Lanerie Approaching 3,000 Win Milestone

Jockey Corey Lanerie, 36, a Louisiana native born and raised in Lafayette, scored a riding triple at Fair Grounds Thursday and was seven wins away from the 3,000-career win milestone entering Friday’s 10-race program where he was listed aboard seven mounts for the day.

On Thursday, Lanerie began his hat trick by riding Peter Cantrell’s Bananafafana to a nose tally in the third race for trainer Keith Desormeaux, returned to the winner’s circle following a three-length victory in the sixth aboard Robert Muir’s Black Power for conditioner Carl Bowman, and concluded it by piloting Twin Creeks Racing Stable’s Ghost Is Clear to a 7 1/4-length score for trainer Mike Maker in the featured eighth race of the afternoon.

On Friday, Lanerie is listed aboard Mr. and Mrs. David Randal’s Wicked Dreams in the opener, Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey’s Emma’s Kitten in the third, Carl Joseph’s Lil Forty in the fifth, Edward Stoll III’s Saviano in the sixth, Richard, Bertram and Elaine Klein’s Wild Tizzy in the seventh, Mark Stanley’s Elusive Temper in the eighth and Coby Tresner and Charles Jennings’ Ti Township in the ninth.

‘GUNNER’ GONZALEZ FIRES WITH LATEST LONGSHOT THURSDAY

Jockey Carlos Gonzalez has always been known as a good speed rider – hence his nickname – but also for his ability to bring home longshots in the wagering. 

On Thursday in the second race at Fair Grounds, the 45-year-old resident of Bossier City, Louisiana, reinforced his reputation on both counts by taking Stephen Stigall’s Gazillionaire to the front shortly after the start and keeping her there for a 1 1/4-length victory at the wire.

The 4-year-old filly lit up the tote board with a $240 win price, easily the largest straight payoff of the current season at the New Orleans oval.

“I didn’t know that horse,” said Gonzalez later in the afternoon. “I’d never ridden her before, but I looked in (Daily Racing Form) and it looked like she ran best when she was close to the pace so that’s where I put her.”

Did Gazillionaire’s $240 win payoff make her the longest shot he had ever ridden in his career?

“I’m not sure,” said Gonzalez, “but it would be pretty close. I rode a horse at Oaklawn a couple of years ago that paid $240 or $250 or something like that. I don’t really remember but it was humongous. If this one isn’t the longest, it’s pretty close.”