Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Zenyatta News

Happy Derby Weekend!

Morning at Lane's End. Photo by Tyler Matson

Happy Friday!

Are you excited about the Kentucky Derby? We are, and we want to wish the best of luck to all of the horses and their connections!

Zenyatta and Baby Z have been in the Kentucky news recently. Be sure to check out both of these video segments:

Born To Run—WDRB 41 Louisville and Zenyatta’s First Foal A Handful—wave3.com

We will be returning next week with the second installment of our Lane’s End interview series, this time with assistant broodmare manager Donna Vowles. In the meantime, here’s a short video that was taken in early April by Ann Moss. She really captured Z’s excitement about peppermint treats!

Enjoy your weekend!
-Team Z

Reader Interactions

1,099 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Two new pics of little Z in the photo section! They’re “Too Cute” as our Z/Dottie would say.

  2. / Reply

    Two cute new pictures, including Z12 getting a scritching from his mother’s teeth.

    I wish his head, neck and shoulder assembly was a little better set. I hope its something that sorts itself out as he ages.

    • / Reply

      I’m just curious because I truly don’t know as much about foals as all of you do. What does this mean about “head, neck and shoulder assembly being better set”? Seriously I don’t know what it means. Can anyone explain this? Thanks everyone! I do admire ya’lls horse knowledge!

      • / Reply

        Mostly its his shoulder I am concerned about. It is extremely upright, which can result in high knee action and heavy strikes to the ground when it comes to running and racing.

        Again, maybe he’ll muscle up and all of this will smooth out but his front end conformation is awkward.

        • I wouldn’t worry aboout it at this stage. There is no doubt this little guy will muscle up and carry himself well. He’s a cutie, that’s for sure.

        • Definately agree Suew/VA

          He is barely over a month old; conformation is just beginning;
          and according to Mike Cline, he is developing very nicely.

  3. / Reply

    I did not know this about him!

    RIP 1969-2012
    “We are deeply saddened by the loss of the NFL legend and SAM Advisory Board Member and Friend, Junior Seau. He did amazing things in the San Diego community and had a huge heart for animals. This is a true loss for not only San Diegans, but his fans all over the world. We wish his family peace during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.”

    -The Saving America’s Mustangs Team

    “Junior Seau was a San Diego original. While he was most known as one of the best linebackers of all time, his passion on the football field was matched by his commitment to San Diego, and particularly its children. All of us at the Junior Seau Foundation are devastated by the loss of our founder, leader and friend.”

    -Jamie Ellis & Jason Gurka, Junior Seau Foundation

    • / Reply

      Dear JAG:

      Thank you for the wonderful article about Neville Bardos. Will be rooting for him and Mr. Martin in the Olympics. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      It was such a sad story for horse and owner/rider, but with a happy ending for both. I hope they get to the Olympics.

    • / Reply

      JAG.. Thank you for that link and the incredible story!! Now, I know who I’ll root for in London! Let’s hope they make it there and that everything goes fabulous for them both!! I love watching the equestrian events!! My fav is the cross country.

    • / Reply

      JAG. Great story. I also love the name of the horse. These equestrian horses always have very interesting names. I hope that they both make it to the Olympics.

  5. / Reply

    Stopping by to say hello to everyone…
    Ingrid, I am so sorry to hear about your mom’s accident and completely understand your anxiety over the future–I went through a similar situation. I’m adding my prayers to those of everyone else here that she feels better.
    About I’ll Take Another–isn’t it true that in California Doug O’Neill is known as Drug O’Neill? I have heard and read so many negative things about this man, and would hate to think he tampered with that horse on Derby day, but that would have been discovered shortly thereafter. Mikey should have that victory for a superb ride on Bode.
    Dear Trina–it would take me months to put together a poem–yet you are our poet of constancy and creativity and heart. I have enjoyed all you have written, but I have to admit I am still reeling over the one you created for me!!! Thank you for the gifts you keep giving to all of us…
    Nancy J in NJ–belated Happy Birthday! Hope it was grand!
    Terry–Marshall and I know that the CLASSIC spelling is POOBAH!!! Mouth open wide on the AH! Long may you reign!!!!
    About Rags–he is a magnificent horse and I agree 500% that he definitely needs a change of rider. If Matz puts Leperoux on him again, it’s Matz’s folly. Rosie would be great…

    • / Reply

      What can I say? Senator Grimaldi has weighed in with some important information here, not the least of which is the proper respect. And she doesn’t even belong to the redneck club.

    • / Reply

      DEFINATELY AGREE BARBARA; ROSIE AND RAGS WOULD BE A GREAT COMBINATION;
      SHE IS AGGRESSIVE AND KNOWS HOW TO FINESE HER HORSES AND PLACE THEM
      TO WIN !!!!!

      • / Reply

        SHOULD WE ALL LOBBY MICHAEL MATZ FOR ROSIE IN THE SADDLE WITH UNION RAGS FOR THE BELMONT ????? AND FROM THEN ON.

        • I like Rosie just fine.

          I do not like the idea of a bunch of internet bloggers, who have no direct contact with the horse, who do not pay his bills, who do not live with him day in and day out, “lobbying” the people who do know him for what they feel is the right rider.

          We do not have our hands on this horse. We do not pay his bills. We are not entitled to “lobby” his trainer and owner for who we think should ride him. That is a decision to be made by Michael Matz and Union Rags’ owner, no one else.

          Even in jest, I find it in poor taste. Have some respect for the owners, trainers and jockeys and let them do their job and handle the horse.

  6. / Reply

    I would once again like to welcome Nancy in NJ as president of the NJ chapter of the redneck club. A birthday and presidency almost at the same time. Her cup truly runneth over. Here is today’s horse joke–each evening horse lover Tom stood in his back yard, making sounds like a horse. One night, a horse called back to him. For a year, Tom and his equine friend whinnied back and forth. Just as he thought he was on the verge of a breakthrough in interspecie communication, his wife had a chat with the next door neighbor. “My husband spends his nights calling out to a horse,” she said. “That’s odd,” the neighbor replied, ” so does my husband.”

    • / Reply

      Another good one Terry! I’ll bet that there are a lot of laughing spouses here tonight :-)

    • / Reply

      OMG! lordy, lordy! yikes! too much! shut my mouth and slap my grandma! (that’s a redneck expression, you know) the excitement of going from a veritable “colorless” nothing to president of the nj redneck chapter is overwhelming! just the sound of the title: “nj redneck chapter” conjures images almost too vivid to behold…doesn’t it, now? lol. then to put on top of that the title “president”. gee, let’s see now…history has shown that some folks with that title have collected untold monies for signing unread papers. i can do that. they have taken credit for stuff someone else has done and denied blame for things they have done. i can do that. they can make promises they never intend to keep and undo things they have done in fulfillment of said promises…now we are getting tougher. can i do that? hmmmm…. maybe not. next – they can take fabulous vacations for which their constituents pay dearly. easy-peesy. i can do that…new clothes, my own plane and chopper, etc, etc, etc. all right up my alley, see, old grand poobah, you made the right choice. i ‘m your person for all things presidential. just don’t expect me to lead a nj uprising, and please don’t tell me i have to raise any more taxes! thanks for the honor. you won’t be sorry… and if you are sorry, then in true presidential fashion, i won’t care!
      ps – the skunk song is a go for nj! (wow, my first presidential act is to vote for a song about a dead skunk. how fitting. lol!)

    • / Reply

      terry – love the joke ! love, love…i read it while my night class students were working on something and couldn’t help but laugh out loud. they think i am quite crazy. thanks!

  7. / Reply

    Here are today’s redneck jokes. The first three are especially for Sally B and Sue F, co-presidents of the Wisconsin chapter. You might be a Wisconsin redneck if your favorite music is anything played by an accordian. You might be a Wisconsin redneck if your favorite fragrance is wet dogs. You might be a Wisconsin redneck is your favorite tavern is Deer Droppings Inn. For you regular rednecks out there-You might be a redneck if you ever re-used a paper plate. You might be a redneck if you have ever purchased a used cap. You might be a redneck if the number of times you’ve seen Elvis (since his death) exceeds your I.Q. You might be a redneck if you have ever used the water in your toilet to bob for apples.

    • / Reply

      Terry (Oh Great One)

      Love it, ha, ha. I qualify two out of the three. We go the “Bear Sh_t Inn the Woods” for our fish fries. You are truly the best joke teller I know.

    • / Reply

      WATER IN YOUR TOILET FOR BOBBING APPLES; HOW DID YOU GUESS WE DID THAT EVERY HALLOWEEN !!!!!!

    • / Reply

      Judy B. Thank you for pointing out the photos. 12Z is looking more and more like the Queen. Lucky colt to have her as his mother.

      • / Reply

        Dear Max:

        You’re so right. He looks so much like her. They just seem so bonded and loving to each other. What a remarkable Mom she is. Love them both so much. And now, we will wait and pace, as the time gets closer next Spring, for the new little one. Hugs, JB

        • Judy B. Z is a very intelligent and good natured horse so that she instinctively became an exceptionally attentive mother. She seems to take the job very seriously as if she knows that she is essentially responsible for training 12Z to be at his best for the years to come. Contrast that maternal attitude to the wild and free Tasty Temptation. I wonder how her little colt is doing. I hope that Lane’s End will publish a picture of him.

        • Dear Max:

          You are so right about Z as a Mom. I was wondering how TT and her little colt are doing too. I wonder if TT has been bred again. I hope her little guy is doing well with his Nurse Mare Mom. Hugs, JB

        • Max & Judy, I hope if we (and he) are lucky, 12-TT will be learning more from his foster-mom, than from TT’s genes, on how to be a social animal. Although obviously he will never need to know how to be a mom.

      • / Reply

        DEAR MAX,

        I SO HOPE TASTY ENJOY’S MOTHERHOOD NEXT YEAR. SOMETIMES CAREER WOMEN, NEED A LITTLE LONGER TO LEARN TO BECOME BAREFOOT, PREGNANT AND A MOTHER.

        ZENNY REALLY IS WORKING AT THIS NEW “JOB” WITH THE SAME GUSTO AS SHE DID ON THE TRACK; I KNOW HER GOAL IS TO BE BROODMARE OF THE YEAR AND I AM SURE SHE WILL MAKE THAT WITH FLYING COLORS.

        I LOVE WHEN HE TAKES OFF AND GETS TO THE END OF THE PADDOCK AND LOOKS BACK AT HER LIKE; AREN’T YOU COMING ALONG ????? LIKE HE IS TEASING HER TO CHASE HIM.

    • / Reply

      Thanks Judy! They keep sneaking these new ones in unannounced! How many times can I say “he is just SOOOOOO cute”?
      Sandy

      • / Reply

        Dear Sandy:

        You’re so welcome.

        I can’t count the times I have thought or said how cute he is. Especially, all that vocalizing as he’s sprinting in the paddock. Hugs, JB

        • Dear Judy,

          All that sqealing is so very precious.

          Hugs

      • / Reply

        Dear Sue and Tony, Ingrid and Sign:

        I know. We all feel we can’t get enough photos or videos of him. It’s great that Lane’s End is providing updates for us. He’s a special boy. Hugs, JB

        PS: Ingrid, hope your Mom is comfortable. Hugs, JB

        • THANKS SO MUCH JUDY FOR KEEPING US UP TO DATE WITH ALL
          OF 12 ZENYATTA’s NEW PHOTOS.

          I REALLY LIKE THAT HE DOES NOT HAVE A NAME YET; IT MAKES IS SO MUCH MORE EXCITING TO WATCH HIM GROW AND DEVELOP AND THEN
          GET A NAME THAT REALLY SUITS HIM.

          THE MOSSES REALLY THING OF THE BEST NAMES.

    • / Reply

      It is so cute that Zenny is teaching him how to groom. She is grooming him to demonstrate the behavior. Soon he will be grooming her. Horses are so very nonverbal
      in their behavior. TOO CUTE !!!!

  9. / Reply

    @JEANIE and JUDY B. –you go, girls! Great work! I will write as well. Only 2 more days to save the 5. If any have extra pocket change, coffee money, something you could give up for a week, it all helps! Jeanie, thank you for reporting to us. I check the meter every day.

    I promise to all the rednecks that these “occurrences” are not sought by me. They just HAPPEN. For example:
    You might be a redneck if you go to the movies dressed in your black support hose, diabetic shoes, and cut-off blue jean shorts! This is what my hubby just did! We were late, so no time to change. I tried to walk far enough ahead that no one would think we were together……..I’ll promise to clean him up for the BC 2012……….

    @JUDY B.–love the Alydar bio. For me, he always was “Alydarling”.

    • / Reply

      I think your husband should be a honorary member. And, if he chooses to post, he will be a full-fledged member

  11. / Reply

    Responding to Terry’s post about declining the offer – I didn’t know there was one on the table or what the subject is. Please resend it. Rednecks stuff, you know. Haven’t posted for a while because of a whole bunch of redneck things – but would like to find what I missed.

  12. / Reply

    New web site by Jockey Club & Twitter account in support of clean racing & reducing medications
    Teresa Genaro Brooklyn Backstretch tweeted
    The new http://cleanhorseracing.org site launched today by @jockeyclub
    also has a Twitter account: @CleanHorseRaces

    Thought you’d like to add them to your Favorites, Bookmarks, and Twitter
    Nice to see support for change.

    • / Reply

      Nice hat Karen. Wish I could be at HP. Would love to support the Canadian connections of I’ll Have Another.

  14. / Reply

    So many posts to catch up – I wish there was some way to go back to when I logged off. There probably is but I’m just too tech challenged to know how.
    Terry GP – I propose that the first annual general meeting of the Zenny Redneck Society be held at Santa Anita in November 2012
    Since I booked my flights yesterday I will be in attendance to represent Canada. Would somebody like to second the motion?? Costumes would be optional except for the Grand Poohbah who would be required to wear headgear.
    I am hopeless at jokes but want to share the sign on several local garden centers:-
    “We’re open and we’re so excited we wet our plants”
    I should point out that I live in an area with many senior citizens and the drug stores have prominent displays of Depends.

    • / Reply

      cute sign, brenda!

      also – if you find out how to keep track of the posts, please let me know. i can remember where i stopped, but still have to go back and keep checking to see replies. that makes me get all caught up in re-reading all the posts…agggghhhhhhh!

      • / Reply

        I completely agree. It would be great to click on your handle and see anything that is connected to it. I don’t always have time to look at everything and miss things. Smart people please help us RN’s out please. Hugs and Thanks

    • / Reply

      I second the motion. I hope I can be there with all of you. I am trying hard to make the arrangements. It is a big trip for me from FL to CA. I would make a new motion for those of us that may not be in attendance. The event must be videoed for the entire club to see.

    • / Reply

      There IS a way of sorts to mark your place. Click on the Permalink tag of the comment where you stopped–that will change the URL at the top of the screen. You can copy that (highlight with a click and copy) and then paste it into a WORD document (label it BLOG or anything you want). When you return to the Blog, you can click on the URL in your document or paste it into your browser, and it will take you right there.
      As for searching for your handle, use the EDIT tab. A drop-drown list appears with “Find on this page…” at the bottom of the list. Enter the word or words you want to find. They will be highlighted in the text, and you can move from one to another using the NEXT arrow.
      I hope that helps—I can e-mail more complete instructions if you contact me at trinambn@yahoo.com. Or maybe someone else has a more techno-savvy method than mine.

  15. / Reply

    Z’isters,
    I know what I’m about to say is anti-Triple Crown. I want a Triple Crown so bad! But I feel bad that Bodemeister didn’t win. I want him to win one. And my SPECIAL UNION RAGS! I love that guy. I want him to win too and he didn’t have a chance that day. Am I being disloyal in not wanting the Cookie Monster to go all the way? (That’s what I call I’ll Have Another.)

    Tell me it’s okay for me to feel this way.

    j

    • / Reply

      Dear Jeanie and Laura J.:

      As Laura J said, of course, we all have our favorites and it’s OK to root for them. The Triple Crown is so difficult to win. Though, I do always root for the Derby winner every year to go on to win the Preakness and then to go on to win the Belmont. I would love to see another Triple Crown winner too. We’ll see if I’ll Have Another can continue his bid in the Preakness. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      I just want the best horse to win. In TB racing it comes down to who wins; not the best horse who did not win or the favorite who did not win. The Derby field was awesome,
      but each of the horses had their issues/bad trip etc….

      And I’ll Have Another had the best trip; that is what happened to Animal Kingdom
      and Johnny V last year;

      May the best horse, with the best trip and the best jockey win the Preakness.

    • / Reply

      Jeanie.

      I agree with you. I picked I’ll Have Another for the Derby, and even though I was ecstatic he won, I really dont think he is Triple Crown material. In all honesty I mostly picked him for sentiment for Lava Man. Unless Lava Man has some magic like our beloved Zenyatta, I really dont think I’ll Have Another will win the next two. But, who knows, it is horseracing after all, anything can happen. With all that said, I am picking Bodemeister for the Preakness.

      • / Reply

        Those of you in California must have had so much fun watching LAVA MAN
        run and win that $5 million.

        He is such a character, I almost wish he was running, too. They had a video of
        the Chef, from the Derby, preparing a meal for LAVA MAN. It was very cute,
        he breaks up a bunch of carrots and puts them in his feed bucket with his
        chef hat and apron on. Of course his trainer what narrating the video.

        LOVE THAT LAVA MAN !!!

    • / Reply

      Jeanie, I’m with you! A Triple Crown would be amazing, but I’m rooting for first and foremost Bodemeister and Union Rags. Here’s to a fair race and safe trip for all!

  16. / Reply

    It’s OK for you to feel that way. If you like Union Rags and Bodie best, then you like them best. It goes along with being a fan.

    I doubt many folks are predicting a Triple Crown this year anyway. I’ll Have Another is a very good horse, but in this cohort, neither he nor any other horse is going to dominate.

    • / Reply

      Laura,

      I always love and respect your posts.

      Thank you for your answer to my question about horse whiperers. I am going to purchase Buck. Thank you for the suggestion and for always sharing your wisdom in a way us novices can learn and understand.

    • / Reply

      i agree. like this horse a lot and glad his connections realized the longer distances are not for him. looking forward to seeing him win a few more!

  18. / Reply

    END OF THE DAY REDNECK JOKES;

    You might be a redneck if the air freshener hanging in your car lost its scent more than 5 years ago
    You might be a redneck if the auto junkyard calls you to get spare parts
    You might be a redneck if the bouquet at your wedding was stolen from the cemetery
    You might be a redneck if passengers enter your vehicle through the driver’s-side door.
    You might be a redneck if one of your fantasies involves a bulldozer
    You might be a redneck if someone accuses you of lying through your tooth.
    You might be a redneck of Jack Daniel’s makes your list of most admired people
    AND LAST BUT NO LEAST;

    YOU MIGHT BE A REDNECK IF INSTEAD OF BUYING YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER
    CANDY, FLOWER, OR THAT SPECIAL SOMETHING, YOU SPRAY PAINT HIS/HER NAME ON AN OVERPASS

    GOODNIGHT ALL AND SWEET DREAMS TO ALL !!!!!!

  19. / Reply

    SIGN: great RN jokes, and YES, let’s send emails to Matz and ask for Rosie! And yes again to anything about Shack–my favorite boy, who looks so much like his mom Oatsee!!! Same color!
    SUE F. Your comment reminds me of a question i’ve had for years: How does Charmin get away with having bears in the woods selling papier de toilette????
    JUDY B–those pictures grab and hold you, and based upon what I see, this little guy already thinks he is king of the world! Zenny loves the camera, but this guy loves being the center of attraction for any and everybody. What an adorable ham!
    EVERYONE: I guess the little one’s name will be coming forth soon…for the past month or so i have been calling him ZSTARMAN because of the star on his forhead and because it has the initial of the greatest race mare of all time–what’s her name again?
    Grand Poobah of Wit and Wisdom!!! It will always be a pleasure to pay my respects to you!

    • / Reply

      Dear Skip:

      Little Z is a real character already. So confident and joyful. Love him. Hugs, JB

  21. / Reply

    @Judy B…..saw someone mention you posted a link about Alydar….went thru the 1000+ posts above to find it….read the article and several of the links to more info at the end… cant thank you enough…he is one my all time favorites…truly a great one

    • / Reply

      Dear Carol in Utah:

      You’re so welcome. Alydar has always been one of my favorites too. He always gave his all. Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Dear Judy B,

        Thanks for the links on Aydar; just last night lots of video of Alydar and Affirmed
        dueling battle for the TC. Two very great horses. I guess I was too busy in
        college having a good time to remember this TC win.

        XXXOOOO

        • Dear Sign:

          They were both wonderful horses and they really made the TC races that year so exciting. Hugs, JB

  22. / Reply

    A belated many happy birthday wishes to Jerry Moss. THANK YOU!!!!!
    Ingrid, hope your mother is feeling better and you are coping as well as you can.
    Susan in TN, so sorry! Hope you are feeling better,also.

    And once again, good night to our Queen and her sweet Prince, the little (?) attention getter. He is already so accustomed to the camera! :-) Will we next see him preening in the mirror, as he squeals with delight?

    Good night all, way past my bedtime. ZZZZzzzzzzzzzz

    • / Reply

      Dear Karen,

      Great post, maybe the old TC winners, are a thing of the past and we need to embrace the new TB and a new way to win ??? A very thought provoking piece by Steve
      Haskin.

      Thanks for posting.

  26. / Reply

    Good Morning All Zenny Fans;

    Here is link to Extreme Mustang Makeover; it is a competition in which trainer
    have 120 days to train a wild mustang to “be a horse”. Just watched Wylene
    Wilson a very talented western trainer, who specializes and has entered this
    competition with a number of mustangs.

    http://www.extrememustangmakeover.com/

  27. / Reply

    MUSTANG MAKE OVER

    Here is Wylene Wilson showing her Mustang, Secret, after 120 days of training.
    Training these unique wild horses is very different because they live in the emotional side of their brain to survive; fear of putting thing around their legs, as Monty Roberts
    says, where the dogs go; touching their underbelly, where the cats go etc….

    She is a very talented, patient western traniner that really can connect with these
    Mustangs. Of course after training they are sold to lovely ownner.

    ENJOY HER PERFORMANCE

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqKWPi4SKqo

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