David Alvarez, Trey Ellis And Rosendo Valdez Win Titles At Evangeline Downs

OPELOUSAS, LA—DECEMBER 21, 2020—Jockey David Alvarez found a fitting way to cap the riding title he won during the 2020 American Quarter Horse season at Evangeline Downs on Saturday night.

He won the final three stakes races on the program, taking the $40,000 LQHBA Louisiana Million Invitational aboard Apollitcal Chais, the $273,763 LQHBA Breeders Derby with Lifeinthefastlanes and the $1,000,000 LQHBA Louisiana Million (RG1) on San Lorenzo.

Those three wins on Saturday concluded a dominant performance for Alvarez during the season. He recorded 45 wins from 228 starts to win the title by 12 victories over a tie for second at 33 wins each for Juan Garcia, Jr. and Everardo Rodriguez. Alvarez’s winning percentage during the season was an impressive 20% and when you add 27 second-place and 31 third-place finishes to the totals, his in-the-money percentage was 45%. His mounts earned a dazzling $1,152,320 in purse money for the season.

The complete top 10 jockeys’ standings were: David Alvarez (45 wins), a two-way tie between Juan Garcia, Jr. and Everardo Rodriguez at 33 wins each, Leonardo Rodriguez (27), a two-way tie for fifth between Ubaldo Luna and Gilbert Ortiz at 22 wins each, Arturo Alvarez (18), Luciano Duenez (14), Rolando Cabrera (13) and Bobby Ransom (12).

Trey Ellis was a deserving winner of the training title at Evangeline Downs this season. His horses won 24 of 102 starts for a winning percentage of 24%. The 24 victories were good enough for a five-win margin over a tie for second between Lanny Keith and Kenneth Roberts, Sr. at 19 wins each. Ellis’ runners also produced 16 second place and 11 third-place finishes for an in-the-money percentage of 50%. Horses trained by Ellis earned a total of $442,763 for the meeting.

The complete top 10 trainers’ standings were: Trey Ellis (24 wins), a two-way tie for second between Lanny Keith and Kenneth Roberts, Sr. at 19 wins each, Rosendo Valdez, Jr. (16), Martin Trejo (13), Joel Huitron (12), a two-way tie for seventh between Juan Carrillo, Jr. and Kenneth Weeks at 11 wins each and a two-way tie for ninth between Vann Haywood and Benjamin Wilbanks at 10 wins each.

The owners’ title for the 2020 American Quarter Horse season at Evangeline Downs went to Rosendo Valdez with 10 wins from 26 starts for a winning percentage of 38%. Valdez finished two wins ahead of Bulldog Racing, who placed second with eight wins from 27 starts. Valdez’s horses also added five second-place finishes and one third-place finish to make for an in-the-money percentage of 62%. Horses owned by Valdez earned an impressive $188,501 for the season.

The complete top 10 owners’ standings were: Rosendo Valdez (10 wins), Bulldog Racing (8), Rayne Knight (7), a six-way tie for fourth between Juan Carrillo, Sr., Eddie Harrison, Joel Huitron, Joseph Landreneau, Rogelio Marquez, Jr. and Lorena Morales at 4 wins each and there was a tie for 10th between 12 owners at 3 wins each.

Live racing will resume at Evangeline Downs with the beginning of the 2021 Thoroughbred season, which will cover 84 racing days on a Wednesday through Saturday schedule. The season will start on Wednesday, April 7.

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For more information on the American Quarter Horse season at Evangeline Downs, visit the track's website at 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 & Hotel is owned by Boyd Gaming Corporation, a leading diversified owner and operator of 22 gaming entertainment properties located in Nevada, New Jersey, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Boyd Gaming press releases are available at www.prnewswire.com. Additional news and information can be found at www.boydgaming.com, or evangelinedowns.com.