07/11/2018..DELTA DOWNS..VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs wrapped up its 2018 American Quarter Horse season on Saturday night. During the special 12-race program, billed as Louisiana Showcase Night, the track honored its leading horsemen for the 46-day stand which began on April 20.
John Hamilton won 44 races on the season while capturing his sixth leading rider title this year. The 54-year-old Vinton, Louisiana resident won consecutive titles from 2012 through 2015 and in 2017 before edging out Luis Vivanco by one win in the standings this year. Hamilton also led all riders in terms of mount earnings with a total of $895,505.
Hamilton’s biggest win of the season came on July 4 when he booted home Patriotic Games in the $362,675 Firecracker Futurity (G2).
Following Hamilton in the standings were Luis Vivanco (43), Luciano Duenez (30), Antonio Alberto (30), Everardo Rodriguez (28), Damian Martinez (22), Gilbert Ortiz (21), Noe Castaneda (21), Ubaldo Luna (19), and Juan Marquez (19).
Michael Taylor earned his second leading trainer title this season by saddling 36 winners from 183 starters. The 69-year-old resident of Vinton, Louisiana won his first title in 2015. In 2018, he also led all trainers in earnings with a mark of $684,989.
Rounding out the top 10 trainers in terms of wins for the season were Orlando Orozco (24), Kenneth Roberts, Sr. (20), Kenneth Weeks (19), Martin Trejo (18), Eduardo Morales (17), Lanny Keith (12), Josue Huitron (12), Alberto Solis (12), and John Stinebaugh (11).
The leading owner title for 2018 went to Aaron Harvey, whose horses are trained by Michael Taylor. The Tonganoxie, Kansas resident enjoyed his first local title with eight of his runners making it to the winner’s circle from 37 starts.
The trainer with the most earnings this season was Jose Estrada Quarter Horses with a total of $372,800. The 2-year-old filly Eysa Jess Jumpn earned $350,000 of that figure with her win in the $700,000 Lee Berwick Futurity (RG1) on closing night.
Following Harvey in the owner standings were Lester Colomb, Jr. (7), Rosendo Valdez (7), Rogelio Marquez, Jr. (6), J. and J. Stables, LLC (6), Fernando Ramos (6), Jose Ortiz (5), Jagger Horse Racing (5), Rayne Knight (4), and Joe M. Davis (4).
Delta Downs will now prepare for its 2018-19 Thoroughbred season which runs from October 17 through March 9. The track will conduct live racing each Wednesday through Saturday night beginning at 5:25 pm Central Time.
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.
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.
