of Robert. Yes, Z’s blaze looks a lot like R’s. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Sign, Thanks for the article and pictures. Did not know that about Princequillo. When you look at the bloodlines you can see why Zenyatta is a great Queen and little Z12 is truly a Prince. Talk about royalty!

  9. / Reply

    Terry Crow – I tried to get Diana S. to ride the Skunk at the LA Zoo Merry-Go-Round, but she would have none of it! She was too enthralled with Zenny and didn’t want to ride a redneck skunk!

  10. / Reply

    Max, Barbara Woods and Karen, thanks for your Lava Man comments. And you have it on video, Karen, for posterity (or posterior LOL.) When I showed photo to Rod, he just shook his head.; one never knows what will happen when the Dumplings get together, more LOL. He did not say that, but I haven’t stopped talking about the weekend, it was such fun. Yes should I get THAT close to a horse again, I will be careful; however, I wasn’t frightened, just startled. Karen is right, I was laughing. All’s well… Moving on…

    Aha–in today’s Long Beach Press Telegram the article on the Gold Cup stated Julie Krone was in attendance. She said Chantal “must be doing something right,” nodding towards the winner’s circle. “There she is.” Julie said Chantal’s win brought her to tears. For those who do links the by line is Kevin Modesti. Also in today;s LATimes, good article on Bob Baffert…columnist Bill Dwyre thinks he–BB should be cloned he is such a tonic for racing. Hear hear!
    Terry Crow, sorry you could not join us. You were thought of–not sayin’ how, just saying you were thought of…LOL. And, recently Jeff Foxworthy appeared on our TV screen (how did this happen I wonder ) and I told Rod I should be taking notes..ha ha.
    Well, I had hoped to backtrack and read some previous comments, but time got away from me….my drooping eyes are–well, drooping. I hope to read more tomorrow.

    I do want to comment on the terrible heat in KY and elsewhere—keep those fans/AC on !!Hoping it has “cooled off” somewhat for all of the horse families. We know human families and their dogs/cats who had days w/o power in DC area….one family with their twin five year olds and dog Wendy just moved there from SoCal. What a welcome!

    Be safe everyone!

    • / Reply

      Anne-Your memories of your encounter with Lava Man appear to be positive, which says a lot about you. We need more people like you in racing. I missed being with the dumplings, always a fun day.

    • / Reply

      Thanks Karen! So much better than the calracing.com version (which hung up so I really missed most of it). What a gorgeous horse shining in the sunlight!

    • / Reply

      Thank you, thank you Karen.

      I missed that Saturday and was so hoping to see it. I am crying my eyes out! My heart is broken and it is going to take a while to get over this. I saved this video to my favorites so at least I can watch it again. Thanks again.

      So glad you and the other Dumplings got to be there. Were any of you in the shot of the ladies all dressed up with the hats on? It went so fast I couldnt tell.

    • / Reply

      Dear Karen G.:

      Thank you for this link of IHA’s farewell tribute. I had not seen it. Will miss this beautiful boy. Hope he gets to come home to Kentucky some day. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Thanks Karen, what a beautiful horse. Please don’t anyone tell Zenny, I’ve always loved chestnuts , they’re my favorite color, just like Secretariat. I hope the contract stipulates that IHA will come home. The saying that tells us to breed the best to the best and hope for the best is being ignored when the best is leaving the country.

    • / Reply

      Hi Karen:
      Thanks for posting the video. I am so heartbroken that he is going to Japan. I am just sick over it. I am going to repost my thoughts again:

      I hope there are fans out there like myself who will try to find ways to keep tabs on IHA. It is not so critical now, but in the years to come it will be. He deserves to be brought back to the US after his stud service is over and retire at a place like Old Friends Farm.

      This owner is way ahead of the game in terms of MONEY. He won millions of dollars in a very short time. Never in a million years did that owner and trainer think IHA would win the Kentucky Derby let alone the Preakness. Union Rags, Bodie, Dullahan they were the horses that were likely to win. So this owner and trainer are way ahead of the game in MONEY–not to mention the THRILLS IHA gave them. So why couldn’t the owner have settled for far less and have sold IHA to an American breeder so IHA could remain in the US. My answer to that is GREED. I just think it is disgraceful.

      I wonder what this owner did to ensure IHA’s safety and well being in Japan in the years to come when IHA has long been forgotten about. IHA ran his heart out and became an American Hero. IHA ran his heart out and gave that owner and trainer the ride of their lives. IHA deserved a lot more loyalty from his owner than what I think he got. Sorry, but that’s how I feel. Shame on him.

      • / Reply

        Linda I completely agree with you. I want to keep track of him also. I think we should all find a way to do this.

      • / Reply

        Linda-You have expressed something that I have long thought. IHA’s win in the Derby was probably a total shock to his connections. He wouldn’t have even been in the race had he not won the Santa Anita Derby to qualify, money wise.

        • I just can’t believe. Think about it. Smarty Jones was real famous back in 2004. He won the Derby, and The Preakness and came so close to winning the Triple Crown. He stood at Three Chimneys Farm for 6 years. My understanding is that as time went on, Smarty was not producing graded stake winners. So apparently he didn’t get the mares. Three Chimineys Farm felt Smarty might do better in PA, his home state–so they sold him back to I think one of the owners. However, Three Chimneys Farm did say that if things didn’t work out in PA, Smarty would always have a home with them. But it only took 6 years and he was sold. And if I’m not mistaken, he has been sold again. Hey it happens. But at least Smarty Jones is here in the U.S. so he can be tracked.

          Now IHA is all the way over in Japan. Try finding pictures of Big Red Farms on the Internet. I couldn’t. Six years from now if IHA doesn’t produce graded stake winners for Japan, I would suspect that Big Red Farms isn’t going to keep him. Now he’s sold to the next breeder over there. Who is going to know about this 6-10 years from now. Who in the U.S. could even do anything about it 6-10 years from now. Some may want to. But I bet you this owner won’t be one of them.

          This is just my opinion. But in comparison look at the difference in attitude between the owner(s) of Mine That Bird and IHA. Who could have been more of an underdog then Mine That Bird. But the owners will always appreciate Mine That Bird for taking them on the ride of their life when he won the Kentucky Derby. To the owners of that little gelding–that Horse was their Trophy. Mine That Bird was the TROPHY! Obviously, the same cannot be said for Paul Reddam with IHA. I’m sure the owners of Mine That Bird thought the money was nice too. But they still have their horse. And Mine That Bird isn’t earning a dime for them now. But that doesn’t matter to them. Mine That Bird will continue to live out the rest of his life on their farm/ranch.

          Again this is just my opinion. But all Mr. Reddam’s talk about wanting to give IHA the best chance of being a great stud because he’ll have great mares is I am sure true to a certain extent. But I believe Paul Reddam is doing a little tap dance here trying to manage damage control. He knows many of IHA’s fans are upset with his decision, and rightfully so.

        • @ Linda

          It might quell your fear a little if I told you that every American horse sold to Japan has a buy back clause. The U.S. has stated it would take IHA back if his stud career doesn’t pan out. If he ends up like Ferdinand, it would mean serious legal implications for Big Red Farm. They wouldn’t risk it, and they love their horses! The current people that run it treat War Emblam(I think it’s him) like a king. He has his own pasture in a quiet area as not to upset him, they take every step possible to make breeding easier for him.

          They also have a video on YouTube that Three Chimneys has shared on their FB that Big Red did of their farm. TC has also said they will send a photographer every so often to chronical IHA’S progress and new life. We are not so terribly out of the loop, and both farms are doing their best to appease people and their fears for the champion.

          As long as IHA is happy, I will be happy.

    • / Reply

      Thanks Karen for that video on IHA – what a beauty! He’s the kind of horse that doesn’t take much to fall in love with in a minute…who knows what could have been? Good luck to him in Japan!

    • / Reply

      Thanks Karen for the video. I am saving it. He is just beautiful. We Zsters will not forget him. We will find a way to keep track of him. God Speed to IHA. Pray so hard he has gotten a loving owner over there and not like Mr Redham.

  13. / Reply

    Thank you Team Z, Lanes End and everyone and all committed and involved in keeping up with this blog and sending us photos and videos. I have said it before and I will say it again, all you share with us is never taken for granted!

    Those two little guys in this photo look like they are thinking “what can we get into next?” I was surprised to hear they stay out all night, but it is much cooler then, at least this summer anyway. But I am wondering, do they have security on them at all times? I would hope so.

    I have been rather busy and preoccupied lately and forgot to welcome all the new members to the Redneck club. WELCOME!

    @Terry Crow. I had a dream the other day. My husband came in to wake me up and said “you have to get up, there is some guy at the door wearing a skunk hat and wants to see you, something about the Redneck Society??” I woke up before I got to the door and didnt get to see what you looked like, ha ha!!

    Have a great day everyone.

    Zenny and 12Z, love you my angels!

    • / Reply

      Your husband must have called the police as I had to make a hasty exit. If you really want to see a picture of me, and I would have to question why, Sandy in Ohio could send you an email of a picture taken at last year’s Gold Cup which she photoshopped to make me look like I am wearing a skunk hat. Sandy knows I don’t mind.

  14. / Reply

    @ Max

    Yes I will always remember that day, I was with my grandad who took me to York every August for the big meet.
    I was a big Brigadier fan, I used to write to his owners and they would send me photos of him and I thought he was unbeatable.
    To see him lose was heart breaking at the time but now I see what greatness comes from Roberto, Zenyatta, even IAH has Roberto on his dams side.
    Thank you for your comments about my mum she will have a wonderful day at the races I wish I could see Frankel in the flesh too.

    • / Reply

      Donna. Thanks for our comments. The Brigadier had very good connections to deal so well with his fans. He is an all time great horse even with one loss. It almost makes him greater because he is like Man o’ War or Zenyatta, because I still see her # 20 as a victory for her and racing.

      Your mother will really enjoy that trip to see Frankel. He is incredible and a great joy to watch.. A friend of mine was at the Epsom Derby this year. She told me that she cried when Camelot won. This is a woman who never cries. Horses can bring out deep untapped emotions. All good.

      • / Reply

        Oh yes, horses bring out our emotions, even when we do things they do
        not like, like grabbing Lava Man by the halter, he has a very strong personality, and is a very big strong horse with very strong opinions. So he said next
        time you better listen.

        OR the wonderful winning of IHA, and all of the joy and hope he brought, only to be dashed by his owner for money. Is the horse going to be happy,
        who knows?

        • Some of my happiest memories of childhood is when I went with my mother to watch her horses run.

  15. / Reply

    Mucho Macho Man was to be on a radio show called Horses In The Morning from 9:30 to 10:30. I missed it. Did anyone hear it? He was going to type his answers to questions.

  16. / Reply

    congratulations to Mucho Macho Man and Game On Dude! I hope we get to see them at the BC Classic!!

    • / Reply

      If Mike keeps riding 3M and Chantal keeps Game On Dude, the classic could really be interesting. Love Mucho but it would be sort of nice for her to get Mike after he beat her last year.

      • / Reply

        There is no match here.

        Less than 500 wins compared to Hall of Fame Riding skill and over 5,000 wins.

        • That was such an awesome ride, BCC 2011 for Mike Smith and
          Drosselmeyer. I bet he planned it that way from the start of the
          race. Take them by surprise !!!!

        • Drosselmeyer should not have been that big a surprise. After all, he did win the Belmont and the BCC distance was right up his alley.

  17. / Reply

    Now that Holy Bull has been retired, I went a’huntin’ for accomplished sons and grandsons. I loved him to death and really hoped that they would breed him to Z. However, the racing gods thought otherwise. But I like to dwaddle with these things in my spare time, so I went truenicking. I rather like Flashy Bull. Here is why:
    1.) He’s a gorgeous dapple grey. That’s the best reason! LOL
    2.) His runners have a lot of early speed and can hold speed. His son, Flashy Dresser, just won a ungraded stake race carrying 123 lbs and ran 2 seconds off the track record. The track was labeled fast that day. True it is at Charles Town, but he won impressively and a win is a win. It is the second stakes races for Flashy Dresser that he has won, the previous being at 8.5 furlongs. Flashy Bull has four six digit earners already and that was from his first crop.
    2.5) He raced from 7-9 furlongs himself, and the races he lost, he lost to some pretty talented runners like BlueGrass Cat and First Samurai. He raced 6 times as a 2 year old and had one win, three seconds, and one third ( most losses coming from the aforementioned). He raced 7 times at three and was second in the FOY and third in the Ohio Derby as his best results for that year. He raced 6 times at four and it was by far his best season with victories in the Stephen Foster and William Donald Schaefer Handicaps. He missed hitting the board just once that year. He won a race at Aqueduct afterwards by 4 and ended his career with 19: 5-5-3. So not bad in any means.
    3.) He’s not too big. About 16.2 hands.
    4.) He’s in Kentucky, so Zenyatta will not have to ship far.
    5.) He Truenicked an A.
    6.) Some of his yearlings were so impressive in the ring, almost all have sold for ten times his stud fee.
    7.) Just look at him. He’s gorgeous!
    8.) He’s the son of Holy Bull.

      • / Reply

        The donations came in! Here is our “basket”! LOL

        ! http://t.co/2Re9YwzZ

        This is just one donation, and the checks and PayPal donations were the other part! Your donations via Paypal and check have gone toward the new fence for the foal and mare pasture and the new addition to the barn, as we all agree that the more stalls, the more horses you can save!

        Now I’m looking for a saddle cloth that I can have monogrammed for my senior year and then for my use in college. There are sooooo many colors to pick from but I am liking the black/tan/and white one. It is solid black with tan trimming along the side and it has white yarn for the monogram. It looks so nice! Gotta pick carefully though!

        • In case you don’t know my redneck lingo, saddle cloth is referring to a saddle pad. LOL

    • / Reply

      Pati,

      You really went to a lot of effort to research this. It’s my understanding that Mr. and Mrs. Moss are really high on the A.P. Indy line for breeding with Zenyatta. I haven’t heard if they have thought about going in any other directions. Of course, they are very private about their breeding plans. Your truenicking research was very interesting.

  18. / Reply

    Three Hoofrays to Mikey and MMM. Hand-ride all the way and a great Beyers rating. Sounds like an excellent jockey/horse match. I hope they keep Mike on him.

      • / Reply

        AND DO YOU IMAGINE WHAT HE COULD HAVE GOTTEN WITH THE WHIP,
        120 PLUS !!!

      • / Reply

        The lack of the use of the whip impressed me, but might have been an order from the trainer. I am not a big believer in Beyer figures. Zenyatta never received a big figure as they are mostly won by speed horses. Also, Andrew Beyer never gave Z her due.

        • Beyer hated Barbaro before his derby, and even after he won it the way he did, Beyer gave him a pedestrian number too. Then he spouted on his blog how he loved Union Rags….. Who according to Matz was almost another Barbaro in stature, work ethic, mind, etc. Beyer is a hypocrite. He enjoys thinking that he is the final and only word about a horse’s performance. It’s sad because he would assign the Queen some embarrassing numbers for a mare of her class, talent, and performance level. I think the 2010 Classic was a much higher number than what he gave Blame and Zenyatta; and honestly, Zenyatta should have been given a higher number just taking into account all that happened and to come a nose short..?

        • I thought Zenny had great beyer numbers as they clocked her a few times at the end of her race and they were great ????

          No need to use the whip on MMM he had plenty of horse, and you are right it might have been an order by the trainer because she knew he has such
          strenght, confidence and that very long stride.

          Wonder if MMM has a stride as long as Secretariates???
          MMM is a might fine huge, flexible TB and he is going to got very far.
          Hope he races as a 5 year old.

        • There are some numbers that were questionable for me… but I don’t really make much of them anyway. I just look and if they did it easily/workman like or fought like a champion, it was an awesome race for me. I don’t put stock on Beyer. Don’t like them that much anyway.

        • Pati-You make a good point. There are times when the second horse in a race receives a higher Beyer than the winner. For me, speed ratings are a better indication.

  19. / Reply

    Good news about John Velasquez!
    Injured Velazquez Continuing to Heal (Update July 9, 2012)
    Excerpt from article: Link to full article below
    Velazquez has since been under the care of Dr. Stephen O’Brien at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.
    “I saw Dr. O’Brien (July 9), and he said I was healing very well,” Velazquez said in a news release.
    O’Brien cleared Velazquez to start exercising horses at Saratoga July 16.
    “After that, I will just have to play it by ear,” Velazquez said. “Hopefully it won’t be too much longer before I can race again, but I want to make sure I’m strong enough to compete before I get back to riding.”
    Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/71140/injured-velazquez-continuing-to-heal#ixzz20A5XGhSL

  20. / Reply

    Great news about Johnny V. Hope he is 100% for Union Rags’ next start. He will have to be strong to handle such a big horse. I am in horse heaven what with Johnny on Rags and Mike on MMM.

    • / Reply

      I am pulling hard for Union Rags and his owner, who couldn’t be more the opposite of IHA’s owner.

      • / Reply

        Isn’t that the truth about Phyillis Wyeth, a great lover of horses and her families
        breeding line.

        Wonderful owner !!!!

  21. / Reply

    @Karen Gogue–I did miss the IHA farewell. Thank you so much for the link! Hugs.

    @Darlene Daniels–with all the weird dreams I have, I can’t believe I’ve not yet dreamed about skunk hats!!!

    • / Reply

      HOPE ADIAN DOES NOT PASS THE RECORD TOO. SUCH POOR MANAGEMENT OF
      SO YOU THINK, ALTHOUGH HE ADMITTED IT. EGO SHOULD NEVER BE FIRST THE HORSE SHOULD.

    • / Reply

      Dear Max:

      Me too. The only records I would like to see broken will be the ones by Bobby’s namesake. Hugs, JB

  23. / Reply

    @Keta–Happy birthday to your King Charles Cavalier EMMA as she turns 9 this week!

    • / Reply

      Trina,
      Thank you from Emma.
      She has given so much love in her life–worked as a therapy dog with Alzheimer’s patients. Emma was amazing-so gentle. One special moment was the day she went over and put her head under a man’s hand. He smiled & stroked her. His daughter who was standing next to me began to cry. This was the first sign of any recognition that he had given in quite sometime.
      Had to give it up due to my health issues. I often said she had her therapy dog license, just needed to get her driver’s license.
      Daughter works for a company that has a “bring your dog to work on Friday” benefit.
      Emma so enjoys going with her & socializing with other dogs & ,of course, humans.
      One of the carryovers from her therapy days: Emma insists on going to every cubicle/office on the floor to visit.
      That, Trina, is why I celebrate Emma!
      Hugs, Keta

    • / Reply

      Sign. Z emailed from LE. She thinks that Spooky will babysit 12Z so that she can meet us again for Big Ass Beer Tuesday. Z will do our hair and arrange our hats, if we pay for some Fiji water. She is off the Guinness while she waits for 13Z.

      • / Reply

        I was trying to round up a Dynaformer type of character to tag along w/ yous guys.
        I know it is Tuesday but please….no dancing on the tables tops this go around.
        Zenny,do you use the mane and tail products?
        Max,Sign….enjoy!

      • / Reply

        Max,

        See you and Zenny there. So glad Spooky is
        Such a great friend. Those two colts may keep
        Her running. Fiji water it is. Will look for a Dynaformer
        Type to bring, he may have to wear a muzzle so
        He does not nip anyone while you lead Zenny
        In her dancing !!!!

        Guiness for us !!!!

        • PS. I am bringing my favorite hair gel
          For Zenny to use !!!!

        • Sign, Max, and Ann

          LOL. There must be something wrong with my mind because I can just picture all of this. Can I come??

        • Sign. If you cannot find a Dynaformer, we could ask TT. She’s got lots of free time and, according to LE, she can be “mean”, maybe like Big D. She is also BFF with Z.

  26. / Reply

    I am going to try….but someone with more skill please help…
    How does IHA “nick” with daughters of Deep Impact?
    DI kids are tearing up the tracks in the east….hmmmmmmm

    • / Reply

      Just read this guest blog and all its comments…comments being moderated by Mr Haskins ….very interesting…..
      now back to see if I can get a “nick” with IHA and daughters of Deep Impact ….I got real distracted….IHA and SS Dna in same filly….yes yes yes

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