I’ve never been so proud to call Keli Hendricks a friend as when she sent me this photograph of her mother and Zenatta. It all started when Keli  encouraged her mother, Margie,–who has been virtually bed-ridden since suffering a brain aneurism over 20 years ago–to see Zenyatta’s last California race at Hollywood Park in October of this year. That race turned out to be Zenyatta’s record-breaking 19th consecutive win. It also was the race that won Margie’s heart. Margie’s became an instant fan as she and Keli shared this wonderful moment. However, Margie was saddened when Zenyatta missed winning the Breeder’s Cup by a nose.  Keli sought to console her mother by suggesting she could try to pull some strings to get her mother a ‘back-stage pass’ so-to-speak to meet the mare in person. Keli had no reason to believe she could pull it off, but with the help of some friends, she managed to! Keli has has never been one to back down from a challenge. It certainly paid off this time. She said the mare walked right up to her mother and nuzzled her. Here is what Keli said:

I took my mom to see the great race horse Zenyatta before she retires. Natalie Redding was nice enough to pull some strings to help arrange this as every race fan in the world is trying to visit the mare. Zenyatta was so sweet. She saw my mom in her wheelchair and walked right over to her and started nuzzling her on her cheeks. Everyone there went, “Ahhhhhh”, at the same time. It was so adorable I had to pass a shot along for those I thought might be interested.

Keli

Chris Aplin