Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Ask The Experts

Ask The Experts #7

Q:

I am curious about the length of time a horse will breed. Will Z have a foal every year, or does she take time off? What is the average age to retire a broodmare?

Gail Clark

Laramie, WY

Zenyatta is currently in foal to Tapit. Photo by Alys Emson

A:Thoroughbred mares are usually are not bred before their three-year-old year, and they frequently have foals when they are 21 or 22 years old. The gestation period is about 338 days, plus or minus three or four days.

Mares will usually come into estrous (heat) seven to ten days after foaling. We rarely breed mares during this heat because it does not allow a mare adequate recovery time after foaling, has a low percentage of conception and a slightly higher incidence of fetal loss.

Some mares adapt to motherhood very well and seem to thrive on it, while others do not handle it as well. If everything goes normally a mare will probably be bred on her second estrous cycle after foaling. This occurs at around 27 to 30 days post foaling. There is a high percentage of conception at this cycle and low incidence of fetal loss.

Since the mares’ gestation is more than eleven months, and we don’t breed until 30 days after foaling, they tend to foal a little later each year. Consequently it is difficult for a mare to have a foal every year. Usually, if everything goes normally a mare will have four or five foals and then take, or have, a year off. Occasionally a mare will foal 12 or 13 years in a row, but that is unusual. These mares seem to flourish in a pregnant state.

Mares are weaned at around five to six months after foaling, turned out most of the time weather permitting, and are usually brought in every night about a month before their due date.

Our Expert

Richard D. Holder, DVM

Hagyard Equine Medical Institute

Dr. Holder completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University in 1972. Immediately following, he joined Hagyard Equine Medical Institute as an intern. He has then stayed on with the clinic as a Field Care Associate and then as a Member of the practice. He specializes in Theriogenology, and developed fetal sex determination techniques from 5-150 days.

Reader Interactions

194 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Behaviorally, foals and their moms probably stay close at night (predator response is hard-wired in horses) so if there is “missing” going on, my gues is that Zenny will miss him most at night for a couple days, and he will miss her the same way. Horses also have long memories. They won’t forget each other, but that real strong bond between them will fade and not be so “urgent” as it would be with a younger foal and mom.
    Behaviorally, my human soul still aches a bit, and I’m not gonna apologize.

    diastu in tempe

  2. / Reply

    Hi everyone. This response by Dr. Holder made for interesting reading, as did so many of the knowledgeable comments from fellow Zen-sters above. I also thought the Fred Stone was really very lovely: I’m putting it on my Christmas list!

    Sure as I am that all was perfectly timed and remembering that Zenny & Z-12 are horses, I felt the weaning was coming a few days ago, since Team Z was visiting and I hunched they wanted to see Zenny and her first-born together one last time. Glad that both Mum & her son took to it well. And, since animals seem to think in pictures, the next weaning will be better understood by Zenny, since the familiar events will ring a bell. When I saw how BIG our boy was getting, I wondered how they both still “fit” comfortably into the same stall….

    For readers of THE VAULT, the latest is a personal story about horses and becoming a reader. It’s dedicated to OUR SHARI (VOLTZ) and so far, there have been many warm responses!
    http://thevaulthorseracing.wordpress.com/2012/08/11/horses-are-possibilities-for-shari-voltz-and-the-children-she-has-and-will-inspire/

    • / Reply

      Another wonderful article! Thanks Abigail. I wonder just HOW silly I’m going to look in the children’s section of our local library? I have to see what these books are all about!

    • / Reply

      Dear Abigail:

      Looking forward to this Installment dedicated to Shari. Thank you for all the wonderful Installments in the Vault. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Abigail:

      Just read your story in the Vault dedicated to Shari V. Thank you for bringing back so many wonderful memories for me, when as a child, I visited the library looking for books on all things horses. Breeds, Racers, Show Horses, Mustangs, Indian Ponies, War Horses, Maintenance and Training Of and of course all the novels on them I could find. I’m still reading and learning. Thank you again. Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Thanks Judy,
        I remember my 5th grade teacher telling me,please start reading books, other than about HORSES! Growing up in a racing town,my father then told me, if it keeps you happy, then read it. That was our bread and butter.
        My teacher did not like me reading about the Great Knute Rockne??!!!
        She believed, I needed more girly material.

        So, Shari, my hats off to you for lighting the spark in these kids!
        Great job, Abigail. Thanks.

  3. / Reply

    Hi Z Peeps:

    “Our Little Prince” is now a “Big Boy” now! WOW! Time really flies! He now has to put on his “Big Boy ” pants to learn how to become a man.
    Wonderful article about breeding and the time span and how often etc…really informative!

    Ok I have a question…..who is this filly “E”? Is she owned by the Moss’s?
    Any relation to Zenny or baby Z? Is she at LE?
    Is Tasty’s colt at LE? Does anyone know how Tasty and her colt are doing?

    And finally…..to those who think Z-Girl is a “cash cow”, look at the facts, the Moss’s could have sold our precious 12Z for probably “BIG BUCKS” and they chose to keep him so re-think the “cash cow” statements!

    And to the above statement about “killing her” ((to copy sign) ARE YOU KIDDING ME….WHY WOULD THEY RISK THEIR MOST PRIZE POSSESSION? RIDICULOUS!

    I’m with Ann Moss I would probably want to keep Z-Girl in my backyard along with all her babies, “my little “Z” family! (I know not reasonable or possible!)

    Sign: I left you a post on previous blog, on the last page! Thanks for the laugh!!!!!
    Pati Still Sick:: I left you too a post on last blog I believe either page 7 or 8! Feel better soon!

    Finally: Thank you to the Moss’s and Team Z for their constant updates, pic’s, tweets, and keeping us a part of their extended family.

    With Love and Appreciation
    GirlSaratoga

    • / Reply

      “E” is Zenyatta’s younger half sister Eblouissante.

      They share the same dam Vertigineux but Eblouissante is by Bernardini. Eblouissante is NOT owned by the Mosses, she is owned by the man who bred Zenyatta (mated Vertigineux to Street Cry) but Eblouissante IS being trained by John Sherriffs.

      Tasty Temptations is owned by Lane’s End so she and her Candy Ride colt are both at Lane’s End. Given the nasty comments people spread all over Lane’s End when TT rejected her colt and a nurse mare had to be used I would be very surprised if Lane’s End gave any ‘updates’ and risked opening that can of worms again.

      • / Reply

        Zen:

        Thanks for the info! Any reason she rejected her colt? Was she just not into him or motherhood? Does this happen very often with mares and their colts? I’m happy to hear they are both still at LE. So I guess we don’t know if she with foal again? Wish they would ignore the negative comments and update us! What do they know those nasty negative people!

        Appreciate the insight
        GirlSaratoga

        • GS

          Sometimes mares, particularly maiden mares will reject their foal. Rachael Alexandra’s dam Lotta Kim rejected RA but then accepted her later foals just fine. From what snippets we heard it could be conjectured that Tasty Temptation does not have Zenyatta’s same loving attitude in general and she just decided motherhood was not for her.

          Hansen’s mother is also notoriously cold to her foals. She doesn’t reject them but she doesn’t nurture them either!

          At last comment Tasty Temptations was scheduled to be bred to Unbridled Song for 2013, no word if she caught to that breeding or not.

          Tasty Temptation’s Candy Ride colt was put with a nurse mare who accepted him. Unfortunately the practice of nurse mares is VERY controversial and there are some bad practices surrounding it. People who only look up the information on the internet were running into a lot of the negative press if you will.

          Lane’s End was very clear where and how they come by their nurse mares and that they do not sanction the misuse of the nurse mare foals but people were still up in arms with only half information but plenty of vitriol.

          As nice as an update would be, it is probably best to let that subject drop.

        • My goodness, this posting has covered three days. Certainly hope I chose the right “reply” button to press.

          I remember in the Diary how very careful Dottie was to get permission of the owners of the mares Zenyatta interacted with before naming them or giving any details about them. It’s just another suggestion about why we don”t hear about her current friends.

      • / Reply

        Why must there have been nasty comments, it is nature whith these beautiful ladies. I was surprised as TT was so potective of Our Queen when they were together. I hope LE wil give us updates on TT and all her babies, I grew very attached to her. Lisag

        • Lisag. I agree with you. News of Tasty and her foal would be nice to have. TT was very close to the Queen. Such friendships do not appear every day. TT is unforgettable because she is her own horse and did it her way. I am a TT fan.

        • Unfortunately people were hooking into the sensational stories surrounding nurse mares and making emotional comments without taking time to listen to the facts presented by Lane’s End.

          The nasty comments were not about Tasty’s rejection of her foal (at least not all of them were, there were some sharp comments about her rejecting the foal) but rather about the use of a nurse mare to raise the foal.

        • Dear Lisag, Max and Z Fans:

          I wish we had news of TT and her foal too. I did e-mail Lane’s End some time ago asking about TT and the foal and whether TT was in foal to Unbridled Song this year, but I never heard back. Hugs, JB

        • JudyB. The longer that it takes to hear any news about Tasty the bigger her legend grows. That Tasty knows how to deal. She’s the Greta Garbo of TBs.

        • Dear Max:

          Loved your post about TT Garbo. What a match she and Dynaformer would have been. Now that would have been one mischievous, hard to handle foal. Ha, ha. Hugs, JB

        • JudyB & Ann. TT and Big D, a power couple for sure. Lava Man would have to be called in to supervise the foal from birth. LOL.

        • All very cute to think about certainly!

          Though on a more serious note I have noticed that Lane’s End has not spoken much about Zenyatta’s or Z12’s paddock mates since Tasty Temptation.

          We know Zenyatta was in with Spooky Minister but we never learned about or saw pictures of the other mare, likewise we never hear how Zenyatta gets along with her new paddock mates or who Spooky Minister was bred back too or if Zenyatta will stay with Spooky Minister and the other mare or be shifted around again.

          I think Lane’s End learned a lesson with the situation with Tasty Temptations and they are keeping the focus on Zenyatta and education going forward. Which is not a bad thing.

        • Dear Lisag, Max, Ann, Zenyan and Z Fans:

          I think Zenyan is correct. Lane’s End is no longer including info on the other mares with Z. Could be for reasons of privacy or to avoid controversy (nurse mare, etc.). Whatever the reason, I am grateful, as all of us are, that they continue giving us updates on Z and The Prince. Hugs, JB

  4. / Reply

    GS,

    Sorry for being redundant, but I think everyone thinks that it is not true.
    But it is and they will see.

    Well, the whole thing with the bet is be very careful how you glide your mouse
    over the selections, because it can change your bet. I went in and made the place bet,after the scratches I went in and thought about an Exacta bet, but would have chosen Get Stormy, which would not have been good and I kind of figured that. They went back and looked at the tapes and by mistake I glided my mouse over the show and up the the place and it got changed to show. SO BE VERY CAREFUL, I SUGGESTED THAT THEY HAVE AN EDIT BUTTON THAT WOULD LOCK THE BET UNTIL IT IS PUSHED AGAIN TO RELEASE AND CHANGE THE BET. JOHN SAID THEY ARE MAKING SOME CHANGES AND THAT IS AN INTERESTING IDEA.

    Did you see Abigail’s link above, that is her blog. It goes way back to 2010 when she wrote her first article on Zenny that was posted on Steve Haskin column. It is a really great article about Zenny. She has done many great pieces since that are very comprehensive with many old photos and video. So please do enjoy !!!!

    Hope you have dried out after the weekend. I am originally from Cleveland, Ohio so I know about the monsooon rains and the treacherous snow. Oh but beautiful Saratoga, and the history of TB racing there.

    Have a good week.

  5. / Reply

    Just like that, the boy is weaned, and with all ease and calm. Once again Zenny’s story unfolds and like the wonderful people they are, the Mosses are sharing each page and chapter with us. How lucky we are. Thank you Team Z.

    Abigail (from Montreal, Canada), you brought tears to my eyes with your statement “since Team Z was visiting I had a hunch they wanted to see Zenny and her first-born together one last time”. “Together one last time”, I hadn’t thought of it that way, but of course! There will never be another “first” foal and while we all wait once again for the next special colt or filly (a grey filly would be nice), never again will the anticipation, sharing of comments, and pacing be recaptured in the same way. I will never forget the photo of Ann sitting down in the straw with 12Z just minutes after the foaling and how Zenyatta looked so okay with it all. All of it so special.

    • / Reply

      amen to all that. I too am particularly fond of the picture of Ann with baby Z and Zenyatta resting right there beside them.

    • / Reply

      Dear Especially Horses:

      You are so right. There will never again be the anticipation and wonder of the First Foal. He will always be so, so very special. I know that each one that comes after him will be equally loved by all of us, but The Prince will always be the first born. May God always protect him, Z, 13Z and all the little ones that may come in the future. Hugs, JB

  6. / Reply

    GS,

    Here is “E”‘s facebook page; she is Zenny’s 1/2 sister (Bernardini (Sire) /Vertigineux (DAM)). She is owned by Eric Kronfeld, who is the brains behind the breeding of
    “V” and a first year sire Street Cry that resulted in Zenyatta. Eric Kronfeld owned
    “V”, who lived at Winter Quarter Farms with Zenny. Winter Quarter Farms is where Zenny’s equine “family” lives, Eric Kronfeld, keeps all of his mares there. “V” was sold to Coolmore about 4 years ago for 10 million dollars. “E” and her look was one of the reasons The Mossesbred Zenny to Bernie first. “E” looks so much more like Bernie, her head and body are much more delicate than Zenny. Street Cry is a very wholesome looking stallion,a little more rugged. Bernie is very polished looking. “E” is going to replace “V” in Eric Kronfeld’s broodmare band after she is done racing. She is very slow to start like Zenny. Zenny’s first race was in Nov of her 3 year old year and “E” is getting close to that time for her first start.

    E is a very gorgeous girl.

    http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eblouissante/143117319085172

    • / Reply

      Sign:

      Thanks for the info! I just knew it would be you to answer these burning questions for me! Thanks for the link… Omg, it’s Bernie junior! Can’t wait to see her in action! I hope she is as good as her half sis Z! How exciting would that be?

      You are my hero!
      GirlSaratoga

      • / Reply

        It is so very amazing how much “E” looks like Bernie.

        12 Z looks more like Street Cry/Zenny than Bernie. I think as he
        gets older we will see more of Bernie, although his head is much
        smaller than it was and looks like Bernie’s gorgeous royal head now.

        However, 12 Z’s head may look smaller because his body has gotten
        bigger. Not sure how foals bodies develop, he is more body now.

        • Dear Sign:

          Yes, I agree. E favors Bernie and The Prince favors Z and Street Cry. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      thanks for all those great details. !0 million for “V” – wow! But hey, she the Queen Mother : )

  7. / Reply

    Ok here I go:

    I think some of feel sad about the weaning process because if we are mother’s we can’t imagine being separated from our children at such a young age! Yes human emotions for us humans but apparently not the same for horses, with that being said………….

    My first daughter born at 24 weeks she weighed 1lb 10oz, not good, right on the bubble.
    She looked perfect except for being so tiny, unfortunately her heart was in bad shape we had 2 choices, let her die or try to fix her heart with surgery, we chose surgery because maybe, just maybe she would have a chance! (It was better than doing nothing) But there was not much hope because she was so small and weak. My only request of our fine physician was that she NOT die on the table. When he knew he couldn’t save her he sewed her up and that was that. Three days later she died in my arms. To my surprise I found myself pregnant shortly after,, my doctor begged my to abort the pregnancy for my mental and physical well being, I couldn’t and at 28 weeks I gave birth again to a 2lb 10oz baby girl “Oh no here we go again” but she was perfect inside and out (not particularly cute that small and wrinkley) Minor health issues, but nothing we couldn’t handle. Today she is healthy, happy and a nursing student! (At the age of 9 she was diagnosed with Epilepsy, nothing we can’t and haven’t handled)

    I share this story because I know being human being’s we have such a wide range of emotions given the circumstances in our lives, but that is how we are made and I now know that horses or other animals aren’t wired the way we are. ( some even eat their young!)

    Thanks to all the wonderful and talented expert bloggers on this site I have learned so much about breeding and weaning! Thank you all who have taken the time to explain things I didn’t know and for sharing your wisdom.

    Life for Z-Girl and her prince will be as perfect as they are. God Bless them both on their new and exciting journeys.

    • / Reply

      That is a very huge array of emotions for any human to face, but what joy to
      have a second “premie” grow into a loving, healthy and wonderful child.

      • / Reply

        Sign:

        Yea too many emotions! I think the whole weaning and separation thing just brought back old buried memories for me, and I transferred them to Zenny and 12Z, but they aren’t human, and that’s our DNA and they have theirs!

        Thanks for the kind words
        GirlSaratoga

        • i spent the last 15yr of my 45 yr nursing career taking care of premies…
          just loved them…not one left our NICU while i was there without a hand crochet sweater set made especially for him/her by me…the smallest i cared for was 1lb 4oz….he is now a happy healthy two yr old…white blonde hair and bright blue eyes…loved the babies…always will

        • ((((((( GirlSaratoga))))))
          Thanks for sharing your story. Blessings to you.

          @Carol in Utah…..thanks to you wonderful nurses! My first was a premie and the folks where he was born were fantastic.
          Thanks for all you do to get these precious babes going in life. You are very special to us!!

    • / Reply

      GirlSaratoga, As the mother of two daughters, I am really touched by your story. I cannot even imagine what you must have gone through and the fear you felt after your second daughter was born early, too! I am so glad your second girl grew up healthy and strong and so sorry you had to go through so much!! You are so right that we are all shaped by emotions we’ve had to deal with in life as humans and can’t help but feel sadness that other animal mothers never experience.

    • / Reply

      GirlSaratoga, thank you so much for sharing your story with us and giving voice to more of the reasons we tend to transfer our human emotions on to the horses we love. Mother love is strong. I am so happy to see that your second premature baby has flourished with your love and care, but I understand this does not take away the pain of losing a child and for that, my heart aches for you/with you. It is hard for me to separate what my heart feels regarding Zenyatta and Z12 and this whole weaning/growing up process from what my mind knows and understands. I will always have a little bit of the romanticist and believer of fairy tales in me – lol!

    • / Reply

      Thank you for sharing your story. That was very brave, and as others have noted, one of the things that makes this blog so special. Very sincere good wishes to your daughter as she pursues her nursing career. I would just add that although the perspective might be more clearly defined, one does not have to have been a mother to feel some of the same emotions. We may “get it” about the horses, but that doesn’t necessarily stop the feelings.

    • / Reply

      GirlSaratoga
      Hugs from someone who knows & has been there!
      It is one of the most difficult things a mother can go through.
      It is that experience that makes you so sad to see this separation.
      What a blessing to have your daughter-grown, happy, healthy!

      Looking at this from another perspective:
      Visual a mare with a 18 year old offspring!
      That is a human reality–that doesn’t fit in the horse reality.
      When you see how frisky & feisty Zen Man & his paddock mates are,
      you can see the potential for injury to Zenyatta & the others.
      Not intentional, just from overactive play.
      Lane’s End talked about this possiblity in the weaning process.
      So, Zenyatta did a great job of rasing her son.
      And, now, like the human parent, she is sending him off to college & his future career.
      She has a new little one coming and needs to devote her well being & energy to that.

      GirlSaratoga, I do understand your feelings–I really do.
      Hugs,
      Keta

    • / Reply

      GirlSaratoga – your story really touched my heart. There’s so much joy to be had in life and so many heart-wrenching decisions to make. Thanks for sharing.

    • / Reply

      GS: I am thrilled at the story of your second-chance daughter!

      With humans as with animals, if the fire of life is there, never give up! As an animal rescuer, I have had to let many go – but every one of them “tells” you when they think it’s time, and I try to listen even though it leaves a hole in the gut.

      diastu in tempe

  8. / Reply

    Now is the next stage of zen and her sons life I am sure in time they both will be ok with their seperate lives now is the time for prince of zen to grow and make zenny proud of the son she loved also if tasty temptations foal was raised by a nursemare what happened to the nursemares foal? Was tasty bred again???

    • / Reply

      Lane’s End informed us that the nursemare’s own foal had died, the foal was NOT taken away from her. As to the rebreeding of Tasty, Zenyen told us this:
      “At last comment Tasty Temptations was scheduled to be bred to Unbridled Song for 2013, no word if she caught to that breeding or not.”
      Thanks, Zenyen and Lane’s End.

    • / Reply

      Sign:

      Is the link to where referring to? I went to Abigail’s link and didn’t see anything about Zenyatta except a link to this site? Would LOVE to read it! Is the link on this page? The link I went to was the vault?

      Thanks
      GirlSaratoga

      • / Reply

        the link to the vault site is at the top of this page…so scroll up…
        abigail in montreal writes it and has a great bunch of pictures
        she puts lots of them into her articles…
        once you get to her site…you can have it emailed to you when she posted a new article…
        http://thevaulthorseracing.wordpress.com
        i cant do links….but the link is close to the top of this page…my computer highlights links in blue so they are easy to find

        • oh my….it might have worked…i may have learned something….
          once you get on the vault site…you can go thru old articles and find the one on zenny

        • The Vault is a very well-written publication and the author obviously knows of what she speaks. I thought the feature on Ruffian was about as good as it gets.

    • / Reply

      Zenny’s bloodlines are rich and her mother surely deserves recognition as broodmare of the year which she had a few years ago.

  10. / Reply

    Thank you Dr. Holder for the expert explanation.
    Team Z……..congratulations to all of you. From foaling,weaning and keeping us in touch,you are the greatest.

    Young man Z, we are so proud of you. Zenny, you get better looking every day!

  11. / Reply

    @GirlSaratoga–thank you so much for sharing your story. This is what makes our blog so great, and how we come to have deep friendships. I know you do not regret any decision you made as all this was unfolding. Life is precious. Hugs.

  12. / Reply

    GirlSaratoga,
    What a touching, heart wrenching story you have told us. I’m so happy you have a wonderful daughter who is healthy to share your life with……daughters are very special……I treasure mine.

    Kudos to the nurses on our blog, unfortunately, they don’t get enough credit…..the doctors get it all. You are truly special people.

    I’m just continuously drawn back to the stunning photo of Zenny in this post. Is there anything more beautiful in the horse world than a broodmare in full bloom…….I don’t think so!

    Just have to tell you about the license plate I saw yesterday. It read “Res Q A Dog”. Isn’t that fabulous!! Depending on your state’s letter requirements someone could use Res Q A TBred or TB. Hugs to all

    • / Reply

      Sue,
      I spent more years teaching than in actual clinical practice, but on behalf of all of those who are still “out there,” thank you for your lovely recognition of nurses. It is a very tough job trying balance the ideals learned in school with the reality of the current workplace.
      Sandy

      • / Reply

        Sandy,
        My premie son was born at Deaconess Evangelical Hospital.
        The loving care he was given by the nurses who cared for him was amazing.
        He was there for a month after birth. One even held him every day & rocked him in a rocking chair. These were different times-my daily visits were through a glass window.
        Recently he celebrated his 50th birthday!
        So, a special thank you to all you not only cared, but nutured him in those early days.
        I lost a second son 5 years later in Chicago-2 days after birth.
        Hugs, Keta

  13. / Reply

    I love these articles!!! Thanks so much for the great info & keep up the great info giving on the site!!

  15. / Reply

    I have a question….we here are thanks to the Mosses and the LE staff being allowed to share in Zennys life…that has extended to IAmBigBoyZee also…but what happens when he goes to school…will we lose updates on him …I hope not…following him thru the growth and training process would be fascinating …I just don’t know if it would be logistically possible

    • / Reply

      Carol, I believe ALL is possible with the Mosses! I BELIEVE! (Thank you for everything, Mr. and Mrs. Moss!)

  16. / Reply

    Thank you, Dr. Holder for you clear explanation of the breeding process.
    It answered a lot of questions.
    Well done to you & the Lane’s End Team!

  17. / Reply

    Eblouissante had a bullet work this morning — 4 furlongs in 47:60 (1st out of 38 works at this distance). BRAVA!

    • / Reply

      Eblouissante works out Very Good!
      Date: August 15, 2012
      Track: BETFAIR HOLLYWOOD PARK
      Distance: Four Furlongs
      Time: 47:60 Handily
      Track Condition: Fast
      Surface: All Weather Track
      Rank: 1/38 –

    • / Reply

      That is a very fast work for a Shirreffs trainee. Impressive because of the number of horses who worked that distance on that day.

  18. / Reply

    Stanwyck (3-Year-Old Filly)
    Date: August 15, 2012
    Track: BETFAIR HOLLYWOOD PARK
    Distance: Four Furlongs
    Time: 48:20 Handily
    Track Condition: Fast
    Surface: All Weather Track
    Rank: 6/38

    • / Reply

      An old track insider told a group of us to keep an eye on Stanwyck. I put her in my virtual stable. But the compare and contrast with Ebby above is interesting. Ebby is still all legs, but this bullet work is a doosie. Some SoCal Z Dumplings have some side bets on when she will debut. I’ve hemmed and hawed, but I’m going with HP after DMR.

      diastu in tempe

        • Dear Lisa, I don’t think Diana will mind if I step up here. The Virtual Stable is a FREE (whoopee!) service of Equibase. You can enter any and all horses you like in your stable, and follow trainers and jockeys too. You get alerts ahead of time, and results too. Go to the home page http://www.equibase.com/index.cfm and scroll down to where it says Virtual Stable on the left side of the page, and click on it, and you’re off to the races! Have fun.

      • / Reply

        Dear Diana and Z Fans:

        Think you’re right. Z’s first race was in the Fall (November) at Hollywood. Maybe John will do the same with E. Hugs, JB

  19. / Reply

    Thanks, Diane. My sentiments, as well. I think everyone of Zenyatta’s foals will be very special. Zenyatta is, seems to me, a very compassionate horse, so, of course, concerned about her. I know that Lanes End and the Mosses will be sure that Zenyatta is well taken care of at all times. Remember the day when we were told that Dottie would no longer be writing as Zenyatta’s voice…Another tough day, but we made it through and so will Zenyatta. Soon we will be cheering Baby Z on to victory…Wishing him a safe racing career.

  20. / Reply

    ♥ Dearest Zenyatta ♥
    We knew this day would come, Big Momma, however, the ache is still there, Sweetie.

    If we feel this way, I can only imagine how YOU feel, but you have always been very SMART and you are an EXCELLENT MOTHER, so I have confidence you will adapt to your new life without your FIRST BORN at your side… I image Ann Moss is experiencing some sort of “separation” pains, too. But, she too, is a strong woman.

    We pray that Prince Z stays healthy and sound through his life! May God keep His loving arms around 12Z ♥ always.

    We pray that the Tapit ♥ foal you are carrying comes into your life with ease and without complications. Maybe “she” will also been born under a Full Moon ;-) that would be TOO CUTE!

    Love always,♥
    Auntie Judy aka JAG

  21. / Reply

    Dearest Zenyatta:

    Stay healthy and strong. You have a few more months to go. Take good care of yourself like you did with your first baby.

    You are always in our prayers. Hugs, Marilu

  22. / Reply

    Dear Z Fans:

    Beautiful posts of your own personal experiences and on the weaning of The Prince. Thank you for sharing. Love and Hugs, JB

  23. / Reply

    liang in texas…..the “virtual stable” is set up thru equibase….try going to equibase.com and then look at top…i think…for vitual stable…you will have to sign in and create a logon…but it is free…you can keep track of horses, trainers, and jockeys…you can get workout reports….alerts when any of your horses is entered in a race and results of races your horses are in….and lots more…i set mine up a couple of months ago and i add horse as i find them…some our favorites…others i just like…i found out last wk that you can also remove horses from your list….for example i have a lot of BigD’s boys in my stable….but Nicanor retired so i took him out…

  25. / Reply

    I hope no one minds a little change of subject. When the Del Mar meet ends, which Ca. track has the next meet? I’m wondering because E just had the fastest workout she has had. I’m just guessing it might mean she will be in a race before too long. Does anyone know if there have been any more definite plans for Hollywood Park to close?

    Arapahoe Park’s meet is over this weekend. I went the first Friday in June, then the weather got brutally hot and I haven’t been back. Tomorrow is supposed to usher in a cooling trend for a few days, so I’ll be going Friday. Hopefully, next summer’s weather will be more racing friendly, for this “gray mare”, anyway.

    • / Reply

      Following the closing day at Del Mar on September 5, Santa Anita is next up with Opening Day on 9/29 and Closing Day on 11/4, Hollywood Park opens on 11/8 and closes on 12/16. Santa Anita opens again on 12/26 and runs until mid-April.

    • / Reply

      Our best guess is that Eblouissante will run during the Hollywood Park Fall Meeting if she is healthy and training well — like Zenyatta did in her three year old season.

      • / Reply

        Dear Kennedy’s:

        That’s what I think too. She will follow the same path as her big sister. Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Thank you, Kennedys for the track schedules. Since she didn’t race in the Summer meet, I thought that E would race in the late Fall at Hollywood Park. I misinterpreted something I saw somewhere that made me think Hollywood Park was next. Just got myself confused, Thanks again for getting me straightened out.

        • I’m just praying now, that whenever it is, I’ll be able to attend. I have a feeling she is going to have not a few of us Zsters there to cheer her on with camera in hand.

  26. / Reply

    Dear Z Fans and Fantasty Cappers:

    Here’s the field for The Alabama on Saturday. Via Villaggio is a Bernie Baby. Will be choosing with my heart not my head. Hug, JB

    Saratoga – August 18, 2012
    Race 10
    One and One Fourth Miles on the Dirt

    PP Horse Jockey Trainer

    1 Sea Island (KY) 3/F L J Rosario 121 C R McGaughey III
    2 Zo Impressive (KY) 3/F L R Maragh 121 T Albertrani
    3 Grace Hall (KY) 3/F L J Castellano 121 A W Dutrow
    4 Uptown Bertie (KY) 3/F L C J Lanerie 121 S Margolis
    5 Via Villaggio (KY) 3/F L C S Nakatani 121 J Hollendorfer
    6 Questing (GB) 3/F L I Ortiz, Jr. 121 K P McLaughlin
    7 In Lingerie (KY) 3/F L J R Velazquez 121 T A Pletcher

    • / Reply

      OK Judy,
      We in the FAB 7 are all HEART!!!!!!! ( 0.00)
      Good luck.

      Thanks for the update. I bombed last week,should have gone w/ my first selection CJ??!!!
      Over thought it there,ha. he proved me wrong,can run on anything!

      Here we go…..

    • / Reply

      Keta:

      Thanks for the info on Union Rags! Maybe a little vendezvous with Z-Girl and Union Rags? What a horse that would be! Her strength and his gentleness!

      Congrats on your beloved son’s 50TH Birthday! So happy he’s here to celebrate! “A Mother’s Love” is so very powerful!

      Does anyone know how “Rags to Riches” is? I just love her!

      Thanks for sharing!!!
      GirlSaratoga

  28. / Reply

    High hooves to all :)

    @Jan S – still have migraine :( i slept till 1pm so i shiuld survive th rest of the day ;)
    @evelyn – cute photos
    @abigail – wonderful article dedicated to shari.<3 I remember those books too. I read all the horse books i could find griwing up. :) Still have some of them in storage. :) u reminded ne of my love of the black stallion series.
    Blood bays became my fave color of horse fron reading the black stallion sulky colt -bonfire :)
    Then when i was a kid i saw 2 deep red blood bays in a barn & fell in love w/ that color.
    Anyways, beautifully written article.
    @shari – u know i would'veloved having u for my teacher as a kid. I envy ur students. ;) they won't forget u either.
    @ GirlSaratoga – wow u've been thru a lot. I was born a premie 3 mos early. I weighed 1lb 15oz & was kept ub an incubator for 3 mos. Only 1 dr said i would survive. So i know my mom could relate to your feelings. Thx fir sharing.:) may god bless u. <3
    @sign – enjoyed the link on Z's dam.

    Talk to all later. Have a sick turtle to take care of.
    God bless everyone & hugs, prayers, vamp

  30. / Reply

    Carol in Utah:

    It is because of people like you that my daughter survived in the NICU! I am embarrassed to say I did not like her first nurse, she was very rough with me, and being so sick and emotional I didn’t want her any where near me or “my baby”. At the request of my pediatrician, she was assigned a different nurse, one with a gentler side and more experience, SHE WAS FABULOUS, your babies and mommies are lucky to have you, I can just tell you are kind, loving and most of all compassionate, what both the mommies and babies need during this very difficult and emotional time.

    I raise a glass of your favorite beverage to you!
    GirlSaratoga

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.