Jockey Corey Lanerie aboard Free Like A Girl points skyward after winning the Shantel Lanerie Memorial Stakes, named after his late wife. (Hodges Photography/Jan Brubaker)
Fair Grounds Press Release
NEW ORLEANS, La. – Free Like a Girl racked up another big win, beating out 10 older Louisiana-bred fillies and mares by 1 1/4 lengths in the $100,000 Shantel Lanerie Memorial at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. Trained by Chasey Pomier, Free Like a Girl’s third stakes win on the meet, along with the Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Distaff and Doris Hebert, was the 14th added-money score of her career.
“She loves her job,” Pomier said. “I’ve tried giving her some time in between certain races, but she doesn’t have any of it. Bucking and squealing in the shedrow, trying to tear down the stall, so I just give in and train her. Corey (jockey Lanerie) put on a perfect ride and we were very excited to win this race.”
Jockey Corey Laneire guided her through the one mile 70 yards on the “fast” main track in 1:43.06. In the race named in memory of his departed wife who passed away from complications with breast cancer, Lanerie has now won back-to-back editions, having piloted Nosilverspoomshere in 2023.
“I want to thank Chasey for letting me ride such a nice horse in such a special race,” Lanerie said. “In Shantel’s memory. It means a lot to me. I was on the best horse, but it got a little eventful at the 5/16ths pole. As I went to pass the 10 horse, he went to spread the turn a little bit, a little more than I wanted. I got a little nervous when Marcelino (Pedroza aboard A G’s Charlotte) cut the corner on me, but she (Free Like a Girl) was just the best horse and gave me the extra effort. She wasn’t going to let anybody by. All my family on both sides come here to support me. We will always be family.”
Thetruthisthetruth showed the way sharply, recording opening quarters of :23.55 and :46.60. Free Like a Girl stalked in the four path through the far turn, but when floated wide had to recover to offer a late rally. Passing Thetruthisthetruth in midstretch, Free Like a Girl finished professionally as Muchmorethanready closed from last to get up for second. A G’s Charlotte got up for third.
With yet another notch in her stakes win belt, Free Like a Girl bolstered her career mark to 37-17-10-5 with earnings of $1,305,978.
Free Like a Girl returned $3.20, $2.60 and $2.20. Muchmorethanready paid out $6.00 and $3.60 and A G’s Charlotte was worth $2.80 to show.
