Zenyatta

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Zenyatta News

We Love Z Fans

Zenyatta. Photo Kyle Acebo.
Zenyatta. Photo by Kyle Acebo.

Happy Friday!

A big stack of Zenyatta Stickers are in the mail and on their way to you! We’d like to thank all of the fans who continue to support Zenyatta and this site by visiting, taking part in the discussion, and shopping with us.

We’d love to see how you are using your stickers. Send photos of Celebration Stickers and Zenyatta Stickers in action to fans@zenyatta.com. We’ll feature our favorites in a blog post.

A note on holiday orders from the Zenyatta Shop:
Orders must by placed by December 18 in order to qualify for holiday delivery. Orders placed after this date will ship after January 1st.

Here are a few new photos of Zenyatta and 13Z to finish off the week.

Enjoy!
-Team Z

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Photos by Kyle Acebo.

Reader Interactions

2,291 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Tony: Thanks for commenting about Zenny’s 160,000 Facebook fans. What is it about us that make us so adore this horse? Is it hero-worship, vicarious horse-ownership or the pure love we have for an animal? My guess is that it is all these things. Either way, I’m grateful that Jerry & Ann Moss have allowed her to be kept front & centre for her fans. Thanks

    • / Reply

      Dear Ann:

      Congrats to Jockey Apprentice Carrasco. Happy for Trevor too; he did really well. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Beautiful story, Vicki, of how the gorgeous Hero earned his name. Thanks to Ann Maree for finding it and to you for sharing it here.

  5. / Reply

    Dear Max Some good news from Kauto ,he’s going to Kempton with the girls on Boxing Day!!!I hadn’t been on his Twitter for a couple of days, he’s very excited ,lovely pic of him with Laura.Is always so sad to see a horse die in a race a part of the sport I hate.Hugs Sheena. Kathy and I love our furbabies!!!

    • / Reply

      Sheena. Looking forward to the King George aka the Bruce. Fly races a few days later. There was an interview with Moosie’s part owner, Dave. He says Moose has a very loyal following which is growing. Jockey says that Moose is too smart. Gary the horse shrink is still trying to make headway with the stubborn Moosie. No luck there yet.

  7. / Reply

    Dear Mama Z, COZ, Prince 2 and Baby Z:

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

  11. / Reply

    I just got home from Hollywood Park. I drove the 9 tenths of a mile east from my home, arrived just before the 8th race, did not have to pay to park (good exercise), thought I would have to pay at the gate, but she handed me a program and hurriedly waved me in. So I also saw the 33rd and final running of the 9th race, the Grade I Cashcall Futurity, for 2 year olds. One horse caused excitement when he bolted in the post-parade, leaving his pony horse far behind. Candy Ride’s progeny were well-represented, as “Shared Belief” came home well 1st under Corey Nakatani, with “Candy Boy” 2nd under Gary Stevens. Mike Smith was on a gorgeous grey, “Tap It Rich” out of Tapit, but came in late walking — I didn’t see what happened with him.
    I looked around, but also did not see anybody I knew there, maybe no other Dumplings today. I stayed for the 10th race prep, paddock walk and riders-up, then headed out.

    A lot of people were snapping photos of the grounds, gardens, architecture. I just tried to soak in some of what feels and is, indeed, the final days of this 75-year-old racetrack, that has been “a presence” in my neighborhood, all my life. Only 8 more days. I may go again late tomorrow, and for sure, next weekend, hopefully I’ll also see some others of Zenyattas fans there — I have heard that Trina and some others are going on the 22nd.

    • / Reply

      I meant that “Tap It Rich” was walking, with Mike riding him, not that Mike was walking. Don’t want to start rumors here.

      • / Reply

        Thanks, Max, me too. My brother, a long-long-time race fan left me a Christmas present last weekend, which I had to peek at, as I guessed correctly that it’s “The History of Hollywood Park” video, which I would have bought myself, if he had not.

        Hard to imagine what Fred Astaire, Cary Grant, Spencer Tracy, Marje Everett, et al. would have thought about this end coming. But they’re all gone too, and there has never been much reverence for history in this town, if it doesn’t also make money. Luckily the statuary now at Hollywood Park will be given a home in a new park within the H.P. re-development, even if the flamingos are gone, and the lakes and horses (alive and not) soon will be.

    • / Reply

      I am feeling so cheated with all this talk about Hollywood Park. I may be wrong but this seems so close to where I lived as a child and we went to Inglewood to the park but I don’t remember ever seeing anything that looked like a race track. I lived on 76th Street near Western Ave. I wonder why my father never took us to see Hollywood Park? We lived there l944 to l949. I also lived near Santa Anita when I was 5 but the war was on and it was closed and used for an internment camp. Very sad. I did get to see the Equestrian events in l984 at the Olympics. Could not get tickets to very many events, but we did get to see the horses. I wish I could go back there now, but hate to travel. I do remember listening to some races on the radio and knew the name Seabisquit as a child. I wonder if my father thought the racetrack was not a proper place to take a young girl? We also lost Belmont – I did get to go there before it closed. Too bad I missed my chance. I have learned so much from Zenyatta’s friends.

      • / Reply

        Nancy, as a child you lived about 3-1/2 miles east & north of Hollywood Park. I think likely you went to what was then called Centinela Park, the largest in Inglewood, and where they held the fireworks display each July. It is 2 miles north of H.P., and not near the route from your home. I liked that park as a child, because it’s hilly, not like “the flats” — the neighborhoods to the south, on either side of H.P. By the way, I also saw an Equestrian event at the ’84 Olympics, as I went with a Swiss friend to see their team in dressage.

        • Vicki, thanks for the response. I thought the maps made it look closer. Still regret not seeing it now. We might have been at Santa Anita at the same time -small world. Keep writing and try to see Ebby.

    • / Reply

      So glad that you got to go Vicki, and what a great race that was. The “talking heads” on TV were saying that they couldn’t believe such a short price for Shared Belief as he had never run at that (yesterday’s) distance before, but I guess he showed them!! Tamarando also ran another good race – he’s been “in the money” each of his starts to date. Glad you can go back next weekend.

      • / Reply

        Thanks, Sandy. Before the race, I didn’t know what a big deal it would be for Shared Belief, but I do now. I noticed Tamarando in the paddock, too. Trina emailed me that she is going next Sunday, so we will hopefully plan to meet up there.

  13. / Reply

    December 15 Cherokee Devotional

    Sometimes we are nagged by the feeling that we are not getting. That feeling should remind us to remain steadfast and stay focused on our goal. A goal is achieved by the blending of time, effort, and, most of all, the belief in what we are working toward. When we have a worthwhile goal, we keep plugging along. Though every step may seem very small, when we look back we suddenly find we have covered a great distance. It is those little steps that get us where we are going. One by one they make progress, like drops of water eroding stone. Great strides impress us, but we seldom make them.
    Remember the fable of the race between the hare and the tortoise: it was the one who was faithful and steadfast, the one who made small, steady steps. who reached his goal. You can do the same.

    I was living peaceably and satisfied until people began to speak bad of me.
    -Geronimo, Apache

  14. / Reply

    @BGG and Vicki B.–yes, I love the Wells Fargo ad with the horses. The first time I saw it, I thought it was going to be a Budweiser ad. I don’t think of any as “better” than the others. If they feature horses, they are fine for me! (When one of the horses in this ad steals the carrot, it reminds me of someone I know who shall remain nameless…..) Hugs.

    • / Reply

      Agree, Barbara — I thought it was great that Wells Fargo had enough imagination to do a fine Christmas / horse video, that we can enjoy for years.

  15. / Reply

    Dear Kathy Does’nt hubby or the puppies allow you a lie-in on a Sunday?I would always tell Katie what the Lord said about 6 days shalt thou labour I don’t think she heard.Lovely video of Ray playing in the snow.Animals seem to cope better with disabilities better than us, poor daddy is out with the snowplough. Boo has reached 8.7 million Yay!Great to see him and Buddy with the children at the hospital such a sweet little girl is so sad to watch them suffer at that age.Have you ever seen Lil Bub on FB?hugs to you and kisses for the puppy pack.Sheena.

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena,

      Steve left for Nevada City this morning at 5:00, so we were up at our regular time. I think my body wakes up at that time no matter what. I will take a nice nap this afternoon. Will check out Ray. Love to see him running! Loved Boo and Buddy’s pic with the kids. Will check out Lil Bub. Thanks for the heads up.

      Enjoy your Sabbath!

      Hugs from me, kisses from The Pack. Kathy

  17. / Reply

    Zsters,
    Have to share this story with you as it made my Christmas for me. I have been trying, (and it’s a long story) to get a copy of Barbara Livingstons photo of A P Indy called Zenyatta’s Dance by many. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=573462542702612&set=a.178631435519060.40227.130389357009935&type=1&theater

    After much detective work and help from others I found an email site to order this picture from Barbara’s manager. She then personally took time from her busy schedule and sent me this email: ” Dear Sue, Thank you for the super kind words about my photos…..and you have great taste in horses, A P Indy was amazing that morning…..he was just sauntering, all relaxed, bored, head down…….and suddenly he just, I’m not sure why, strutted for a few steps!! Then he remembered we were boring and not worth any display, and went back into his indifferent mode.”

    After being so tickled that she contacted me and told me this story, I was amazed that she could capture this, these few steps in this fantastic picture. What a great person and photographer she is. I can’t wait to get this picture. I just had to share this story with all of you, hugs

    • / Reply

      Dear Sue Fredrick:

      BL is a great photographer and writer and also a really wonderful person. She was there, at McMahon Farm in Saratoga, when the article by Tom Keyser was done on my Charlie when he was only hours old. When I contacted him to let him know Charlie had been rescued and was living a happy life on a farm in RI, she left a message thanking me and telling me she was there that night and was so glad that he was safe and happy.

      I’m so glad you were able to find this spectacular photo of AP Indy. Love and Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Judy B,
        How Great! Thought she was truly a caring person……..but you confirmed it again……thank YOU for sharing. Hugs

      • / Reply

        Judy and Sue, Thanks for sharing your stories of Barbara. I have her book, More Old Friends. It is wonderful with beautiful pics. but I have to have the box of tissues close at hand.

    • / Reply

      Thanks for sharing both the picture and the great story Sue. So happy that you will be receiving it AND that you heard directly from BL herself. A Christmas treat for sure!

    • / Reply

      Dear Kennedys:

      Very impressive colt. His Dam, Common Hope, is by Storm Cat so there is the Secretariat and Northern Dancer lines in his pedigree. Beautiful boy. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Very interesting KD coming up. Honor Code, AP’s last chance for a winner, is also on the trail. Lots to which we can look forward. Plus Coz will be 2 next year and, depending on his progress, might make a start during the year.

    • / Reply

      Great article. However, one need go no farther than the picture to put a finger on the problem. I remember Hollywood Park when crowds of 50,000 were common on a Saturday. No Sunday racing then. It would have taken someone much wiser than track management is and was to reverse the trend. To put it simply, it costs too much money o just get into the track these days. Management should have made it easier for Joe horseplayer to get in and bet.

      • / Reply

        Yep, Terry, I liked that long article, but you’re right. As a kid, I rode my bike on the lot. I knew there were crowds at Hollywood Park, just because the traffic was heavy all around, coming and going, just like when the Forum was in it’s heyday. Counting seven more days.

  22. / Reply

    Dear Max Looks like a mouth watering Christmas hurdle with the New One taking on My Tent or Yours, Nigel said he came out of the race yesterday 100%.Willy has also been made stable jockey to Mick Channon.Andy Murray has just won the BBC sports personality of the year AP was 3rd. Hugs Sheena

    • / Reply

      Sheena. Nigel has polar opposites in his yard with The New One and Moosie.
      Heard about Willy getting the job. Good for him. Andy Murray deserves that title, but happy to see that AP got recognition too. Did they give it to Frankel in 2012?

  24. / Reply

    If any of you have a spare moment, look at Pennmarydel’s facebook page. He is one of the last Dynaformers and is a real beauty. Don’t know if he has his dad’s disposition.

    • / Reply

      He’s so handsome, Max! I’m so glad he survived. I’m fond of the long-haired varieties. He’s one good-looking specimen.

    • / Reply

      Thanks Max – great to see how well both Momo and his dad survived that ordeal. A real beacon of light in the midst of such a terrible situation.

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