Churchill Downs a fitting location for Lanerie to retire
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Jockey Corey Lanerie retired following Sunday’s closing-day card at Churchill Downs, finishing his career in a fitting location. Lanerie won 19 meet riding titles at the Louisville track between 2012-2019. His 5,152 career victories in a 35-year career include 1,245 at Churchill Downs – second only to legendary Hall of Famer Pat Day’s 2,482 local victories.
Lanerie, 51, had his final mount on Coal Battle in the Grade 3 Hanshin on Sunday’s card. A crowd that was vocal all weekend applauded the jockey as he entered the paddock, and as he and Coal Battle galloped back to the unsaddling area after finishing fourth.
Lanerie, who acknowledged that crowd, was feted in the winner’s circle postrace, with members of the jockey colony joining him as he was presented a Churchill saddle towel with the number 19 to commemorate his titles at the track.
“I’m very proud of what I accomplished,” Lanerie said during the ceremony. “A lot of memories going through my head the last week.”
Lanerie also added that he was grateful to retire healthy and on his own terms, rather than being forced into retirement by an injury or other poor circumstances.
Lanerie, a native of Louisiana, won seven Grade 1 races during his career, including, at Churchill, the 2015 La Troienne with Molly Morgan and the 2020 Derby City Distaff with Bell’s the One. He won three editions of the Grade 1 Ashland Stakes at Keeneland, with Hooh Why in 2009, Weep No More in 2016, and Sailor’s Valentine in 2017.
He also won the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland with Brody’s Cause in 2015, and the Grade 1 Woody Stephens at Belmont Park with Hog Creek Hustle in 2019.
◗ Irad Ortiz Jr. won his first Churchill Downs spring meet riding title, with 63 victories at the 44-day stand. His closest pursuer was his brother Jose Ortiz, with 50 wins. Jose Ortiz captured the meet’s three biggest races, winning the Kentucky Derby with Golden Tempo, the Kentucky Oaks with Always a Runner, and the Stephen Foster with Magnitude.
Joe Sharp captured his second straight spring meet training title, with 27 wins. He edged out Brad Cox, who had 26 wins.
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