Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Ask The Experts

Open For Submissions

Hello everyone!

We are so grateful for the support and interest that you have shown through the last few months. From the constant stream of comments on this website to the cards and gifts sent by fans, Zenny and her colt truly know how loved they are.

As Zenyatta and 12Z enter a new phase in their lives, we thought this would be the perfect time to invite a second round of “Ask The Experts” submissions.

We’ve been collaborating with the staff at Lane’s End, some of the most knowledgeable thoroughbred experts in the world, to answer questions sent in by our readers. If you haven’t yet seen our previous posts, click on the “Ask The Experts” category in the right-hand column.

Now is your chance to send in a question on a new topic related to thoroughbred breeding or yearling life on the farm. Perhaps you didn’t get the chance to submit your question last time or you’ve thought of something new. Be creative!

Later this week we will feature a video response from Mike Cline, General Manager of Lane’s End, as well some more video footage from our trip. We also wanted to let you know…

that Tasty says hi!

Tasty Temptation, as seen from Zenyatta’s paddock. Photo by Kyle Acebo


Tasty settled in with a group of mares. Photo by Kyle Acebo

[gravityform id=”3″ name=”Submit Your Question”]
We can’t wait to hear from you!
-Team Z

Reader Interactions

389 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Keta:

    I’m sorry you felt the need to apologize to the blogger on the previous site, it was not necessary on your part.
    I LOVE your posts, your links and all the information I have learned from you, and if I have a question or concern you find time to answer me! (Not to mention you find things I could NEVER find)
    I am NOT a mean person, but if he doesn’t like this blog then he doesn’t belong here! It’s nice to share other stories about other TB’s and anything else we care to share, because let’s face it 12Z is weaned and waiting to go to his weanling training classes, and our “Queen” is waiting for her next bundle of joy to arrive, so unfortunately we are at a bit of a lull! Therefore, it’s nice to focus on our 2 and 3 yr old’s and what they are up to, and to send our love to them too!

    I for one appreciate and enjoy your posts and links, so please keep um comin’

    You are “our information hot line”

    GirlSaratoga

  2. / Reply

    Keta, I agree with GirlSaratoga on this!!! You totally did nothing to apologize for. Who was that person anyway? Never saw them before on the blog or diary. You know how much you’ve taught me (including posting links on the forum!) cause I tend to ask you stuff all the time over there! Sorry! Keep on posting anything you want, I am interested!

  3. / Reply

    Heidi, Debbie, Darlene, and Sandy:

    iI you want to read the insulting post that I was referring to it is on the last site Weaned All Is Well, on the last page (or page8) about midway down the blogger’s name is Ponce De Terre, or something like that? I suggest if you want read it, it is very hurtful and insulting to all of us! This is a GREAT site and I have enjoyed being a part of it, it makes my day! And the Knowledge and links and stories are truly inspiring!

    Check it out, and read for yourself what was posted.

    GirlSaratoga

    • / Reply

      GirlSaratoga,

      Thank you for the direction to where that comment was, and thank you for your defense of us all. Please see my response to Vicki, below. If I cant learn about racing and horses, talk about everything I care about, share my redneck relatives, or ask for help with tomatos in the front yard or help with bruises,or make new and very special friends from all over the country, not to mention express my love for Zenyatta, 12Z, the Mosses and Shirreffs, and all of Team Z, what will I do???

      Also, I am glad you were spared seeing that heartrache at Saratoga yesterday.

  4. / Reply

    Thanks for the update and photo of Tasty, am happy to know that she is well. My worry though is if she still see’s the Queen to hang out like old times , I know she misses her.How is her foal doing? Much love to Tasty and of cause to the Queen and the little tyke. LOL to all.

  5. / Reply

    Trina, Pati, GIrlSaratoga, Louise
    Thank each of you for your supportive & loving comments.
    PomDeTerre sounded quite angry.
    Usually I would ignore & let her/him diffuse.
    But, I decided to answer on behalf of all of us–explaining how the Blog is used.
    And, i did throw in a little background on the two-year olds to show how so much of horse racing is about links, pedigrees, & the horse version of Six Degrees of Separation.
    Hugs to all,
    Keta

    • / Reply

      Just checking in, no hope of catching up yet (fell, hurt my leg, been recovering for two weeks — but the vertigo is all but gone, at least). I read all the PomDeTerre stuff, and he’s full of beans — for some reason, I have a feeling it’s a “he”. The term “pomme de terre” means potato in French, but I remember as a kid at school, hearing other kids say it was slang for “apple of the earth” meaning horse you-know-what. Just sayin’.

      I did find there is someone at Horse Racing Nation using the name PomDeTerre, but it may or may not be the same person. For any interested: http://www.horseracingnation.com/user/PomDeTerre#

      • / Reply

        Vicki,

        Sorry to hear about your fall. Hope your leg feels better. At least you have vertigo to blame, I was just plain clumsy when I fell a month ago. All bruises are now gone except for one small one under my eye. It may still be there for BC. Haha. No, I’m just joking about the vertigo, you know that right?. Hope you are well soon, and I get to meet you at BC.

        That Pompomterre sounds just like someone with their undies in a bunch and a bee in their bonnet. Probably a miserable person that cant stand to see others have so much fun and friendship as we all have here.

      • / Reply

        Vicki,
        Sorry about the leg (bad news) but glad vertigo is gone (good news)
        Went through all the same PomDeTerre thinking yesterday.
        Thanks for support.
        Hugs, Keta

    • / Reply

      Keta,
      Thanks you for giving that TROLL a talking to and in such a kind manner!

      Vicki B.
      I hope you are feeling better. Can’t wait to see some jokes from you. Hang in there honey.

  7. / Reply

    In my wanderings, I came across this site about Painting Horses, with a video at the bottom, you can watch a horse happily painting with brushes, for treats. She has info on training, links to other painting vids. http://paintinghorse.com/

    • / Reply

      Awesome, Vicki B…..thanks!
      We had a horse that watched us painting the barn. One day,during lunch break,he decided to pick up the wet paint brush and proceed to work! That horse was Mr. Personality and I miss him dearly. SPOILED ROTTEN HE WAS.

      Good to have you back.

        • He was the horse of a life time TC. We worked him SO hard on the farm,doing errands and chores, by the time Pops found a ” Willing ” trainer to take him, he found out training was a breeze! Quick study for sure!

          He fell in love w/ racing so much ,a few plates came home w/ him and Mom never wanted to harbor them in the house, for fear they would be stolen. Pirates in them woods!
          Ha!

          By the time he retired and came home, we decided to put him in some point to point races. I was away at college, at the time, and cried every time I missed him race. He really was a lush at heart.

          He would have been a fine addition to the RN club. Pops would have approved 100%. Many a RN joke came out of the RN barn.

        • Mister Pesonality is hereby named a celestial member of the Redneck Club, home state North Carolina.

    • / Reply

      Dear Vicki B.:

      Love the link on Painting Horses. Hugs, JB

      Dear Ann:

      Love your post about Mr. Personality. Name really suits. Hugs,JB

  8. / Reply

    @Vicki B.–SO sorry to hear about your fall. I can sympathize. If it can be done, I’ll find a way to fall into something, over something, or trip over my own feet. That vertigo must be miserable. So glad it’s gone. Hugs.

  9. / Reply

    @Signofthetimes, Would not a “date” with Frankel and Zenyatta, be absoulutely perfect, or am I way off the mark with the “nics” here?

    Also, I have a question for everyone going to BC and Z’s party, “What on earth is a girl supposed to wear?” I am really clueless. Will it be chilly, dressy, casual, what?. I was wearing high heels with shorts and a tank top around the house the other day while I did my work, just to practice wearing high heels again, didn’t go so well, please dont tell me I have to wear high heels. I dont want to embarrass any of “dumplings”

    • / Reply

      Glad you asked this Darlene, I’ve been wondering the same thing, and I’m sure our “California girls” will help us out. Give that the party immediately follows the day’s races AND is at Santa Anita, I’m hoping for some moderate approach that will “do” for both events (and then there is the “what will look classy with white athletic shoes?” issue :-) “High heels” never occurred to me and certainly aren’t happening here!

    • / Reply

      Darlene – I’m sure you wouldn’t embarass anyone. If anyone has an idea what is appropriate for the party, please post it.

    • / Reply

      Taking a swing at Frankel and Zenyatta.

      It could be very good or it could be very tragic.

      Frankel has Northern Dancer up close in his pedigree and has Hail to Reason on the top of his pedigree. Zenyatta is line bred on Hail to Reason top and bottom. So you’re going to end up with a foal very heavy line bred on Hail to Reason.

      There is discussion about the durability of Hail to Reason in terms of soundness issues. In my personal opinion a lot would depend upon this question:

      Does Frankel’s conformation compliment Zenyatta’s?

    • / Reply

      I just got a great new pain of Kate Spade Raspberry round toed heel, with a
      zebra yes black and white heel, Maybe I will wear them to the party, for a while??/

  11. / Reply

    TC…..
    I hope you will share the story about that mad man ,who rides that two wheeled contraption. That man w/ evil in his name.

    Sign and I are awaitin on that there tale of urs! We be real anxious bout it. Thanks very much.

  12. / Reply

    I finally got a chance to review the post in question. The diary had several posters of this type but it is new for the blog. @sign-The negative comments I have received were by email. I have not bothered to say anything before now because I tend to laugh things off. But, these messages are getting more frequent and some days I am really affected by them, as my good friend Sandy can attest to.@Trina-Do you remember a poster on the old diary with the handle notafanofensign? Ensign was a peerson with a lot of horsey knowledge and would chip in now and then. This “not” apparently had a bone to pick with ensign and literally drove him or her off the diary. To the best of my knowledge, ensign has not posted since. It is always good to have a scholarly dissertation on horses posted for all to read or ignore as they wish. Come on, folks this is supposed to be fun.

    • / Reply

      If the mail is getting worse, just report it to the police. They can trace the IP address and this person (people) can be slapped with a harrassment lawsuit so big, it will make their head go up their rear end so fast!! As head grandpa of the redneck club, you deserve the upmost respect, not this crap!

    • / Reply

      Terry – so sorry you are having trouble with unwanted emails.

      You didn’t direct your question to me regarding the “not” poster, but I do remember those posts attacking Ensign. I didn’t understand those posts either. At one point, there was a new poster on this blog, and the “not” person attacked the new poster, saying something like “Ensign, I know this is you, I would recognize your writing anywhere.” Too bad. We are here to celebrate the Queen and to enjoy ourselves.

      • / Reply

        Rosemary=I was beginning to think that my memory was playing tricks on me. Somebody on the old diary must have known who that person was.

        • Terry – your memory is fine – those posts against Ensign seemed personal to me, not random. Like an ex or something.

    • / Reply

      Terry,
      I am so sorry to hear this. Very glad that you have taken it to police.
      You may not want to hear this suggestion.
      Change your e-mail address & send it to family, friends, & those you want to have contact with you.
      Keep the old address. Go through the Senders & only open ones you know.
      Then, let those know you have a new address.
      Keep the old address on the Z site.
      You should not have to go through this.
      Hugs, Keta

    • / Reply

      I am sorry you have had to bear this burden alone. Now we know and we are behind YOU TC, 100%.
      Please let us know what we can do to help!
      You have brought us all together,keep us in laughter and good spirits!

      What a special joy it is for us!
      Thanks TC.

    • / Reply

      Terry & Rosemary – I well remember the attacks on Ensign, because it really pissed me off. It felt like borderline psychotic, stalking variety of craziness — with abundant, wild accusations. Ensign hung in for a long time, in spite of that. But it was just so relentless. Really mean, very hurtful.

      Terry, I agree with Keta. Get yourself a new email address, and migrate. I always have more than one, so that if one gets hit with spam, I have an alternate. You don’t have to just put up with that abuse. If the emails all come from one address, you should be able to filter them, as well, so they automatically get sent to your Trash bin, and you won’t have to even see them. Good luck.

  13. / Reply

    @Ann and sign-Here is my story on Evel Knievel. As I said to Trina when I first posted it, I said I had a story but did not claim it was a good one. I was in Idaho on business some time after Knievel tried to “jump” the Snake River canyon. The town I was in was either Great Falls or Twin Falls, I could never get that straight. It is known as the Niagara of the west and its reputation is well founded. Truly spectacular. But, I digress. When all of the publicity was going on about the “jump” I was under the impression that it was going to be done with a motorcycle. As it turned out, the vehicle was actually a modified rocket ship, similar to the cars that used to be utilized on the Bonneville Salt Flats. At the point of the “jump,” the Snake River canyon is very narrow, I would say, after viewing the site, no more than 100 yards and maybe not that much. Knievel had built a ramp, which at that time was still there, at an upward angle and had secured permission from the people who owned that land to do so. HIs problem was that he never secured permission from the people who owned the land on the other side of the canyon to land his vehicle there. After his attempt proved to be a big fiasco and he crashed on ther other side of the canyon, the lawsuits started coming in. He avoided the town for years until he decided to “celebrate” the anniversary of the “jump”. Acccording to the townfolk, he had bodyguards around him so that he could lot be served with a supoena. According to these people, an attractive young woman on the edge of the crowd was yelling “Evel, I love you. Would you autograph my bra?” Evel told his bodyguards to let her through and she turned out to be a process server. Evel never returned to the town again. Well, that’s it. Trina you may be right. It’s a story, but not a good one.

    • / Reply

      Thanks you very much TC for taking the time to share this story.
      I have always heard there are 3 sides to a story, they are wrong…there are 4.
      The TC side to the story is always the most entertaining and delightful one!

      EH,EH, figures Knievel would fall for it!

      • / Reply

        Thank you, Ann. It was truly delightful to talk to those folks and get their views on Evel, it was about 50-50. Like Evel, I would have fallen for it too. I hate to admit this, but every time a TV station would show his attempted jump over the fountains at Caesar’s Palace in slow motion, I would laugh at the result.

  14. / Reply

    For those with Satellite radios!
    Mike Pennam of HRRNBaron tweeted
    SiriusXM says we r set for todays debut of #HRRNLive!.
    Live racing from @saratogatrack, @MonmouthPark & @DelMarRacing.
    3ET on XM 209

  16. / Reply

    Interesting Facts about Frankel’s Competition
    Alex Owen tweet: Took me a while, but.. FRANKEL’s 62 different beaten rivals
    have won between them 244 races, including 18 listed, 32 G3s, 39 G2s and 45 G1s.

    • / Reply

      Interesting stats. I must admit that I was not a true believer, but his victory over a distance of ground has swayed me in the other direction. Now, if he would only enter, and win, the Arc.

  17. / Reply

    Hello all….good morning lovely Zenny….I am in a quandary about the Travers bet for the Zentastics….but interestingly enough 3 of my original 17 I listed at the early spring as “to watch” possibles are in the race …that’s not a bad number considering up to a couple of days ago I had 5…oh well..one of the reviews says Street Life is the only closer in the race…that person needs to watch a rerun of the Belmont …heart and head are fighting it out again ….
    ……
    on another issue…..Trolls on the blog….I find….if ignored …they go away ….mostly they are trying to start arguments and cause trouble so I just don’t play their game…
    But in reading other sites and comments….we do not get as many here
    ……
    we are a diverse group….knowledgeable and inquisitive ….so our conversations lead us all over …but we are united by a love of and concern for animals and our great love and admiration for Zenny….Team Z…Lanes End…this is a good thing …sharing and learning ..
    ……
    oh well….off my soapbox ….
    ….
    kisses for all soft noses worldwide …hugs around

      • / Reply

        Excellent advice Carol. Unfortunately for me, I did put my email address out there when we were all so upset about the diary coming to an end and vowed to keep in touch.

        • That’s unusual because I put my address out and I don’t receive messages like those. How unusual, maybe it’s because I’m a minor and my mother would put a price in the head of whoever would send such things to me. However, this person is being ridiculous and just needs to change their diaper and get over themselves.

        • Terry C:

          So sorry you are e-mailed harassed! Now I know the meaning behind your warning! Unfortunately, it is probably an unhappy adult with nothing better to do with their time! And it’s easy to sling insults and rude comments sitting behind a computer, because there are no repercussions! You are NOT alone, we are here for you to vent if you need to.

          @Vicki: Sorry to hear about your boo-boo! Be careful and take care of that leg

          And Ladies Going to the BC:
          A little fashion advice…….dress for comfort, that doesn’t mean you can’t have style! One of my rules for going to the track is NO HIGH HEEL SHOES! Too much up and down stairs and running to catch a glimpse of the horse before entering the track, and ladies if your feet hurt well…….a good time you will not have! I suggest a fancy flip flop one with a little heel, something a bit more dressy! A cute little skirt and top or a cute sun dress (they are very in, especially the really long ones, they are called maxi dresses!) The whole point is to have a good time and enjoy yourselves, NO big fashion wigs will be there to judge your outfits or put you on the worse or best dress list! It’s your time to celebrate and be a part of history, so ENJOY!

          That’s my 2 cents worth!
          GirlSaratoga

        • Hang in there, Terry! So sorry that you are having “jerk problems”. It seems that there are alot more of them these days.
          We love you! Keep the funnies coming, and thank you for your insights and for your wisdom.
          Hugs!

    • / Reply

      Carol in Utah — You are right, I know, that is most often true, about ignoring Trolls and their craving for any kind of attention. However, when it becomes abusive, I still feel it’s good to respond directly one time, to see if there is a human person on the other end of the conversation. If not, then I quit.

  18. / Reply

    I fear I will look very dowdy…

    Say, I’ve been so busy packing for the move that i’ve missed the whole “troll” controversy. I put my e-mail out there, but fortunately have not received any troll-mails. Usually, they just go away, but this sounds more serious.

    RIP, dear Z Fortune.

  20. / Reply

    Here’s some thoughts from an old lady. Sweetie, not every adult has nothing to do, most of us have productive and interesting lives, and we’re happy. The other good thing about us is that hopefully, we’ve outgrown the need to perpetuate nonsense and keep a silly situation going to the point of madness. Please, I beg you, get over the need to keep the drama going, because I’ll tell you, it’s really tedious. Everyone, including you, (and me), says things every once in awhile that could be interpreted as insulting, etc, but is it really that bad, ever? Will anything anyone ever says on this blog have a lasting negative impact on your life? My advice to anyone who feels the need to be insulted, put upon, or angry is get over yourself. Life is short, it should be fun. And we’re all here because we love horses, especially Zennyatta and little 12Z.

  21. / Reply

    This will be 2 questions:

    1. When I look at 12Z now, he looks very balanced. What changes are to be expected as he grows? I’ve seen weanlings with high rumps that even out as they grow, since he’s so balanced now, how will he change?

    2. What are the next steps in his progress?

  22. / Reply

    Well I have one question:
    I have always wondered about the yearling training process. What is the first thing they try to teach and maybe some of the other steps after this? Oh and about when do they start this training? When they are exactly a year or when they are older?

  23. / Reply

    What happens to the foals of the nursemares? I hope they are taken care of and not a byprodect of the industey

    • / Reply

      Believe it or not, not every nurse mare’s foal is taken away from her to be replaced.. Tasty’s colt was raised by a nurse mare whose own foal died. Unfortunately it happens more often than it should. The only good part of it is that the mare can then hopefully help an orphaned foal.

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