Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Zenyatta News

August Photo Update

Photo by Alys Emson/Lane's End
Zenyatta and 13Z. Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End

Photo by Alys Emson/Lane's End
Zenyatta, 13Z and paddock mate. Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End

Zenyatta and 13Z. Photo by Alys Emson
Zenyatta and 13Z. Photo by Alys Emson

Happy Monday!

Alys sent us a few new photos of Zenyatta and her Tapit colt out on a sunny day.

13Z has become quite the big boy! He had a visit with the blacksmith last week—watch the video below to see how well behaved he was.

Alys also caught Coz and Cooper Sawyer playing with a jolly ball.

In case you missed last week’s updates, we have recently added new content to the Photos and Videos sections. Head on over to see the new 13Z gallery and an especially unique video of Z.

Enjoy!
-Team Z



Reader Interactions

1,279 Comments

  2. / Reply

    Dear Max and Terry, I meant to say earlier that I also love Gen. Lee’s horse, Traveller. He’s my favorite as well, but I did just learn recently that Grant’s horse, Cincinnati, was the son of a great thoroughbred racehorse named Lexington. You all probably knew this, but I just found out and thought it very interesting. Love those horses!

    • / Reply

      Louise. Great info. Even if we know something in particular about horses, it is still nice to see it discussed. I love those Civil War horses. No tidbit about our favorite creatures should go unobserved. Feel the same way about dogs, cats, cows, birds, etc.

    • / Reply

      General Grant was apparently quite a rider as his ability is mentioned prominently when one looks up his record at West Point.

  4. / Reply

    Oh dear…Both my wagers were Joel Rosario’s mounts. Will have to think about this. I do hope Joel will be alright and heal quickly.

  5. / Reply

    Fort Sumter news:

    (On the racehorse, that is). Fort Sumter led into the straight, but then faded and finished well back in the field. We Civil War buffs can read into that whatever we wish! But we have had a safe and very enjoyable day of racing around Australia today. Cheers Kathy R.

    • / Reply

      Kathy R. The most famous Civil War gray was Traveller. He was 16 hands and like Cincinatti a very tough customer. He was iron gray in color with a full proud black mane and a long tail like Whirlaway. I love those grays. I guess that the most famous US gray other than Tasty because she is actually Canadian is Native Dancer, dam sire to Northern Dancer from his US mom, Natalma. The Gray Ghost was a formidable racing champion, a true all time great. I think that he once made the cover of Time.

      • / Reply

        Native Dancer was sometimes referred to as “The Giant Slab of Granite”. That name itself speaks tough grey!

        • Max,

          Very stressful and tiring. Not to mention some of the upperclassmen have taken to pounding on the doors in our dorm at 7 in the morning. I’m considering electrocuting my door…

        • Pati-Caz Girl. Yep, that’s frosh week. Hope that that place where you are has few engineers. They tend, or used to at least, go a little overboard on hazing. Pace yourself. Get through it and all will settle down when classes start. Being away from home is a very big adjustment for most people. Day by day is key. When I went to college in England, the North American students arrived early and bonded before the English even got there and ended up sticking together through the whole time. I’m still buds with them. Just enjoy yourself.

  7. / Reply

    A quote from Captain Francis E. Moran of the 73rd New York. He believed that the horses at Gettysburg were the battle’s “ungazetted heroes”. I think that’s a comment that covers the contribution of all horses, mules and donkeys in all wars. We should pause and give thanks that they give so generously to us in many ways, despite the dreadful way we have treated them. We are truly lucky that they have hearts that are so often bigger than our own. Hugs, KathyR.

    • / Reply

      Kathy R-Truer words were never spoken. The cavalry activities at Gettysburg are often overlooked. Regardless of what you may think about his later exploits, George Custer was a hero during the battle and many during thew Civil War. He was a big favorite of Phil Sheridan. Sheridan actually gave Mrs. Custer the desk where Lee and Grant met and signed the surrender document.

    • / Reply

      Dear Kathy R:

      Another example of how horses were all important in the survival of humankind. Love and Hugs, JB

  9. / Reply

    Oh no! I just read about Joel being hurt. Poor Orb, that #2 post and now possibly losing his rider. Hope Joel is okay. Bet he is sore today.

    Go Palace Malice and Orb. Get in there in the money War Dancer. Keep your eyes on that dratted Johnny V and the V horse.

    Safe trip to all of the horses and riders.

  10. / Reply

    Dear Max The ashes series is made up of 5 test matches. England won the ashes in the 3rd test. they hoped to make it a clean sweep but it looks as if the 5th (and final) test will end in a draw!!!Looks as if Ed Dunlop has got another good filly Amazing Maria has just won a group 3 at goodwood. He certainly has a way with the girls!!!hugs Sheena

    • / Reply

      Sheena. That name is close to Awesome Maria, a favorite of mine. We must keep tabs on Amazing Maria. She’s got a marvellous pedigree with a Northern Dancer cross. Her mom is US bred with AP Indy genes. This filly might be destined for greatness. Dettori who rode at Goodwood did not do his flying dismount when she won. Said that she’s too hot. Maybe she would have taken a bite out of him like It’s Tricky? And she’s only 2.

      Cannot say that I understand the cricket, but I get it a bit more.

        • Pretty sure this is a silly question, but I have noticed in races in England and other places that many of the horses wear a breast strap, but I have not seen horses here wear one. Is there a reason for the strap?

        • Dear Pam Homeier:

          Funny how you can watch races and not really notice bits of gear. I think (and I’m only talking about Australian racing, Sheena would have to comment on the UK events) that the breast strap is attached to the saddlecloth that carries the racing number. In track work they often have a slightly padded cloth beneath the saddle – don’t know why, but I’ll ask for you when I go to the races here in Canberra on Friday. Cheers, KathyR.

        • Thank you Kathy R. I love reading the overseas writers. My family and friends think I am quite knowledgeable about horse racing. I just let them think that. They really don’t need to know the truth! Thanks again Kathy for checking for me!

  11. / Reply

    Hello everyone, Having some beautiful weather in Vermont!
    @judy berube from Rhode Island – Hi Judy. Thanks for the pictue of TOO CUTE Lola Mae. Glad you’re both doing well. How old is Lola Mae?
    Thank you for all the links to great horses.
    Blessings to all. Arlene

    • / Reply

      Dear Arlene:

      You’re so welcome.

      Lola Mae just turned five on July 5th. She is 10 inches high and 10 inches long and weighs 5lbs. 6 oz. She is very sweet, but sometimes thinks she’s a guard dog. Just love her.

      Our weather here in RI is a lot less humid today too. Looking forward to Fall and the beautiful foliage. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Sheena. Good for both of them. Would like to see Warren Place carry on Cecil’s legacy. Hope that Lady Jane can keep things going. Will also hope for the Mohican to win. What’s Joyeuse been doing?

  13. / Reply

    Just saw on DRF that Rosario is out for 6 weeks. Lezcano to ride Orb. What is wrong with choosing Rosie? Orb’s exercise rider all along has been a girl. So no reason a girl could not ride him in a race. Don’t know anything about Lezcano but this makes Mike and PM look better. Mike to ride My Happy Face.

    • / Reply

      Just saw that too Shirlee. So sorry for Joel and all those connected with his mounts this weekend (both at Saratoga and Del Mar). The Dude and Goldencents will both need new riders. Hmmmm . . . . how might this affect the wagering??

      • / Reply

        Sandy, since he is the leading rider in the country, I think his being off the horses will change the odds quite a bit. Some people bet the jockey as much as the horse. I know at Churchill when Pat Day was riding you could have put him on a mule and the odds would have dropped dramatically.

  14. / Reply

    Sad to hear that Linda Ronstadt has Parkinson’s, and “can no longer sing a note”. I first saw her in concert about 40 yrs. ago, on a dynamite double-bill with Jackson Browne, in San Jose. She had one of the most powerful voices, of all those I’ve heard. Very sad that she’s been silenced now.

    • / Reply

      Vicki-Very sorry to hear this. I saw Linda when she was first starting out at a country nightclub called The Palomino in 1973. I remember her saying that she must draw the nicer crowds to that place because there were fewer fights in the parking lot. Long, Long Time was, and sttill is, one of my favorites.

    • / Reply

      Dear Vicki B:

      How sad. She was always one of my favorites. Loved her hit “Different Drum”. Love and Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Terry & Judy — Linda’s songs from the Stone Poneys era were always my favorites too, although I also liked her hits that came later, and made her a bigger star.

      • / Reply

        Barbara & Debby — I just read that “Linda has been experiencing the symptoms of Parkinson’s for the past eight years”, and retired from performing in 2009. She “had initially attributed the symptoms she had been experiencing to the aftereffects of shoulder surgery and a tick bite.” But her Parkinson’s was diagnosed 8 months ago, and she “discovered that the disease accounts for the loss of her singing voice.” So I guess the symptoms come on very slow, and can appear as other problems, I didn’t fully realize that.

  15. / Reply

    This is an interesting recent interview with Mad Moose’s horse psychologist on dealing with horses with behavioral issues. It’s on Moosie’s Twitter page. Talks about how home breds who have not seen the sale rings usually need some special training because they are not used to dealing with crowds. Hope that he’s communicated with Moosie on how to get out of the gate. Moosie however is going back to the jumps so that he just has to start running.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mArFaaUxVs&feature=youtube_gdata_player

    • / Reply

      Dear Max:

      What a fascinating man and interview. He’s patient and compassionate as well. Learned some things about horses’ “body language” that I never knew before. Wonder how Big D would have reacted under Mr. Witheford’s tutelage. Now that would have been a test.

      Hope Moosie comes around.

      Love and Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        JudyB Laughing at your comment because that is exactly what I thought. I can just see that upper lip on BIg D puffing up and staying that way until anyone who was annoying him ran clear!

        • Dear Max:

          Me too; with the caption “No You Didn’t”! Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Really interesting Max. I couldn’t catch every single word, but I really liked Gary, and he sure seems to know how to help the horses get past their fears and other issues. Thanks!

    • / Reply

      Dear Pati:

      Wonderful news. So glad this handsome boy is feeling better. Give my best to Katie when you can. Love and Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        I must have missed a whole page of comments or something. After reading all of the comments about how cute Lola Mae was, I had to go back and find what you had posted, and she IS really, really cute as always. Great picture – you can even see her eyes :-)

        • Dear Sandy:

          Thank you so much. She’s my Little Munchkin. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      How do you hear this stuff?? There must be something I’m not checking. Well, one less horse to worry about – go Dullahan!!!!!

        • I read it on drf tweet line….scratching Liaison so Martin Garcia can ride Game on Dude….was going to bet L to show…he always gets up close at the end….closes fast…

      • / Reply

        I think Dullahan has great chance to win again this yr….likes the track and GoD doesn’t…read what change in jockies may do….knock on Garcia is he waits too long to kick for home…so GoD may not get to D..but just speculation

  18. / Reply

    Dear Z Fans:

    Mentor Cane ran a fabulous race for JS, but alas had to settle for 2nd. A 28 to 1 long shot, Capo Bastone, came out of the clouds to win. Picked the Exacta Box for fun. Wish I had actually been able to place a bet; Exacta paid $759.00.

    Pace in this one was very, very fast. Will post replay as soon as available. Love and Hugs, JB

  19. / Reply

    Dear Z Fans:

    What an exciting Travers. Unbelievable; I just listened to the live audio. Can’t wait to see the replay. Will Take Charge wins, Moreno 2nd, Orb 3rd and Palace Malice 4th. Hope Verrazano is OK. He made a move and stopped.

    Wow, I guess I’ll Take Charge proved he will. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      I had the right horse….should have bet him to win..,TCI’s little bro gets it done …although at better than 17hands he ain’t that little….how about a vote for his mom for broodnare Honor’s..

      • / Reply

        We are two peas in the pod today, Carol. I put a show bet on WTC. Yipee!!!!
        Actually got the chills when I saw his face as they were coming around the final turn, he had his ” game face ” on. Good boy, my big ole chestnut!

        Hope, Verrazano is OK?
        JB, we call that a pickin and a grinnin! Beautiful day at , Saratoga.

    • / Reply

      JudyB The Travers was wonderful. Will Take Charge is 17+ like Z. He needs the time to develop. Nice to see Oxbow’s roommate win it for Lukas. No 3 year old horse can yet challenge the super Wise Dan for HOY.

      Wish very much that Mentor Cane had won the KB. He also looks like he will improve as he ages.

      • / Reply

        Dear Max:

        The Travers was so exciting. Hope Verrazano is alright.

        Mentor Cane ran a terrific race right from the start in very fast fractions. The horse that won came from off the pace and had the kick to finish first. Wish the pace had been a bit slower; would have given MC something left for the end. Hugs, JB

        • JudyB. You are right. Good however to see MC run a straight line race after that wandering in the last one. He’ll get there. Would like to hear from John Shirreffs with a winner. He’s due. Getting a little tired of Uncle Todd interviews all of the time.

        • Dear Max:

          Yes, JS is due. This was a tough one to lose. MC did everything right and gave it his all. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Judy, I sure didn’t see that coming. Think Orb just ran out of steam and PM had a bad start. Don’t know where the two Vs came in. I don’t think War Dancer has made it back yet.

      I have to say that unless something really special happens between now and the end of the year, Orb and Palace Malice are the front runners for 3 year old male of the year. Of course, neither has a chance against Dan for HOY. Orb danced all 3 Triple Crown races and seems like he just needed a race to get in shape for the fall. Palace Malice has won some of the big ones. The Belmont is a tough one and he did it well.

      • / Reply

        Dear Shirlee:

        Think you are spot on in all counts. I am concerned about Verrazano. Hope he just got tired and nothing more. Dan has my vote for a Double HOY. Love and Hugs, JB

  21. / Reply

    Dear TC GP and Civil War Z’sters:

    Nice article on Lexington and Native Dancer. Enjoy. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Judyb. This is a super find. It is a pleasure to read about Lexington, the Gray Ghost and the others. Z is in there too. I smiled broadly at the mention of Hastings, my all time favorite along with Big D. Trying to use horse psychology on those two would waste a whole lot of time.

    • / Reply

      That’s a great article, Judy. Thanks for posting the link. Here in Lexington there are signs all over town with directions to local landmarks and the horse Lexington is on all the signs. It’s so interesting to read a little bit about him.

  26. / Reply

    Dear Z, COZ, Red Prince and Baby Z:

    Goodnight. Sweet Dreams. Love all of you so much. Hugs, JB

  27. / Reply

    Dear Judy Great to see the race.Congratulations to Will Take Charge! there’s more Royal Wedding talk over here Harry maybe??? even talk of the Duke and Duchess of York remarrying!!!! Tian-Tian had a very quiet birthday in Edinburgh zoo maybe a cub soon??Mei Xiang in Washington gave birth on the 23rd at 5 32pm. She lost her little cub last year and has had several pseudo-pregnancies so they are thrilled to bits!! Goodnight God bless you, Lola Mae, Charlie and all the Sweeties. Sleep well.Love and hugs SheenaX

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena:

      Harry? Wow. That’s great.

      Wonderful that Mei’s cub is well. Hope Tian-Tian’s news is good.

      Very exciting Travers. Love and Hugs, JB, LM, PC and all the Sweeties

  28. / Reply

    What a great Travers! A guy at work told me I should bet on Will Take Charge in the handicapping league, but I had already picked Palace Malice and I’m very superstitious about changing my mind. I sure hope that Verrazano is OK.

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