Sonneteer's Churchill marathon win starts Lanerie's milestone double
Calumet Farm’s Sonneteer roared past Royal Artillery at mid-stretch and cruised to a 7 ¼-length victory in the inaugural running of the $115,600 Champions Day Marathon Overnight Stakes Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance for 3-year-olds and up.
Trained by Keith Desormeaux and ridden by Corey Lanerie, Sonneteer covered the mile and a half on a fast main track in 2:30.42. For Lanerie, it was his 999th victory at Churchill Downs.
Lanerie notched his 1,000th victory a race later when he guided Smart Shot to the winner’s circle in the eighth race. Lanerie becomes the fourth rider to rach the 1,000 victory milestone joining Pat Day (2,482), Calvin Borel (1,223) and Robby Albarado (1,180). It was Lanerie’s third victory on the afternoon.
“I’m going home a winner today,” Lanerie said. “I’m blessed to ride for some great owners and trainers. This win means a lot to me and my career.”
The winning time shattered a nearly 18-year-old track record at the distance. The previous mark was 2:32.02 and set by A Storm Is Brewing on June 17, 2001.
Pinson led the field through fractions of :24.48, :48.78 and 1:14.69 with Sonneteer in closest pursuit. Going into the far turn, Royal Artillery surged to the front and held that advantage to mid-stretch when Sonneteer raced past.
The victory was worth $70,610 and increased Sonneteer’s earnings to $583,776 with a record of 25: 3-5-4 that now includes two stakes victories. Sonneteer, a Kentucky-bred son of Midnight Lute out of the Half Ours mare Ours, finished 16th in the 2017 Kentucky Derby behind Always Dreaming.
Favored in the field of six, Sonneteer returned $5.80, $3.40 and $2.80. Royal Artillery, ridden by RobbyAlbarado, returned $10.80 and $5.20 and finished 3 ¼ lengths in front of Biblical who paid $3.80 to show under LuisSaez.
It was another 3 ¼ lengths back to Looking for Eight, who was followed in order by Pinson and Krewe Chief.