Happy Thursday,
Today was our second day at Lane’s End Farm with Zenyatta. Her War Front foal will arrive any day now (our guess is next week) so we’re relaxing and eating healthy snacks just like Zenyatta!
Here are a few photos taken this morning, before rain set in. Tomorrow we’ll tell you a little more about Zenyatta’s friend and paddock mate who can be seen in some of these images.
Don’t forget that Ziconic is entered in Race 4 at Santa Anita tomorrow. #GoZiconic!
Enjoy,
Team Z
Judy Berube from Rhode Island
Dear Z Fans:
Terrible break out of the gate for ZI and Mikey. Hope ZI didn’t hurt himself. Did not finish in the money. Next time beautiful Red Prince. Love you with all my heart. Hugs, JB
Robin LOVES Zenyatta
Looks like Ziconic had trouble in the gate. Poor baby. I will be interested to hear the professionals’ perspective. He loaded nicely and was waiting for the other horses. We still love the Red Prince, no matter what.
shirleeinindy
Judy,
Hope we get some more info on what happened. He was well behaved going up to the gate and then just didn’t go when it opened. Kinda looked like his rear was stuck or something. Thank goodness Mike didn’t beat him up when it was clearly a lost cause. I know Ann and Jerry are very disappointed. Zinny says he is her baby boy and she loves him no matter what.
sheena.davies(wales)
Beat him up???Surely not.I heard he got a bad break it happens to the best of them.Sheena
shirleeinindy
sheena,
I was referring to the fact that Mike didn’t over use the whip.
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Shirlee.I do understand.Hugs Sheena.Hate the thought of him getting hit he’s young.
Judy Berube from Rhode Island
Dear Shirlee:
Breaking from the gate can be tough for young, inexperienced horses. Sometimes they are caught in a completely awkward position when it opens. Just bad racing luck. It happens. More gate schooling, no doubt, will be done. Nobody’s fault. ZI will catch on. Hope he wasn’t hurt in the gate in any way today.
As you said, Mikey always puts the welfare of the horse first and foremost. Hate when the whip is over used, especially in circumstances like today with ZI. I’m sure Mr. & Mrs. M are disappointed as are all the fans, but ZI will do better next time and Cozzie too. Won’t give up on them and like Z; win or lose, we will always love our Princes. Love and Hugs, JB
casey
Ziconic acted up going into the saddling barn, in the walking ring, and during the post parade. At one point, Mike sat still on him, like he used to do with Zenny. He went backwards in the gate, to the point that Mike would have been unseated if he’d jumped forward. Mike got him up with the group, but didn’t want to take him to the front in case he ran out of gas. Well, he didn’t fire in the far turn. Mike is a pro- when he knows there’s no chance, he won’t push the horse.
Judy Berube from Rhode Island
Dear Casey:
Thanks for this info. I agree, Mikey is a pro and he always does the right thing for the horse. That bad break hindered any chance of settling or rating or being in contention. I believe Mikey did the best he could for ZI especially in the circumstances. Will look forward to ZI’s next start. Love and Hugs, JB
Faithful Zenyatta Supporter
Well, not to offend anyone, but Gary handled Zi much better than Mike did today in every way. Mike seemed uncertain what to do. He stopped Zi during his surge to catch up to the pack, the opposite of what Gary did and lost momentum. I anticpated this outcome and so sad for The Mosses and John.
pabski
How could your self serving, Stevens loving comment not help but offend? Suggest you take a look at his terrible ride on Shazara on Thursday.
Brenda Springer
Very sad to see the result and wondering what happened at the gate. Ziconic looked good. Maybe we will get to hear if “he fell asleep+ as the track announcer suggested.j
zfansandy
Sorry for Ziconic. Better luck next time (with GARY, I hope).
Sophia Gates
I hope Zi is ok! He almost looked like he got stuck in there, is that even possible?
shirleeinindy
Mike is quoted on Twitter as saying Zi went backward when the gate opened and almost unseated him. It does appear that Ziconic was struggling to get out of the gate.
Faithful Zenyatta Supporter
The jockey is in charge and his responsibility to urge the horse out of the gate. Mike had not ridden Zi in a race yet, just worked him a bit in training. However, Gary Stevens was asked to race him at the last minute and got Zi out of the gate, got him relaxed, then hit the pedal and came in third with a great gallop out. Gary has a gift of getting in sync with his horses. So glad he will be riding my other favorite girl Beholder this year.
sheena.davies(wales)
RIP Tap your Heels the mother of Champion sire Tapit who has died while foaling aged 20yrs.Her colt by Super Saver was delivered safely but she haemorrhaged.Much sympathy to Dromoland stud who had cared for over 15yrs and her owner Mrs Barbara Fracchino.She died yesterday.Hugs Sheena
Judy Berube from Rhode Island
Rest In Peace beautiful Tap Your Heels. Run free in God’s heavenly pastures. Love and Hugs, JB
Janet Newman
Sheena,
Very sad news, but what a son she produced. She left her mark on this world.
Marshall (NC Broad)
RIP Tap Your Heels, beautiful girl.
I know you will be watching over your baby. Thank you for your contributions to horse racing, especially for Tapit. Condolences to all your connections. Run with the angels, sweet one.
Hugs and Love
Faithful Zenyatta Supporter
So sad to hear that, Sheena. So much is out of our control, gosh . So glad The Mosses are here to watch their Big Girl. Also, relieved the owners of Rachel Alexandra chose to not to breed her again due to a similar situation mainly from the urging of her fans.
Ingrid Arnone
Oh my goodness,
so sorry Ziconic, maybe better luck next time.
I love you.
Zowie Starr
Sorry Zi. I think the racing gods were against you today. I know you’ll do much better next time. Don’t let that silly gate get you down.
Deb E.
Pace,pace,pace,pace…Day 25
Good try, Red Prince. You’ll get ’em next time.
Ingrid Arnone
My adorable Zenyatta, I can’t wait, please hurry up….
I love youuuuu!
Barbara Wood
Ziconic honey,
I think you need to stay awake in the starting gate. That is very important. Life’s lessons can be tough, but we know you will do great next time. After all, your mama was usually trailing the field too.
Love you both always (along with Coz). Prayers for you, dear Zenny.
Kalar Walters
You have that look in your eye, Queen Z! Anytime now. We’re all holding you in our loving thoughts for an easy delivery and a healthy foal. ♥
carol rose
All is good, Ziconic will have another day to race and Zenyatta is healthy and ready to deliver a beautiful foal. Happy Easter to all.
Carol
Judy Berube from Rhode Island
Happy Easter Carol Rose. Love and Hugs, JB
Brenda Springer
I’m sure that John will be quoted soon on what happened at the gate. We need to remember that he’s still a baby and that his Momma was older when she began. He’s still growing into himself.
Delrene from Carlsbad, Ca
Dear Zenyatta – Your handsome son Ziconic looked wonderful in the paddock parade and on the way over. Some trouble in the gate …. and better luck next time. That is racing! He is still a very big baby and always something to learn.
You and your family are the focus of so many loving fans. Stay calm and foal on. Wishing you nothing but an easy delivery and a happy, healthy foal.
Sally B. (Auntie cherishes Z and her young)
Zenyatta, sorry I could not watch the race with Zi. I feel so bad that it was not Zi’s race to be won. I love him and believe in him anyway! No pressure from me.
love you Zenyatta with kisses and your sons
please rest whenever you feel to
loving zprincess and my Sir
Auntie Sally B
Elizabeth in New Mexico
Dear Zenny,
So excited about your new foal on the way. Your two colts – Coz and Ziconic are wonderful. They’re just beginning their racing careers, and with time, they’ll be learning and growing. Am practicing deep breathing for you here. Love you so much, sweet Zenyatta. What an exciting week! with much love, Elizabeth
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Judy.Zi is young and will learn.It’s only his 2nd start after all.I have never liked starting stalls and some horses get frightened.Better luck next time!Zenyatta loves her boys win or lose.Julie had a great day in Lambourn Sprinter looked superb and such good news of Lola she has found her forever home.Video soon.I thanked you for the beautiful card on the previous post or it might have been day 1Goodnight God bless you LM PC HT Cap Hercules Frank Bentley and all the sweeties.I don’t know if you saw my post Blue 24 is back!Love and hugs SheenaX
Judy Berube from Rhode Island
Dear Sheena:
Yes, COZ and ZI will do better for sure. Love them both so much. Glad Julie had a great day seeing SS. Oh, that’s the best news for Lola; wonderful. Would love to see the happy video. Glad you liked the card. Goodnight. Love and Hugs, JB, LM, PC, HT, Cap, Herc, Frank, Bentley and all the Sweeties.
PS: On a sad note, the gentleman who owns Cap, Herc, Magnum and a regular size horse at the farm lost his battle with cancer last week. So sad; very kind man. His wife will continue to board the horses at the farm. He loved those horses so. RIP, Ed.
Judy Berube from Rhode Island
Dear Sheena:
Oh, Blue is back early; hope she is a good girl and behaves herself. Love and Hugs, JB
Mary McLeod
Hi to ALL!
Zconic, we love you! It is too bad you must begin the race in that confining gate that your Dearest Mother hated too. Each of us in The Nation know you and CoZ can get it done.
Dearest Zenny, hope you are as well and happy as Kyle’s photos show. Is Mrs. Moss with you yet?!?! Know you are delighted if so.
Je t’aime,
Mary in Boone
Judy Berube from Rhode Island
Dear Z, COZ, ZI and DC:
Goodnight. Stay comfy and cozy. Happy Dreams all and Sweet Baby Dreams Z. Love You. Hugs, JB
Z Princess, Dubai, will always love you.
Judy Berube from Rhode Island
Dear Z Fans:
Here’s an article from Blood Horse on Ziconic’s race today with comments from Mikey about what happened in the gate and the race. There’s the video replay too. No mention that ZI was injured in any way, thank God. Have to throw this race out and look forward to the next start. Love and Hugs, JB
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/98607/ziconic-sluggish-in-second-start
Bluegrass Girl
The article Judy posted does have a RACE REPLAY video in it.
Here is an excerpt from it:
Then, as the gates opened, the John Shirreffs trainee dwelt in the gate and was eight lengths back after the opening quarter went in :23.85, with Magical Mystery setting the pace. Watch Video
“He hasn’t done that in a long time. He couldn’t be standing any better (in the gate),” jockey Mike Smith said. “He went backward so fast (in the gate), if he would have jumped forward, I would have flopped right off in front of him. He shot backward so fast, I almost went over his head.”
FYI-a photographer who was there said that Ziconic freaked out at the large
tv screens in the paddock area.
Judy Berube from Rhode Island
Dear BGG:
Thanks for this additional info on ZI. So many things can happen to affect the performance of a horse. So many things can spook them. Just glad ZI’s no worse for the wear and he’ll do better next time. Love and Hugs, JB
Kathy
March 26 Cherokee Devotional
Our world is in the throes of change. In difficult times, the tongue can get carried away and it can transform our best intentions into something we cannot handle. None of us are capable of handling anything on our own. The wisdom of a Higher Power is needed-and it is available to us if we ask. Learn to cast aside those things that interfere with peace of mind, and speak words that will deliver all of us. We have the power, but we must use it.
When we look into the history of our race, we see some green spots that are pleasing to us. We also find many things that make the heart sad.
-Chief John Ross, Cherokee
Sally B. (Auntie cherishes Z and her young)
Good morning all; My Easter celebration is today so just checking in!
Happy Easter.
love n hugs, Sally B