The 2026 Louisiana Downs Quarter Horse leaders were jockey Leonardo Rodriguez, owner Jose O. Barron, and co-leading trainers Gilberto Rosales and Jose U. Lopez.

© Bailey Ivey, StallioneSearch

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

BOSSIER CITY, LA—MARCH 29, 2026—The 2026 Quarter Horse meet at Louisiana Downs closed Saturday, March 28, following a 46-day run that began January 12, highlighted by the $431,400 Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2), the richest race of the season for accredited Louisiana-bred 2-year-olds at 300 yards.

Leonardo Rodriguez led all jockeys by wins, Jose O. Barron topped the owners standings, and Gilberto Rosales and Jose U. Lopez shared the training title as co-leaders during the 2026 meet.

Leonardo Rodriguez secured the leading jockey title by wins, finishing the meet with 21 victories from 95 starts, along with 11 seconds and five thirds, earning $244,113.

Leonardo Rodriguez – Leading Jockey.
© Ann Switalski Photography

While he did not capture a stakes win, Rodriguez remained a consistent presence throughout the meet, finishing aboard multiple stakes-placed runners including San Lorenzo Chicken in the Mardi Gras Derby and Ivorys Cartel in the Louisiana Maiden Classic Stakes, as well as finalists Luci B in the Mardi Gras Oaks and Awesome Eagle V in the Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2).

Runner-up by wins, Jorge Javier Garcia delivered one of the most productive meets statistically, finishing second in wins with 15 victories from just 29 mounts for a 52% win rate, while leading all jockeys in earnings with $509,274.

Garcia closed the meet in dominant fashion, guiding MC Blue Cartel to victory in the Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2) and Whoopie Cowgirl to a win in the Louisiana Downs Futurity on closing night. He also piloted 2025 LQHBA Champion Rf Fast Dash N Blood to a win in the $100,000 Mardi Gras Derby on March 27 and Aj Cyclone, winner of the $160,500 Louisiana Downs Maiden Classic Stakes.

 Representatives of Jose Barron – Leading Owner.
© Ann Switalski Photography

Jose O. Barron stood alone as the meet’s leading owner by wins, recording six victories and three seconds from 20 starts for a strong 30 percent win rate, with $51,618 in earnings. Barron was the sole owner to achieve six wins during the meet, distinguishing himself from a competitive field.

Behind him, a closely contested group of owners tied with five wins each, including Shane and Brooke Snow, who posted a 5-5-1 record from 16 starts with $34,890 in earnings; Rogelio Marquez Jr., who recorded 5-4-0 from 14 starts with $60,840; M and M Stables LLC (Manuel Alvarez), with a 5-3-5 record from 32 starts and $46,730; Blackmon Quarter Horses LLC (Jerry and Kimberly Blackmon), who finished 5-3-2 from 21 starts with $69,550; and Jaime Cardenas, who compiled a 5-2-5 record from 16 starts while leading all owners in earnings with $300,275. Cardenas’ earnings were driven by top performers Rf Fast Dash N Blood and MC Blue Cartel.

MC Blue Cartel SI 198,330 ($198,330), winner of the Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2), emerged as the meet’s leading money earner among horses, posting two wins from two starts. The colt was one of 12 runners to record multiple wins during the meet, including Whoopie Cowgirl, Mamma Im Leaving You, and Rf Fast Dash N Blood, Aj Cyclone.

 Trainer Jose Lopez , with Jerry Deville Jr, Gerald Thomas, and Gregory Williams (representative for Gilberto Rosales), honored for Co-Leading Trainers.
© Ann Switalski Photography

In the trainer standings, Gilberto Rosales and Jose U. Lopez tied for the lead with nine wins each. Rosales posted a 9-7-1 record from 45 starts with $91,936 in earnings, while Lopez recorded 9-2-3 from 39 starts and $132,478.

Lopez conditioned multiple stakes performers during the meet, including Mamma Im Leaving You, winner of the Mardi Gras Oaks, and Luci B, a finalist in the same event. Rosales maintained a steady presence in the winner’s circle with consistent runners such as Coachable and Ms Deluxe, both multiple winners during the meet.

The top five sires by winners are led by Freighttrain B, followed by Ivory James, Mr Piloto, Carters Cartel, and FDD Dynasty. Freighttrain B tops the group with 14 individual winners and 15 total wins. Ivory James ranks second with 10 winners, all with single victories, while Mr Piloto follows with nine winners and nine wins. Carters Cartel checks in fourth with seven winners and eight wins, and FDD Dynasty rounds out the group with six winners.

The meet concluded March 28 with strong participation across all divisions, highlighted by competitive stakes races and consistent performances from leading connections.

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