Longleggedlaverne Honored for Seven-Win Meet in Indiana
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Photo: Coady Photography
Longleggedlaverne wins a starter optional claiming race at Horseshoe Indianapolis
Longleggedlaverne capped off a fantastic season of racing with a win on the closing day card, sealing the deal as the 2022 Leading Thoroughbred Horse at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Guided by Joe Ramos, the lanky five-year-old mare scored her seventh win of the meet to set a new record for most wins in one meet by a horse in both the Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse category.
Longleggedlaverne's journey has been full of twists and turns for trainer Tianna Richardville. She claimed the mare at three at Horseshoe Indianapolis in the fall of 2020 and had two wins in four starts before losing her to a claim at Churchill Downs. She went to Fair Grounds with her new connections, but Richardville kept tabs on her. When they dropped her down to a $5,000 claiming price, she once again claimed her back into her barn.
"She was claimed from me for $20,000, and then they dropped her to $5,000 at Fair Grounds," explained Richardville. "I got her in a seven-way shake and brought her back to Indiana. She is very hard to deal with and very aggressive in the mornings, so that probably played a factor in them dropping her down in price. She has quite a bit of attitude, but I know when she is kicking and squealing in the barn, she's ready to go."
The connections of Longleggedlaverne receive a blanket honoring her achievement as the 2022 meet's winningest Thoroughbred
Since her return to the Richardville Stable, Richardville has won eight races with the American Lion mare, including seven wins in her last nine starts. She just returned from the Claiming Crown Glass Slipper where she finished fourth at Churchill Downs before completing her five-year-old campaign with a win in Indiana. Jockey Joe Ramos has been aboard her for all eight of her wins with Richardville, whose Thirstyacres Racing LLC owns.
"She's just been on fire this year," said Richardville. "I had Leading Horse with Wildcard Prado last year so to get it again this year with 'Laverne' is very special. I'm pretty proud to have had two really nice horses in my barn the past few years."
Longleggedlaverne now has 14 career wins in 39 career starts. Her bankroll is now just shy of $200,000 lifetime. She is 11 of 12 at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Eric Halstrom, Vice President and General Manager of Racing, made the winner's circle presentation to Richardville and Troy Wage of Thirstyacres Racing along with Joe Ramos, jockey for Longleggedlaverne.