Rodriguez, Martinez Jr and Cardenas Honored During Closing Night Program

© Hodges Photography

VINTON, LA–JULY 22, 2026–Delta Downs concluded its 2026 American Quarter Horse season on Saturday with a program tabbed as Louisiana Showcase Night. The 46-day season ended with two new names and one familiar face at the top of the horsemen’s standings.

Leonardo Rodriguez won his second riding title at Delta Downs this season by riding 37 winners from 211 mounts, which equaled a win percentage of 18%. His mounts finished in the money, top three positions, 45% of the time. Rodriguez finished second in terms of mount earnings with a total of $803,064. The top spot for jockey earnings went to Jorge Javier Garcia, whose mounts put $952,674 into the bank

Following Rodriguez in the jockey standings for wins were Jorge Javier Garcia (35), Ubaldo Luna (34), Randy Edison, Jr. (30), Adrian X. Morales (19), Bobby Ransom (17), Eddi Martinez (17), Rene Hernandez (16), Pedro Espinosa (16), and Servando Ramirez (16).

Luis Martinez, Jr. was a first-time leading horseman at Delta Downs this year as he captured the top spot in the trainer standings. Martinez’s trainees made it to the winner’s circle 22 times from 121 trips to the starting gate for a win mark of 18%. Overall, his runners finished in the top three positions 48% of the time. In terms of money won, Josua Ponce led the standings with a total of $776,069.

Following Martinez, Jr. in the standings were Josue Ponce (20), Kenneth Roberts, Sr. (19), Jose Lopez (16), Santiago Villaseca (15), Kenneth Weeks (14), Orlando Orozco (14), David Bustamante (13), Viviane Hill (13), and Jose Carrizales (12)

Jaime Cardenas won his first leading owner title this season, as nine of his 30 starters won, which equaled a win percentage of 30%. Cardenas’s runners also posted the highest mark in terms of earnings with a total of $443,881. Cardenas’ top two producers were Mc Blue Cartel, who won the $302,335 Lassie Futurity (RG2), and Dropping Dimes, who won three stakes events during the meeting including the $75,000 Louisiana Classic (RG2) on Louisiana Showcase Night.

Following Cardenas in the owner standings were Rogelio Marquez, Jr. (8), M and M Stables LLC (7), Rene Adan Rodriguez (7), Luis Armando Castellanos (7), Ruse Ranch, LLC (6), Brenda Ayala Sanchez (5), Barraza Brothers and Sons Racing, LLC (4), Luis Rosales Martinez, Jr. (4), and Rancho La Cobra LLC (4).

Live racing will return to Delta Downs on July 23 when the track kicks off an additional 15 race dates for the Quarter Horse breed. Programs will take place each Thursday through Saturday until August 29, with the exception of July 30-August 1, due to the Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association Yearling Sale.

For more information about racing at Delta Downs visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com or on the Facebook page, Delta Downs Racing. The track’s X handle is @deltaracing.

Delta Downs Racetrack Casino Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation, is the premier racing and gaming entertainment venue in Vinton, LA. Delta Downs features a six-furlong oval track, 15,000 square feet of casino space and more than 1,500 of the most popular slot machines. Amenities include two restaurants, a hotel and chart-topping entertainment at the Delta Event Center as well as the Delta Downs Sportsbook.

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