Category: End Zone Athletics Inc.

DEL CID, BROBERG AND END ZONE ATHLETICS REPEAT AS LEADING HORSEMEN FOR 2023-24 THOROUGHBRED SEASON AT DELTA DOWNS

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TOP HONORS WERE AWARDED ON CLOSING NIGHT, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24 

 

 

VINTON, LA. –  The 2023-24 Thoroughbred season at Delta Downs wrapped up on Saturday and the leading horsemen awards were handed out during the nine-race program. Top honors for leading jockey, trainer and owner mirrored those of last year as Vicente Del Cid finished atop the rider standings; Karl Broberg retained his grip on the leading trainer crown; and End Zone Athletics, Inc. won another leading owner title.

Del Cid won his second consecutive title as leading rider with 116 wins from 438 mounts and $2,624,265 in mount earnings. He won with 26% of his mounts and his horses finished in the money a season high 58% of the time.

The Guatemala native’s first career win came at Delta Downs on October 21, 2021, and he finished second in the voting for the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Jockey in 2022. In addition, Del Cid also won the title of leading jockey at Boyd Gaming’s Evangeline Downs in 2022 and 2023

Following Del Cid in the jockey standings this season were Tim Thornton (83 wins), Juan Vargas (56), Joel Dominguez (56), Thomas Pompell (49), Jansen Melancon (44), Alex Birzer (26), Carlos Lozada (21), Joe Stokes (21), and Casey Fuselier (20).

 

Broberg continued his dominance at Delta Downs in 2023-24 by sending out 65 winners and totaling $1,353,610 in barn earnings to lead each category. It was the 13th straight time the Broberg barn has led the standings dating back to the 2011-12 season. During the 2018-19 season his horses set the current records for Thoroughbred trainers with 107 wins and earnings of $2,017,120.

Rounding out the list of leading trainers for the Delta Downs meeting were Allen Landry (40), Brett Brinkman (27), Eduardo Ramirez (26), Juan Larrosa (23), Sam Breaux (19), Jon Arnett (18), Kent Knudsen (16), Justin Evans (14), and Tom Amoss (14).

End Zone Athletics, Inc. saw 50 of their runners win and earn a total of $983,560 during the meeting to lead both categories for owners. It was the ninth consecutive title and 12th overall for End Zone, which includes trainer Karl Broberg and Matt Johanson.

Rounding out the top owners for the season were Elite Thoroughbred Racing, LLC (Michele Rodriguez) (11), Norman Stables, LLC (Robert A. Norman) (11), Lothenbach Stables, Inc. (Jack Lothenbach) (11), Redwood QH Racing LLC (Jose Barrientos) (8), Mark N. Hibdon (7), Gerald L. Averett, Jr. (7), World War IV Racing (Warren McFatter & John Christmann) (7), L and G Racing Stables (Silvia & Genesis Castillo) (6), and Israel Flores Horses LLC (Israel Flores) (6).

Delta Downs now looks forward to its upcoming American Quarter Horse season which gets underway on April 26 and runs through July 13. The 46-day meeting will feature live racing each Wednesday through Saturday night with first post time set for 6:15 pm Central Time.

For more information about the Delta Downs Quarter Horse season, including specific race days, go to the track’s website at www.deltadowns.com/race. Fans can also follow the track on Facebook and Twitter.

TRAINER STEVE ASMUSSEN WINS 18TH REMINGTON PARK TRAINING TITLE

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North America’s all-time winningest trainer Steve Asmussen has added to his list of endless accolades and awards, winning an unprecedented 18th Chuck Taliaferro training title at Remington Park. The 2023 Thoroughbred Season came to a close on Saturday.

Asmussen’s colleague in the Oklahoma Horse Racing Hall of Fame, Donnie Von Hemel, is the closest to him with 12 training titles at Remington Park. Asmussen’s first training title came in the fall of 1991 at Remington. He added this season’s title when he won 43 times, 16 more than runner-up Karl Broberg. Broberg is the only reason Asmussen hasn’t won 17 training titles in a row at Remington Park. He has won 15 of the past 17 and Broberg has edged him out in the other two in 2022 and 2015. Asmussen has won every other title since 2007.

Asmussen also was top conditioner here in the fall of 1995, the fall of 1992 and the fall of 1991. Asmussen has trained here since the track opened in 1988.

“All the credit goes to (assistant trainer at Remington Park) Pablo (Ocampo),” Asmussen said Friday night as he witnessed one of the two biggest wins of the meet, Otto the Conqueror getting 10 Kentucky Derby points by winning the $300,000 Springboard Mile. Asmussen also won the Grade 3, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby with How Did He Do That.

“Pablo deserves it for all 18 titles,” Asmussen continued. “It has been a great association with him all these years. I’ve worked with him here since 1989 and I am extra fortunate to have had him. Winning the first one is one of my fondest memories and I love coming here.”

In the early years, Remington Park ran Spring and Fall thoroughbred meets and consequently they were shorter. Hence, the fewer wins it took to win the title. Asmussen set the record here is 2018 when his horses made 104 trips to the winner’s circle. Here is a look at all Asmussen’s yearly titles and how many races his horses won:
* 2023 – 43; 2021 – 42; 2020 – 73; 2019 – 83; 2018 – 104; 2017 – 81; 2016 – 63; 2014 – 49; 2013 – 38; 2012 – 47; 2011 – 50; 2010 – 47; 2009 – 102; 2008 – 57; 2007 – 48; Fall 1995 – 20; Fall 1992 – tie with Donnie Von Hemel with 21, and Fall 1991 – 20.

This Fall, other than Otto the Conqueror in the Springboard and How Did He Do That in the Oklahoma Derby, Asmussen also won the Red Earth Stakes with Tap the Dot.

Rounding out the top five for trainers this meet behind Asmussen and Broberg were Ronnie Cravens III (26 wins) with Ray Ashford and Mindy Willis tied for fourth (20).
In his 37-year training career, Asmussen has won 10,332 races and his horses have earned more than $430 million since 1986, according to Equibase statistics. His top horses include three Horses of the Year – Curlin (twice), Gun Runner and Rachel Alexandra.

The Remington Park leading trainer award is named after Chuck Taliaferro, a two-time leading trainer here in the formative years of the track and a fellow Oklahoma Horse Racing Hall of Famer with Asmussen. Taliaferro passed in 1994.

Elliott Wins First Remington Title
In the jockey’s standings race this meet, Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Stewart Elliott won his first title at Remington Park in runaway fashion, capturing the Pat Steinberg Award.

Elliott posted 74 wins, 29 more than runner-up Lindey Wade at 45. Elliott made Remington Park his regular fall stop in 2019. He won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness aboard Smarty Jones in 2004.

Elliott’s 74 victories were three more than last year’s top rider Cristian Torres’ 71. Torres did not ride regularly at Remington Park this Fall. The high mark historically at Remington Park is 126 wins by Tim Doocy in 1997.

“I’m thankful I’ve had a lot of support here at Remington with Steve (Asmussen) loading me up with live horses and all the other trainers,” said Elliott. “I’m fortunate I have had such good business here and my agent Scott Hare gets a lot of the credit.”

Among the top winners Elliott brought back to the winner’s circle this meet were How Did He Do That (Oklahoma Derby), Run Slewpy Run (Bob Barry Memorial Stakes, Oklahoma Classics Distaff Turf), Fly to the Bank (Silver Goblin Stakes), Tap the Dot (Red Earth Stakes), Medalla Match (Ricks Memorial Stakes) and Sunlit Song (Remington Green Stakes).

In his career, Elliott has had more than 35,000 mounts, winning with 5,626 of them and their earnings in excess of $123 million, according to Equibase statistics.

Rounding out the top five riders behind Elliott and Wade were Richard Eramia in third (44 wins), Jose Alvarez in fourth (42) and Floyd Wethey Jr. fifth (40).

The leading jockey award is named after Pat Steinberg who dominated he Remington Park colony in the track’s first five years, winning nine riding title before his passing in 1993.

End Zone Athletics Gains Third Owner Title
In the owners’ standings, Broberg’s outfit End Zone Athletics, Inc., of Mansfield, Texas, won its second title in a row and third in the last five years. End Zone was responsible for 18 wins this meet, five more than runner-up L and G Racing Stables (Silvia Castillo) at 13. Following the top two were George A. Sharp and Bryan Hawk tied with 12 and Asmussen rounded out the five in fifth with 11.

The leading owner award at Remington Park is named in honor of Ran Ricks, Jr., the very first owner with horses on the grounds at Remington Park, Ricks won six owning titles in Oklahoma City prior to his passing in 1996.

Remington Park has provided more than $340 Million to the State of Oklahoma general education fund since the opening of the casino in 2005. Located at the junction of Interstates 35 & 44, in the heart of the Oklahoma City Adventure District. Remington Park presents simulcast racing daily and non-stop casino gaming. Parking and admission are always free. Must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing or enter the casino gaming floor. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.

DEL CID, BROBERG AND END ZONE ATHLETICS TAKE LEADING HORSEMEN TITLES FOR 2022-23 THOROUGHBRED SEASON AT DELTA DOWNS

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TOP HONORS WERE HANDED OUT DURING FINAL PROGRAM, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28 

 

 

VINTON, LA. –  The 2022-23 Thoroughbred season at Delta Downs wrapped up on Tuesday with a couple of familiar names and one new one at the top of the horsemen’s standings. Karl Broberg and End Zone Athletics, Inc. once again led all trainers and owners respectively while emerging superstar Vicente Del Cid topped the jockey standings for the first time in Vinton.

Coady photography

Del Cid came into the season at Delta Downs as an apprentice rider and left as a journeyman. He lost his apprentice allowance midway through the meeting, but the added weight did not slow him down as he topped the standings from start to finish and ended the season with 121 wins and $2,789,565 in mount earnings to lead both categories. He also scored three stakes wins this year, each worth $100,000 in total purse money.

Del Cid’s accomplishment at Delta Downs followed a breakout season at Boyd Gaming’s other Louisiana racetrack, Evangeline Downs. During the 2022 meet in Opelousas, Del Cid won his first riding title by notching 125 wins. His riding prowess in 2022 garnered enough votes nationally to see him finish second in the voting for the Eclipse Award for Champion Apprentice Jockey, which was announced in late January.

Following Del Cid in the jockey standings were C. J. McMahon (85 wins), Jose Guerrero (59), Joe Stokes (52), Alex Birzer (49), Joel Dominguez (40), Tim Thornton (40), Thomas Pompell (39), Elio Berrera (33), and Juan Vargas (33).

Coady photography

Broberg continued his dominance at Delta Downs in 2022-23 by sending out 72 winners and totaling $1,473,510 in barn earnings to lead each category. It was the 12th straight time the Broberg barn has led the standings dating back to the 2011-12 season. During the 2018-19 season his horses set the current records for Thoroughbred trainers with 107 wins and earnings of $2,017,120.

Rounding out the list of leading trainers for the Delta Downs meeting were Brett Brinkman (39), Juan Larrosa (38), Isai V. Gonzalez (32), Allen Landry (26), Eduardo Ramirez (26), Greg Tracy (21), Edith Mojica (16), Sam Breaux (16), and Lee M. Thomas (16).

Coady photography

End Zone Athletics, Inc. saw 59 of their runners win and earn a total of $1,158,650 during the meeting to lead both categories for owners. It was the eighth consecutive title and 11th overall for End Zone Athletics, which includes partners Karl Broberg and Matt Johanson.

Rounding out the top owners for the season were GSH Stables, LLC (23), Mojica Stables, Inc. (14), Mark Hibdon (11), Noman Stables, LLC (11), Brandon Hebert (9), Elite Thoroughbred Racing, LLC (8), Spooky Business Stable, LLC (7), L and G Racing Stables (7), and Jason S. Guidry (7).

Delta Downs now looks forward to its upcoming American Quarter Horse season which gets underway on April 28 and runs through July 15. The 46-day meeting will feature live racing each Wednesday through Saturday night with first post time set for 6:15 pm Central Time.

For more information about the Delta Downs Quarter Horse season, including specific race days, go to the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also follow the track on Facebook and Twitter.

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.

 

Lozada, Wilson and End Zone Athletics, Inc. 2022 Louisiana Downs Thoroughbred Meet Winners

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Bossier City, LA – The 2022 Thoroughbred racing season at Louisiana Downs concluded on Tuesday, September 27.  The meet leaders, jockey Carlos Lozada, trainer Shane Wilson and owner End Zone Athletics, Inc. were honored for their accomplishments on the final afternoon of the 84-day meet, which began on Saturday, May 7.

Kevin Preston, Louisiana Downs owner and president, credited his team, horsemen and local racing fans for their support.

“As we wrap up the live racing season at Louisiana Downs, I want to take a moment to thank those  who have contributed to our success,” said Preston. “First, our hard working team who show their commitment to making Louisiana Downs great again and overcome all obstacles thrown their way.  Also, to the horsemen, both on the Thoroughbred and Quarter horse side, for showing their support and caring for these amazing athletes. And, finally, to our fans in the Bossier City/Shreveport metroplex. Throughout 2022, we offered live and simulcast racing, sports wagering and many promotions.  We are grateful for the positive feedback we have received. I can promise that we will make it even better in 2023!”

Carlos Lozada Wins His Third Leading Rider Title

Carlos Lozada, who won his first title here in 2019, clinched top honors once again. He was involved in a competitive battle with Jose Guerrero entering the final week of the season, but drew off  by five wins. Lozada capped his meet by winning the final race of the meet aboard Super Wise ($20.40) on the turf for trainer Al Cates.

“I want to thank my family, my agent Ronald Ardoin and each of the owners and trainers who gave me such good mounts,” said Lozada. “I worked hard, as did Jose this year at Louisiana Downs. It means a lot to win my third title here.”

Lozada was the leading rider here in 2019 and secured the 2021 title with 84 wins. He rode for a variety of trainers including Greg Tracy, Joe Duhon, Joey Foster, Al Cates and Karl Broberg, completing the 2022 meet with  a record of 85 wins, 59 seconds and 61 third-place finishes. His mounts earned $1,097,345. 

The 37-year-old native of Puerto Rico began riding in the United States in 2007 after attending Puerto Rico’s Escuela Vocational Hipica, the famed jockey school with a noted list of riders, including Irad Ortiz, Jr., Jose Ortiz as well as 2018 Louisiana Downs top-ranked rider, Emanuel Nieves.

Lozada is supported by his wife, Eileen Quinones and their three sons: Anthony; Jean Carlos and Jandriel. While the majority of the Louisiana Downs jockeys will head to Delta Downs, Lozada will return to his home in Tampa and ride some races at Tampa Bay Downs.

Jose Guerrero had an excellent meet, winning 80 races and edging Lozada in earnings with $1,144,805. Joel Dominguez, who was second in the standings in 2021, finished third with 59 trips to the winner’s circle. Apprentice Vicente Del-Cid, winner of the 2022 Evangeline Downs leading rider title, was fourth in the standings with 52 victories.

 

Shane Wilson Honored as Leading Trainer

It was another excellent showing for Shane Wilson who repeated as leading trainer at Louisiana Downs with 50 victories.

The Haughton, Louisiana resident started 217 Thoroughbreds adding 42 runner-up finishes and 33 thirds to earn $762,665 for the meet.  He took the lead from the beginning of the meet and was never caught.

“We came in with 58-60 horses; no 2-year-olds,” said Wilson. “The first condition book was super for us and from there we kept our foot on the pedal. We were able to pick up a few horses after Lone Star Park wrapped up. Some of the better horses only got one start, but overall, we were pleased.”

Jockeys Jose Guerrero and Alexander Castillo rode the majority of the Wilson trainees with both riders showing improvement in their skill level.

Of course, Wilson is grateful to his owners, including Wayne T. Davis, Jim and Kathy Reeves, Hugh Moore, Craig Drago and Phyllis Presswood.

“I’ve been blessed with loyal owners who have supported us for over ten years,” added Wilson. “Tye Smith joined us this year and I am fortunate that they trust me and let me place their horses where they can win, but also let me take some chances. To be able to try a horse on turf or see how they handle going long is important. Everything is about the owners and I wouldn’t have won these titles without them.”

It’s a family affair at the Wilson barn, with his wife Becky and younger son, Connor, sharing in the key duties. His oldest son, Peyton, is an honors engineering student at LSU.

Wilson will stable at Fair Grounds in New Orleans for their 2022-2023 live racing season.

Joey Foster, who has won the Louisiana Downs trainer title three times, finished in a tie for second with Karl Broberg.  Both horsemen won 38 races. Greg Tracy followed with 30 victories and Steve Asmussen won 28 races.

 

Leading Owner Title Goes to End Zone Athletics, Inc 

End Zone Athletics, Inc. claimed its third leading owner title. The highly successful partnership of Karl Broberg and Matt Johanson won 21 races this meet, after topping the standings in 2019 and 2020, and finishing second last year to Wayne T. Davis. 

Broberg’s longtime assistant, Kevin Martin, accepted the award on Tuesday afternoon.

“We are thankful that we got on a roll after a mediocre start to grab this award,” said Martin. “Our thanks go out to everyone involved in our outstanding team, including our grooms, gallop boys and our jockeys.”

Davis, who won the 2021 title, finished in a tie for second with Greg Tracy. Both owners won 15 races.  Elite Thoroughbred Racing, Inc. rounded out the top four in the standings with 12 wins.

About Louisiana Downs

Located near Shreveport in Bossier City, Louisiana, Louisiana Downs opened in 1974 and is now owned by Rubico Acquisition Corporation. With annual Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing seasons, the track is committed to presenting the highest quality racing programs paired with its 150,000 square foot entertainment complex offering casino gambling, dining and plasma screen televisions for sports and simulcast racing. 

 

Photos courtesy of Hodges Photography

Elliott, Asmussen, End Zone Athletics Take Sam Houston Titles

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Jockey Stewart Elliott picked up his second leading rider title at Sam Houston Race Park as the meet wrapped up its 50-day stand Saturday, April 9th. Elliott had the support of trainer Steve Asmussen, riding first call for the Hall of Fame conditioner as he piloted 296 mounts, winning 62 races with earnings of $1,490,006. The successful union between Elliott and Asmussen began in Houston two years ago and has continued at Lone Star Park and Remington Park.

Asmussen won his 14th training title at the northwest Houston racetrack, following honors as top trainer in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. Asmussen started 259 runners, finishing with a record of 51 wins, 41 seconds, 55 thirds and earnings of $1,554,306. He conditions Stonestreet Stable’s homebred Pauline’s Pearl (Tapit), who captured the richest race of the annual Sam Houston Thoroughbred season, the $400,000 GIII Houston Ladies Classic.

End Zone Athletics, Inc. clearly topped the owner standings, finishing with 22 wins, 29 seconds and 18 third-place finishes from 137 starters. The ownership group, founded by Karl Broberg, has been a force at Sam Houston for over a decade with previous titles in 2018 and 2020.

THORNTON, BROBERG AND END ZONE ATHLETICS CONTINUE DELTA DOWNS DOMINANCE DURING 2021-22 THOROUGHBRED SEASON

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TOP HONORS WERE HANDED OUT DURING CLOSING DAY PROGRAM ON SATURDAY, MARCH 5 

 

 

VINTON, LA. –  The 2021-22 Thoroughbred season at Delta Downs wrapped up on Saturday with familiar names topping the horsemen standings. Tim Thornton won his fourth straight leading rider title while Karl Broberg notched his 11th consecutive crown in the training ranks. Broberg and Matt Johansen’s End Zone Athletics, Inc. earned their seventh leading owner title and their 10th in the last 11 years.

 

Thornton’s season included 129 wins and mount earnings of $2,782,260. The title was Thornton’s fourth consecutive since moving his tack to Vinton in late 2017. During his first full season in 2018-19, Thornton set a new track record for mount earnings in a single season with $2,894,080.

 

Delta Downs’ 2021-22 leading jockey Tim Thornton and family

Thornton, a husband and father of three, won six of the track’s 26 stakes races during the meet. His biggest score came with the Allen Landy-trained Net a Bear, who took the $125,000 Louisiana Premier Day Distaff on the track’s richest race day of the year, February 5.

 

Following Thornton in the jockey standings were Joel Dominguez (65 wins), Joe Stokes (61), Jose Guerrero (50), Alex Birzer (46), Thomas Pompell (45), Vicente Del-Cid (42), C. J. McMahon (33), Kevin Roman (29), and Gerard Melancon (28).

 

Broberg continued his dominance at Delta Downs in 2021-22 by sending out 105 winners and totaling $1,928,820 in barn earnings. Broberg nearly bettered his own records for Thoroughbred conditioners this meet as well. During the 2018-19 season his horses set the current standard with 107 wins and earnings of $2,017,120.

 

Rounding out the list of leading trainers for the Delta Downs meeting were Allen Landry (31), Eduardo Ramirez (31), Brett Brinkman (26), Dale White, Sr. (21), Sam Breaux (20), Scott Gelner (19), Benjamin Zeno (19), Greg Tracy (19), and Lee M. Thomas (19).

 

End Zone Athletics, Inc. saw 78 of their runners win and earn a total of $1,322,480. The accomplishment broke their own records set just last year when End Zone won 64 races and took home $1,186,210.

 

Rounding out the top owners for the season were Dale White, Sr. (18), Elite Thoroughbred Racing, LLC (Michele Rodriguez) (12), Israel Flores Horses LLC (10), Keith Charles (9), Adriel Gonzalez (8), Gerald L. Averett, Jr. (7), Norman Stables, LLC (7), Rylee Grudzien (7), and Sandy Badeaux (6).

 

Delta Downs now looks forward to its upcoming American Quarter Horse season which gets underway on April 29 and runs through July 16. The 46-day meeting will feature live racing each Wednesday through Saturday night with first post time set for 6:15 pm Central Time.

 

For more information about the Delta Downs Quarter Horse season, including specific race days, go to the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also follow the track on Facebook and Twitter.

 

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.

 

Trainer Karl Broberg Reaches 4,000-Win Milestone

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Karl Broberg became the 13th trainer in North American history to reach 4,000 wins on Friday night when the Louisiana-bred gelding Baudette Blizzard edged Boo Be Right in a $5,000 claiming race at Prairie Meadows in Altoona, Iowa. It was the fourth of five winners on the night for Broberg, who had 11 horses entered Friday at three tracks: Prairie Meadows, Lone Star Park in Texas and Evangeline Downs in Louisiana.

Baudette Blizzard is owned by Broberg’s End Zone Athletics, which claimed the gelding in June 2020 for $20,000. He was ridden to victory by Elvin Gonzalez.

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THORNTON, BROBERG AND END ZONE ATHLETICS CONTINUE LEADING HORSEMEN STREAKS DURING 2020-21 DELTA DOWNS THOROUGHBRED SEASON

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TOP HONORS WERE HANDED OUT DURING CLOSING PROGRAM ON FRIDAY, APRIL 16 

 

 

VINTON, LA. –  The 2020-21 Thoroughbred season at Delta Downs wrapped up on Friday with familiar names topping the standings. Tim Thornton won his third straight leading rider title while Karl Broberg notched his 10th consecutive crown in the training ranks. Broberg and Matt Johansen’s End Zone Athletics, Inc. earned their sixth straight leading owner title and their ninth in the last 10 years.

 

Thornton’s season included 122 wins and $2,337,260 in mount earnings. The Louisiana native rode five winners alone on closing day. During the 2018-19 season, Thornton’s first full meet at Delta Downs, he set the current record of $2,894,080 in earnings.

 

Thornton, a husband and father of three, won two stakes races during the meet, both with Broberg-trained and End Zone Athletics Inc.-owned horses. The trio teamed up to win the $100,000 Delta Mile Stakes with Hunka Burning Love on November 10 and the $40,000 Ragin Cajun Starter Stakes on February 10, Louisiana Premier Day.

 

Following Thornton in the jockey standings were Diego Saenz (73 wins), Joel Dominguez (64), Jose Guerrero (54), Thomas Pompell (45), Gerard Melancon (42), Joe Stokes (30), Alez Birzer (27), Kevin Smith (25), and Jansen Melancon (24).

 

Broberg continued his dominance at Delta Downs in 2020-21 by sending out 91 winners and totaling $1,651,170 in earnings. The accomplishment capped off a season that saw him win his 10th straight training title at the Vinton, Louisiana racetrack. During the Delta Downs season Broberg also finished second nationally in terms of wins with 329 victories to Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen’s 421. It was the first time since 2014 that Broberg did not lead the nation in that category.

 

 

Rounding out the list of leading trainers for the Delta Downs meeting were Scott Gelner (30), Juan Larrosa (29), Isai Gonzalez (28), Eduardo Ramirez (25), Brett Brinkman (23), Allen Landry (21), Ronnie Averett (17-tie), Thomas Amoss (17-tie), and Ronnie Averett (15).

 

End Zone Athletics, Inc. saw a record 64 of their runners win and earn a total of $868,765, which also set a new mark for owners in that category. The old record for wins, 50, and earnings, $873,545, was also set by End Zone Athletics during the 2018-19 season.

 

Rounding out the top owners for the season were Red Rose Racing (Jimmy Johnson) (15), Joe Alfredo Castillo (14), Gerald L. Averett, Jr. (12), Adriel Gonzalez (11), Dale White, Sr. (10), Norman Stables, LLC (Robert A. Norman) (9), Rylee Grudzien (7-tie), Steven Asmussen (7-tie), Juan Larrosa (7-tie), and Maggi Moss (7-tie).

 

Delta Downs now looks forward to its upcoming American Quarter Horse season which gets underway on May 10 and runs through July 31. The 46-day meeting will generally feature live racing each Monday through Thursday. However, there will be two special Friday cards and four special Saturday programs to accommodate major stakes races and trials for those events. The first post time each day will be at 3 pm Central Time.

 

For more information about the Delta Downs Quarter Horse season, including specific race days, go to the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also follow the track on Facebook and Twitter.

 

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.

THORNTON, BROBERG AND END ZONE ATHLETICS EARN LEADING HORSEMEN TITLES AT DELTA DOWNS DURING 2019-20 SEASON

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FAMILIAR FACES DOMINATE STANDINGS THROUGHOUT 84-DAY STAND 

  

VINTON, LA. –  The 2019-20 Thoroughbred season at Delta Downs wrapped up on Saturday with familiar names topping the standings. Tim Thornton won his second straight leading rider title while Karl Broberg notched his ninth consecutive crown in the training ranks. Broberg and Matt Johansen’s End Zone Athletics, Inc. earned their fifth straight leading owner title and their eighth in the last nine years.

Thornton’s season included 110 wins and $2,287,415 in mount earnings after riding 142 winners and setting a single season record with $2,894,080 in earnings last year.

Thornton, a husband and father of three, won two stakes races during the meet. On December 28 he rode Bending Saint to victory in the $70,000 B Connected and on January 11 he booted home Flat Lucky in the $65,000 Sam’s Town.

Following Thornton in the jockey standings were C. J. McMahon (75 wins), Paulina Ramirez (54), Diego Saenz (52), Joel Dominguez (51), Gerard Melancon (49), Jose Guerrero (42), Devin Magnon (31), Thomas Pompell (28), and Kevin Smith (26).

Broberg continued his dominance at Delta Downs in 2019-20 by sending out 95 winners and totaling $1,826,580 in earnings. The accomplishment capped off a season that saw him win his ninth straight training title at the Vinton, Louisiana racetrack. During the Delta Downs season Broberg also capped off another calendar year (2019) of leading the nation in wins by a trainer with a personal record of 548 trips to the winner’s circle. It was the sixth straight time he has accomplished that feat.

Rounding out the top 10 trainers for the Delta Downs meeting were Robertino Diodoro (41), Beverly Burress (29), Isai V. Gonzalez (26), Lee M. Thomas (23), Joel Berndt (21), Eduardo Ramirez (20), Allen Landry (19), Sam Breaux (16), and Scott Gelner (16).

End Zone Athletics, Inc. saw 46 of their runners win and earn a total of $868,765. Rounding out the top 10 owners for the season were Empire Racing Stables LLC (Jason D. Bullard) (24), Adriel Gonzalez (14), Brittlyn Stable Inc. (Evelyn Benoit) (12), Dale White, Sr. (11), Red Rose Racing (Jimmy Johnson) (11), Patti Turner (11), Elite Thoroughbred Racing, LLC (Michele Rodriguez) (10), Danny R. Caldwell (9), Allied Racing Stables, LLC (Chester Thomas) (8).

Delta Downs now looks forward to its upcoming American Quarter Horse season which gets underway on April 17 and runs through July 4. The 46-day meeting will feature live racing each Wednesday through Saturday night after opening weekend. Post times on Wednesday and Thursday nights will be at 5:15 pm CST. The first race on Fridays and Saturdays will be at 6:15 pm.

For more information about the Delta Downs go to the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also follow the track on Facebook and Twitter.

 

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.

 

CARLOS LOZADA, JOEY FOSTER AND END ZONE ATHLETICS, INC TOP THE STANDINGS FOR THE 2019 THOROUGHBRED MEET AT HARRAH’S LOUISIANA DOWNS

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Bossier City, LA – The 2019 Thoroughbred racing season at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs, which got underway on May 4, concluded on Wednesday, September 25. The meet leaders, Carlos Lozada, Joey Foster and End Zone Athletics, Inc., were honored for their accomplishments on the final afternoon of the 84-day meet.

Both major racing events, Louisiana Cup Day on August 3 and Super Derby Day, which took place September 7, featured excellent fields. For the second year in a row, Hall of Fame conditioner Steve Asmussen won the richest race of the season, the Grade 3, $300,000 Super Derby with Rotation. The son of Tapit, bred and owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds, LLC, rallied strongly for his first graded stakes score under jockey Richard Eramia.

One of the most memorable events of the season was the creation of the Harrah’s Louisiana Downs Racing Hall of Fame. The ceremony took place on Saturday, July 13 with  John Franks; Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr.;  Frank L. Brothers; C.W. Walker; Ronald Ardoin, Larry Snyder; Sunday Silence andFree Spirits Joy inducted into the inaugural class.

Voting for one additional Hall of Fame member in several categories was offered to the fans and they elected trainer Bobby Barnett, jockey Calvin Borel; former general manager Tom Sweeney as well as the incomparable Alysheba as additional inductees.

Officials also introduced a new wager, Super Tuesday Pick 4, on Tuesday, June 25.  The wager teamed two Caesar’s Entertainment racetracks: Harrah’s Louisiana Downs and Indiana Grand Racing and Casino, which both offer Tuesday matinee racing programs. Two races each Tuesday from both racetracks were selected and offered to fans at a reduced takeout of 15%.

“We were thrilled to induct honor such outstanding horses and trailblazers into our Racing Hall of Fame,”said Eric Halstrom, Harrah’s Louisiana Downs vice president of operations.  “The fan vote was very well-received and we will certainly offer that again in 2020. It was also a great beginning for the Super Tuesday Pick 4, which gave us an opportunity to attract new fans as we teamed with the talented and innovative team at Indiana Grand.”

 

Carlos Lozada Wins His First Leading Rider Title

Carlos Lozada was dominant throughout the meet, topping a very competitive jockey colony to claim his first ever leading rider title. The 34-year-old native of Puerto Rico finished the meet with a record of 428 starts, 95 wins, 70 seconds and 52 thirds and purses of $1,076,410.

He began riding in the United States in 2007 after attending Puerto Rico’s Escuela Vocational Hipica, the famed jockey school with a noted list of riders, including Irad Ortiz, Jr, Jose Ortiz as well as 2018 Harrah’s Louisiana Downs top-ranked rider, Emanuel Nieves.

The soft-spoken rider was the 17th-ranked rider in 2018 at Louisiana Downs, but united with former jockey and highly successful agent, Ronald Ardoin, this year.

“There is no doubt that Ronald made a big difference for me,” said Lozada. “He works hard in the mornings and got me a lot of mounts. He won so many races in his career and was very helpful when I asked for advice.”

One of the biggest wins of the meet came on Super Derby Day when Lozada guided Sugarland Thoroughbreds LLC’s homebred Eskenformore to victory in the $60,000 River Cities at odds  of 30-1.  He had ridden the 6-year-old mare, trained by James Hodges, and explained his change of tactics in winning the turf feature.

“I rode her like I knew her,” stated Lozada. “I felt she needed to be closer to the lead and knew she had plenty left for the finish.”

Winning leading rider honors at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs meant a great deal to the devoted family man, supported by his wife, Eileen Quinones and their three sons: Anthony, Jean Carlos and Jandriel.

“I was a little nervous toward the end,” he acknowledged. “Providing for my family is most important to me, but I want to thank every owner and trainer who believed in me and gave me the opportunity to win my first title!”

Lozada will head to Delta Downs for their upcoming Thoroughbred meet, which gets underway on Tuesday, October 8.

It was also a very successful season for Joel Dominguez, who finished second with 91 trips to the winner’s circle, edging Lozada in purses, with mounts earning $1,091,671. Dominguez, who was third in the standings last year, is represented by retired rider Don Simington. Jockey Aubrie Green finished third with 54 victories; a solid step up from her seventh-place finish here in 2018.  Richard Eramia and Hector Del-Cid tied for fourth with 47 trips to the winner’s circle.

 

 

Joey Foster Wins His Third Louisiana Downs Leading Trainer

Benton, Louisiana horseman Joey Foster picked up his third leading trainer title at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs, winning 54 races from 218 starters to top his fellow conditioners this meet.

The very popular trainer won his first title here in 2016, repeating the feat in 2017 and finishing second to Karl Broberg last year. He saddled a mix of claiming and allowance horses throughout the meet, with standouts including Mizztic Tale, who won three of his four starts this meet for owners Brett Day and Kevin Spretz. Also, Play on Becky picked up her third victory of the season on Wednesday, September 25 for her breeder and owner Jim Horton.

“I want to thank each of my owners for their support,” said Foster. “They are the ones that put the show on; training horses is the easy part, but keeping great owners is key.”

Foster also acknowledged his wife, Cheryl, who he refers to as “the backbone” of the barn, and the hard work of assistant trainer, Amaniel Ortiz, affectionately known as “Shorty”.

The Foster trainees will head to Delta Downs as well as Fair Grounds. Foster cited Our Lost Love, a 2-year-old filly Louisiana-bred daughter of Half Ours, as one of his runners to watch. Bred and owned by Tri-Star Racing LLC, she broke her maiden impressively here on September 14.

“She ran a great race and earned an 83 Beyer (speed figure),” said Foster. “We will run her on Louisiana Champions Day (December 14) at Fair Grounds.”

Last year’s leading conditioner, Karl Broberg, finished second with 45 wins. Beverly Burress, who saddled 18 winners last year, finished the meet with 28 victories, including a stakes score with Run Rocket in the $60,000 A. L. (Red) Erwin on the Super Derby card. Steve Asmussen and Jorge Lara tied for fourth with 20 winners each.

 

Leading Owner Title Goes to End Zone Athletics, Inc.

End Zone Athletics, Inc. repeated as owner of the meet, and unlike last year, when the title went down to the final day, the national leader held a comfortable lead throughout the meet.  The highly successful partnership of Karl Broberg and Matt Johanson won 25 races this meet to earn leading owner honors.

“I want to thank Darwin Quevado, my assistant at Louisiana Downs for all he has done,” said Broberg.  “We used quite a few riders, but I was pleasantly surprised by Aubrie Green.”

Broberg confirmed that he will send a string to Delta Downs for their upcoming Thoroughbred meet and will also have a barn at Fair Grounds when their season gets underway.

Dream Walkin Farms, Inc. was second in the standings with 14 wins and horses owned by Ronnie P. Ward made 11 trips to the winner’s circle. Indian Creek Thoroughbred Farms, LLC and Penny Scarberry tied for fourth with ten wins in the 2019 Thoroughbred meet.

 

Harrah’s Louisiana Downs to Offer Training and Stall Space to Horsemen

Harrah’s Louisiana Downs is pleased to offer horsemen an opportunity to train and stable their Thoroughbreds during the months of October, November and December.

When the Evangeline Training Center closed in 2018, officials acknowledged that many Louisiana Thoroughbred trainers were in need of a facility to stable and train their racehorses.  The Bossier City-Shreveport metroplex offers convenient proximity for shipping to Delta Downs in Vinton, Louisiana; Fair Grounds in New Orleans; Remington Park in Oklahoma as well as upcoming live meets at Sam Houston Race Park and Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Space and availability for Thoroughbreds is limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Horsemen are encouraged to contact David Heitzmann, Harrah’s Louisiana Downs Director of Racing at (318) 741-2511 or (318) 741-2512 for rates and information.

 

Quarter Horse Racing Returns to Harrah’s Louisiana Downs on January 4

The 2020 Quarter Horse dates for Harrah’s Louisiana Downs have been approved. The 46-day meet will commence on  Saturday, January 4 and continue through Wednesday, March 18.

 

About Harrah’s Louisiana Downs

Located near Shreveport in Bossier City, Louisiana, Louisiana Downs opened in 1974 and was purchased by Caesars Entertainment in December, 2002. With annual Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing seasons, the track is committed to presenting the highest quality racing programs paired with its 150,000 square foot entertainment complex offering casino gambling, dining and plasma screen televisions for sports and simulcast racing.