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Hamilton, Taylor And Rood Top Standings at Delta Downs For 2015 Quarter Horse Season


Jockey John Hamilton winning ran away with his fourth leading jockey title at Delta Downs in 2015.

© Coady Photography

VINTON, LA—JULY 14, 2015—Delta Downs concluded its 46-day American Quarter Horse season on Saturday with an 11-race program billed as Louisiana Showcase Night. The closing night card featured eight stakes races and the presentation of the leading horsemen awards for 2015.

Running away with his fourth leading jockey title in as many years was Newton, Texas resident John Hamilton. The 51-year-old made it to the winner’s circle 69 times from 328 mounts. Hamilton’s win total was the highest of his local career and his season-topping mount earnings mark of $1,206,044 was second only to his tally of $1,283,951 back in 2012.

Rounding out the top 10 jockeys for the season were Raul Ramirez, Jr. (38 wins), David Alvarez (37), Patrick Watson (33), Juan Marquez (27), Alfonso Lujan (26), Randy Edison (21), Antonio Alberto (19), Armando Ramirez (19), and Eddi Martinez (16).

Capturing his first local training title at Delta Downs in 2015 was Michael Taylor, who sent out 37 winners from 153 starters. The 66-year-old, who splits his time between Vinton, Louisiana and Lexington, Indiana, had the second highest amount of purses won with $717,326. Kenneth L. Roberts, Sr. finished second to Taylor in terms of wins with 35 but led all conditioners in barn earnings with $1,047,174. Roberts was attempting to win his fourth straight leading trainer title and his seventh overall at Delta Downs this season.

Following the top two trainers in the win column this season were Trey Ellis (32), Carlos Saldivar (24), Martin Trejo (23), Randy Hebert (23), Manuel Macias (13), Lanny Keith (11), Kelli Smith (11), and Kevin Broussard (10).

Winning her second consecutive leading owner title at Delta Downs was Saskatchewan, Canada resident Joan Rood, who saw 16 of her 60 starters make it to the winner’s circle this season. Rood’s runners earned a total of $238,364, which ranked second to Jason Richards & Michael J. LeBlanc’s $473,153. Rood’s exclusive trainer throughout the season was Randy Hebert.

Filling out the list of top 10 owners in terms of wins were Jose O. Barron (12), Joseph Landreneau (8), Rogelio Marquez, Jr. (8), Michael Taylor (7), Tony Doughtie (6), Triple C Racing Stables, LLC (5), Gene Cox (5), M & G Farms, Inc. (Maricela G. Montano) (4), and Mary G. Lynne Thompson (4).

Delta Downs will now be dark until its 2015-16 Thoroughbred season gets underway on Friday, October 16. Fans can still enjoy full card simulcasting from coast to coast in the track’s OTB seven days a week.

For more information about the current season visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com or on the Facebook page, ‘Delta Downs Racing’.

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.

Courtesy Ses