Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Reader Interactions

298 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Dear Mama Z, COZ, Little Big Red and Baby Z:

    Goodnight. Sweet Baby Dreams. Love Ya. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Judy-Thanks for the article. Native Diver is racing royalty and deserves to be treated that way. If at all possible, I intend to be there at Del Mar when he is reburied. I am glad they found him somewhere near where he was supposed to be. The great debate is now what to do about Seabiscuit.

      • / Reply

        Dear TC GP:

        I’m glad about Native Diver and hoping for a similar good outcome for Seabiscuit. Love and Hugs, JB

  4. / Reply

    Happy Birthday Cozmic One – A big two year old now. This is belated because I’m in Ca and you are on the other side of the country, but good wishes coming all the same.

    Referencing Saturday at the Great Race Place, had just a wonderful time, was hoping to get there to be part of the “group photo” but alas, arrived around 11:30 a.m. So good to see many friends made through the magic of Zenyatta and this website. We still miss you Zenny . You were a force. Good to see Protocol ( he acted up in the paddock) and that cinched it for me. Ran to put some money on him and a friends horse Storm Fighter. The gorgeous CA Chrome was stunning in his win and of course , the Dude abides. It was a beautiful day, almost a bit warm and I worried for the horses, but appears all were ok. Many thanks to the Zenyatta group who always make me feel welcome, even though I don’t get much of an opportunity to attend all that often. Zenyatta , you made my world lots brighter and with many new friendships throughout the country. We await the arrival of your new foal with much anticipation and excitement.

    • / Reply

      Hi, Delrene: What a lovely post. I’m in San Diego County too, and don’t have any friends here who go to SA, so I wait for Del Mar. I do have a friend in Oceanside who isn’t really into h/racing but I can stay with her when I go to the DM track. Were you at Del Mar on the last day in 2013 for the Futurity? I try not to miss that day as we know we could be looking at a Triple Crown winner! Do you think we could hook up sometime for racing? Regards, Carolyn

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy B.,
      Thank goodness there is an Old Friends for these wonderful horses to live, be revered and loved. Great story about Jimmy’s name, too. He was a beauty. RIP

      • / Reply

        Dear Marshall:

        You are so right. Michael Blowen and Old Friends have been a blessing for so many horses. Yes, Jimmy was beautiful. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Thanks Judy B for posting this, RIP handsome, you had a great retirement with Michael. Bless his heart for all the tough decisions he has to make and the losses he deals with, it sure can’t be easy. I remember visiting OF and Michael demonstrated how he raced Marquetry across the pasture, the horse thought it was great fun. I think he really felt that loss a great deal. Thank God we have dedicated people like Michael. hugs

      • / Reply

        Dear Sue Fredrick:

        I have read about Michael B. and Marquetry racing each other. Love that story. This man is a true hero to me. How wonderful that you got to meet him. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Agree. Old Friends is an ideal place for our old friends. I remember Jimmy. He was a hard trier and I will miss him.

  6. / Reply

    a big whoopsie. I forgot to mention and feel really bad. BLINGO – You ran an amazing race!!!! Congratulations. It appears you can be a bit of a stinker sometimes. Thankfully you have your John to calm you. Great race.

  7. / Reply

    Thanks for the pictures of Evening Attire….he looks well cared for and happy! I believe his sire Black Tie Affair (loved that horse!) would be pleased to see EA enjoying his retirement.

  8. / Reply

    Dear Judy B.,
    I got your message from Page 2 — I am glad you enjoyed my “metal” reference!

    Thanks for the update on Native Diver’s relocation. Good to know that Landaluce and the Great Communicator will be saved and re-buried, too. I still am very sorry that they needed to be disturbed by the demolition of Hollywood Park, but am exceedingly glad that their remains will not be paved over with new development.

    Have a good week! Lots of Hugs and Love

  9. / Reply

    so sorry to hear of Jimmy’s passing . I admire the work OLd Friends is doing for our beautiful TB to allow them to live out their lives in dignity and loved every day.
    thank you old friends.

  11. / Reply

    It used to be easy to watch the races and pick the horse that was the prettiest or the name was great or even because of the silk colors. In those olden days we maybe got to see the triple crown races and the breeders cup. The internet, Zenyatta and this happy place changed all that. Now there are so many horses that we follow from birth it’s hard to have a favorite. But Zenyatta, Coz, Little Red and all to come will forever be my favorites.

    • / Reply

      The olden days? you mean before 1984? Actually, there was a lot more racing on TV in the olden days. The feature race from our local tracks, Santa Anita, Hollywood Park and Del Mar was shown live on TV every week. Now all you have is entities like TVG and HRTV. Yes, they show the races. But, they are hawking your bets at the same time.

    • / Reply

      Judy, I had not seen that. Thank you for posting. I just can’t get enough of Muchie. He is a centerfold now as he was the Out Of The Gate photo in the Bloodhorse issue of 3/8.

      • / Reply

        shirlee. You might be interested to learn of his trainer’s reaction to Hurricane Fly’s finish in fourth today at Cheltenham. Like your Muchie, no one knows for certain why The Fly lost, but there is no talk of rest or retirement. The Fly is being prepared for his next race at Punchestown. A loss in a race is never the end of the world with these top flight horses like The Fly or your Muchie, as long as they are healthy and their heart is still in the game. It’s just on to the next win.

        • Max, I haven’t seen or heard anything about Muchie being injured or sick so I guess it was just one of those things. I know this will be his last year to race and just hope he wins them all, but more than that to stay healthy and have a long happy retirement at Adena Springs. Hope they will be ready for all the people who want to come and see him.

      • / Reply

        Dear Shirlee:

        You’re so welcome. Yes, I can see why he was chosen. Handsome boy. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Judy B. Very interesting. He’s an impressive horse. Great video along with this one on your California Chrome. He looks like Big Red.

      • / Reply

        Dear Max:

        CC has a definite resemblance. Can’t wait to see Little Bid Red as a two year old. I bet he’ll resemble “The Great Big Red” too.

        Sorry The Fly had an off day, but as you say, he’s preparing for the next one. Love and Hugs, JB

  13. / Reply

    Sheena and other Fly fans. It is a dismal day. The Fly was fourth in the Champion Hurdle. Worse still however, Our Conor fell, seriously injured his back and was euthanized by the vets. Very sad result which is difficult to accept. Our Conor was a big, vital horse. I will remember him chasing gamely after The Fly at Leopardstown and Punchestown. RIP Our Conor. Run free.

    The only happy news is that the super mare Quevega has raced to triumph in the Mares Hurdle. She has set a record of 6 Cheltenham wins. This moody little bay diva of a horse is incredible.

    • / Reply

      Dear Max, Sheena and Z Fans:

      So sorry for the loss of Our Conor. Rest In Peace beautiful boy. Love and Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        JudyB. It’s very sad. I’m not posting a video of the race because it is just too brutal to see that horse go down, and know that he later died.

  15. / Reply

    Dear Max.Yes,I was there, have just got back.I think the ground was against the Fly heavy going would have suited him better.It was so sad about Our Conor ,thankfully we didn’t get to see the fall,he was a beautiful horse and didn’t deserve to die like that.Moosie’s boy Sam was hampered by Conor’s fall and was finishing like a train,am sure he would have won otherwise.
    The weather was sunny but chilly such huge crowds,we arrived in time to see Kauto and Denman,I was quite overwhelmed I have worshipped these horses from afar so long and to actually see them in the flesh Denman is so huge. As for Quevega I completely lost it by then I don’t care what people thought. She was brilliant a real diva the cheers rang loud and clear for her and deservedly so.Ruby and Mullins had a good winner in the first Vautour same owners as Annie Power.Am shattered now was a long day but wouldn’t have missed it for the world.Great pics of Kauto on his twitter.RIP Our Conor.Hugs Sheena

    • / Reply

      Sheena. A very long day for you, full of triumph and tragedy. I’m sorry that The Fly was fourth, but there is always another day for The Fly and that loss pales in comparison to what happened to Our Conor. It’s very hard to take.
      Glad that you saw your heroes, The Tank and The Living Legend. Did they kick their heels?
      What can one say about Quevega? She is grade 1 cantankerous at home, but she always gets the job done. Mullins says that her breeder told him that Q is like her mother, gets better with age. She may be back for 7.

  16. / Reply

    Dear Max. The boys were well behaved today.Have heard Quevega may be back next year,she only races twice a year so shouldn’t be too difficult for her.I can’t find a replay of the race.Ruby said the Fly just stopped didn’t quicken at all.Took an age to get out of the car park at Cheltenham, we saw Best Mate’s old jockey Jim Culloty who said “hello”and a few glimpses of JP.Hugs Sheena

    • / Reply

      Sheena. Just imagine what you would think if you saw Zenyatta in person. She’s as tall or taller than The Tank. I think that Annie Power is also 17 hands. They refer to Annie as “massive”. I read that Annie has the head of a beautiful filly, but she has the build of a gelding in disguise.
      I saw the pics on Kauto’s site. He looks magnificent. So glad that he retired sound to his new career. He seems to be getting better looking. Same for The Tank, even though he was very close to death. Happy that he has rebounded.
      Not certain that I want to see a video of The Fly’s race. I’m kind of sick at heart about Our Conor and could not bear to see it. The Fly may have sensed that the race was star crossed, and would not participate after Our Conor went down. Terrible.

  17. / Reply

    Dear Max.I have often wondered what horses feel when others get nasty falls. They are just expected to carry on regardless when it must be upsetting for them to see a fellow brother/sister hurt.If you see a video of Quevega’s race I only got to see the end of the race.Looking forward to Thursday with Annie Power and Buck’s,did you know they are actually thinking of watering ,where on earth has the clerk of the course been all the winter??? Hugs Sheena

    • / Reply

      Sheena. Have yet to see a video of her race, but I saw one of Quevega after her victory with Ruby. She was resplendent in front of the wildly cheering crowds. She wears cotton in her ears like Zenyatta, but she does not have Zenyatta’s temperament. If Q does not like something, she lets Mullins know it in no uncertain terms. Apparently she is a moody diva and expects to be treated like a star. She usually gets what she wants.
      As to what happened today, these horses are sentient beings. Noble too. In many ways, they are far better than us. They know exactly what is happening.

    • / Reply

      Sheena. I read that Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson, I think, were calling on the race stewards not to water. Let us know what the stewards decide. Soft ground usually favours the Irish invaders. How does Big Buck’s feel about soft going?

  19. / Reply

    Hi Coz:
    Wishing you a very Happy Birthday!!! I can’t believe you are 2 years old!! My goodness, where did the time go!!!

    I am sure you are a star pupil. You seem to be the type of horse that is eager to please. We will be seeing you out on the racetrack soon enough. i can’t wait to see you.

    Enjoy your birthday Coz, and don’t eat too much cake.

    With so much love,

    Love,

    Linda

  20. / Reply

    Dear Max. Big Buck’s would prefer good going, it should be left as nature intended . Red Rum always preferred firm going, he hated the rain.I’m sure Quevega will think herself a real superstar now,which of course she is.!Free the Moose. Hugs Sheena

  22. / Reply

    Thanks to everyone for your support with/for Cowtown. Appreciated! I’ll keep you posted–is that a pun? And yes, owners get paid down to 5th. We just got a check for this 4th place finish in January. Hey, in one of our bills there was a cost for “pony to post.” Interesting! May have been there before with Rightful, but I don’t remember.

    Terry Crow (from Pluto): that is fascinating about Elvis and Liberace. Don’t think I knew that! They would be quite the duo. And the “why” behind Elvis’ early years makes sense. When we go to Vegas we go see Big Elvis at Harrah’s Lounge. If you close your eyes, he sounds just like the King. We enjoy seeing the people who get up to dance to ‘Viva Las Vegas.’ Out of towners, having fun. Yes, you are right about the showgirls—this one–in that now extinct photo– was sky high–or her legs were– and I was so-oo
    close to the ground beside her.

    In yesterday’s OC Register there is an article, a good one, but also sad, by Keith Sharon. For those who do links he can be reached at ksharon@ocregister.com. It has to do with the FINAL race at Hollywood Park and what it meant to some special people.

    Now to follow up on Native Diver article/photos.

    Hooray once again to Game on Dude! Loved your race!! A salute to you and your connections.

    Hope you are still celebrating your birthday, Coz. You ARE a star pupil as Linda in NJ states. Regards to your wonderful mom. :-) (Z, are your ears burning?)

    • / Reply

      Anne-Some of those Elvis impersonators are pretty good. Used to go to see a guy Named Trent Carlini, he is excellent. Will try to catch Big Elvis next time I am in town. A charge for pony to post? What if your horse develops a fondness for walking by himself. Will they still charge you?

  23. / Reply

    Dear Mama Z, COZ, Red Prince and Baby Z:

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

  24. / Reply

    Honor Code set for season debut
    Bloodhorse Updated: March 9, 2014
    Coming up to his 2014 seasonal debut at Gulfstream Park, top 3-year-old prospect Honor Code breezed four furlongs March 9 in :47.97 seconds over the main track.
    The son of A.P. Indy is to face a small field of four other sophomores in a March 12 allowance race at 1 1/16 miles. It is the eighth race on the Wednesday program with a 4:39 EDT scheduled post time. Trainer Shug McGaughey said he intends to use the race as a gauge to determine if the Remsen Stakes winner is fit enough to run in the
    $1 million Besilu Stables Florida Derby March 29.
    http://espn.go.com/horse-racing/story/_/id/10579836/honor-code-gets-tightener-seasonal-debut

    • / Reply

      BGG, Thanks for the information. I hope he does well. No way am I going to say he is one of my Derby favs as we all know what a jinx that seems to be.

    • / Reply

      If they want him to run in the Derby, he will have to compete, and be either first or second, in one of the big points races.

    • / Reply

      Saw the race on TVG. Honor Code ran second, got beat by about eight lengths. It was not as bad as it sounds. It was strictly a conditioning run as he had been out since November. The next race will go a long ways towards determining where he is now.

  25. / Reply

    Zenyatta, love Coz and your Tapit foal and can’t wait to see Z-14 (War Front). I am still holding out hope that some day you will have a date with Tiznow, one of my favorite stallions. March 12th is his birthday. Don’t wait too long:)

  26. / Reply

    Happy Belated Birthday Coz. Watched your recent video…you have turned into a handsome young man…..I know your mom and dad have to be very very proud of how well you are doing in Florida with your training….keep up the good work !!!
    YOU will be a great runner like your mom and dad one day soon……

  27. / Reply

    Delrene

    I just arrived from Dallas and am at beach condo in Oceanside for a 2 month stay. I’d love to meet a fellow Zenny friend. Let me know and I’ll send my tele. Anxiously awaiting new baby.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.