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Lane’s End Video Interviews: Part 3

Happy Friday!

We hope everyone is gearing up for the Preakness and some beautiful weather this weekend.

The third part of our Lane’s End interview series introduces you to Charles Campbell. He has been the Broomare Manager for four years, and he was with Zenyatta the night she foaled.

Charles Campbell, Broodmare Manager:

“I’m originally from a small hamlet in England, and I was brought up on a farm where my parents trained and produced racehorses. I was riding an jumping fences before I could walk and have always had a love for horses from this young age.

After graduating from university I decided to travel the world working with horses. I started in South Africa and made it to America. As soon as I arrived at Lanes End I fell in love with the farm and horses here. I worked with the yearlings and then did a season with the stallions before moving to the mares. I find working with the mares and foals the most rewarding aspect of all as it encompasses my interest for science and passion for horses.

As the Broodmare Manager my days are kept busy with reproductive work and insuring all the mares and foals are happy and healthy, including Zenyatta and Baby Z.”

Here are a couple photos that were taken yesterday at the farm.

Enjoy!
-Team Z

Photo Courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane's End

Photo Courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane's End

Reader Interactions

1,329 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Hi Zenyatta, Prince Z and all.
    @ Keta: Thanks for the “I’ll Have Another Galloping at Pimlico” video. Love the way he’s enjoying the run – ears forward the whole time !!!

    God bless and thanks to all the troops and their families.

    LOL, Arlene

  2. / Reply

    ‘Maria’ the main star in Ogden Phipps
    Updated: May 25, 2012, 5:57 PM ET By Evan Hammonds | Bloodhorse
    E. Paul Robsham Stables’ homebred Awesome Maria makes her 2012 Belmont Park debut May 28 as she guns for a repeat in the Ogden Phipps Handicap. The Todd Pletcher-trained mare will tote 124 pounds in the 1 1/16-mile Ogden Phipps and faces four talented fillies and mares including Godolphin Racing’s It’s Tricky.
    The $400,000 Ogden Phipps is one of three grade I races on a revamped Memorial Day card at Belmont, joining the traditional $750,000 Metropolitan Mile Handicap and the $300,000 Acorn Stakes. The Sands Point Stakes for 3-year-old fillies is also on the card.
    Unbeaten in six starts over the last two racing seasons, Awesome Maria currently ranks sixth on the National Thoroughbred Racing Association’s weekly poll, the only filly or mare in the top 10.
    http://espn.go.com/horse-racing/story/_/id/7972943/awesome-maria-main-star-ogden-phipps

  3. / Reply

    @Terry Crow – I just saw your postal redneck joke. Love it! There are certainly some mailboxes on the route that need to be rubber gloved! Your postal redneck jokes were great too, Vicki B!

    • / Reply

      Thanks. Debbie G! I also carried and did collection runs for a few years, but mostly remember a normal assortment of stepping in doo, tripping over sprinklers, dealing with a dog-pack, using my bag as protection from a lunging dog, and upchucking lunch on a very hot day on the route. But there might be a few good redneck jokes in there, from fellow employees’ shenanigans.

        • And I earlier saw a link to an old Joni Mitchell song, “California”, about wanting to go home, but whose lyrics include:

          “I met a redneck on a Grecian isle…
          who did the goat dance very well…
          He gave me back my smile…
          but he kept my camera to sell…”

          Notice the connection between ‘California’, ‘redneck’, ‘goat’, and the lack of ethics.

        • Vicki-The connection is noted. However, I would think that most rednecks are extremely honest.

  4. / Reply

    As usual these days, too busy and short of time. Best wishes for a great Memorial Day weekend to you all.

  5. / Reply

    Hollywood Park: Mizdirection’s course is all planned out
    By Brad Free DRF
    INGLEWOOD, Calif. – As the year unfolds and her win streak grows, so have the lofty ambitions for the top female turf sprinter in California.
    Mizdirection should win her fifth straight Sunday at Hollywood Park in a little $70,000 turf sprint for fillies and mares. The Great Lady M. appears to be easy pickings, as do the two races she will target thereafter.
    Mizdirection can win her sixth straight this summer at Del Mar in a little $85,000 turf stakes against fillies and mares, and finally make it seven in a row in autumn at Santa Anita, in a cozy little $100,000 turf stakes against – you guessed it – fillies and mares.
    But in early November, it will get a lot tougher for Mizdirection. That is when trainer Mike Puype is confident the 4-year-old filly will be sufficiently seasoned to move outside gender-specific races and venture into the wild.
    ……..
    Puype trains Mizdirection for the Jungle Racing stable of sports broadcaster Jim Rome, restaurateur Bill Strauss, Danny Grohs and partners. The 4-year-old filly has taken them on quite a ride so far. Mizdirection has won six races and $360,111 from 10 starts and emerged as leader of a niche category.
    http://www.drf.com/news/hollywood-park-mizdirections-course-all-planned-out

  6. / Reply

    Special thanks to all who served & who are serving!
    It is a time of remembrance & reflection on lives lost & wars fought
    May each of you have a weekend filled with family, fun & great memories!
    And, of course, enjoy the terrific races this weekend.
    Hugs,
    Keta

  7. / Reply

    Did anyone else see the Wednesday May 23 episode of Judge Judy? Michael Baze’s mother was arguing with his widow over the funeral expenses.

    • / Reply

      Wow. Why can’t it just be a 50/50 split???? He JUST DIED!!!! (well not just but you get the point) He was their son and husband! Put your pride and wallet on a shelf and BOTH
      pay the bill. That is sad. When my mom passes on when shes 114 (my mom will probably make it to that too, which is better for me because I don’t take loss well ever) she is going to have a beautiful funeral and since she wants to be cremated, I will lay her ashes in the place she loves most; a beautiful beach. I make full plans to cover the expense but as long as my mother will be happy after she passes on, price will never matter. It should NOT have mattered here either or EVER when one talks about a funeral.

  8. / Reply

    Dear Judy B and Z Fans;

    Liberian Freighter is back in the American Handicap. Love this horse, he is running against Mr. Commons, though. Should be a good race in CALI.

    • / Reply

      If Mr. Commons is fully cranked, he will win. However, that may not be the case. Liberian Freighter is a cut below him when he is at his best.

      • / Reply

        Great to know the abilities of these horses; Liberian Freighter and Mr. Commons
        were not running together in the past ? ? I don’t think and Mr. Commons is one tough, talented horse. Hope one of them wins.

      • / Reply

        Liberian Freighter, love that name, put in a good game performance for the
        win.

  9. / Reply

    Interesting Pursuit of the Crown tonight on HRTV; Bob Baffert is bringing another
    loaded gun, Paynter, to take on IHA. May the best horse win this 2012 Belmont Stakes.
    Steve Cauthen was also interviewed giving some parallels to his Triple Crown win
    with Affirmed; THE MOST IMPORTANT THING HE SAID WAS THAT HE HAD
    GREAT CHEMISTRY WITH AFFIRMED AND MARIO HAS THE SAME WITH
    I’LL HAVE ANOTHER; IT IS THE HORSE AND THE CEMISTRY WITH THE RIDER
    THAT MAKES A CHAMPION; JEFF SIEGLE SUNG IHA PRAISE WITH HIS PREAKNESS
    WIN AND HOW HE BORE DOWN STUCK HIS NECK OUT AND SAID “I AM GOING TO
    BEAT YOU” TO BODE. “HE CAN ALSO RUN FOR DAYS”;

    IHA GALLOPED TODAY TO THE FIRST BELMONT TURN; HIS EXERCISE RIDER SAID
    HE HAD A HARD TIME PULLING HIM UP. THIS COLT HAS AMAZING ENERGY !!!!

      • / Reply

        I, too, share that gut feeling. I want IHA to win so I will cheer for him, but this might be a race where the pace set-up will decide who will win, or the trip, and that will be a big unknown factor until the post-draw. Any rank speed will become a wall for the closers as the Belmont distance catches up to him

      • / Reply

        Good point, TC. The only thing is they can’t find anyone to connect and get a
        chemistry jockey wise with Union Rags, which puts him at a disadvantage. Maybe
        JV can get it in one ride like he did with Rags to Riches, but Mario and IHA
        are symbiotic twins and that in it self is going to be hard to beat.

        I do really like Union Rags; those big Bay guys are my favorites and love love
        love those long powerful strides; just like flying.

      • / Reply

        Terry, what makes you think U.R. may be the better horse? An article Keta posted yesterday, on a blog by Bill Pressey, a Thoroughbred physiologist, says “I’ll Have Another continues his march to the Preakness by steadily knocking out mile after mile of 2 minute licks, with a fast 2F coming down the lane. Normally I would hate the absence of recorded works for a horse prior to the Derby or Preakness, but after personally watching O’Neill’s gallops from the backside the week before the Derby, I feel good about I’ll Have Another’s chances.”

        Bill Pressey also includes: “I wrote about 2 minute licks and thoroughbred stamina many months ago: http://thoroedge.wordpress.com/2011/04/01/what-is-stamina-or-the-myth-of-the-2-minute-lick/ “

        • Union Rags did not really get a chance to run in the Derby. Before that, I would think that he was considered to be a better horse than IHA. Regardless of all the theories about physiology that are bandied about by pundits, it still has to be proved on the track. The Derby is a rodeo, not usually won by the best horse. The Preakness was a relatively lackluster field except for the Derby winner and runner-up. That’s just the way I see it. For the sake of racing, I hope I’m wrong.

  10. / Reply

    Bloodhorse.com had a nice slideshow of Affirmed’s life and career this morning. What a beautiful horse!
    Hope all fellow Z-sters have a safe and happy weekend!

    • / Reply

      I’ll never forget seeing the great Affirmed for his final farewell looking every bit of the champion that he was. He had a face and blaze that reminds me of Z except he was a gorgeous chestnut. A truly great warrior of horseracing history! I hope IHA carries on in his footsteps.

  11. / Reply

    Have a happy and safe Memorial Weekend everyone!

    Thank you to all who have served and sacrificed for our great country, past, present and future. God’s Speed to you all.

  12. / Reply

    The Irish Field‏ tweeted on Sat. May 26th
    Aidan O’Brien does it again as Power, under his son Joseph,
    defeats Foxtrot Romeo to land the Irish 2000 Guineas

  13. / Reply

    Work Times Sat. May 26th
    Jerry Bossert NY Daily News tweeted
    Belmont works: Unstoppable U (:59.22), Street Life (:47.82), Atigun (:46.77) at Belmont. Dullahan (1:43) breezing 1M at Churchill

    Churchill Downs PR tweeted
    Dullahan goes at 6:15 am & breezes 1 mile in 1:43 under Tammy Fox. Splits 26, 38.60, 51.40, 1:04.60, 1:17.40. Out 1:57. #BelmontStakes

        • yeppers…Big Sandy and no relation to Big Ang.
          IHA has changed his wardrobe,deciding on shoes next,lava is giving dating tips….this is going to be the best dance ever!!!!!!

        • I agree, despite all the press, it is this horse IHA, who has a chance
          to make history, I really like this horse, he is level headed, professional
          and talented with many gears.

          He does have some challengers that are not going to make it easy,
          but that is what winning the Triple Crown is about, it should not
          be easy. He will run have the run of his life and hope all horses come out safe and sound, and the best man wins !!!!

  14. / Reply

    Here is today’s horse joke, a corny one. It seems that a guy had a talking horse, but the only time the horse would talk was when he was asleep. He would say things like “I just got back from the moon” or “I just wrote a best seller.” The man called in a vet who listened to the horse and agreed that he was talking in his sleep. The vet asked the man if the horse had, indeed done any of the things he talked about. “No,” said the man. “What should I do?” he asked. The vet replied “It’s better to let sleeping horses lie.”

    • / Reply

      This seems to beg for the development of a “corny-ness scale” (and would receive a very high rating :-) No disrespect, of course.

  15. / Reply

    Here are today’s redneck jokes. You might be a redneck if you wear overalls to save the cost of shirts and underwear. You know you attend a redneck university when the football team scores more points in a game than they did on their SAT.s. You know your an uppity redneck if you drink wine coolers instead of beer. You might be a redneck if you complain that other family members keep putting the lid down on the big water bowl. You might be a redneck if you relieve yourself from a moving vehicle while driving.

    • / Reply

      My Mikey Boy was feeling rather noble this AM.Someone in the park called him handsome,striking,wonderful lines,great feathers on his flanks. Talk about a puffed up chest,he was working it.
      Things went south when I read him the joke about the “big water bowl”. His bark was sounding very forceful.
      He’s coming around…smells a burger on the grill. Kids are telling him..work it Mike,be proud buddy.

      Happy Memorial Day Weekend everyone.Taking some stuff out to the USO lounge today at the airport!!!! Love seeing our military men and women.

    • / Reply

      Terry, your joke about “if you relieve yourself from a moving vehicle” today reminded me of another redneck story:

      You might be a redneck college student, if at a “barn dance” up in the hills, you imbibe “some of everything” just to “see if you can hold it”, and “what effect it will have”. You might be a redneck college student, if on the winding way back home, your foursome decides to stop at a Der Wienerschnitzel drive-thru because they’re hungry, but you are feeling increasing nausea. You might be a redneck college student, if while the hot dogs are being passed through the driver’s window, you are abruptly leaning out the rear passenger-side door, making a deposit in the breezeway.

      • / Reply

        Get it Vicki….

        You might be a Redneck College student, if the top on your living room coffee table, doubles as a flotation/ toy to pull behind the boat. Make sure the dog rides it too!!!

        • Vicki and Ann-I think you two should take over the posting of jokes on at least one designated day per week. Great stuff!

        • Terry, you B the Man!!!! I don’t hold a candle to Vicki.
          Both of you make me smile,thanks!!!!

        • I like it, Ann, those were the days. One roommate cooked pancakes every morning, and always left the last one in the cast-iron frying pan, where it hardened like a rock, until he threw it out the next morning. One day instead, we hung it up on a nail, and it resided as a wall decoration for two years.

  16. / Reply

    Zenny…..just read on Bloodhorse that your friend Rapid Redux is due to arrive at Old Friends in a couple of days…it is good to know that he will be well looked after in his retirement…somehow his plans seemed to have changed recently …
    ….
    Would like to give grateful thanks to all that now serve and those that have served …
    No mere words can express our appreciation for your sacrifices

  19. / Reply

    Happy Memorial Day to all, especially those serving now, their families, and all the Vets. We gratefully send our thanks for all you have given for our freedom.

    Monday at Belmont Race 8, our favorite sassy girl, It’s Tricky, is running. You go girl!

    Good Luck to Mr Commons. Safe trips to all our beautiful horses and their jockeys.

    Have a safe and fun holiday!! Hugs to all.

    • / Reply

      I wonder if maybe there was no room at KHP? The Hall of Champions barn seemed full when I visited. Anyway I’m so glad that RR will get to be at Old Friends – he will draw MANY fans and those fans will become acquainted with the mission of Old Friends and, if they aren’t already – supporters of Old Friends! It’s such an unpretentious place, and I met very nice people there in early May. I, for one, will go back to Old Friends just to get a chance to meet Rapid Redux!!

      • / Reply

        I think it started with some confusion on the part of RR’s owners. They originally contacted the Secretariat Center, which is located at the Horse Park. It is the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s retraining center. The owners were under the impression that they were contacting Horse Park management, which was not the case. Then they found out that the Secretariat Center was for retraining, and they simply wanted to retire him, not send him to a second career. The Hall of Champions is pretty full, and they just got Go For Gin a few months ago. I imagine it is harder to get any horse into the KHP, simply because it’s a state agency and there are procedures that must be followed. Old Friends has more flexibility.

        Anyway, I think OF is a better chice for Rapid Redux. He’ll have more room, get to see more visitors, and may get paired with a buddy or two in time.

        • Laura – you’ve got the inside story! And you live so close to Old Friends, at least in highway terms. Thanks for those details. I think OF will be a good fit also. And I too like the possibility of RR getting a paddock with a buddy, since they put some geldings together. Are you going on June? And if so, would you be sharing pictures!!?

        • I would love to go to his welcoming ceremony, but unfortunately it is on a Friday and I have to work. I need to be careful with my vacation days. I may go sometime in June, but my weekends are pretty full. I am sure I will get out there this summer, though.

        • I love the idea of RR going to Old Friends! I was so glad to hear that!

  22. / Reply

    HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY weekend to all!
    Infinite thanks to all our soldiers, past and present, including those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you to those of the “Greatest Generation”, also — my father and uncle were in that group.
    Remember: “In Flanders’ fields the poppies grow…” This from the first World War.
    Lest we forget.

    Much gratitude to all those brave equines and canines, also.

  23. / Reply

    American Handicap

    Wilkinson first
    Mr Commons second
    Liberian Freighter third

    Great race !!!!

  24. / Reply

    Want to wish everyone a Happy Memorial Day.
    Thank You to all our Veterans Past and Present. Thank You Daddy
    I am looking so forward to seeing racing on Monday. I hope everyone is that will have the opportunity to see them. OMG, To Honor and Serve, Shackleford (that’s my boy) just love him) but love bernie’s boy too. Oh, and the quite frisky It’s Tricky..Hope she behaves herself. I would like to name all of the horses running on monday, such a talented group. Will just be so glad to see them.
    OMG, what another talented Scat Daddy colt that ran today. A 2 year old, I forgot his name. But I sure believe we will be seeing more of him.
    Great Euro races today also, @Daddy Long Legs, my boy I thought you were going to win there for a while, so sorry. Thanks TVG for bringing them to us.
    I agree with Laura J, I think Old Friends will be great for Rapid Redux. I know I want to get back there to see my buddies, Pops, Reva, Invigorate and so many others.. I would like to get down the road to see Brass Hat too.
    Safe trips to all runners, and come back to the barns safely.
    Oh my I forgot Awsome Maria, I think your racing on Monday too.

  26. / Reply

    To All Zsters: I hope all of you are well and enjoying this nice, long Memorial Day weekend. I would like to THANK Our Troops for their dedication and service to our country. I hope they know that many of us do think and pray for them often and remember and honor them on this special day.

    I am not sure what all happened this week, but I have been so busy. I just haven’t had a chance to write since the Preakness. All of you CA folks must be ecstatic with the CA horses doing so well on their journey to the Triple Crown. I was there at the Preakness when I WANT ANOTHER and BODEMEISTER crossed the finish line. You couldn’t hear a thing. We were all screaming so loud! We were so excited. I cannot wait to go to the Belmont. Wouldn’t it be something if I WANT ANOTHER can pull it off!!!!!

    Trina: Just in case you didn’t see my entry above, I want to once again wish you a very Happy Belated Birthday! Hope you have a great year ahead.

      • / Reply

        Hi Susan:
        It was really incredible. I was at the Preakness in 2009 & 2011, so this was the first time since I’ve attended that the Kentucky Derby winner also won the Preakness. In fact the last time was in 2008 with Big Brown. It was so exciting!!!!!

        • No time like the present. Any story that involves racing and dental floss has got to be good. Of course, why would a redneck need dental floss? Oh, I forgot. You have to floss your tooth.

    • / Reply

      Linda
      Have a great time at he Belmont; May the best horse win safe and sound; sure hope it
      is I’ll Have Another, but it is not going to be easy for him.

      • / Reply

        Hi Signofthetimes: Yes I agree. There’s Dullahan and Union Rags. I didn’t realize that Dullahan was a Birdstone horse. Dullahan ran a very impressive race in the Blue Grass.

        I hope all the horses and their jockeys have a safe trip. That of course is number 1. But I really do hope this year is the year we have a Triple Crown winner. Wouldn’t that be something!

        • Did not realize Dullahan was had Birdstone in his pedigree; let’s hope
          Dale Romans did not change training soon enough to get him to
          go a mile and a half.

          Jeff Seigel HRTV said that IHA is the only one on the track that
          is bred to go an mile and a half and more; with his european ancestors
          that have gone long distances, he has a pedigree advantage.

  27. / Reply

    Congrats to Mr. Commons, our John and Mikey on yesterday’s second place in the American! Well done!
    Isn’t John’s birthday coming up very soon??

  28. / Reply

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPsIyz7eXy8

    I found this and hope that you take the 10 minutes to listen and watch.
    Thank you again to all of the service members that protect our country.
    A special prayer for those that have lost.
    I do know loss and it is hard. God loves you. All of us here all Zsters love you. We really do.

    Zenny and baby Z have a great day play and find some mud. Have a good roll.

  29. / Reply

    Too, It’s Tricky,
    O.K. Dear Girl I have heard the guys don’t even like going in the stall with you sometimes to put the bridle on you. Listen no biting, no rearing up and especially no tossing your jockey tomorrow. Be a good girl its memorial weekend.
    Shackleford you be a good boy.
    @Sign, do you think I’ll Have Another can pull it off?????
    I hope he does, I am still afraid of a new shotter or Union Rags.
    I will make my final decision after I see the draw on Wednesday before the race.

    • / Reply

      Dear Peggy N,

      I am rooting for Its Tricky, too. Just love that filly, I think she is a mare at 4 yo.

      Yes, I think IAH can do it, he is very multi dimensional; is thriving in NY just
      as he did in Lousiville, and Baltimore; he is truely an unsung hero, but if
      he gets the right trip he can. He has always been a router, it was never hard
      to figure him out for Doug O Neill; with that European pedigree on his dam’s side;
      including the great Saddlers Wells and an Arc De Triumph winner. How can he not???

      Racing Luck !!!

      I love Union Rags as well, he is absoluetly gorgeous, but not been able to have a jockey ride and get to know him. He must be quirky on the track ????

    • / Reply

      I do not think that the PP draw will be significant. The race is at 1 and 1/2 miles with a relatively short field. There is plenty of time to establish a position. If you like somebody now, The PP should make no difference.

  30. / Reply

    Happy Memorial Day weekend to everyone. I hope you all have a safe and happy weekend.

    @Vicki B – How long did you work at the post office? Sounds like it was long enough! LOL I’ve stepped in plenty of dog poo and had my fair share of run-ins with dogs, too. I had two pit bulls come after me a couple of weeks ago. I hate to think what would have happened if I hadn’t had my satchel and my pepper spray handy. I think Terry is right. If you and I put our heads together, we could write a postal redneck book! I love your jokes.

    • / Reply

      Go for it Ladies. Lovin your jokes. I think the book would sell like hot cakes.
      Tell you what, we have always had a great mailman and love him to death. Thanks for your service!!!!

    • / Reply

      Debbie G., two pit bulls sounds awful! One guy told me he once emptied a can of spray, and the dog was just lapping it up and kept coming, so he threw the can at it. But I have heard opening an umbrella at a dog works well.

      Thanks for asking — I spent over 12 yrs. in three different P.O’s in No. & So. Calif. Like I mentioned earlier to Terry, I really felt like I understood what “going Postal” meant. Long enough, indeed! A friend stayed, and is now retired — I could have been too, by now, but except for that, I am happier I left. Whenever I meet other P.O. employees, from wherever, we have always had similar experiences of “what it’s like” to work there.

      My very first day at job orientation, the trainer pointed at a wall, and said, “If your supervisor tells you to ‘Go paint that wall,’ you do what he says, and go paint the wall. It doesn’t matter that it’s not your job. It doesn’t matter if you just saw two guys come in and paint the same wall ten minutes ago. You don’t ask questions, you don’t ask why — you GO PAINT THAT WALL!” That’s when I thought, “Uh-oh.” And I started applying for transfers, the next day.

    • / Reply

      Debbie and Vicki-Keep it coming, this is so funny. Perhaps the postal service should invent its own dance for avoiding the poo. I know what you mean about the spray. My dog was chewing on himself so I bought something named “yuck” and put it on the areas that he was abusing. Turned out he liked it.

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