Lanerie rides rail, wins Razorback Handicap on Hawaakom
Corey Lanerie on Monday took his act to Oaklawn Park, with the path to the winner's circle familiar. One of Kentucky’s leading riders made a brave move in deep stretch, squeezing by on the rail to win the Grade 3, $500,000 Razorback Handicap aboard 9-1 shot Hawaakom.
"All I kept yelling was, 'Lanerie up the rail! Lanerie up the rail,'" said trainer Wesley Hawley, "and I couldn't believe it. He actually got through. What a great ride."
It was the 8-year-old Jazil gelding’s 40th career start and the richest score so far for a horse that has run in some of the Midwest’s biggest races for older horses, including last year’s Razorback when he was second to Gun Runner.
"The horse fits the trip really well," Lanerie said. "He loves the inside, a couple times I came to a couple holes I was a little scared of but my horse showed me all the courage and never hesitated and he did all the work. Thanks to the owners and trainers for giving me this opportunity.”
The victory was also the first in graded stakes company for Hawley, who co-owns the horse with Stephan Smoot. Hawaakom, who was third-to-last entering the turn and had four horses ahead of him at the 1/16 poll, finished in a final time of 1:45.14 for 1 1/16 miles. He paid $20.80 to win.
Leofric got up for second and survived a rider’s objection lodged by Ricardo Santana, who rode Untrapped, the fourth-place finisher and race favorite. The horses bumped in mid-stretch, but stewards took no action.
"For one second I thought we had it," said Luis Saez, Leofric's rider, "but the winner was just too fast from the rail. I didn’t really see him until he was passing, but my horse ran a great race.”
Rocking The Boat was third in the field of 11.
Hawley said Hawaakom is likely to point next to the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap set for April 7.