Happy Friday!
Spring is in full swing at Lane’s End! We spent the earlier part of the week in Kentucky visiting Zenyatta and her two boys.
13Z is quite a frisky and independent colt. He’s equally interested in greeting visitors and cruising around the paddock with his mom. You’ll see them running together in the video at the end of this post.
Coz, who is now a very handsome yearling, was always waiting at the fence to greet us.
There are so many more photos from this visit, and we’ll be putting up brand new photo galleries next week.
Enjoy!
-Team Z
Jewel
I ought to admit that your post is genuinely fascinating. I’ve spent a great deal of my spare time reading your content. Thank you a whole lot!
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Z Fans:
Nice article on Gary Stevens whose riding Oxbow tomorrow. Hugs, JB
http://msn.foxsports.com/horseracing/story/gary-stevens-returns-to-riding-and-seeks-kentucky-derby-victory-aboard-oxbow-050113
judy berube from Rhode Island
Oops. Got a little bit ahead of myself. GS is riding Oxbow Saturday. Hugs, JB
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Z Fans:
Here’s the Past Performance Charts for all the Derby Horses from DRF. Hugs, JB
http://www1.drf.com/formulator-web/FreeRace.do?trackId=CD&country=USA&raceDate=20130504&dayEvening=D&raceNumber=11#past-performance-race/11
The Kennedys in San Diego
Thank you, Judy. Valuable link for Derby preparation.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Kennedy’s and TC GP:
Good luck handicapping. Hugs, JB
Terry Crow
Thanks, Judy. This is a big help.
Sandy (Northeast Ohio) PUR, PUJ
Thanks Judy. These are SO much better than the ones I downloaded from the KY Derby site. And to think that a year ago, this would have been TOTAL “Greek” to me (as opposed to about 20% Greek now :-) Woo Hoo for the “‘cappin contest” – a real learning experience!
Read your reply about EV – it was quite awhile ago now that he moved to Evangeline Downs – maybe SH track was taking a break? I’ll ask him on FB – he is really quite straight-forward about his situation.
Ann NC
Sandy ( aka- Quick Study )… ; -)
I love the story about Bobbie’s grandaughter making her Derby hat w/ a paper plate,hint hint to you, Sandy!
Thank you, Judy B. You da best!
Sandy (Northeast Ohio) PUR, PUJ
Ha, ha – I’ve warned them, NO HATS!!! I’ve been given “dispensation” :-)
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Ann:
You are a JOY. Love and Hugs, JB
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Sandy:
That’s good to know. Thank you. Hugs, JB
Celeste_in_TX
Thanks for the link, Judy! Tried to print out, but couldn’t get my printer to cooperate. At least I’ve got another day to get out and find ink and see if that’s the problem or if it is (as usual) the computer operator – lol!!
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Celeste:
You’re so welcome. Good luck with the printer. You are not alone. I never bought a printer; I have enough trouble operating the computer. Love and Hugs, JB
sheena.davies(wales)
dear max seems you are all going derby crazy on the blog am not sure of aidan O’Brien he’s got a good jockey(ryan moore) maybe this will be his year keta said it might rain brings back memories of GW in the slop at the breeders cup ryan hopes to be back in the UK for sundays 1000 guineas the BHA have been investigating saeed bin suroor’s stables at Newmarket today seems there’s no end to the scandal .supersteve looked a picture arriving at badminton didn’t I tell you he was a chestnut?still no news from Kathy R hope she is well hugs sheena
Max
sheena. No problem for Moore to get back for the 1000. I see that he is riding Snow Queen. I’m going with Hot Snap and Henry Cecil. She’s a big, come from last filly like our Z, only she’s a chestnut. Would not be too upset if the French raider, Maureen, wins. She’s got the elusive Fanferluche and Secretariat in her pedigree.
As to Derby, only luck will seal the deal. Whoever has it when the gates open and for the next 2 minutes will win. To me they are all winners.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Max:
I like the way you think. Hugs, JB
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Max:
I’ll never forget the story of Fanferluche, the mare that was kidnapped while in foal to Secretariat, that you told us about. Incredible. Hugs, JB
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Sheena and Max:
Love the pedigree of Lines of Battle.
Yes, I keep hoping to see a new post from Kathy R. Share your concern. Hugs, JB
Ann NC
I hope to see, Kathy R. soon. I miss her wonderful down under info.
Yes, the Lines of Battle form the Northern Dancer Line and he won Big Bad Bob Stakes at Curragh racetrack in Ireland. He is a force to be reckoned with it seems.
Sandy (Northeast Ohio) PUR, PUJ
And isn’t he the ONLY horse that has run at and won a race more than 1 1/8 miles?
Ann NC
It appears so, Sandy.Good eye.
Now, find those mudders?
sheena.davies(wales)
dear judy goodnight sweet dreams hope you pick the winner!! God bless love and hugs sheena
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Sheena:
I’m going to try. So difficult to pick an Exacta Box because I like so many of them. Love and Hugs, JB
Pati- Derby Dreamin'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk9CxhoYxS0
I am rider 159. This was the last half of the pattern event. It was a tough, salty group I was up against! I got fourth, I’m proud to say!
Trina Nagele in So Cal--PUR
High hoof, Pati!
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Pati:
Congratulations. Hugs, JB
Barbara Wood (Texas)
Way to go, Pati!
Ann NC
I am proud of you, Pati.
Sandy (Northeast Ohio) PUR, PUJ
Yea Pati! Couldn’t believe how those horses just stood there like statues at the end!
Pati- Derby TIME!!!!
We have a technique at the barn we do with Red called “Stand Still and Relax.” I let go of the reigns and pull my feet out of the stirrups, he drops his head, and while I sit there enjoying the scenery, he takes a cat nap.
Celeste_in_TX
Congratulations! Thanks for sharing the video!
Ingrid Arnone
Dear Z fans;
These are my favorites for the Derby.
Verrazano,
Revolutionary,
Orb,
Java’ war,
Itsmyluckyday.
Five minutes before the race I bet on the one that my heart tells me, the only problem is the rain, On the other hand, Java’s war, Black onyx, or maybe other, will see.
For tomorrow, I like Beholder and Dreaming of Julia.
Team Z, Zenny, Coz, z13 my love for you is endless!
Good luck to all of you in this great weekend!
Hugs Ingrid.
Marty R / Colorado
Dear Ingrid,
Good luck in your betting. I won’t be betting, but still have to choose which one to cheer on. Hope all horses and riders come back safely. Marty R.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Ingrid:
I like Revolutionary, Verrazano, Palace Malice and Oxbow (and about four more). Safe trips for all. Good luck with your handicapping. You’re usually right. Hugs, JB
Ingrid Arnone
Dear Judy and dear Marty.
Thank you.
Will see after the races.
Hugs Ingrid.
shirleeinindy
Safe trip tomorrow to all the horses. Hope Dreaming of Julia aces the Oaks. But my money will be across the board on Rose to Gold because of the odds on Julia.
All the Derby talk seems to ignore Revolutionary and Calvin Bo-Rail. Could be a big mistake. If it rains, I am still going to put some money on Black Onyx. Of course, as an old horseman friend of mine from Georgetown once told me., “When they put up the jock and hand him a flashlight, you know you are in trouble.”
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Shirlee:
Love Rose to Gold. Hugs, JB
shirleeinindy
Judy, I am still up in the air about the Derby. Going up to Hoosier Park tomorrow morning so will have to make some decisions by then. Can’t give up on Black Onyx or Palice Malice. You all can send me sympathy posts on Sunday morning.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Shirlee:
I was going to use Black Onyx in an Exacta Box, but Keta has posted on Page 15 that Black Onyx sadly has been scratched due to a bone chip injury. Will do an Exacta Box of Revolutionary and Palace Malice. Good luck with your choices. Hugs, JB
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Shirlee:
That’s an old chestnut. TC would like that one. Hugs, JB
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Z, COZ and Prince 2:
Sweet Dreams. Love You. Hugs, JB
Sally B. (cherish Z- Wi.)
THANKYOU ANN AND TEAM Z!! I am sooooooooooooo glad that I came here before I go out of town to my BFF for the Kentucky Derby. I love each and everyone of these pictures. Coz is really handsome and 13z is so huggable and you Z, just embraceable. You will always be.
Hi all! I have missed so much lately. I have been rather busy with issues at the Horse Sanctuary and filling in with extra time all the while feeling a bit under the weather. Something must be going around; tired and fatigued, nauseated at times, but nothing that keeps one in bed. Sound familiar to any one?
I have a couple of favorites in the Derby. I wish each and every horse and rider a great and safe journey!!
Goodnight, I LOVE YOU SO MUCH ZENYATTA!!
lovenkisses Z, Coz and 13z Auntie Sally B
Janet Newman
Interesting article on some of the derby contenders as foals. Enjoyed it.
Vyjack was a handful and liked the girls too much, so he had an equipment change!
Nice pic of Black Onyx as a foal as well.
http://www.kentuckyderby.com/news/2013/05/02/tales-crib
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Janet:
Thank you so much for this link. Really enjoyed reading about the Derby horses when they were colts and yearlings. Beautiful photo of Black Onyx as a foal too. Hugs, JB
shirleeinindy
Thanks Janet. Answers my questions as to the size of Black Onyx. He seems to be large enough to not get run over as they come out of the gate and angle for the inside. With the way things have been going, now that Rock Hard Ten has been sold out of the country his progeny will start winning.
Ann NC
Thanks Janet. Black Onyx was sturdy as a foal. Cute. He is a beauty now.
Trina Nagele in So Cal--PUR
“Equipment change”–too cute! High hoof.
carol in arkansas
Nasty weather has arrived ….temp dropped to 40’s tonight…rain for a week…snow in northern Arkansas …came out of sw….headed ne….not good news for Kentucky …yuck!
maureen phi-llips
Dear Carol,
Tomorrow will bring you better weather, it is well, try to stay indoors and warm. The day of the Derby will be a beautiful day, worry not, it will be just fine. Good luck with which ever horse you pick, am staying well away from the picks, I get too emotional, so, I’LL be praying for your pick.
Here is wishing you and yours a restful night. LOL.
maureen phi-llips
Dear Keta,
This is in response to your kind words to my write up on page 13. Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to read my post and say the nicest things you said.
You’re such a prolific writer and researcher am almost green with envy. Thank you for all your contributions to the site, I don’t know what we would do without you. Keep up the good work.
Have a restful night and may God smile down on you and your loved one’s. it is well. LOL..
maureen phi-llips
Good night to all, hope everyone has sweet dreams including Queen Zenny and her young Princes. It is well and God will bring us good news of a great day dawning. LOL.
Trina Nagele in So Cal--PUR
Good night and lots of love to you too, Maureen.
backblaze Coupon
We’re a bunch of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your website offered us with valuable info to work on. You have done an impressive job and our whole community will likely be grateful to you.
maureen phi-llips
Thanks for the vote of confidence, my Z nation family are the best. Good luck to you and your team on your new venture. Its heart warming to see communities come together and work for the betterment of all especially when it is done out of love without any monetary compensation attached to it.
Praying for God’s Blessings for you and your team of volunteers and success for the venture. We at Z nation would love to know how it is coming along. Our Queen will be happy to know that she continues to inspire. Enjoy the weekend and the races. It is well.
Barbara Wood (Texas)
@Janet Newman–fascinating background on the foal stories. Thank you so much!!
Sue Fredrick Happy as a lark
Have to post my picks before I finish Derby party preparations so here goes:
Oaks for the ladies: Dreaming of Julia ( Love to see my Indy get an Oaks daughter)
Rose to Gold (Out of an Indy son)
Beholder
Derby: Orb
Revolutionary
Normandy Invasion
Really love all the beauties and hope all stay safe, horses and jockeys.
Kisses to Zenny and Red doll, and my gorgeous CoZ, Auntie Sue
Terry Crow
Looks good to me.
Mary
All this Derby talk got me thinking, which, in my case, can be painful… :p
Being a big Big Red fan, I know quite a bit about all of his races. He raced nine times as a two year old, and three times as a three year old BEFORE the Kentucky Derby. When I look at all the ‘past performances’ by the 2013 Kentucky Derby field, I see most horses have run just six times TOTAL, and a few have run even less races. Why such the difference in races run between today’s race horses and the horses that ran in the 1970’s? Is this the possible reason today’s race horses can’t seem to deal with three big races in a six week time frame (Derby-Preakness-Belmont)? If so, is it possible we will never see another Triple Crown winner because of how infrequently they’ve raced up to this point?
I know this is a dumb question, but I am still curious, and I don’t have a clue why there are such fewer races run by Derby contenders.
maureen phi-llips
Good morning Mary,
Hope you had a restful night, here is wishing you a Blessed day and a lovely weekend. Just thought I’d comment on your question, no, your question is not dumb at all, in fact, I admire people who are able to think beyond the obvious, it got me thinking, that’s really true. Maybe Horse owners should look into that, I don’t know the answer so I couldn’t tell you. But, again, it might be that they don’t want their horses tiring out before the Triple Crown run. I can’t help but mention my sweet heart Big Brown who would have won it all had it not been for the injury he sustained. Then again, maybe they don’t want their horses getting hurt before the big day. Your point makes perfect sense.
If you have a pick for the Derby, good luck, am staying away, I get too anxious and emotional.! When my Queen Z lost the last BC race she was in, it took me about a year to get over it, even now, I can’t bring myself to watch the video!. It is well though and we are all Praying for a Safe trip for all,horses and jockey’s. Good luck to all connections, the Horses are all winner’s in my eyes. I think every horse that compete’s should get some monetary compensation. The journey is never an easy one and it makes perfect sense to me to reward them for the effort. What do you think?
Mary
Thank, Maureen!
My pick this year is Revolutionary, but I won’t be watching them run live. It makes me too nervous.
Win or lose, I wish the horse’s reward would be a long life, and an easy retirement, when they get to that point. Unfortunately, oftentimes that is not the case.
Your love for Big Brown sounds a lot like mine for Secretariat. :) I remember, years ago, reading one of those ‘Yahoo’ forum questions. The person, who must have been a very optimistic (yet highly uninformed) Big Brown fan asked the question – “Will Big Brown beat Secretariat’s record in the Belmont by 30 seconds?” Someone answered – “Depends entirely on what type of motorcycle he rides.” That made me actually laugh out loud. I was rooting for Big Brown, too. He was the best chance us Triple Crown racing fans had for breaking this very, very long drought. I was very sorry he got hurt in the Belmont, but he did recover to race again, and he’s living a happy retirement life now.
shirleeinindy
Mary, Thanks for the story. I love it and it did make a LOL (Little Old Lady) LOL.
Terry Crow
Mary-That is a very good question. IN the old days, 75% of the races were won by horses who had run within the past 14 days. I’ve posted this before, but Citation ran in a race, and won it, between the Preakness and the Belmont.
Barbara Wood (Texas)
All–I have a very dumb question. I have looked all over for a listing of the contenders in teh Oaks today, and I can’t find one anywhere. Can omeone post a link? Already checked Bloodhorse site and may have missed it if it was there. Thanks in advance!
Mary
http://www.kentuckyderby.com/oaks/leaderboard
This is from the Kentucky Derby’s official website.
Barbara Wood (Texas)
Excellent! Thank you, Mary! Hugs.
Mary
You’re welcome! I even went and read about the fillies racing in the Oaks later today. My top two choices – Rose to Gold and Midnight Lucky… (who has raced all of two times…)
Pati- Derby TIME!!!!
I like Bob Baffert’s gray missile too. Her and Close Hatches.
Terry Crow
It is hard for me to imagine that a horse who has ran only two times can be ready to win a race such as the Oaks. Another angle-There has never been a Kentucky Derby winner who did not race as a two–year-old.
Sandy (Northeast Ohio) PUR, PUJ
Happy Friday to all Z peeps. My sympathies to those of you in the middle of the country who are getting stuck with the prolonged bout of “less-than-spring” weather. For once we are not doing badly here on the north coast.
Time to fire up more candles for Marty R and hubby (just amazing how fast 48 hours goes by, and that’s as long as they last). Here is the link to the site:
http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=Marty
Trina Nagele in So Cal--PUR
Thanks, Sandy! I’ll go there now to relight.
maureen phi-llips
Good morning Trina Nagele in So Cal-PUR,
I just want to report that I indeed had a restful sleep last night. Thanks.
Wishing you and your’s a Blessed day and a wonderful weekend of fun, family and love.
Enjoy the races and good luck to your pick if you have one. It is well and every horse and their jockey will have a safe trip.!
shirleeinindy
Black Onyx scratched. No reason yet. Supposed to be a press conference later in the day. Hope it is just that they did not like that 1 post. Of course, since I said and wrote his name the Elf of Injury probably found him.
Sandy (Northeast Ohio) PUR, PUJ
Oh nooooo! Shirlee – this cannot happen to us again!!
shirleeinindy
At least it is not a life threatning injury. Hopefully, he can come back in the late summer or fall. He is a big boy and might benefit from some time to grow as did our wonderful Queen Z.
suew/Va
Hi Zenny and your two princes…we are eagerly awaiting more fabulous photos of you.
I’ll check back later.
Ashton
Black Onyx: Kelly Breen: Bone chip in ankle reason for scratch of Black Onyx.
Trina Nagele in So Cal--PUR
Shirlee, Sandy and Ashton, I’m so sorry for the scatch of the gorgeous Black Onyx, but I’m glad they caught this before the race. Power Up Black Onyx!
Vampressqueen Sue Colvin /NJ
hi Zsters <3
today’s theme which seems appropiate for this derby weekend:
Dare To Dream
DREAM…
higher than a mountain,
deeper than the sea,
wider than the world-
for the size of our dreams
tells not how big we are
but how big our God is.
-Holley Gerth
God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine. Ephesians 3:20
@maureen- loved ur post on pg13 – beautifullly said
i’v also think the lippizans are gorgeous horses. i’d love to sse a performance of theirs someday.
@barbara wood: that was a cute video of the baby elephant
Z’s new baby bro looks cute :)
@pati – good job & congratz on your show. HOOF-RAY
thank you all for the various links.
i must go now.
god bless you all
hugs/prayers, vamp
Sandy (Northeast Ohio) PUR, PUJ
Did anyone see this link from BloodHorse on handicapping the Derby? Tres Cool (if these folks actually know what they’re doing). Only a zillion factors you can turn on or off and “weight” (yea, right). SOME of them must be important – any ideas on which ones?
http://www.betmix.com/handicap-the-kentucky-derby/
Mary
Great new article!
http://shine.yahoo.com/pets/two-super-mares-spark-kentucky-derby-dreams-172400959.html
Sandy (Northeast Ohio) PUR, PUJ
Thanks Mary – interesting look at “our boys” as well as Rachel Alexandra’s brood as potential Derby horses. There is also a link to a story about five former Derby winners and what they are doing “now” (the “now” is slightly out-of-date).
andrej
Black Onyx have rest, wait healthy convenient race later, Big Brown breeze carefully in water, how you can, Zenny smile, i voted Vyjack on bloodhorsecom, he have 69 fans, think cool weather is some good, may be Vyjack will breeze like Dullahan with Royaldelta, may be lil quick, light course Vyjack, safe breeze for all horses, Zenny lil red 13z Cosmic one kiss you love you, green grass
maureen phi-llips
Hi to all,
Just me wanting to wish everyone a great and Blessed day. and with the write up of Vampressqueen above, how can the day go wrong.
With the Derby just a few hours away, I just want to use this time to wish everyone the Best of luck with all their picks and to say better luck next time for those their picks might be cancelled last minute. Those that have a last minute change of heart, good luck too. It is well. Win or loss, we all Pray for a safe trip for all riders and their Horses. Like I have said before, they are all winners but most importantly what Mary said is so true, that the best Reward for the Horses, would be a wonderful retirement instead of what some of them have to go through after their racing days are over, I try not to think of that and just focus on the positive, but how can you not think of that?.
Any ways, today we think good thoughts for all the Horses and their Jockey’s and connections. Fun for all those going to the Derby that God would protect all.
@Vampress, thanks for reading my post and the Bible verse to get us started on the right lead foot. It is well.
@Carol, hope the weather is better today
@Marty, hope the hubby is getting enough rest and powering up, only Best wishes are sent his way for continued good Health.
To the rest of my Z nation family, Love you all. To the Queen herself, a lovely day to you and your Young Princes. Care to tell us who you think will win the Derby?. am surprised no one has asked the Queen who must have the inside track. Oh well.
Bye for now, LOL.
horseracingfan2
Anyone see this? Bo Derek Visits Zenatta and Z13
So glad to see so many different types of people in the horse racing horse racing world!
maureen phi-llips
Thanks horseracingfan2, for the video,
That was so cute!, I can’t believe how big the young Prince ZT has grown, and so friendly too. I loved it how Queen Z was loving on him as if in agreement with Bo regarding the winners circle. This has made my day. Remain Blessed.