Lucio, Martinez And Marquez Take Quarter Horse Titles At Delta Downs For 2023

Guadalupe Lucio, Jr. earnings his first leading rider title at Delta Downs this seaon.

© Coady Photography

VINTON, LA–JULY 18, 2023– Delta Downs concluded its 2023 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.

The race for leading jockey this year was won for the first time by Guadalupe Lucio, Jr., who tallied 38 wins from 180 mounts. Lucio won with 21% of his mounts and finished in the top three 44% of the time.

He ranked second in mount earnings for the meet with a total of $715,849. The leader in mount earnings was jockey Ubaldo Luna with a mark of $752,527.

One of Lucio’s biggest wins this season came with Cartel Roses Z in the $80,000 Louisiana Juvenile Stakes on closing night. The race served as a consolation for the year’s richest event, the $624,792 Lee Berwick Futurity (RG1). Lucio also won with One Delightful Tee in the Louisiana Starter on Showcase Night to cap the season with a riding double.

Guillermo Martinez won his first leading trainer title at Delta Downs this season. © Coady Photography

Following Lucio in the rider standing were Ubaldo Luna (34 wins), Juan F. Garcia, Jr. (30), Arturo Alvarez (27), Ricardo Hernandez, Jr. (24), Leonardo Rodriguez (23), Rolando Cabrera (22), Gilbert Ortiz (20), Everardo Rodriguez (16), and Arnulfo Gutierrez (14).

Guillermo Martinez won his first leading trainer title at Delta Downs this season. Martinez saddled 27 winners from 144 starters, which equaled a 19% win rate. His barn earned a total of $512,233, which ranked second behind Jesus Marquez, whose runners amassed $803,355, much of which was earned by One Sweet Sugar in the Lee Berwick Futurity.

Rounding out the top 10 trainers for the season by wins were Dwayne Breaux (22), Dale Keith (16), David Bustamante (16), Willie J. Simien, Jr. (14), Mario Trujillo, Jr. (14), Kenneth Roberts, Sr. (13), Jesus Marquez (12), Martin Trejo (11), and Gerardo Rodriguez (10).

Rogelio Marquez picked up his third leading owner title at Delta Downs. © Coady Photography

Running away with his third leading owner title this year was Rogelio Marquez, Jr., who notched his fourth win in the Lee Berwick Futurity with One Sweet Sugar on Saturday. Marquez won 11 races overall from 52 starts and his horses earned a season leading $781,675. Marquez’s first title at Delta Downs came in 2017 when the talented filly Dashnunder Afullmoon took the Lee Berwick.

Following Marquez in the owner standings were Party Tyme Racing (Jerry Deville & Jose Espinosa) (6), Jaime Cardenas (5), Jose Ortiz (4), Dewey Kendrick, III (4), Rosendo Valdez (4), Ismael Ramirez (4), Garza Laurel Partnership, LLC (Francisco J. Garza, Angel & Roberto J. Laurel) (4), Robin L. Redding (4), and Jose H. Rodriguez (3).

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Delta Downs will conduct 15 additional days of American Quarter Horse for 2023, racing from July 27 through September 2. There will be live racing each Thursday through Saturday beginning at 6:10 pm, with the exception of August 3 through 5, due to the Louisiana Quarter Horse Association Yearling Sale.

The extra dates were transferred from Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans.

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.