Gutierrez, Roberts, Sr., Marquez, Jr., And Rubio Claim Titles At Evangeline Downs

Jockey Arnulfo Gutierrez accepts his first Evangeline Downs Leading Jockey buckle for the just completed 2023 Quarter Horse meet.

© Coady Photography

OPELOUSAS, LA—DECEMBER 19, 2023—Arnulfo Gutierrez captured the first riding title of his fledgling career as the leading jockey at the recently concluded Evangeline Downs Quarter Horse meet. 

Gutierrez, from Jalisco, Mexico,  teamed up with top trainer Kenneth Roberts, Sr. for 18 of his meet-leading 37 victories during the season.  Add in 32 runner-up finishes and 25 show spots from his 205 mounts, Gutierrez found his number on the board in 46% of his efforts. 

With his victory in the LQHBA Louisiana Million aboard Special Wild Train B adding to his impressive season, Gutierrez led the way with earnings of $924,098.  Ubaldo Luna finished second in earnings with a solid $521,563 and Leonardo Rodriguez was third with $386,669.

The complete top 10 jockeys for the 2023 season were:  Arnulfo Gutierrez (37 wins), Ricardo Hernandez, Jr. (29), Guadalupe Lucio Jr. (26), Juan Francisco Garcia, Jr. (26), Leonardo Rodriguez (24), Ubaldo Luna (24), Rene Hernandez (21), Juan Marquez (18), David Alvarez (17) and Jasiel Aquino completed the list with 16.

Former AQHA Racing Champion trainer Kenny Roberts accepts the Evangeline Downs 2023 Leading Trainer buckle. © Coady Photography

Kenneth Roberts, Sr. finished off the magical season as the leading trainer with 18 victories, 18 places and 11 shows from 78 starters.  His runners won at a 23% strike rate and hit the board in 60% of his entries. 

With the win from Special Wild Train B in the Million, the Roberts, Sr. barn led the way with earnings of $737,640.  Jose Espinosa finished second in the earnings department with $296,134, while Guillermo Martinez was third at $260,860.

The complete top 10 in the trainer standings:  Kenneth Roberts, Sr. (18 wins), Dwayne Breaux (14), Dale Keith (11), Vann Heywood (10), Jose Carrizales (10), Ray Robbins (10), Danny Hoda (10) and a three-way tie between Joel Huitron, Patrick Clemons and Kenneth Weeks with 8 wins apiece.

Rigelio Marquez, Jr. shared the co-leading owner award for the 2023 Evangeline Downs Quarter Horse Meeting.
© Coady Photography

Rogelio Marquez, Jr. and Jorge Erik Rubio ended the season tied atop the owner standings.  Marquez, Jr. runners won five times from 33 starters and hit the board an additional 9 times.  Rubio captured his five wins from only 13 starters and added 4 other placings for a whopping 69% on-the-board rate. 

Rodney Verret’s win with Special Wild Train B helped him to lead the earnings standings with $461,500, with Party Tyme Racing (Jerry Deville & Jose Espinosa) following at $238,209 and Rogelio Marquez, Jr. next with $197,421.

The complete top 10 in the owner standings were:  Rogelio Marquez, Jr. (5 wins), Jorge Erik Rubio (5), Tony Doughtie (4), Gene Cox (4), and a six way tie between Two the Max Investments LLC (Robert Maxwell and Sharon Maxwell), Jose Ortiz , Cuadra Herradura LLC (Leslie Tellez), Rolando Pizana, Donna & Kenneth Weeks and Robin Redding with 3 wins each.

Evangeline Downs will be dark for a few weeks.  The 2024 Thoroughbred season is tentatively set to kick off a 76-day season on April 3.

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For more information on the American Quarter Horse season at Evangeline Downs, visit the track's website evdracing.com. Evangeline Downs' Twitter handle is @EVDRacing and the racetrack is also accessible on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EvangelineDownsRacing.

About Evangeline Downs
Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD), features exciting casino action, live horse racing and fun dining experiences. Evangeline Downs is in Opelousas, Louisiana, off I-49 on Cresswell Lane at Exit 18.