Veteran jockey Corey Lanerie posted the 5,000th victory of his riding career Wednesday at Keeneland, coming with a patented move up the fence to guide the Chris Hartman-trained I Feel The Need (Keen Ice) in race three. He is the 38th jockey in history and is the 12th winningest among active riders behind the ageless Perry Ouzts.
“It's beautiful,” he said. “I have been waiting a long time and it seems like I got right on it and I could never get over the hump, but today we got over the hump and hopefully we keep rolling.”
Louisiana-born Lanerie, who will celebrate his 49th birthday Nov. 13, began riding professionally in 1991, posting his first career victory at Evangeline Downs that April. His initial win at the graded level came aboard Desert Air in the GIII Razorback H. at Oaklawn Park in 1998. His earned the first Grade I of his career in the 2009 Ashland S. with Hooh Why and has since recorded top-level victories while partnering the likes of Molly Morgan, Brody's Cause, Weep No More, Hog Creek Hustle and Bell's the One.
Lanerie took time to recognize those who have helped him along the way in this landmark achievement.
“Mostly my family because in this business you have a lot of ups and downs,” he said. “Family sticking by you is key because when we lose 80% of the time, we're doing really good. I just thank family and a lot of the trainers that stuck with me. One of my first ones were Mike Stidham and Steve Asmussen. They gave me a chance to ride first call for both of them. I got to get on better horses, and it made me a much better rider. There's so many of them to thank. I couldn't possibly do it right here.”
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