Thrill of a Lifetime - By Susan Hayden Kennedy

re: Thrill of a Lifetime - By Susan Hayden Kennedy

Wayne A. LeBlanc — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 19:35:10 GMT

Susan, your message is well written. The SUPER HORSE,ZENYATTA, may have lost the race by a neck,but performed like the champion she is.I drove from Louisiana to see her run in person and was thrilled to see this horse up close. She is truly the QUEEN.Also THANKS to the Moss's for sharing these great moments.

GOD BLESS ALL.........

re: Thrill of a Lifetime - By Susan Hayden Kennedy

Nola Ross — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 14:52:44 GMT

Susan, your article just says it all about our darling. you put into words how I feel about her. had a hard time getting through your article, had to keep drying my eye. kept thinking, yes, this is how I feel! keep hoping maybe she'll do one more race. I can't imagine not being able to put her races on my calendar, I won't have this exciting anticipation waiting for the next race. my daughters don't like horseracing but they watched and screamed at each of her races. There is just something about her.....

re: Thrill of a Lifetime - By Susan Hayden Kennedy

Richie D — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 22:21:32 GMT

Susan, Great article!!!! I am lucky enough to have seen Zenyatta run live 5 times. What a treat it was to see such a beautiful animal in person. Her loss on Satuday has not changed my thoughts on her one bit. That was a valiant effort she made on a track she clearly didn't care for at all.

I have attended live racing hundreds of times over the years and I will tell you seeing her run live is quite an experiance. The crowds, the electricity in the air, the anticipation of what was about to unfold, being there was unbelievable. When she made her run down the stretch the hair stood up on the back of your neck, somehow you just knew you were seeing something special even back in 08 it just seemed like she was destined for greatness. My most vivid memory will always be seeing her last three races in person prior to the BC and the number of people that she brought to the track all cheering her home and not a dry eye in the stands when she danced her way into the winners circle.

re: Thrill of a Lifetime - By Susan Hayden Kennedy

Annabelle — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 22:21:37 GMT

I'm the one she's talking about! I do think that Zenyatta will win on Saturday. She will beat the boys just like last year! Go Zenyatta

re: Thrill of a Lifetime - By Susan Hayden Kennedy

susan — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 15:20:21 GMT

Canz, this is not the place.

re: Thrill of a Lifetime - By Susan Hayden Kennedy

Bellwether — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 03:20:44 GMT

SHE I$ BETTER OWN REEL DIRT...PEEP & WEEP!!!...

re: Thrill of a Lifetime - By Susan Hayden Kennedy

Nina — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 00:17:27 GMT

SHE is absolutely Amazing. I was lucky enough to see her at Breeder's Cup in Santa Anita and even got up close to her. Just beautiful every inch of her!

re: Thrill of a Lifetime - By Susan Hayden Kennedy

longtimeracingfan — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 18:34:37 GMT

Joe, and Canz, what Scrooges you are. This article is about the Zenyatta experience. You are both being very small and mean-spirited.

If Zenyatta is defeated it will not be because she did not try... and because she has no ability or a poor trainer or lousy jockey. There are some excellent horses in this race and if -- no, WHEN -- Zenyatta finishes ahead of them, then it will need no more naysaying. I notice Gio Ponti didn't want to try again against her... and he too is an excellent horse.

If she loses? She has still done more than most horses, male or female, in the last 100 years or so. Great mares are to be treasured... such as the amazing Goldikova, and Ruffian, and Vodka, and Zarkava, and Sunline, and Makybe Diva (you Scrooges may not know about her, she won the Melbourne Cup 3 times, 2 miles against 20+ horse fields, the equivalent of our Kentucky Derby but for all ages and genders... all of Australia stops to watch it).

GO ZEN and you have millions of supporters and admirers. Come home happy.

re: Thrill of a Lifetime - By Susan Hayden Kennedy

Marci — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 15:34:48 GMT

At first when I started to watch Zenyatta, I thought, "Wow, what a big girl!" Then I thought as she barely won a few races that she was pretty lucky. I then realized how magnificent she is. She is so intelligent, she knows where the wire is and how much she needs to do to pull off a win.

I can't imagine what kind of a race we will see on Saturday. I am praying for safety for all and great weather

re: Thrill of a Lifetime - By Susan Hayden Kennedy

Canz — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 14:19:36 GMT

There still is one adjective left to describe her, and that would be OVERATED.

Can't wait to see all the Z fans crying after the BCC.

re: Thrill of a Lifetime - By Susan Hayden Kennedy

Zen4Zen — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 10:28:23 GMT

Lovely piece about the great Zenyatta -- and lucky students to have you as a teacher!

re: Thrill of a Lifetime - By Susan Hayden Kennedy

dozey — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 04:35:42 GMT

A wonderful and well written article about the Queen! Zenyatta brings a thrill to all those who watch her race. She uplifts our spirits when we find ourselves saddened by the current state of our economy. She gives us hope when hope is but a memory. She has a can do attitude that fills our veins with hope for the future. She dances as though she is a wispy cloud in the sky, and when she runs she brings tears of joy to our eyes. She is Queen Zenyatta -win or lose she has given her all for her fans. She remains the Queen. Thank you to the Moss family and thank you John and all of Zenyatta's team!

re: Thrill of a Lifetime - By Susan Hayden Kennedy

JOE — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 00:57:29 GMT

Quality Road all the way for the classic. If Quality Road goes 147. and change for the a mile and one eighth of the mile and a quarter classic then Quality Road wins by 20 lengths and Zenyatta is not around at the end. In horse racing you have to go back in time to see what has to be done the day of a race.

re: Thrill of a Lifetime - By Susan Hayden Kennedy

Donna S. — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 00:48:06 GMT

My BC tickets are already in my suitcase. I'll be coming down from Ohio. Just have to see her in person. Looking at the other horses in the race I just don't know how any of them can beat her.

Just hang on to her Mike and bring her home safely.

re: Thrill of a Lifetime - By Susan Hayden Kennedy

txforsefan — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 21:46:47 GMT

Thank you for putting into words the feelings that I share with you and many others about Zenyatta. You have stated eloquently what I could never find the words for. It's only Wednesday and already I am a nervous wreck for Saturday to get here. My heart knows she can win it, but my head reads the reports right here on Bloodhorse about how well all the others are doing and my stomach starts doing jittery flip-flops. The other part of my brain, which is somewhat functional, worries also about how lonely it will seem next year with Zenyatta not racing, but there's the Breeders Cup Classic to get through first. Thank you for sharing such a great story with us.

re: Thrill of a Lifetime - By Susan Hayden Kennedy

RacingThroughTheAges — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 21:44:08 GMT

Wow, Susan! You had me there again, tears in the eyes and all. (I hope your students count themselves lucky.) Let's rejoice in the opportunity for vast superlatives for this deserving creature - we might not have the likes of her again.

re: Thrill of a Lifetime - By Susan Hayden Kennedy

Barbara W — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 21:34:20 GMT

I could just die because we have a family wedding we have to attend Saturday afternoon. We will be recording on 3 tvs!

I don't think I could stand the pressure of actually being there. I would be so nervous for her. Go, Queen Zen, and may they all come home safely.

re: Thrill of a Lifetime - By Susan Hayden Kennedy

merrywriter — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 20:58:10 GMT

Oversaid but still true - poetry in motion.

re: Thrill of a Lifetime - By Susan Hayden Kennedy

dddundalk — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 20:56:15 GMT

The first time I ever heard of Zenyatta was when she was listed in Oprah's 2010 O Power List. Since then, I have watched all the videos, read all the articles and am a huge fan. Queen Z just KNOWS! You can see the intelligence in her eyes. She's a gentle giant with a huge heart.

Win or lose this Saturday - she has earned HOTY - she should have gotten it last year.

re: Thrill of a Lifetime - By Susan Hayden Kennedy

Fuzzy Corgi — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 20:35:56 GMT

Susan, you hit the nail on the head. Bravo!

re: Thrill of a Lifetime - By Susan Hayden Kennedy

will — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 20:26:20 GMT

This is beautiful (like Zenyatta) and creative. One thing to add is that she brings tears to the eyes as she finishes her races, with majesty and perfection. I still have this experience, too, whenever I watch a tape of Secretariat's Belmont. Good Luck and be safe, Zenyatta.

re: Thrill of a Lifetime - By Susan Hayden Kennedy

vlada — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 20:17:48 GMT

Hi!I from Russia/Tver.I am 12.

I know English a little.

I study it 5 years.

Zenyatta-- My favourite horse!

I love you Zenyatta!

You the unique champion on light! You will bypass any stallion, and furthermore a mare!

Good luck to you!

Please, do not forget, чтов Russia it is a lot of admirers of Zenyatta!

re: Thrill of a Lifetime - By Susan Hayden Kennedy

DinkyDiva — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 20:13:27 GMT

Susan, I think you described the Zen experience just perfectly! I have lost words to describe her as well and like you, have to use analogies instead. I have never seen her in person, I don't think I could handle being in her presence without fainting from being Star Struck!

Zen has done so much for so many of the fans, it's undescribable what she has done and how she has touched our lives and given us hope again. She is doing for us today what Secretariat did in his day!!

re: Thrill of a Lifetime - By Susan Hayden Kennedy

Dawn — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 20:13:22 GMT

What a wonderful article!! It totally puts my feelings into words as I watch her race every time.

re: Thrill of a Lifetime - By Susan Hayden Kennedy

Marci — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 19:27:44 GMT

Well written! I can hardly wait to see The Queen run on Saturday. I feel we are in for a real treat. Let's all pray Mike Smith gets a good nights sleep on Friday.