Martinez, Rodriguez, Marquez, Jr. Top Standings In The 2024 QH Live Racing Season at Fair Grounds

Guillermo Martinez repeated as the leading trainer with 10 wins at Fair Grounds Race Course.

© Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir

By Martha Claussen

NEW ORLEANS, LA–SEPTEMBER 16, 2024–Fair Grounds Racing Course in New Orleans wrapped its 15-day Quarter Horse meet on Sunday, September 15, 2024.  The nation's third-oldest racetrack has a respected history of crowning both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse champions. Despite Hurricane Francine making landfall on the final week of the meet, the show went on!

The Thursday, September 12 card was rescheduled and completed on Sunday, September 15. Ideal weather conditions made for a very successful running of the $550,714 LQHBA Sale Futurity(RG1) on Saturday, September 14, with San Lorenzo Firulais triumphing in the second-richest running of the championship for Louisiana-bred 2-year-olds.

Guillermo Martinez Repeats as Trainer of the Meet

Guillermo Martinez, who won the 2023 title when the meet was contested at Delta Downs, finished with 10 wins for the season. The barn had some nice results with their 2-year-olds, with Seis No More setting the fastest qualifying time in the $114,390 Big Easy Futurity and running second in the final run on September 13. Hez Bold as Corona won the $50,000 De Saix Stakes that afternoon, and both will head to Evangeline Downs next week.

Luis Martinez, who serves as assistant to his uncle, Guillermo, expressed his thanks to the many people who have supported their stable.

"We are very fortunate to have wonderful owners and jockeys, including Jasiel Aquino and Rolando Cabrera, who did a great job for us," said Luis Martinez. Thankfully, our horses and grooms stayed safe when the Hurricane touched down. We were very lucky that we did not have to evacuate.  We also want to extend our appreciation to Dr. Troy Findley at Delta Equine, who has provided top-level veterinary care for our horses."

Martinez will have 54 stalls at Evangeline Downs and four of their Louisiana-bred 2-year-olds are paid into the LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity.

Gilberto Rosales finished second in the standings with nine wins, followed by Jeremy Derozin, who saddled eight winners, including San Lorenzo, Firulais, the top earner of the meet. Kenneth Weeks finished fourth with seven wins.

Leonardo Rodriguez Wins His First Leading Rider Title

Leonardo Rodriguez, the youngest brother of LQHBA Champion jockey, Everardo Rodriguez, claimed his first leading rider title. The 24-year-old native of San San Luis Potosí, a city in central Mexico, began riding in 2018, and has gradually shown his skill in the saddle.

Leonardo Rodriguez claimed his first leading rider title at the Fair Grounds Race Course in 2024.
© Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir

The jockey colony at Fair Ground was very competitive and Leo had just a one-race lead over Arnulfo Gutierrez heading into the final weekend. He added three wins on the last day of the meet to finish with 19 wins from 82 mounts with earnings of $370,465. Joined in the winner's circle by his wife, Gabriella, 10-month-old son, Leo and a group of trainers and jockeys, he shared what it meant to win his first career leading rider title.

"I was so happy and I thank God, my family, my agent Gerald Thomas and all the trainers who gave me opportunities this season," he said. "I knew it was going to be close, but everything has gone so well this meet that I felt confident I would be able to win the title."

Rodriguez won the $40,000 Esplanade Stakes on September 7 aboard One Sweet Sugar and finished second in the $50,000 LQHBA Juvenile aboard Another Gold Heart and fourth with Eloquenz in the $50,000 LQHBA Debutante on September 14.

Leo's oldest brother, Everardo is currently riding and Lone Star Park, but middle brother, Jose, was one of the well-wishers in the winner's circle. Leo is usually the most serious of the three Rodriguez brothers, but he was all smiles as Sunday afternoon at Fair Grounds.

"It was a blessing to be honored as leading rider title and be able to hold my son during the ceremony," said Leo. "I am looking forward to riding next at Evangeline Downs."

Arnulfo Gutierrez finished second with 15 wins, followed by Ubaldo Luna (12) and Guadalupe Lucio,  Jr.(11) Martin Osuna, who piloted four horses to victory on Saturday, including LQHBA Sale Futurity winner San Loreznzo Firulais, tied for fourth in the standings with Juan Garcia, Jr,,

Ricardo Hernandez, Jr. and Bobby Ransom.

Rogelio Marquez, Jr. Finished Atop the Owner Standings

The successful year for Rogelio Marquez, Jr. continued at Fair Grounds as he claimed the title of leading owner. His horses won eight races from 19 starts, with a victory in the $114,390 Big Easy Futurity by San Lorenzo Hustle prior to San Lorenzo Firulais capturing the richest stakes of the meet, the $550,714 LQHBA Sale Futurity(RG1).

Rogelio Marquez, Jr. claimed the title of leading owner at the Fair Grounds Race Course.
© Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir

His 2-year-olds took center stakes at Fair Grounds with additional stakes wins on the Saturday

Saturday, September 14, card by San Lorenzo Princess in the LQHBA Sale Debutante and a maiden-breaking effort by San Lorenzo Mudbug earlier in the card.

He and his father, Rogelio, name the majority of their Quarter Horses to pay tribute to their family birthplace in San Lorenzo, Mexico. The victory by San Lorenzo Firulais was his third LQHBA Sale Futurity title, with San Lorenzeaux and San Lorenzo Moon winning previous editions.

Marquez is ranked third in the national AQHA owner standings  and breeding and racing in Louisiana is very important to him. The resident of Rosenberg, Texas, has a breeding and training farm in Vinton, Louisiana.

"Winning the LQHBA Sale Futurity means a great deal to me and my family," said Marquez." San Lorenzo Firulais was bred by Teddy Berry, a close friend and wonderful Louisiana breeder. To win four races on the Saturday card was amazing and we were very pleased with the victory by San Lorenzo Hustle in the Big Easy Futurity on Friday, September 13."

Fausto Mendoza and CB Racing Stables tied for second in the owner standings with four wins each. Party Tyme Racing, Leobersi Perez, Eddie Harrison, and Carlos Campos won three races in the 2024 Quarter Horse season at Fair Grounds.

"We thank Jason Boulet, Scott Jones, and the entire team at Fair Grounds for their hard work," said Bruce Salard, LQHBA executive director. "Everyone worked in the best interest of the horses and trainers to ensure their safety when Hurricane Francine hit New Orleans. We were grateful that we completed each of the 15 days and had such an exceptional day for the $550,714 LQHBA Sale Futurity, which was the second biggest purse ever run in the 134-year history of Fair Grounds."

The Louisiana Quarter Horse circuit shifts to Evangeline Downs in Opelousas. Opening night for the 46-day live racing season is Wednesday, October 2.