Alvarez, Garcia, Roberts And Marquez, Jr. Take Leading Horsemen Honors During Fair Grounds At Delta

David Alvarez (right) gained a tie with Juan Garcia, Jr. in the closing race Saturday to share the Delta/Fair Grounds leading jockey title.

© Coady Photography

VINTON, LA–SEPTEMBER 5, 2022–Delta Downs conducts 46 days of live American Quarter Horse racing each year, but in 2022 that season was followed by 15 additional days of straight-line action that concluded on Saturday.

The extra race days came from Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in New Orleans, who transferred their dates to the Vinton, Louisiana oval.

On Saturday night the Fair Grounds at Delta Downs season came to a close with a 10-race card the featured six stakes races. At the conclusion of the program the leading horsemen honors were presented in the winner’s circle.

The battle for the leading jockey title came down to the final race of the night, as David Alvarez gained a tie with Juan Garcia, Jr. by way of his victory aboard San Lorenzo Moon in the $525,420 Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association Sale Futurity (RG1).

Overall, each rider enjoyed 12 trips to the winner’s circle throughout the short meet with Alvarez gaining the upper-hand in mount earnings ($417,964) by way of his tally in the season’s marquee event.

Alvarez and Garcia are no strangers to success at Delta Downs. Each have now won three leading jockey titles at the Boyd Gaming property during their careers.

Champion trainer Kenneth Roberts, Sr. got the leading trainer title for the Delta/Fair Grounds meet.
© Coady Photography

Following Alvarez and Garcia in the jockey standings were Arturo Alvarez (11 wins), Ubaldo Luna (10), Ricardo Hernandez, Jr. (9), Leonardo Rodriguez (8), J. R. Ramirez (8), Gilbert Ortiz (6), Guadalupe Lucio, Jr. (6), and Rolando Cabrera (6).

The race for leading trainer also came down to the final program of the season as Kenneth Roberts, Sr. got a win in the seventh race of the night with Wild Train Fortune in the $30,000 Debutante Stakes.

That score gave him a one-win lead over Juan Cano, which turned out to be the margin of victory in the standings. Roberts also led all trainers in terms of earnings as his trainees took home a total of $281,864 in purse money.

Roberts is a mainstay at Delta Downs and has now won 11 leading trainer titles at the racetrack during the Boyd Gaming era (2002-2022). He also garnered national acclaim in 2017 when he was honored as the American Quarter Horse Association World Champion Trainer.

Rogelio Marquez, Jr. (right) received the leading owner title for the third time after the meet conducted at Delta Downs.
© Coady Photography

Rounding out the list of top trainers in terms of wins for the Fair Grounds at Delta Downs meet were Juan Cano (8), David Bustamante (5), Leonel Hernandez (4), Gilberto Rosales (4), Mario Trujillo, Jr. (4), Danny Hoda (4), Ruben Chavez (3), Miguel Pizana (3), and Jose D. Barron (3).

And finally, the race for leading owner was also wrapped up in the season finale with San Lorenzo Moon’s score in the Sale Futurity. The win gave Rogelio Marquez, Jr. a tie with seven other owners in the standings.

Each had three wins apiece. By virtue of his four combined seconds and thirds, along with his season-leading $271,649 in earnings, Marquez was declared the top owner and received the honor for the third time after a meet conducted at Delta Downs.

Following Marquez in the standings were Jose O. Barron (3), Zach Stevenson (3), Rayne Knight (3), Fausto G. Mendoza (3), Arnold J. Trahan (3), Arkofa Farm (Arlee Griffin, Jr.) (3), Elsa Mendoza (3), Cuadra Herradura, LLC (2), and Martin Trejo (2).

Delta Downs will now prepare for its 2022-23 Thoroughbred season which runs from October 5 through February 25. The track will conduct live racing each Wednesday through Saturday evening starting at 4:55 pm.

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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.