Lanerie says he'll be ready for opening night

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Corey Lanerie missed the entire Kentucky Downs meet with a shoulder injury suffered in a spill Sept. 3, the penultimate day at Ellis Park, but the 46-year-old jockey reiterated Monday through agent Corey Prewitt that he definitely intends to ride the entire September meet at Churchill Downs, where he has been the dominant rider much of the last decade.

Starting with the 2012 spring meet, Lanerie has won or shared 19 meet titles at Churchill, the latest coming at the 2019 fall meet. Since then, Tyler Gaffalione, who turned 27 on Sunday, has been the leading rider at each of the last four meets, including the 2021 spring meet.

Walsh winners paying big

You’d think bettors would have caught on by now to Brendan Walsh, whose career ascent in recent years borders on the sensational. But even with 2-year-old first-time starters for one of his powerhouse clients, Godolphin, Walsh has sent out a number of high-priced winners in recent weeks.

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Walsh started Aug. 8 at Ellis by sending out Baladi ($24.20) and Freelancer ($34.80), with the latest tote board shock coming Saturday at Kentucky Downs with Boxing Day ($39.80). For good measure, Walsh also won a second maiden-special race Saturday at Kentucky Downs for Godolphin with Grael ($21.20), a colt making his second start.

◗ Turfway Park hosted a ceremony Friday to note the progress that continues on the new facility being built in Florence, Ky. The new building is expected to be complete next summer, meaning Turfway once again will run through the winter amid makeshift conditions for ontrack personnel.