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VINTON, LA–JULY 16, 2024–Delta Downs concluded its 2024 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.

Ubaldo Luna won his first riding title at Delta Downs this season by riding 49 winners from 219 mounts, which equaled a win percentage of 22%. Luna also led all jockeys in terms of mount earnings with a total of $1,142,328. He was the only rider to finish with more than seven figures in purses won.

Luna’s biggest victory came with San Lorenzo Jezz in the season’s richest event, the $654,014 Lee Berwick Futurity (RG1) on closing night. Overall, he won four races on the Showcase Night card including tallies in the $137,415 Delta Downs Derby (RG3), the $75,000 Louisiana Classic (RG2), and the $50,000 Live Oak Stakes.

Luna’s career has really taken off this year. Not only did he capture his first leading rider title at Delta Downs, he also reached a milestone on June 12 when he won his 500th career race aboard the Danny Hoda-trained filly Liverpool Tlc in an optional claiming race at 250 yards.

Following Luna in the rider standing were Arturo Alvarez (32 wins), Martin Osuna (28), Juan Garcia, Jr. (25), Jasiel Aquino (23), Arnulfo Gutierrez (21), Ricardo Hernandez, Jr. (20), Leonardo Rodriguez (19), Rolando Cabrera (19), and Sabino Reyes (19).

Guillermo Martinez won his second leading trainer title at Delta Downs this season. Martinez saddled 24 winners from 125 starters, which equaled a 19%-win rate. His barn earned a total of $394,074, which ranked fourth behind leader Jeremy Derozin, whose runners amassed $817,653, much of which was earned by San Lorenzo Jezz in the Lee Berwick Futurity.

Rounding out the top 10 trainers for the season by wins were Jose R. Espinosa (22), Juan Diaz, Jr. (18), Jeremy Derozin (15), Leonel Hernandez (14), Jesus Huitron Lira (12), Ray Robbins (12), Kenneth Roberts, Sr. (11), Larry D. Keith (11), and David Bustamante (11).

Rogelio Marquez, Jr. won his fourth leading owner title this year with 14 winners from 51 starters, which resulted in a 27%-win rate. Marquez has become a mainstay in the winner’s circle following the Lee Berwick Futurity in recent years. On Saturday night he won his fifth Lee Berwick in the last eight years with San Lorenzo Jezz. The win also solidified his spot at the top of the owners’ standings in terms of earnings with a mark of $793,137.

Following Marquez, Jr. in the owner standings were Party Tyme Racing (Jerry Deville & Jose Espinosa) (10), Leobersi Perez (8), Jorge Erik Rubio (7), Saul Dorado (5), Manuel Alvarez (4), John T. Sargent (4), Jose O. Barron (4), Karl H. Smith (4), and Rosendo Valdez (3).

Live racing will return to Delta Downs during the 2024-25 Thoroughbred season, which begins on October 10. The 76-day meeting will run through February 22 with first post time scheduled for 4:50pm each Wednesday through Saturday for most of the schedule.

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 Twitter handle is @deltaracing.

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About Delta Downs
Delta Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD), features exciting casino action, live horse racing and fun dining experiences. Delta Downs is located in Vinton, Louisiana, on Delta Downs Drive. From Lake Charles, take Exit 7 and from Texas, take Exit 4. For more information about the season, visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com.