Gerard Melancon wins 5,000th race as jockey
Jockey Gerard Melancon reached a milestone of 5,000 career Thoroughbred wins on Thursday night, when he captured the eighth race at Evangeline Downs aboard Reposado.
Reposado, at 4-5, broke on top in the maiden-claiming sprint and set fractions of 22.40 seconds for the opening quarter and 47 seconds for the half-mile, before completing the 6 1/2 furlongs on a fast track in 1:19.63.
Reposado was a 5 3/4-length winner under Melancon, who was aboard for owner Charles Carlton and trainer Glenn Delahoussaye.
Following the race, Melancon was given a sign noting the 5,000 wins and was part of a packed winner's circle celebration that included family, friends, and fellow riders.
Melancon is a 53-year-old native of Rayne, La. He rode his first winner on Feb. 9, 1984, at Delta Downs in Vinton, La. Melancon has had a total of 31,904 Thoroughbred mounts, and they have earned a collective $87.9 million.
Melancon's top wins include the Grade 1 Vosburgh in 2002 with Bonapaw; the Grade 2 Super Derby in 2004 with Fantasticat; a pair of Grade 3 runnings of the Delta Downs Jackpot; and the Grade 3 Lukas Classic in 2019 with Mocito Rojo.
Melancon is the father of jockey Jansen Melancon, who is based at Prairie Meadows. Gerard Melancon is based at Evangeline.