Luna, Alvarez Battle To The Wire In A Tie For Leading Rider at LAD QH Meet, Valdez, Gotovac Honored

Raleigh Cox, LAD Clerk of Scales presents Arturo Alvarez and Ubaldo Luna the 2022/2023 Quarter Horse riding title at the just concluded Louisiana Downs Quarter Horse meet.

© Ann Switalski Photography

BOSSIER CITY, LA–APRIL 3, 2023–Louisiana Downs wrapped up its 2023 Quarter Horse meet on Saturday, April 1. The 46-day season, which commenced on January 5, concluded with the presentation of the end of the meet honors for leading jockey, trainer and owner.

2022 leading rider Ubaldo Luna has been a force throughout the season but had some stiff competition from young Arturo Alvarez heading into the final weeks of the meet. The title went down to the wire, with Alvarez drawing ahead by just one win and Luna catching him with a victory aboard Five Bar Jess Cartel in the $104,332 Mardi Gras Derby on closing day.

The two riders, 12 years apart in age, finished tied for the title with 38  wins each.

The 34-year-old Luna was born in Vera Cruz, Mexico and came to the United States when he was 16. He began riding in Georgia prior to getting his license at Hialeah Park. Since coming to Louisiana in 2015, he has steadily risen up the ranks and was thrilled to win his second title.

"I am here seven days a week for morning works and the live races in the afternoon," said Luna. "Both Arturo and I worked hard this season and it was fun to compete for the title."

Luna and his wife, Kristen, who serves as his agent, appreciate the support of a number of trainers. His stakes wins included the Mardi Gras Derby with Five Bar Jess Cartel, for Joel Huitron and the $25,000 Winner’s Circle Church Stakes with Tm Dee First Bar for Fernando Valdez. Luna rode also for Brad Bolen, Kenny Roberts, Preston Jourdan and Guillermo Martinez.

"I thank each trainer for having faith in me," said Luna. "We are looking forward to riding next at Delta Downs and then, Evangeline Downs. Louisiana racing has been very good to us."

It was a highly successful season for young Arturo Alvarez, 22, who was third in last year’s standings, but clearly showed his talent throughout in 2022. He won the 2022 Mardi Gras Futurity with Mrs Kennedy TLC and concluded the year with his first leading rider title at Evangeline Downs and a very exciting dead heat finish in the LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity with Tha Duke for owner/trainer Ashton Elder.  The native of Jalisco, Mexico, wrapped the year as the top North American Quarter Horse rider with 115 wins.

Alvarez was highly in demand throughout the meet, with 38 wins from 196 mounts with 33 seconds and 32 thirds. All wins were at the maiden and allowance level; no stakes wins so far in 2023, but he was still grateful for the interest hustle of his agent, Sandy Miller.

He rode for Xavier Scott, Jose Carrizales, Riley Aguilar, Katie Carlos, Olegario Ortiz, Fernando Valdez, Patrick Clemons and Willie Simien, Jr.

Alvarez speaks little English but wanted to make sure to let all the horsemen in Louisiana know how grateful he is to each for giving him such a great start.

"I thank God and am thankful to the trainers and owners for their support," he said. "I am very happy riding in Louisiana and look forward to riding next at Delta Downs."

Juan Garcia, Jr. finished second with 30 wins, followed by Rolando Cabrera, whose 29 scores included a victory in the Mardi Gras Futurity aboard San Lorenzo Blood.  Eleazar Hernandez also had a good season, winning 17 races.

Fernando Valdez Earns His First Leading Trainer Title

The trainer title was also hotly contested with Fernando Valdez topping his fellow conditioners with 21 wins. The 26-year-old resident of Tyler, Texas started 58 runners this meet with a victory by Tm Dee First Bar in the $25,000 Winner’s Circle Church Stakes

Jenifer Sokol, LAD Racing Operations Manager, presents Fernando Valdez his first leading trainer award at Louisiana Downs. © Ann Switalski Photography

Valdez completed the meet with a 36% win percentage and added nine seconds and three third-place finishes. The majority of his winners are owned by his father, Rosendo, but he picked up a few new owners this year as well.

"I want to thank my owners, crew and my family for this title," said Valdez. "Training horses is hard; 24 hours, seven days a week, but we are a close-knit family with my dad, brothers and cousins all part of the team."

Next up for Valdez is Delta Downs.

"We have some nice babies and look forward to competing in trials for the futurities at Delta," stated Valdez. "The opportunities and purses are very good in Louisiana."

Xavier Scott saddled 17 winners to finish second in the standings and Joel Huitron and Willie Simien, Jr. finished in a tie for third with 13 wins each. Leonel Hernandez concluded the meet in fourth place with 12 wins.

Debra M. Gotovac Clinches Leading Owner Title

The final week of the meet was pivotal for the owner standings as well and with victories on March 30 with Eyesa Temptress and One Fabulous Seis on March 31, Debra M. Gotovac claimed top honors by one win. The resident of Midland, Texas, won nine races to secure her first title at Louisiana Downs.

Matt Crawford, LAD Director of Racing, presents the connections of Debra Gotovac the Louisiana Downs Leading Owner award for the 2022/2023 season.
© Ann Switalski Photography

Brad Bolen trains for Gotovac, who has been a Quarter Horse owner for over two decades. Their most successful runner to date is Swingin Daddyo, who qualified for the 2009 All American Futurity (G1) at Ruidoso Downs and won the Rainbow Derby (G1) the following year.

"To have some of our homebreds win is very satisfying as an owner," said Gotovac. "I thank Brad and our team at Louisiana Downs and the crew on the farm for their hard work. We had three babies born this morning (in Midland) so I am lucky to have great help in both places."

Gotovac said that the Louisiana Downs string will head west; first to Sunray Park and then Ruidoso Downs.

"Everybody  at Louisiana Downs was very helpful," she added. "We enjoyed the meet and will definitely be back next year!"

Jose O. Barron who has won two previous titles here, finished second in a tie with Rosendo Valdez. Both had eight winners for the meet. Fausto G. Mendoza and Robert Touchet finished in a tie for third with six victories.

The new stakes this year, including the Mardi Gras Oaks and Lip Chip LLC were supported well by horsemen and there will be plenty to look forward to in 2024. Bruce Salard, LQHBA executive director, shared that the LQHBA Board of Directors have approved an estimated $600,000 purse for the 2024 Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2).

"We thank our horsemen for their support throughout the meet," said Matt Crawford, Louisiana Downs racing operations/racing secretary. "They were very receptive to our new stakes and the many facility improvements. Also, I appreciate the hard work of each member of the Louisiana Downs racing office; we have a very reliable team!"

Louisiana Downs is already gearing up for its 2023 Thoroughbred season, which begins Saturday, May 6. The 61-day season runs through September 12.

About Louisiana Downs
Located near Shreveport in Bossier City, Louisiana, Louisiana Downs opened in 1974 and is 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.