Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Zenyatta News

Zenyatta In Foal To War Front

Zenyatta, April 2013. Photo by Kyle Acebo
Zenyatta, April 2013. Photo by Kyle Acebo

Happy Friday!

We are proud to announce that, as of today, Zenyatta is confirmed thirty-seven days in foal.

She was bred earlier this year to the Claiborne Farm stallion War Front. Zenyatta was examined by Dr. Holder this week, and checks out to be happily in foal and in excellent health!

Wishing sunny weather and a happy Father’s Day everyone this weekend!

-Team Z

Reader Interactions

1,114 Comments

  2. / Reply

    hi Zsters :)

    thx you LE for cont. news on quenn Z. :)

    happy fathers to all.
    i hope it was a good day for you men. :)

    today thoughts:

    When You’re in the Middle of a Struggle

    We talk about our struggles.
    We’re friends, fellow travelers on this journey. She keeps repeating a phrase, “I’m the girl who….”
    It’s the phrase I’ve heard from the lips of hundreds of women. From my own too.
    We face a challenge and redefine ourselves by it.

    Here are some I’ve said:
    I’m the girl who has social anxiety.
    I’m the girl who has depression.
    I’m the girl who can’t have children.
    Those sentences trap us, limit us, make us believe we are our worst moments.

    I clear my throat and whisper quietly into the phone what has set me free…
    “That’s not who you are, friend, it’s where you are right now.”

    She sighs with relief and says the words that are like candy for my ears, “You need to write about this on your blog.” So here we are. Because I need to hear this truth more than once…and maybe you do too.
    Your struggle is not your identity.
    It’s your location at the moment.

    If there were spiritual GPS, we could locate your spot in the desert. Imagine you did so with me and I said, “This place is my identity forever.” You’d shake your head and say, “You’re on your way to the Promised Land! This is just a temporary stop!”

    Then you’d remind me…
    I’m the girl who is God’s daughter.
    I’m the girl with strengths placed within me for a purpose.
    I’m the girl who’s unconditionally loved by Someone who can get me through anything.

    Where we are in life changes.
    Who we are stays the same wherever we may go.
    Where are you today, friend?
    And who are you, really?

    Words of encouragement by Holley Gerth.

    may god bless you all
    hugs/prayers, vamp

  3. / Reply

    @Judy B, Marshall and Ann-Thank you so much for the Father’s Day wishes. Here is a MIster Ed joke. A lot of people didn’t know this, but Ed attended human college. One day he was in English class when the professor said “In English, a double negative forms a positive. In some languages, such as Russian. a double negative is still a positive. However, there is no language wherin a double positive can form a negative.” Ed then pipes up and says, “yeah, right!”

  4. / Reply

    ‘m back after an absence due to having to have my computer un-virused. My new security system is in place and I’m happy to be back reading about our beloved Queen.

    IZenyatta has two beautiful sons by two impressive stallions and now she will have a foal by War Front who will be a son or daughter of the Queen for us to follow to the races.

    Anyone who thinks she should be given a year or two off between foals simply is transferring human pregnancy to equine pregnancy. We, as women, have an entirely different life when we are pregnant than that of our equine friends and most of us don’t want to be pregnant every year. When we are pregnant, our every day lives don’t just go away. We have homes, jobs, possibly other children, a spouse or significant other to deal with every day. Most are afforded only the bare minimum of pregnancy leave and then it’s back to the job while still juggling the every day responsibilities and on top of that a newborn as well.

    Zenyatta doesn’t have a “job” any more. She is retired from racing and lives like the Queen she is and doesn’t have to lift a finger for anything unless she suddenly feels like bucking and tearing around her paddock just for the heck of it. She puts on weight as her unborn foal grows, but she doesn’t mind, she is very content with her life, Remember the photo of her very pregnant with Z13 where she was in mid-air bucking in her paddock? She is happy with her retirement and being a mom. When her foal is born, she recovers from the birth much quicker than most of us and within a week, you would never know she had just given birth except for the little mini Zenyatta at her side. She is waited on hand and foot, she has heavy human interaction daily and her every comfort and medical need is provided instantly.

    One look at the videos and photos of her shows how much she is flourishing in this new stage of her life. She sparkles with health with every move she makes. Giving her or any similar healthy mare a year or two between pregnancies would make it more difficult for them to conceive and like another poster said, it’s a perfectly normal breeding practice.

    Zenyatta is in the best hands possible and if you doubt that her life is anything but perfect, please, please go back and look at photos in the previous posts and I’m sure you will see photos of happiness and joy that is Zenyatta.

    • / Reply

      Rosemary,
      Great response, everything you said is spot on. The trouble is many of these people posting this nasty stuff they have come out of the woodwork to make their (in many cases) nasty comments. I’m on this blog all the time and I don’t even recognize many of these names as having ever posted before. I certainly hope the Mosses don’t read this blog, it embarrasses me to death to think they share this wonderful mare with us and some believe they can post here and tell them what their doing wrong. I don’t think they have any intentions of listening to what you and many others have said. Hope I’m wrong. hugs

    • / Reply

      Rosemary, your post was “spot on” as they say. Our Queen is living the good life which she certainly deserves after an extremely successful racing career. The Mosses consider her one of the family…all horses should be so blessed. In the years to come, when her offspring hit the racing circuit, I hope they bring the same excitement Zenny did. She was and still is amazing.

    • / Reply

      JS is at Belmont and still has a small string at Hollywood Park until it
      closes in December 2013.

      Has just started running some horses at Belmont over the last few weeks,
      took some time to get settled.

      The East coaster’s are clamoring for him the train Zenny’s relatives !!!

  9. / Reply

    Yay, so happy the Big Mare is in good shape and HAPPY! I’d love to see the Moss’ get a really nice turf colt or filly, turf racing is so exciting to me. HAPPY HAPPY!!!

  10. / Reply

    In honor of her birthday today, here is YEARLING Liddy at nine days old; the day she arrived at SHERR.

    https://twitter.com/QueenOfSuites/status/346715669993226242/photo/1

    My dearest Z Family,

    I am just now catching up with all the congratulations and well-wishes post graduation and post birthday. Thank you thank you all! There are so many thank you cards to send out, it might take me some time, but you will get a thank you card (those who’s address I have. I’ll post something special for everyone else on here later.) It was a hectic few days, and I am trying to come back down off the whirlwind. I’ll post a few pictures later on in the week once I get finished cleaning, and send out thank yous.

    • / Reply

      A Birthday Poem for Liddy As She Turns One
      (June 17, 2013)

      ’Twas a case of severe neglect:
      Eleven horses had the horrible luck
      To be penned in mire
      In conditions dire
      And abject,
      Their waterers green with slime
      And filled to the brink
      With muck.
      The water therein did so stink
      That the horses rathered
      The rain to drink,
      Which gathered
      In tracks from the tires
      Of the tractor and truck.
      In a nick of time,
      Before death took its toll,
      County animal control
      Did the horses confiscate.
      One sweet mare
      They did allocate
      To the auspices of SHERR,
      But before Gypsy there
      Would arrive,
      There would come a big surprise…
      Gypsy was still in police care,
      And all was well at SHERR.
      The evening grew dark,
      The horses did cease
      To whinny,
      No dog did bark,
      All
      Was at peace.
      Director Ginny
      Turned in for the night,
      Thinking all would be quiet
      And fine
      Till the morning light.
      Then came the call
      That would in Ginny provoke
      A riot
      Of emotion–
      On the line,
      A frantic voice to her the news broke:
      “YOUR MARE IS GIVING BIRTH!”
      Good heavens, what on earth!
      There been no notion
      Of any birth!
      Gypsy, to be sure, had a swollen tummy,
      But her living conditions
      Had been so incredibly crummy,
      ’Twas everyone’s supposition
      That an infestation
      Of worms
      Would be the explanation,
      Not a gestation
      Gone undetected.
      That night, dear Liddy,
      Your Ginny felt quite giddy
      And even perhaps a bit tipsy,
      As she struggled to come to terms
      With this report, so unexpected,
      About you and your momma Gypsy—
      My, how her heart was thumpin’
      For you and the mare!
      Then of a sudden,
      You were there,
      Perfect in every way,
      Born on Father’s Day,
      Surely the pride and joy of your mustang dad
      (From the open range once collected?)
      If he your coming suspected.
      In nine short days, the police
      Were more than glad
      You and your mom to release
      Unto the loving care
      Of SHERR,
      Where everyone thrilled to see you arrive,
      And where you both did thankfully thrive.
      Liddy, you there
      Nothing but love do know,
      And thus with trust
      You do as you feel you must—
      You dare
      Yourself to show
      As quite the imp:
      You picked on dear Bing,
      The elderly horse
      (Now sadly deceased,
      May he rest in peace),
      Till the poor old thing
      Did say, “Nay, I’ve had my fill of this, kid!”
      And picked up his feet
      You to chase.
      Then you of course
      Beat
      A swift retreat
      And hid
      Your sweet face
      Behind mom,
      And stayed for some moments quite calm.
      That put a small crimp
      In your style.
      But in the meanwhile,
      No one could mistake you, Liddy,
      For an old biddy.
      You dash around with your tail up,
      And no one need ever say giddy up
      To get you zooming.
      Today you are exactly one year.
      I from Pati Szpyra hear
      You were good
      And like a pro quietly stood
      During your recent grooming,
      Though you tried to baby dance away
      From the dreaded fly spray.
      You are a classy lassie,
      But still
      A bit sassy,
      And will,
      I fear,
      Charge a new volunteer
      And pin your ears,
      Just to see a reaction.
      You with your youthful infractions
      And mock display,
      So full of play,
      Do Pati beguile–
      Indeed you make Pati smile.
      For her it’s no detraction
      For she knows you mean nothing vile.
      Now folks, there’s a nice twist
      To the story of this pair,
      The filly and the mare,
      Who rose from conditions deplorable
      To both be adorable:
      Liddy, to adopt you,
      There’s a long list
      ’Specially since Gypsy, your mom,
      Has started to race,
      Careening ’round barrels
      And winning first place–
      She’s now quite the bomb!
      Though you’ll perhaps be small,
      Liddy, you too,
      Have the might
      To be dynamite!
      And best of all,
      You’ll never know such perils
      As your mom and dad did face.
      SHERR will keep an eye on you
      Your whole life through,
      Ever vigilant for your welfare.
      Young boisterous one,
      The world is your oyster:
      With the loving care
      Of SHERR,
      You’ve for sure got it made
      In the shade!

      Happy birthday, Liddy, and many, many more!

      • / Reply

        Trina – How beautiful. Not only a beautiful poem, but so full of information regarding Liddy and her mom and the story behind them. Thank goodness there are people like Pati and SHERR who are there for these horses in horrible situations.

      • / Reply

        Trina,
        I just marvel at your ability to capture everyones lives in these poems you write. What a great story of Liddy, she’s just beautiful. Hope someday you will write one for my Freddie. hugs

      • / Reply

        Dear Trina:

        Just beautiful. Hugs, JB

        Dear Liddy:

        Happy Birthday to you. Hugs, JB

        • Dear Pati:

          Thank you for the beautiful photos of Liddy. She’s a sweetheart. Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        I can now say I enjoy reading poems I never understood them before..I love yours !! thank you

        • Thank you, Penny! I always prefer poems that are understandable too! All my best to you and the horses at your rescue, including Fredrick and his new mom Poka. High hoof!

      • / Reply

        Dear Trina,
        Lovely poem about Liddy and Gypsy!
        Thanks again for your caring spirit and your artistry! Hugs

    • / Reply

      Thanks for the cute pic of Liddy at nine days old with her mom, Pati! I hope she’ll like her birthday poem.

    • / Reply

      PS. To those unfamiliar with SHERR, it is Safe Haven Equine Rescue and Retirement in NC, where our Pati volunteers. High hoof to SHERR, Pati, and Liddy!

    • / Reply

      Pati – congratulations and happy birthday. Thank you for the photos of Liddy and her mom. They are lucky to have people like you to take care of them.

    • / Reply

      Dear Pati,
      Thanks for the baby picture of Liddy and for the collage, also. Liddy was a cutie at nine days old and quite a lovely yearling now! So glad that she and her mother came to SHERR after her mother endured such hardship.
      HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Liddy!! All the Best for your future, too! Hugs

    • / Reply

      Thank you, Barbara Wood, Rosemary McCauley, Marshall, Sue Fredrick, Keta, Ann Maree, Judy Berube, Penny at Skip Over Trouble, Ann NC, Sally Blank, Debbie G, Sheena, and, of course, Pati, for your comments and encouragement about the poem for Liddy. Hugz to all!

  11. / Reply

    Pati,
    Oh she is adorable, can’t resist those babies. Give Liddy a happy birthday kiss on the nose for me, hope she gets a good home. hugs

  13. / Reply

    dear keta wishing animal kingdom all the luck in the world for tomorrow’s queen anne stakes please pray for our moosie on Saturday in the queen Alexandra nigel has entered me aren’t I a silly horse!!!hugs sheena

    • / Reply

      sheena
      Has anyone dared to tell Moosie that he is actually supposed to run?
      He may think it is confirmation only. Love that Moosie
      Hugs, Keta

    • / Reply

      Dear Keta, Sheena, Sue and Z Fans:

      Add my prayers for as safe, sound trip for AK tomorrow at Ascot. Moosie, run toward the finish line. Love and Hugs, JB

  14. / Reply

    Good Luck tomorrow AK hope you blow them away. Will pray for your safe trip and all the jockeys and other horses. Burn up the course!!

  16. / Reply

    Just have to post this sweet picture of dear Faith’s son, Freddie, as he sleeps, contentedly near his foster mommie. I’m so happy they accepted one another. Hugshttps://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=206987379453175&set=a.206987206119859.1073741860.167144120104168&type=1&theater

  18. / Reply

    Itsmyluckyday taken to medical center
    By Mike Welsch Daily Racing Form 06/17/2013 1:04PM
    Itsmyluckyday was taken to the Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center in Ringoes, N.J., shortly before noon on Monday, where he will undergo further tests to determine the extent of any possible injury that compelled jockey Mike Smith to pull him up shortly after completing a half-mile of Sunday’s Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park.
    According to trainer Eddie Plesa Jr., Itsmyluckyday was “in a little discomfort but not in any distress” on Monday morning. He said his horse was moving better by the time he walked onto the van than he had been earlier that morning, while showing symptoms that he called “typical of a slight crack someplace.”
    Later in article
    Plesa praised Smith for his decision to pull Itsmyluckyday up quickly enough to prevent a potentially catastrophic result.
    “I just want to commend Mike for the outstanding job he did getting the horse pulled up when he did,” said Plesa. “I’ve seen things like this happen before with an inexperienced rider, where you go from having a little problem to having a catastrophic problem. It’s better to be safe than sorry, and when you have a rider with Mike’s experience, those things don’t happen.”
    http://www.drf.com/news/itsmyluckyday-taken-medical-center

    • / Reply

      Dear Keta:

      So sorry for the injury to It’s My Lucky Day. Well deserved praise of Mikey by Mr. Plesa; MS is a great person and rider, something all of us Z’sters and Dumplings already know. Hugs, JB

  21. / Reply

    AJ Suited Racing Stable
    We are so excited to report that all 6 of our mares are healthy and IN FOAL!!
    McCool (pictured below, to Elusive Quality), Bemused (Shackleford),
    Haysee (Ghostzapper), Sunlight Sonata (Lemon Drop Kid),
    Normative Appeal (Shackleford), and Much Rejoicing (Ghostzapper)!
    All weanlings and yearlings are healthy and happy.
    Pictures like this remind us why we love this sport!!!
    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=614960731862270&l=f3834d619c

  23. / Reply

    @Trina Nagele – Your poem to Liddy is simply beautiful. I don’t know how you continue to write all these fabulous poems. You’re a treasure!

    @Terry Crow – I love your Mister Ed joke and I even like your UK football joke! It’s sad, but true!

    @ Shirleeinindy – I know where Junction City is. My cousin Teresa lives there!

    I thought you Dumplings might be interested to know that Sandy and I got to meet War Front today! He’s a beautiful horse. We went to Claiborne this morning and they brought out Eddington and Seeking the Gold and Sandy asked about War Front, so our guide Joe took us to his paddock and brought him out for us. He’s a very nice, gorgeous horse. Blame is in the paddock next to him, so we got to pet him too. Z did good. Before that we drove by Gainesway and saw Tapit and later that afternoon we drove by Lanes End. We saw about 15 horses in a field close to the road, so we got out to investigate. There was one gray and I told Sandy that I wondered if it was Tasty, and sure enough, she walked over to us and we could read her nameplate. She looked really good. I had always wondered what happened to her. There were no foals in the field, so I don’t know what she’s been up to.

    • / Reply

      Hi Debbie and Sandy, Have a great time farm hopping. Sandy, your candle gave me a big smile. I’ll say it was War Front. How great to see Tasty up close. Thanks for sharing,

    • / Reply

      Dear Debbie:

      Wow, you got to see TT. Thank you so much for telling us. The fact that she was in the paddock without a foal, makes me wonder what happened with her Unbridled’s Song baby. Glad she looks healthy.

      Wonderful you got to see War Front, Blame, Eddington, Tapit and Seeking The Gold. Have a great time in your remaining visits to the farms. Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Guess Tasty is just not cut out for motherhood,
        she has the production side all in order, but
        raising those foals is another story.

        Love her anyway !!!

    • / Reply

      So happy for you and Sandy to be seeing these marvelous stallions! And TT too! WOW! Thanks for your kind words about Liddy’s poem.

  25. / Reply

    TIme to brag on Casey! Great recognition for Casey’s work!
    Congratulations, Casey!
    Zayat Stables on their Facebook Page posted a link to Casey’s photo album:
    The Miracle of Paynter.
    Here are the tweets
    casey phillips ‏@gillyzmama
    Thank you to Zayat Stables for providing a link to my photos of Paynter’s comeback :)…
    A.ZAYAT ‏@jazz3162
    @gillyzmama thank for being the BEST ever friend for Paynter in CA. For your peppermint and great pics @AshleyZayat8 @JustinZayat

  26. / Reply

    That is great news, best of luck to Zenyatta and thank you to her connections for continuing to share her with the world. With so many people out there who would not do as such, it is the best part of my days at times to open up the webpage and read the latest on Zenyatta or her babies. Zenyatta with War Front will make for an interesting pair.

    Street Cry over Northern Dancer lined mares have given us:

    Street Sounds (Street Cry – Rare Opportunity, by Danzig Connection) earned $513,500 in her career.

    Street Sense (Street Cry – Bedazzle, by Dixieland Band of course won the 2007 Kentucky Derby.

    Whobegotyou who earned $3.2+ million in Australia and whos dam is a granddaughter of Sadler’s Wells by Northern Dancer).

    My Dark Chocolate was another Australian runner who earned $3+ million. His dam Greendale Lass is a granddaughter of Lyphard (Northern Dancer)

    Desert Party, freshman sire this year who earned $928,000+. His dam Sage Cat, a son of Tabasco Cat (Storm Cat, Storm Bird, to Northern Dancer)

    Summer Doldrums who earned $863,000+, his dam Dance For Dixie (Broodmare sire of Dance for Dixie was Dixieland Band)

    Seventh Street who earned $716,000 her dam Holiday Runner (Broodmare sire Dixieland Band)

    Street Hero in his brief career earned $419,000+. His dam Squall Linda, daughter of Summer Squall (Storm Bird, Northern Dancer)

    Here Comes Ben earned $410,000+ his dam Chasetheragingwind (daughter of Dayjur, Danzig, Northern Dancer)
    Etc, this list will continue to grow

    And Danzig (sire of War Front) with the Kris S mare Hollywood Wildcat resulted in War Chant (who earned $1.1+ million in his career and sire)

    http://www.fasigtipton.com/catalogs/2013/0715/51.pdf
    This is not Zenyatta, but another filly to maybe look forward to running, she is in the Fasig Tipton July yearling sale – this bay filly is hip 51 and is a daughter of freshman sire Desert Party. Desert Party of course is a son of Street Cry, sire of Zenyatta. This filly’s dam is Lil Cozette is by Kris S. VERTIGINEUX of course is sired by Kris S as well. See the similarities between the two? Obviously there will only ever be one Zenyatta, but I have this filly bookmarked and am eager to see how she fares. She has similar breeding to Z… am excited to follow this filly wherever she goes as well :)

    Be safe Zenyatta, from your biggest fan in Alberta :)

  27. / Reply

    and yes agree with those re: Paynter. The epitome of the Thoroughbred. THe fighting spirit, the tenacity, the will to live. Matchless.
    Wonder if he and Oxbow would face off ever? Seeing as how they are both Awesome Again colts over full sisters to Tiznow (Paynter’s dam Tizso and Oxbow’s dam Tizamazing), would love to see them run against each other… both have that fighting spirit :)

  28. / Reply

    Dear Ann NC,
    Congratulations to NCSU’s Wolfpack baseball team!! Hope they continue to do well!
    Go State!!
    Cheers and hugs

    • / Reply

      Thank you,Marshall. You are very gracious.
      Your boys are still in it,playing LSU today. See ya on the ball field.
      Hugs! Almost as good as watching,Coz play Jolly Ball !!!

  30. / Reply

    Dear Sharon, Happy Birthday! Here is an revised and updated version of your poem from a year ago.

    A Birthday Poem for Sharon in Seattle
    (June 18, 2013)

    Sharon has said
    ’Twas when she read
    Laura Hillenbrand’s Seabiscuit book
    That she fell in love with the Thoroughbred.
    This new love her then led
    To take, in the year
    2003,
    A closer look
    At the Derby
    On TV
    And subsequently
    For the winner Funny Cide to cheer
    In hopes that he
    A Triple Crown champ would be.
    In years to come,
    Sharon eventually
    Would journey south in person to see
    The Santa Anita Derby run–
    ’Twas 2007, the year of Tiago,
    But little did Sharon know
    That those connections of T,
    The Mosses, John Shirreffs, and Mikie,
    Were giving then just a taste
    Of what was to come
    When Team Z
    Would begin to race!
    Sharon went back in October ’08
    And saw Zenyatta celebrate
    A mighty fine
    Win number nine
    In the Ladies’ Classic,
    On the far turn going six wide,
    Confidently pulling ahead
    With each majestic stride
    Under Mikey’s hand ride.
    Then in ’09
    Sharon was there for the Classic race
    Where Z the best of the boys would face.
    Standing at the rail
    Outside the receiving barn
    Before the race took place,
    Sharon could have stretched out an arm
    And given Z a loving thump
    On her rump
    While Mario her alone paraded
    As protocol did entail
    And the boys all inside the barn waited,
    Not knowing they were fated
    In their attempts against the great Z to fail.
    It still shivers
    Sharon’s timbers
    To think of that day,
    And she feels deeply blessed
    This race to have witnessed.
    Fifty-two thousand fans to their feet rose
    And as one shouted
    When Z out from the traffic emerged
    And then commandingly surged
    As she away from the field burst
    To again finish first
    And silence those
    Who had her doubted!
    In 2010 Sharon again her calendar did mark,
    And she Zenyatta followed
    As her schedule allowed:
    First up was the Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park.
    Not wishing to fail
    To secure a place on the rail,
    Sharon showed up race morning at eight
    Before the crowd did congregate.
    ’Twas the very date
    When the Queen,
    While presiding pre-race
    O’er the infield scene,
    Heard her name read aloud,
    And she then
    Her adoring fans wowed
    As she, in response, to them
    Most graciously bowed.
    Then, racing on the track,
    Starting again way back,
    Z to all the others gave chase,
    Till moving up with ease,
    Pretty as you please,
    She took her sixteenth win
    By more than four lengths
    To the thunderous din
    Of the crowd.
    Next Sharon traveled to Hollywood Park
    To take part
    In Z’s final fan day farewell
    And to bask just one more time
    In her magical spell
    As Z retired, still in her prime.

    ***
    In animal rescue, Sharon has long participated
    And has many a cat, dog, burro or horse aided.
    She took in her spaniel mix Flores
    From a neighbor whose mores
    Were to deride
    Since he scarcely subsistence most meager
    For Flores did provide.
    Sharon had spied
    That twenty-pound girl, long-haired and black,
    Who did totally for affection lack
    Save what she from Sharon could sense
    Through the chain-link fence.
    Sharon long tried
    To appeal to the man’s better side
    And did her time bide
    Till at long last
    He did decide
    Flores to Sharon to give.
    How Flores did rejoice with Sharon to live!
    Flores was also eager
    At Sharon’s side
    More of the world to explore.
    She always found it a treat
    To go for a car ride,
    Safely strapped in on the passenger side
    In her own high doggie car seat.
    Sadly in July 2011
    After some thirteen years,
    Dear Flores to the Rainbow Bridge passed
    Which crosses over to heaven.
    Now Sharon misses Flores so
    And still for her sheds tears,
    Though Sharon’s not at all alone.
    She’s granny
    To her daughter’s dog, Jackson Joe
    (They with her do reside),
    And also auntie
    To her sister’s dog Capone.
    And for eight years
    She’s had a pair kitties,
    The two dear Missy’s,
    Missy Frannie
    And Missy Annie.
    Sharon did confide
    That though neither cat will abide
    Being plucked up from the ground,
    She has found
    Whenever she sits on her fanny
    Or in bed reclines,
    Those two felines
    Are in her lap or by her side
    Where they patiently stay
    And doe-eyed
    Do for petting plead
    And often therein succeed.
    A year ago May
    Sharon did count herself lucky
    As she managed away to slip
    For a trip
    To Kentucky,
    Where she her old favorite Funny Cide
    And Cigar as well
    Up close and personal did visit.
    She found them in their stalls,
    All content,
    And proceeded them both to tell
    That they still look swell,
    And they, as ever proud and self-confident,
    Their heads did bob
    And nod
    In assent.
    To Funny Cide
    Sharon further did confide
    She is still in his camp—
    She knew he had his very best tried
    That Belmont to win,
    And though that him did elude,
    He’d had the right attitude.
    If only on that muddy track
    He’d not been sent
    To the dead rail
    Where the mud was deepest,
    He might have prevailed
    In that hard-fought event
    And now look back
    As a Triple Crown champ
    Instead of losing to two
    Who had failed to compete in the Preakness.
    Though he won not that prize,
    To his great fame
    Horse of the Year he was named,
    And in Sharon’s eyes
    A true champion he was
    And does so remain.
    High hoof to you,
    Dear Sharon,
    For carin’
    For all God’s creatures–
    They in you true love do catalyze
    No matter their form or their features!

    Happy birthday, Sharon, and many, many more!

    • / Reply

      Dear Trina,
      Great work! Thanks for this updated version of a wonderful poem for Sharon.
      You are simply The Best!! Hugs

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