I lied

re: I lied

Sue W — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 15:42:28 GMT

Steve...if I recall correctly

you are planning to visit The Queen this coming week. If those plans still hold I hope you bless us with another blog. I truly believe she is happy at LE and that her CA connections remain in constant contact with her. Other horses should be so lucky. That said, she surely deserves everything good in life and more. News of her breeding partner should be forthcoming...then the real excitement begins again....waiting for news of her being in foal and finally, waiting for the arrival of her first offspring.

Mr. Farish mentioned in a Dec. interview public visits would be scheduled once she has fully settled in. Can you image the thousands who will make the pilgrimage?

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mag — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 01:44:20 GMT

Finally got around to reading this article. Well said. I totally understand....been there. I still follow all new about Z on FB. and any other media I can find. Still missing her.

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Debbie1948 — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 14:54:11 GMT

Zenyatta Big Fan!

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Dr Drunkinbum — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 06:07:21 GMT

There hasn't been anything posted here from this entire year. I hope all is well in Haskinville. I wonder when the Derby Dozen starts. I sense an extremely exciting Triple Crown season with all of the top runners making it into the Derby gate healthy as a horse. Woohoo !!!!!!!!

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maryann727 — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 04:28:29 GMT

To Dani, The note from you was a surprise. When I saw the video of Zenyatta running with "unfettered freedom" within a day or two of your using those words, it did seem a good omen. How wonderful seeing her run, made better because her Team Z was there too. She possesses such a special spirit and character.

To Jenna M. - I share your concerns. Sweet Life @ 16 does look fabulous and that was good to see.

Happy New Year to all.

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Jenna M — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 21:27:03 GMT

@ Sherpa.

But I keep whining about the same subject. Constantly in foal. I read that she could be bred every single year...for years. I must not understand when people say this is the life she deserves. I think she's got more to give.

I've seen sad horses and would hate to think she would become sad.

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Dr Drunkinbum — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 16:29:11 GMT

The Factor era has begun. The Great Bob Baffert has a really good one. This is going to be exciting. Dirt Road To The Derby Again. Did you see that stride !!!! Woohoo !!!! Derby Fever. Somebody please get me a couple of aspirin and a glass of water. Fast.

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sherpa — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 02:44:15 GMT

aww, Jenna, I'm sorry I made you frown. Here's what I look at when I start fretting about the loss of Zen's perfect "waistline":

cs.bloodhorse.com/.../the-sweet-life-cont.aspx

This is Sweet Life, 16-yo dam of champions Life is Sweet & Sweet Catomine, 2009 Broodmare of the Year, photographed by Anne Eberhardt in August. Note how solid she is, her kind eye and noble bearing. She is a product of outstanding breeding and is very much aware of herself, as is Zenyatta. This is how I imagine our Zenny 10 years from now. Nothing to frown about, eh?

txhorsefan - thanks for the mention of Rfo's work! Woohoo indeed!!

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Jenna M — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 22:47:08 GMT

Lose her 'maidenly figure.' :(

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txhorsefan — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 02:10:08 GMT

Hope this isn't completely inappropriate, but I wanted to share that I got a workout notice on Zookeeper's Runflatout and he was l/36 at the distance - woohoo! I've already forgotten the fractions but it was five furlongs and I'm so happy for her that he's doing so well. Merry Christmas!

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txhorsefan — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 02:39:49 GMT

Amazing! I haven't checked into this blog because I've been busy reading the letter/essay from Abigail and all the responses there, so I thought this article had stopped posting or something. Boy, was I wrong!! I've just spent almost an hour reading all the comments for the last week and once more I am overwhelmed by how interesting, entertaining, educational and inspiring it is to be associated with all of you. Each of you brings something so special to this blog, this wonderful life we have in Haskinville, as Haskinites or Hangers or whatever we are. Rather than babble on, I wanted to take this chance to say how much all of you have enhanced my life by sharing of yourselves through this forum, this bond we have in our respect and admiration for Steve and in our love for Zenyatta. Thank you all. I hope you all will have a very Merry Christmas, if that is the holiday you celebrate and I hope that you all will have the very best in the New Year. I am still celebrating the joy in my heart at the images of Zenyatta romping in her paddock. I feel so blessed.

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Alex'sBigFan — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 04:49:14 GMT

Congratulations, Steve on your award. No one is more deserving. You are the Rembrandt and Picasso of turf writing. Now if only NJ would change the name of the "Haskell Invitational" to the "Haskin Invitational" since you "home base" from Monmouth frequently that would be great! I know Bob Baffert would vote yes!

Thank you for the Abigail Anderson post, so informative and brilliant.

Sherpa, don't worry, there aren't many worthy suitors but really Alex is. He has the same disposition and awareness as Zenyatta. Alex had a great human awareness and affinity from birth. His dam, Maggy Hawk, could not produce milk, so Alex was baby bottle fed by the breeder's little 10 yr. old daughter for a few weeks until a nurse mare could be brought in to Florida. Alex loved children and was so gentle around them always. He barely turned a hair in the post parade at Belmont, I took photos, he didnt' even flinch,, and it was 90 degrees in '05. He had a website long before Zenyatta's much the same with a voice and stories. He was trained an unorthodox "twice a day" unheard of by trainers and Tim Ritchey was ridiculed for it. Turned out Tim Ritchey really knew his horse. And he (Alex) was voted in Sports Illustrated for being one of the 25 most amazing animals ever, mostly due to his amazing recovery in the Preakness that year, going down almost to his knees to the Pimlico soil, then recovering for him and Jeremy to fly past Scrappy T, the culprit of the incident, to a resounding victory. He has that "look of eagles" that poster, blogger Ron in Abigail's response blog mentioned, I saw it. I know Alex is my favorite but he is truly worthy of a Queen. He is one of the last of the ironhorses with the right demeanor. Hope he is one of the suitor choices.

I feel so much more at ease and couldn't have received a better Christmas gift than the video of Zenyatta frolicking and bucking in the snow! Yes, Karen, as you noted, no need for us to worry about her running on the frozen tundra. She is being a true champion and handling any surface given to her! Thank you to Lane's End, Bloodhorse, her Connections for that video. I lost it when the video got to Mario and her interaction with him and the tears just flowed. She seems like a happy horse and most happy to see her family. Her happiness has to be paramount. I have a feeling her greatness isn't over, she may transcend breeding as well. All the best to everyone for a happy and healthy new year and I look forward to Steve's blogs in 2011.

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sherpa — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 00:28:24 GMT

The Bloodhorse couldn't have gifted us with anything more appreciated than the video of Zenyatta, running free, in her paddock. (Viewing it full-screen will blow you away! :-)

The video has done much to alleviate our concerns for her, as I'm sure the Connections intended. I'll still be sorry to see her lose her "maidenly figure" next year; but I truly believe that Zenyatta WILL be one of the few important race-mares to successfully pass on the Greatness Gene to her foals. The choice of stallion for her will be tricky. I'm in agreement with those who say that none currently standing is worthy of her. Man O'War or Secretariat, maybe. lol But I've trusted her Connections in all things Zenyatta, so I will trust them in their decision about this, too.

Steve, you've encouraged a sense of true "community" here and no other turf-writer/blogger comes close in our eyes and hearts. You really are the Best and it's a happiness that you've been recognized as such.

To all the folks who come here and share their thoughts and wisdom, their caring hearts, their stories, their joy and their tears, I just want to say how much you've enriched my life. I feel blessed to have "met" you. Every one of you. I wish you all the very happiest of Holidays, however you celebrate them, and Joy in the New Year and always.

sherpa

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Dani — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 18:24:14 GMT

To Linda in Texas - thank you for the kind mention. I've always enjoyed your posts as they are full of wisdom, thoughtfulness and kindness as well. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and the best in the new year as well.

To Maryann 727 - After the recent video and all the new photos of Zenyatta with friends, with her new paddock mate and mostly of her running with that squeal of delight, I think my prayers have been answered - that she is very happy and none of the playfulness, joy, love of people and great spirit of mind have been lost as she makes this transition in life. I think she just loves life plain and simple.

My best wishes to all of the very nice people who post on this site. It has been wonderful to be a part of such a special group. And of course to be under the kind, clever and unparalleled leadership of Mr. Haskin. Happy holidays and the best of times for all of us in 2011.

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Dr Drunkinbum — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 16:57:58 GMT

Deacon

Stan laurel crying. The guy in the stands with his mouth open and his hand on his head, stunned at Willie May's catch in the 54 Series, Dwight Clark's "The Catch", Kirk Gibson's pinch hit home run against the A's, Red Sox beating the Yankees four straight, the 1980 Oympic Hockey win and so on and so forth. Shock, tears of joy, and amazement watching Zenyatta race or frolick in the snow.

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Dr Drunkinbum — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 16:52:01 GMT

Michelle

You're an "insider." Merry Christmas and thanks for the fabulous comments. I concur 100%.

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stacie — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 14:33:11 GMT

she is just so amazing not only because of her brillant racing, her stunning good looks and her mamny other qualities...she is so amazing because she made us humble.

Zenyatta reminded us of passion , love, commitment and how to win and lose in a peacefulgraceful way. she epotomized all the truly great potential in all beings.

please Steve never stiop talking about her.

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Donna from Baltimore — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 01:27:45 GMT

Steve -

Thanks for being one of the enlightened ones (sports writers who can see how special Zenyatta is.)

My name is Donna and I am a Zenyattaholic!

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Michelle — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 01:16:02 GMT

Merry Christmas to everyone! I don't come here as often as a lot of you do so I am a bit of an "outsider" still. I enjoy Steve's blogs because of all of you regulars who have such nice positive things to say. We can comment without someone calling us an idiot because we love Zenyatta. The haters to me are just like politicians who distort the facts and edit/leave out information to make their point. To them it doesn't matter what the truth is. I just don't understand the hatred towards such a beautiful horse. I love them all, they are all beautiful to me.

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Dr Drunkinbum — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 21:15:19 GMT

Steve

I'm thrilled. Finally some sanity in the world. Congratulations on the Best Blog award. You deserved it, and you earned it. Merry Christmas.

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Deacon — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 04:50:35 GMT

Livesoutwest:

I didn't denigrate PE, I thought she was a great mare. I merely pointed out that she never won outside of New York. I guess I considered New Jersey an extension of New York. As far as beating colts you are right, I forgot about that race. I also said that she is considered one of the top 2 or 3 mares of all time. With respect, I do not see how you felt I was dissing on her. I am very respectful of all horses on these blogs and I do not ever slam another person's views unless of course your name is Draynay, who is somewhat ridiculous. Sorry if I offended you. PE's race against Winning Colors is an all time classic............

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Jenna M — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 04:11:55 GMT

OMG, Z running and romping in the snow! With all of her loved ones there. How I wish Mario could visit with her on a regular basis. Finger's crossed. Much thanks to the Mosses. Anne seems so enamored of Z :)))

www.bloodhorse.com/.../7BA0A106-8A93-4BDD-A926-78F30706DDD7

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Dr Drunkinbum — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 00:45:08 GMT

Everyone- It's coming up to Santa Anita time, then Gulfstream, and all of the Triple Crown Preps. I may not be posting much until Steve's Derby Dozen but I wanted to thank everyone that posts here, and wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year. Be safe and come back in 2011 with your words of wisdom and insight.

Steve Haskin

I can't even describe what a joy you have been this year. Thanks for your extremely hard work in making this a special place to be without riff-raff. Your official anti-venom spewing machine, and your official anti- riff-raff device are working out very nicely. Have a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.

Zookeeper

A special thanks to you for all you have done to further the cause of blogging with dignity, truth, and justice. A very Merry Christmas, success at SA, and Happy New Year to you.

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Dr Drunkinbum — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 00:37:47 GMT

Linda in Texas

Thanks for the Merry Christmas wish !!!! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you. Be safe, and at peace and I'll see you here next year. Thanks for all of your beautiful posts and words of wisdom through the year. You are a leader in teaching about animal care and that means alot to us. You always have kind things to say which we are grateful for. I have great respect and admiration for you.

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Mike Relva — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 23:38:39 GMT

LINDA IN TX

Thanks,Merry Xmas to you.