Jockey Corey Lanerie became the second-leading rider in Churchill Downs history with a victory aboard Taylor’s Version in a maiden race Friday beneath the twin spires.
Lanerie now has 1,233 wins at Churchill Downs, edging past fellow Louisiana native Calvin Borel – who is currently riding in their home state – with 1,232 wins. Retired Hall of Famer Pat Day holds the track’s all-time record, with 2,482 wins at Churchill Downs.
Lanerie won two races Wednesday to tie Borel’s figure, then went winless with his next seven mounts, although he did have two runner-up finishes in that span. He broke through with Taylor’s Version, who went wire to wire in a maiden special weight for 3-year-olds and up, returning $18.46 for his 1 1/2-length win.
Taylor’s Version is trained by Dale Romans, a consistent supporter of Lanerie; the jockey’s current agent is the trainer’s son, Jake Romans.
After the milestone win, Lanerie, 50, reflected on the close-knit community of Louisiana-native jockeys who have found success in Kentucky.
“It’s almost like I didn’t want to pass [Borel] because he’s meant so much to my career,” Lanerie told Churchill Downs publicity. “He taught me and Brian [Hernandez Jr.] a lot sitting in that corner of the jocks room. He taught us how to be patient and save ground. I’m just so thankful for everyone who’s helped me get here. I’m going to keep going, but I don’t think anyone will ever catch Pat.”
Hall of Famer Borel, a three-time Kentucky Derby-winning rider, appeared in a video message congratulating Lanerie, which appeared on Churchill’s social media channels.
“I just want to tell you congratulations on your career and success in life,” Borel said in the video. “I hope you keep on going after reaching my goal. I don’t think any of us will get to the next goal reaching Pat.”
Lanerie has won 5,129 races in his career in total – including 68 graded stakes – for purse earnings of more than $169.3 million. Among those, he got his first win at Churchill in 2000 and has since claimed 19 meet-leading rider titles. His 54 career stakes wins, at all levels, at the track include a pair of Grade 1 races – the 2015 La Troienne on Molly Morgan and the 2020 Derby City Distaff on Bell’s the One.
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