Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Reader Interactions

298 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Dear Sheena,

    I looked up Colin the pomeranian. What a beautiful little guy! Fingers crossed that he wins Best in Show!

    Hugs, Kathy

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    Dear Kathy. Yes,Colin’s a real cutie,can’t wait to see him by the side of the Irish wolfhound.Hope he does well tonight.Hugs Sheena.Marty was reminding you all to “mess” with the clocks!!

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      Yes! Everyone who made it to where they were going on time today “messed” with their clocks. It’s really KILLER having that hour taken away from us!

      Hugs, Kathy

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        You said it. Very disorientating. It seemed like yesterday that I changed the time on those clocks. Lots of “messing” needed.

        • Yes, I wish they would stop the “messing” with the time — good ol’ Standard time is plenty good! I will, as usual, be looking forward to getting that hour of sleep back in the fall.
          Have a good week! Hugs

        • Agree completely, especially when you know the reasons for changing the clock. Might have made sense at one point, but not now.

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      Thanks for this link, TH!
      Evening Attire is very handsome, and it is so nice that his half-brother, Tacticianor, is at Akindale, too. What a pair of beauties! I can just imagine how gorgeous they are at night in the moonlight, too.
      Glad to know about this rescue facility, also. Many thanks to Mr. Hettinger for his love of horses and determination that they be safe and well tended.
      Happy Belated Birthday, Evening Attire!!

    • / Reply

      Thank you for sharing that link for Evening Attire’s birthday celebration. Happy Birthday, big guy!! I love when these old warriors are loved and celebrated and given such care. Cool!!

  6. / Reply

    Great pic of Coz as a very young foal. He sure has grown into those legs and ears. I hope he’s still loving his training and that he goes to John S. soon.

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    Hope Coz had a great birthday and is doing really well! He will always be so special as Zenyatta’s first born.

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    Dear Judy.Goodnight and God bless.Love and hugs to you LM PC HT Little Captain and all the Sweeties.Ricky the black standard poodle won Crufts and the Samoyed was reserve but it was Colin the Pomeranian who was trending on the social media sites.I think Ricky is coming out to the US in April.Love and hugs SheenaX

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      JudyB. News from CC’s Los Al barn is that he has come out of his race in good order. He’s eating well and is happy. He’s got enough points for the Derby so he’s on the trail.

      Your namesake won today. First time on dirt too. Dad is Ghostzapper and mom is Holy Blitz. Sounds like an auspicious future to me for this horse.
      You’re on a handicapping roll. Keep going.

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        Dear Max, Shirlee, Ann and Z Fans:

        Max, thanks for this info on CC. He’s on his way.

        Ann, another member of the Chess Club. What a run by Judy The Beauty and JV. Congrats to them. Our Auntie Judy will be thrilled.

        Max, wish I had some real money on them. Love and Hugs, JB

        • Judy B. With CC, Judy The Beauty and Protocol, the Chess Club membership is climbing. Great weekend of racing.

        • Dear Max:

          Yes indeed and we can’t forget Little Big Red. He’s destined to become a member of the Club. Love and Hugs, JB

        • Great news about, Judy The Beauty. Glad she was able to shake off those cobwebs from last year and get on with it! Good girl, JTB.

          Still running off the fumes from that incredible win by, Cali Chrome. Wow. Read where his trainer was the first one back to his barn the next day, he had no sleep, can see why! That horse really enjoyed himself. Talk about a 5th gear…..coasting into overdrive! He set my green fuzzy shoes on fire!
          Thank you my Zfriends for an exciting weekend of racing.
          JB, you are our cappin queen! Hugs!

        • Judy, Congrats on Judy’s run. Hope she continues to do well. My niece is thrilled too.

          Haven’t heard anything about Muchie being sick or injured so still don’t know what happened to him Saturday. Guess it just was not his day.

          As I have said before, I just hope Muchie, Palace Malice and Lea all stay away from each other this year. Think all will try the BC Classic, or at least Muchie and PM will.

          I am still watching for Pennmarydel’s first race and have not picked a Derby Horse yet. Pehaps the trainers and owner should pay me to not pick their horses. Violence, Top Billing and Black Onyx that I have liked and ended up injured.

        • Ann NC, Too funny! “He set my green fuzzy shoes on fire!”
          I was super impressed with CC, he looked like he was on a Sunday scroll enjoying himself. What a beauty! Yeah for Judy the Beauty! I hope MMM came out of his race alright, maybe just had an off day. I’m sure we’ll find out soon enough. Great win by the Dude. Never count him out!

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      Dear Sheena,

      Sorry Colin didn’t win. Ricky looks like a beautiful standard poodle, though. Will have to try to stay on top of Ricky visiting here in the U.S.

      Hugs, Kathy

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      Dear Sheena:

      Ah, congrats to Ricky. Will have to give Lola Mae the good news. Love and Hugs, JB, LM, PC, HT, Cap and all the Sweeties

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        Dear Sheena:

        Congrats to Colin and to the Samoyed and all the best in their groups. Love, JB

  10. / Reply

    Dear Z, COZ, Red Prince and Baby Z:

    Stay warm and cozy. Won’t be too much longer now Z. Love all of you so much. Hugs, JB

  13. / Reply

    Dear Sheena and Z Fan Dog Lovers:

    Here’s a video I found of the Crufts Best In Show Competition. Sheena, I know you saw this live. You have to scroll down and click on the video.

    Ricky is so gorgeous. The Samoyed and little Colin are beautiful too. I can see why you like the Irish Wolf Hound. Congrats to all. Love and Hugs, JB

    http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/uk/crufts-2014-ricky-the-poodle-steals-the-show-video-full-results-and-pictures-30071657.html

  14. / Reply

    Last add MMM needing a rest. Who knew more? The old trainers or the modern ones? One of the first handicapping angles I learned, which I have had to subsequently disregard, is that 80% of races are won by horses who have run within the pat 15 days. Most have forgotten that Citation ran in, and won, a race between the Preakness and the Belmont. Which training methods are the best? Only Lamont Cranston knows.

  15. / Reply

    Dear Judy. Thanks so much for this wonderful crufts video.They are all winners in my eyes.Everybody fell in love with Little Colin but Ricky was a huge favourite from the start,am sure Miss Lola Mae was pleased.Love and hugs Sheena.

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      Dear Sheena:

      You’re so welcome. Lola Mae did a happy poodle dance. Love and Hugs, JB

  16. / Reply

    He is a beauty!! It was so sweet to see how he preferred Ann’s kisses over the treat he was offered. Can’t wait to see him really show his stuff!
    Happy Birthday, Coz!

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      Mike Welsch ‏Daily Racing Form tweet Monday March 10 2014
      Owner/trainer Wesley Ward says his Judy the Beauty will ship directly to Keeneland
      off her big win Sunday at SA to prepare for the Madison

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        Tom Ryan ‏tweet about Holy Blitz
        Dam of Judy the Beauty to Paynter Dam of Heir kitty to Sidney’s Candy. @WinStarFarm ..
        Judy’s mother should foal tonight. IFT A Again (in foal then to Awesome Again)

        • Dear BGG:

          Thanks for this info. Safe foaling and healthy foal for Judy’s dam, Holy Blitz. Love and Hugs, JB

  19. / Reply

    ♥ HAPPY BIRTHDAY COZ!! ♥
    We took a group photo of us Z Dumplings in front of your Momm’a statueon Saturday the 8th (that’s why I haven’t been on here). After the photo we sang the Happy Birthday song to YOU! Did you hear us singing off key LOL

    {{hugs}} and kisses, Sweetie! Auntie Judy XO

    p.s. Your daddy, Jerry, was at the track on Saturday. His stallion PROTOCOL acted up big time in the paddock. He managed to knock down one of his handlers! That was very scary! I understand he is okay (I asked the next day at the track). Protocol went on to win impressively :-) I made some good money LOL

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        HeidiK
        Karen and another friend were recording but they didn’t actually catch him in “the act”. You can hear US responding, though!

        Karen will upload videos once she gets her computer fixed! It’s been broken for about a month so I keep her informed on the Internet stuff :-) She borrows her son’s computer to read FB real quick but that’s about it.

        JudyB we didn’t record us singing Happy Birthday. That was something we did after all the cameras were off – thankfully! LOL
        Auntie Judy

    • / Reply

      Dear AJ:

      Like Heidi, would love to see the video of Protocol if you have it and also one of all of you singing Happy Birthday to Z. Love and Hugs, JB

  21. / Reply

    @Judy-As requested, a Russian joke with some rednecks thrown in. A woman walking down the street in Moscow is carrying a bag full of rolls of toilet paper. A passer by asks her “Where did you buy it?” The woman replied “Buy? Are you crazy? You cannot buy this anywhere. They are four years old. I am taking them back from the cleaners.” You might be a redneck if you can see your bottom lip without a mirror. You might be a redneck if the only veggie in your diet is the pickle on a Big Mac.

  22. / Reply

    Coz, I heard that you’re coming to a racetrack soon?! Hmm, are you going with John Sherriffs and will you be on the east or west coast? How exciting! Can’t wait!

    Zen, you’re due date is coming up pretty soon. Get plenty of rest and plenty of sunshine. Love you big girl….

    Let the pacing begin…

  23. / Reply

    Dear Shirlee, Ann and TC GP:

    Shirlee, hopefully nothing is wrong with MMM; just had an off day. That happens.

    Ann, love your post. Did you ever find the football salesman?

    TC GP, very interesting question on training. Seems our horses, back in the day, had more stamina. Do you think that’s true? Seems like more injuries with our horses today too. Love and Hugs, JB

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      @Judy-Most people do not believe that story about Citation. I won a few bets with that one. That bit about horses running in the past 15 days is true. That used to be a prime handicapping angle. Standardbreds go every week and suffer very few injuries. Somebody, somewhere will explain why things have gotten to the point that they are at now. Personally, I just think the old time trainers were better horsemen. I don’t know if Ann has found that football salesman yet. I am still looking.

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        TC. I agree with you. No athlete performs well after layoffs. Practice makes perfect. A fourth in one race is no reason to write off a horse and send him to the sidelines for a rest or retirement. If that reasoning was more accepted practice, Wise Dan would not have raced in the Breeders Cup Mile and won. People were writing Dan off after the Shadwell, but he came back. Same for The Dude. Muchie has had setbacks before and he’s still racing, or so we hope.

        Citation was a brilliant horse. Was the race that he ran between The Preakness and The Belmont, the Jersey Stakes? I also love Whirlaway. He was something else too.

        • Max-You are correct. It was the Jersey Stakes. The funny thing about Citation is that his regular rider drowned while fishing and Arcaro was hired by Calumet to replace him. Arcaro then promptly lost the first race he rode him in before going on to win the triple crown. As I recall, he shared the bonus for winning the triple crown with the late jockey’s wife. I am not one of this old fogeys who says everything was better in the old days, although it certainly was for me. But, those old trainers knew hoe to condition a horse, that’s for sure. Like you, I also love Mr. Longtail, Whirlaway. After winning the triple crown in 1941, he was all set to run out here at Santa Anita in the 1942 season, in fact was in training at the track when Pearl Harbor happened.

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        Terry, Max and Judy; Could it be that these old time trainers were racing for much smaller purses and knew the capabilities of the horse and the requests from the owner? What was the difference in how they trained a horse compared to how they are trained today?? (Time frame, challenges etc.)
        hugs, Sally B

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        Dear TC GP, Max and Sally:

        Could be true that the old timers were better horsemen. I remember when reading Citation’s bio that he raced often. Those trainers believed it kept their horses sharp. I don’t know if that would be the case today as most of our present day horses race on an average of about every 30 days. Don’t know if the horses today would benefit from more frequent racing or not. Probably some would. There’s just so many that sustain injuries.

        I’m still looking for that football salesman too.

        Here’s Citation’s chart. He has multiple races in a months time more than once.

        http://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Horse&refno=90840&registry=T

        Love and Hugs, JB

        • JB,
          Still looking for that football salesman, too!
          Thanks for the info about Citation. Wonderful stories about him, thanks!
          Hugs.

        • Dear Ann:

          You’re so welcome. Citation was incredible wasn’t he! Love and Hugs, JB

        • Sally-It is true that the purses were smaller but in today’s dollars, they were probably larger.

        • Dear TC BP:

          Wow! A memory to treasure; the Great Citation. Love and Hugs, JB

  25. / Reply

    Dear Zenyatta, I want to thank you for all the happiness that you are giving me, I just love your babies.

    Coz, I have no words, to tell you how much I love you. Happy Birthday!
    Xoxoxoxoxo!

    Hugs and kisses!
    Ingrid.

  27. / Reply

    Zenyatta, I will be thinking and loving you while I am away for this week right after tomorrows horse duties.
    Please stay well and happy and you will make all of us here happy too.
    Again, thank you to your team Z for these new pictures.
    Lovenkisses on your soft nose, and to your awesome sons
    Auntie Sally B

  28. / Reply

    Zenny, Birthday Boy Coz and Z’s family and friends: Well, Cowtown came in 5th in Saturday’s race (a photo for fourth which he lost by a very small nose, lol), but we still think he is a talented colt. Being the Big ‘Cap Day that it was, it seemed that everyone we knew in the horse racing world was there as well wishers, taking photos, cheering us on. It was a great feeling being surrounded by our racing friends in such an atmosphere of warmth and I don’t mean just the weather, either! Horse racing people are the greatest! One person (a friend from HollyPark) even asked for my autograph. I was stunned–couldn’t believe it, but he was serious. So when I told another friend about this, she said,’good idea’ and I signed her program too! (That’s the kind of day it was.) Per trainer Mike, Cowtown came out of race well, BUT, but….when Rod texted, how about the downhill next (to shorten him), the brief reply was, ‘No. tag.’ Translated, that means his next race will be a claimer. DRAT! This is the first horse in our occasional partnerships in which we have gone for three straight races w/o having to worry about losing him/her. It is a great feeling. Now it will be nail biting time as we hope NOT to see that tag around his neck. The only good thing to come out of a claim is the $$ we would get, but I’d rather have the horse. And talented as he is, I feel another trainer might snap him up–depending on the price. (We have ‘lost’ a couple of horses and then there was Rightful Image who got injured.) We will still visit him for now of course and ask him why he always has to be on the lead….I’ll let you all know what he says. I just wish Mike would give him one more ‘free’ ride, but I do understand about the business of horse racing, too.

    Yes, I was part of that singing off key Dumpling group that Auntie Judy mentioned (very off key) as we sang (?) Happy Birthday to Coz! It was such a fun day. I wouldn’t have minded anyone of ‘biggies’ winning the Big ‘Cap, but when the ‘Dude did it, I realized where my heart was–I was so happy for the old guy. There are stories behind them all. I also had bets on Blingo and Protocol.

    And, Kennedys, it was great to see you both there at THE statue! Happy travels!

    Trina, great poem–I must go back and re-read it to take it all in.

    In the next post (I hope this evening) I will switch (aha-) subjects to Vegas. This is long enough and don’t want eyes to glaze over.

    • / Reply

      Anne-Next time I see you I am going to ask for your autograph. I thought Cowtownmary ran a good race, only got passed in deep stretch. I hope you don’t lose him after his next race. Fifth money pays these days doesn’t it? Just enough for his feed, probably. I have seen the picture of all the Zsters in from of the statue. Unusual to see Trina wearing shorts.

    • / Reply

      It was very exciting to watch Cowtown race. He appears very talented. I feel very bad hearing that he will be entered in a claiming race.

      The 2 races I saw, Cowtown ran his heart out!!! Now were is his reward?

  29. / Reply

    My Million Dollar Quartet review: Fantastic! We loved it. Told a story of those four guys (boys then?) together in 1956, with their Sun Records agent (at the time) Sam Phillips. They all gave great performances and the songs were, well, what else but wonderful. It was poignant, too, as we all know how their respective lives were afterwards. At the time of this show Elvis was still doing Opening Acts and, per this story, said he was being booed. Said, “I’ll never play Vegas again,” which of course got laughs. There were some other almost throw away funny lines, in addition to the great singing. Rod & I had our picture taken at the very beginning where they snag you on your way in…usually we don’t purchase those (you should see me with a show girl–oh never mind–no one will ever see THAT one, thank heavens…what happens in Vegas….), but this time I did buy the photo. We’re standing in front of the big letters for the show and a mike (mic?) is super imposed. I wanted it for a souvenir since it was our anniversary weekend. So, I echo what the others said, if you can, see this show! Rod referred to it for several days afterward, as to how much he liked it,

    The buffet that “came with” (for an extra $10 ea) the show was so-so–not terrible, but not terrific. We had a couple of other much better meals during our stay there. One side note: since we stayed over an unplanned day, this was the first time I watched the Oscars sitting on a hotel room bed, eating popcorn. Now, that was fun! And, during that weekend I made a few racing bets, with the best one winning $90 on a $6.00 exacta box.

    • / Reply

      Dear Anne:

      Sounds wonderful. Great handicapping too.

      Cowtown was out front right away and got tired. Hope he came out of the race OK.

      Love and Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Dear Anne:

        Just read your other post about Cowtown. Glad he came out of the race in good shape. Sorry he will be entered in a Claiming Race. Let’s just hope he doesn’t get claimed. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Anne-Regarding the picture of you and the showgirl. I would say that the only thing she has on you is height. That anecdote about Elvis is true. The first time he appeared in Vegas he was a flop. One of the reasons is that his fan base was generally too young to see the show. Elvis made one good friend during his initial Vegas appearance–Liberace. There is a very famous picture of them together with Liberace playing the guitar and Elvis playing the piano.

  30. / Reply

    Hard Spun x Pepper’s Pride colt!!!
    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=658889634146827&set=ms.658759694159821.658759690826488.658879150814542.658879147481209.658879144147876.658889634146827.658889637480160.bps.a.638468726188918.1073741837.105549292814200&type=1&theater

    And Mining My Own (mom of Mine That Bird, Dullahan) had a Bodemeister filly!
    http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/83756/mining-my-own-produces-bodemeister-filly
    https://www.facebook.com/paulickreport/photos/a.185350474858062.48588.113944125332031/665941320132306/?type=1&theater

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