Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Zenyatta News

Foaling Prep at Lane’s End

12Z playing with a paddock mate at Lane's End. Photo by Alys Emson/Lane's End
12Z playing with a paddock mate at Lane’s End. Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End

Happy Thursday!

We have an exciting post for you today. Dr. Ernie Martinez has written a piece detailing the steps taken at Lane’s End in preparation for foaling. It’s a great example of how Lane’s End leaves nothing to chance. You can follow Dr. Martinez on twitter at @emartinezdvm.

Alys also sent us some great photos of Zenyatta’s first colt playing in the snow.

Enjoy!
-Team Z

12Z playing with a paddock mate at Lane's End. Photo by Alys Emson/Lane's End
12Z playing with a paddock mate at Lane’s End. Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End


12Z playing in the snow. Photo by Alys Emson/Lane's End
12Z playing in the snow. Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End


Enjoying Late Pregnancy & Preparing for Foaling
By Ernie Martinez II. DVM from Hagyard Equine Medical Institute

As Zenyatta approaches the end of her second pregnancy, we begin to prepare for the arrival of Little 13Z. Very little will change from her daily routine. She will continue to be fed and checked by farm staff twice a day. They will begin to closely monitor her for any signs of premature labor. These might include early udder development or an abnormal vaginal discharge. Thankfully, Queen Z has strided through this pregnancy like a champ and everything has been very routine.

In the last trimester we vaccinate her with a three shot series of vaccinations for Rotaviral diarrhea. This can be a very life threatening diarrhea when acquired in the neonatal stage, and we do all we can try to prevent this disease or at best minimize the severity of any clinical signs. All farm mares receive this series of vaccinations, and we have had very healthy newborn foal crops for some time.

When Queen Z has one month to go we will give her annual series of booster vaccinations. This serves two purposes. First, we provide Queen Z with her annual booster of vaccinations for protection against Equine Herpes Virus 4&1, Eastern-Western Encephalitides, West Nile, Influenza, Rabies & Botulism. Second, and most importantly, by vaccinating her one month before to foaling we will booster the volume and quality of antibodies in her colostrum. Newborn foals are born immunologically naive and must consume and absorb the antibodies from colostrum for their initial immune protection. When 13Z is born we will test her colostrum to insure it is of high quality. If it were to be low, we will give the new foal a pint of colostrum from our colostrum bank. When 13Z is between ten to twelve hours old we will test a blood sample to determine the IgG, or antibody, level. We want all our foals to be above 800 mg/dL. Greater than 1200 mg/dL would be off the charts and even better!

As the foaling date draws nearer, Zenyatta will be brought up to the foaling barn where she will stay until she foals. In the foaling barn she will be under 24 hour surveillance as we patiently wait for her to foal. As she gets closer to foaling, or parturition, her udder will start to develop and the teats will fill. The classic sign that foaling is near is the production of wax or “waxing up.” This is a sebaceous-like pre-colostral secretion that in most cases means foaling is imminent.

Two weeks before Queen Z’s due date we will sample and test her blood for neonatal isoerythrolysis, or NI. We call it an NI Screen. NI occurs when the foal ingests colostrum from the mare with antibodies that react with the foals red blood cells (RBCs). The antibodies are produced by the mare due to transplacental hemorrhage in late gestation. The mare’s immune system identifies the RBCs as foreign because they contain stallion DNA. If the foal were to consume NI antibodies in the colostrum the foal’s RBCs would be coated in the maternal antibodies and cleared by the foal’s immune system, causing a hemolytic anemia. The foal would crash in respiratory distress as it would have no RBCs to carry oxygen. Thankfully, the NI screen allows us to detect NI positive mares. In a positive case we would muzzle the foal and supplement it with tested negative colostrum until the antibodies were cleared from the mares milk. This normally takes 10–12 hours.

So when she draws close to foaling time we will have done all we can do to insure that her colostrum will be top quality, we will have screened her colostrum for NI and we’ve made an easier pathway for the birth of 13Z. Now all we can do is wait.

See you at the Foaling Barn!

12Z in the snow. Photo by Alys Emson/Lane's End
12Z playing in the snow. Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End

Reader Interactions

798 Comments

  1. / Reply

    ORTENSIA Andrew Bensley tweet
    Ortensia got buffeted around badly in Newmarket Hcp. Is ok today and
    @Paul Messara feels there’s still a good race in her.
    Returns to Sydney.

    • / Reply

      Dear Keta and Z Fans:

      Some times racing luck can be really, really bad; terrible trips for Ortensia and Fort Larned. Hope they both come out OK. Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        I’m hoping Paul Messara gives her a good long rest (like Nelly) and then retires her. She’s had a really long campaign, travelling overseas, racing and then back home, and I think it’s taken it out of her, she’s such a great trier, and I think she deserves to go now, before she succumbs to injury.

        • Dear Kathy R.:

          Yes, that is always a risk. Hopefully her team will put her welfare first. Hugs, JB

  2. / Reply

    Keta Note: G Ten is Back!!
    G Ten (5-Year-Old Horse) Workout
    Date: March 9, 2013
    Track: EMERALD DOWNS
    Distance: Three Furlongs
    Time: 37:40 Breezing
    Track Condition: Fast
    Surface: Dirt
    Rank: 52/97

    • / Reply

      Dear Keta an Z Fans:

      OMG, glad I wasn’t watching that one. Praying Fort Larned will be OK. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Keta. Amazing. Sorry for Hernandez and hope he’s okay. However, Fort is such a pro. He looks so intense coming around that corner and going for home.

    • / Reply

      Such a miracle he came out of that ok and got back to his feet to lead the field. Like you said, hope he checks out totally sound and everything. What a race!

    • / Reply

      FORT LARNED UPDATE SUN. MARCH 10 .
      Jerry Bossert‏ New York Daily News tweet
      Trainer Ian Wilkes reported that Fort Larned came out of Saturday’s Gulfstream Handicap with a grabbed quarter but is otherwise doing fine

  4. / Reply

    VERRAZANO WINS Dr. Steve Allday‏ tweet
    Just in case you missed it today, Verrazano showed us what the BEST stable in America does in Derby preps.
    Team Pletcher does it AGAIN!

    • / Reply

      Dear Keta and Z Fans:

      Congrats to Verrazano and Johnny V. Guess he’s for real. Purple Egg did not fare so well. Race comment said “stopped after half”. Hope he is alright. Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        I loved his big bro….El Padrino…last year..Verrazano just keeps winning…last week all the detractors said he could not get the distance ….now they are saying field was “soft”…he looked like he was on cruise control …out for a stroll…wonder what he would do if pushed…I think he has at least 3-4 more gears…just did not need them today

  5. / Reply

    Hear the Ghost Rattles Home in San Felipe
    By Jack Shinar The Blood-Horse Updated: Saturday, March 9, 2013 8:10 PM
    Hear the Ghost blew past weakening favorites Flashback and Goldencents in deep stretch to post a half-length upset in the $300,000 San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) March 9 at Santa Anita Park (VIDEO).
    The victory, with Corey Nakatani in the irons for Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, shook up the West Coast 3-year-old division a month in advance of the April 6 Santa Anita Derby (gr. I).
    Hear the Ghost, with just two prior starts, was making his first try beyond six furlongs while facing graded stakes company for the first time in his brief career. But stamina was no issue for the son of Ghostzapper out of the winning Coronado’s Quest mare Rehear in the 1 1/16-mile San Felipe.
    The final time was a good 1:42.34 over a track rated fast.
    Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/76777/hear-the-ghost-rattles-home-in-san-felipe#ixzz2N6GIM3Fh

    • / Reply

      Some of the handicappers are saying Goldencents and Flashback cooked each other which allowed Hear the Ghost a win. Even if true, Hear the Ghost had a great run to be in the mix with those two. Congratulations!

  6. / Reply

    Oaklawn: Rose to Gold wires Honeybee under Borel (RACE REPLAY VIDEO)
    By Mary Rampellini Daily Racing Form 03/09/2013 6:21PM
    HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — In a race ripe for a wire job, jockey Calvin Borel moved Rose to Gold to the lead soon after the start of Grade 3, $150,000 Honeybee at Oaklawn on Saturday, and the pair rode the rail to a two and three-quarter length win over 2-5 favorite Flashy Gray.
    “We were going to sit off of it a little bit, but she broke so sharp,” said Borel.
    Rose to Gold picked up 50 points towards the Kentucky Oaks on the new system governing preference if the race is oversubscribed, while Flashy Gray, the favorite in last weekend’s Kentucky Oaks Future Wager, earned 20 points. American Sugar, who was third in the Honeybee, picked up 10 points for her finish, while Liberty Girl, the fourth-place finisher Saturday, earned 5.
    Rose to Gold ($12.60) took the field through fractions of 23.71 seconds for the opening quarter, 47.76 for the half-mile, and 1:13.12 for six furlongs. Flashy Gray, meanwhile, raced about a length and a half off the leader in second, in what was her two-turn debut. Rose to Gold continued to set the tempo into the stretch and kept Flashy Gray at bay while going on to cover the mile and a sixteenth on a track rated fast in 1:45.06.
    http://www.drf.com/news/oaklawn-rose-gold-wires-honeybee-under-borel

      • / Reply

        Calvin got RtG out in front….hugged the rail …and played catch-me-if-you-can….they couldn’t …

        • They don’t call him Bo-rail for nothing.

          So sad to see Fort Larned not get a chance to show his stuff yesterday. He was the class of the field and should have won going away. It does seem he was okay and he was really running in the video. Luck plays such a part in all of these races. Hope to see him back soon. Perhaps another race against MMM.

      • / Reply

        Shirleeinindy. In a way, Fort Larned showed exactly how good that he is in the race. He stumbled quite badly at the gate, lost his rider, but he still got up gamely and weaved his way around other horses down the rail. When he got his chance, he bolted for the front and kept on going strong. Fort did not need any human urging to know how to handle the race. Very very impressive and I only wish that the camera had followed him to the finish. At one point, the announcer mentioned that the horse was 1/16th of a mile ahead. I am glad that he has suffered no ill effect from the stumble so far. He’s a real pro.

  7. / Reply

    ALL TOO HARD UPDATE
    Andrew Bensley‏ tweet
    All Too Hard is back in normal work after recovering from a cold.
    No decision where he runs next from @HawkesRacing
    No Randwick Guineas

  9. / Reply

    Dear Keta:

    Can’t find anything on how Jackson Bend is doing. Don’t belong to Twitter. Do you think you could check to see if there are any Tweets on how he is getting along. Thanks. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Last thing I heard he was recovering but would not be at stud this year because of back issues still resolving from being knocked down ….i think …hope he will be all well soon and he can start his new career next year…
      If anything more is known….you are correct….Keta will be able to find it…
      Funny thing….I was just wondering about him today…you know what they say about great minds!

      • / Reply

        Dear Carol and Shirlee:

        Yes, I read an article from January that said he would not be at stud this year due to pain he is having in his spine. Hoping he recovers fully. Couldn’t find any updates.

        Carol, we were thinking of him at the same time. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      If I remember correctly with my senior brain, he was turned out at a farm in Florida. I like him because of his connection to one of my favorites, Tabasco Cat. Seems he does have concerned and caring owners.

    • / Reply

      Judy, Carolinarkansas, shirleeinindy
      Here is the info on Jackson Bend

      Jackson Bend Won’t Stand in 2013
      By Blood-Horse Staff Updated: Tuesday, January 29, 2013 2:26 PM
      Journeyman Stud stallion Jackson Bend , a dual grade I winner who was retired from racing in October, will not stand his first season at stud in 2013 after it was determined that he would require more time to recover from a training accident suffered last August.
      “After observing him mounting and dismounting test mares this past week, the clinical impression was that it is not in this horse’s best interest to breed the 2013 breeding season,” said Dr. Philip Matthews, a specialist at Peterson & Smith Equine Reproduction Center in Ocala, Fla., in a release. “There was discomfort during the process, which is likely due to the lingering effect from his back injury suffered in the training incident last summer at Saratoga.”
      Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/75892/jackson-bend-wont-stand-in-2013#ixzz2NA4uQNc5

      Keta Note: Journeyman Stud is in Reddick Fl near Ocala
      http://www.journeymanbloodstock.com/facilities.html
      Glad to help.
      Hugs, Keta

  10. / Reply

    Judy,

    From previous page. Yes, I think we would definately have to win the big lottery to buy Leroidesanemaux (Leroi). I’ll keep hoping, though.
    I was going to say too something I have worried about Rachel.,This is just a small thing but I have been thinking about it. I don’t suppose when she gets well she would be able to be back in the pasture with Hot Dixie Chick as I am sure she will probably be bred again. I know they were the very best of pals. That is a little sad. I don’t believe they would put Rachel back with possibly an expecting mare. Do you think?
    I don’t think they would breed Rachel again, I sure hope they don’t.
    Power Up Rachel.

    • / Reply

      Dear Peggy:

      I’m not sure, but from what the team at Lane’s End has told us, they put mares together who are in the same time frame of pregnancy. So RA will probably not be with HDC if she is not bred back and HDC is. Just guessing. I hope they don’t breed RA. Hugs, JB

  11. / Reply

    Goodnight to all and sweet dreams, too!
    Don’t forget to set your clocks forward — I sure do hate to lose that hour of sleep!

    Kisses on your soft nose, Zenny.
    Hugs

    • / Reply

      I’m with ya on that, Marshall. Now if they can get the bell in the school tower to chime in correctly?
      Keta,what time is it in Arizona?!!!! I recall you folks having an independent time schedule?

      • / Reply

        Ann
        You are right. Here in AZ we never have to change our clocks.
        But, we do have to be aware of time change
        Now there is a 3 hour difference with East Coast (it was 2 before change)
        When it is 12 noon here, it is 3 PM in New York.
        And, now we are on the same time as the West Coast (before they were 1 hour behind us)
        In theory we are in the Mountain Time Zone–but we don’t play by their time change rules.
        It’s not easy.
        Hugs, Keta

        • Thanks Keta – good info to have for keeping in touch with our AZ Dumpling friends :-)

        • Yay for Arizona and Hawaii!
          I wish we all would just stay on Standard Time!

          Then the bells in the clock tower wouldn’t have chiming problems — Right. Ann?

          Cheers!

  12. / Reply

    Dear Judy: Forgot to mention when I was talking about Singo – he’s been responsible for bringing Big Brown Downunder – is a part owner and just loves the horse. Hugs, KathyR.

    • / Reply

      Dear Kathy R.:

      Thanks for this info. Didn’t know there was an Aussie connection to BB. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Kathy R. and Judy B.
      I adore her and hope she sees a turn around. Take notice all you horse folks!
      This girl speaks horse!
      All the best to her and positive thoughts for more good things w/ her career.

    • / Reply

      Kathy R
      Here in USA, jockeys have agents whose job it is to get jockey’s rides.
      The agent gets a percentage of the winnings.
      Are there agents in Austalia/New Zealand?
      Hugs, Keta

      • / Reply

        Dear Keta, Ann and Judy: We do have managers for the jockeys – but they have to be top jockeys – the rest just have to hope for a good master, when an apprentice, and that (usually) he will guide them to good rides, but it’s a relatively small pool to draw on in South Australia, she’s competing with some of the best female riders there and is older than the usual apprentice. And racing here is still male dominated – even Gai Waterhouse rarely uses Kathy O’Hara, probably our best female rider. I just hope Lauren doesn’t drop her bundle on this one – the Teeley connections obviously like her, as does Darren Clarken, but even some of the top male riders have trouble getting rides – example Glen Boss, who is one of the best in the country. Hugs, KathyR.

        • Dear Kathy R.:

          I didn’t realize there was so much competition for riders in Aussie racing. Guess it will be difficult for her to gain many mounts. I hope she gets to at least ride Blondie again when she returns to training. Hugs, JB

  14. / Reply

    Dear Friends,

    Thank you so much for all your kind wishes, I really appreciate it.

    Zenyatta has brought many wonderful people together who are so kind and also have a great pool of knowledge, I learn something new every day.

    Can’t wait to see the new baby, grey please !!!!!!

    Donna X

    • / Reply

      JudyB. Kauto reminds me of Uncle Mo when he had his website. He’s devoted to his fans and they love him right back. With Twitter, Kauto is fully in touch even letting his fans know when he’s napping and suggesting that they send mints. neigh!

      • / Reply

        Dear Max:

        I think it’s just wonderful that Kauto’s team is making him accessible to his fans. Love it. Does remind me of Uncle Mo. I hope he is doing well. Hugs, JB

  17. / Reply

    POST-RACE UPDATE The Goldencents tweet
    I am fine after my race yesterday. Ate up, slept & am ready for the next challenge.
    Thank you everyone for your messages and good wishes.

    • / Reply

      Thanks, Keta!

      Stay tough, Goldencents! All the best wishes for success and health.
      Hugs and soft nose kisses to you, handsome boy!

  18. / Reply

    Canberra Racing
    Tom Hall‏ tweets
    CRITERION, 2yoc from 1st crop of Sebring (More Than Ready)
    o/o Bite The Bullet mare Mica’s Pride, took Canberra’s Black Opal S

    Also at Canberra, COURT CONNECTION, 6yog by Lonhro (Octagonal)
    o/o Strategic mare Imperatrix, won listed Centenary Cup, sire’s 37th SW

    • / Reply

      Dear Keta: Watched the racing rather than attending – don’t like the big meetings because it brings out the drunken yobbos who don’t even know what a horse looks like, but it was certainly good to look at.

  19. / Reply

    A SPECIAL SALUTE TO DELAUNAY (MD)
    Melissa Nolan ‏tweet
    Delauney was totally the forgotten horse in the day—the old fella gets a 111 Beyer
    for his win at FG yesterday
    Keta Note; Delaunay (MD) B , G, foaled March 18, 2007
    ( Smoke Glacken – Perilous Night, by Coronado’s Quest)

  21. / Reply

    RAMON DOMINGUEZ UPDATE
    HRTV‏ tweet
    Ramon Dominguez visits jocks’ room today at Aqu.
    He hopes doctors give him clearance to ride at next appt. March 25

    Jerry Bossert‏ New York Daily News tweet
    Dominguez said he will meet with doctors on 3/25 and hope
    to get clearance to start exercise horses in the morning after that

  22. / Reply

    Happy Birthday to yearling Z12 !

    Wonderful pictures.

    Zenyatta, may all be safe and healthy with your delivery ! You look like a yearling in the picture of you gallopping after a mud roll a few days ago !

    Love & Blessings to all. Arlene in Vermont

    • / Reply

      Max,
      Thanks for the post. I had no idea they had races in which there was not betting.
      Hope Spring in the Air does well. She was pretty ill after the Breeders Cup.

  24. / Reply

    Dear Z Family. Am listening to Skysportsradio Punters Postmortem programme – the boys (Deanne Lester, Ron Dufficy and Terry Kennedy) have just reported that Hay List pulled up with heat in a hoof post his exhibition run at Warwick Farm on Saturday. Do hope this is not yet another injury for this brave horse.

    • / Reply

      Dear Kathy R.:

      So sorry to hear of injury to Hay List. Wishing this beautiful boy well. Hugs, JB

  27. / Reply

    Updates!

    Joy (sister) had surgery Thursday and it appeared to be a good surgery until she got home and had to be rushed to ER. The surgeon didn’t stitch her up all the way and she was bleeding everywhere. Talked to her again last night and she’s having issues walking. Don’t know why that is but, none the less.

    Scottie: He’s still in ICU, they removed the breathing tube and he was talking and angry and wanted to go home. They’re waiting on the biopsy they took from his brain. Still has infection though.

    Freddie: Some might remember the story I told about his attack last year. Those that don’t, I’ll fill you in. Last year, Fred was walking home from his shop and was attacked with a bat and iron, his skull was crushed and somehow, he managed to crawl home until his roommates called 911. Well, he recovered and had an entire community behind him. BTW, it was a “hate crime.” Well, he had a seizure Weds. I don’t know the details or where it happened but, he’s in the hospital as well.

    Dustin: Nothing has changed that I know of.

    It seems that once a hurdle is overcome, another one comes along. In this case, it’s times 4!!!

    • / Reply

      Dear Heidi:

      Wishing you, Joy, Scott, Fred and DJ a turn of good luck and God’s Blessings in your lives. Will keep you all in my prayers. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Heidi,
      So sorry to hear all the bad news. Just try to stay positive and remember that all your Z friends have you in our thoughts and prayers.

  28. / Reply

    Dear Ann, Max, Sheena and Z Fans:

    Some drama at the farm this afternoon. Angela asked if I could visit today because she was planning on riding Charlie. I was looking forward to seeing her and the horses since she got back from her trip. I got there around 1:00 PM.

    Before I arrived, Joanna who is Gigi’s special person had arrived to ride, so Angela went to the paddock to bring GG into the barn for saddling. Christina, HT’s special person was not there today, so Angela was going to take Gigi out but not HT. Well, HT did not like that idea at all. Angela said HT tried to block her from taking GG out of the paddock. HT took off running; jumped in the pond, blanket and all, came out of the pond and headed toward the paddock wall. Angela was afraid that she would try to jump the wall, so she turned GG around and HT followed them back in the other direction. Angela was able to get herself and GG out of the paddock safety and HT finally settled down. I was so relieved that everyone was OK. You’re never prepared for these unexpected temper tantrums.

    We all thought GG was the feisty one out of the two; but looks like we were wrong.

    Charlie was feeling very feisty himself today. Angela had to lunge him a lot longer than usual before she got into the saddle. Even then, he was full of himself. The weather was just beautiful today and the horses were full energy. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      JudyB. It sounds like things are more than a little lively at the farm. Jumping in a pond is a statement for sure. Next time HT should be distracted by food? But then Gigi might want some too. It is not easy because these horses are big girls. I am glad that no one was hurt. Aren’t these creatures just the most interesting of all? I love your stories.

      • / Reply

        Dear Max:

        From what Angela told me, it was pretty scary for a while. Horses are just the most amazing creatures and you’re so right; both HT and GG are almost as tall as Charlie.

        Angela never fails to amaze me. She takes everything in stride and seems to have a knack for understanding these beautiful beings. Gigi was so sweet and gentle that Angela’s daughter, eleven year old Alex, rode her today as well as Joanna.

        Christina, who usually rides HT, is accomplished and can handle her, which is a good thing, because HT appears to be a handful.

        So glad you enjoy the stories. I’m sure I’ll have many more to tell. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Judy B.,
      Oh my,exciting day at your barn,for sure! HT was really talking,wasn’t she? Wow.
      Glad all were OK and glad you shared the festivities w/ us.
      These horses,they keep us on our toes,never a dull moment.
      Hugs and kisses to all,even HT. Yell her to behave or she may not get anymore Stud Muffins!

      • / Reply

        Good thinking Ann – withhold those treats – agree with Max and Ann, Judy – you certainly have a much more interesting life that here in downtown Canberra! Hugs, KathyR

  29. / Reply

    dear max love all your kauto twitter pics he was thinking of entering himself in the gold cup after his parade am sure he’d have a good chance of winning it too!!!! weather is a worry bitterly cold here today’ have you seen that cute Shetland pony called socks on the mobile phone advert it’s a huge hit over here think it’s on you tube or http://www.dailymail .co.uk/shetlandpony hugs sheena

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.