Melancon, Broberg Take Delta Downs Titles
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Photo: Coady Photography
Gerard Melancon led all jockeys in terms of wins with 78, and total mount earnings with $1,947,925.
Gerard Melancon and Karl Broberg took the respective jockey and trainer titles when Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel closed out its 2015-16 Thoroughbred season March 12.
Broberg is also a partner with Matt Johanson in End Zone Athletics Inc., which topped the owner standings for the 86-day meeting.
Melancon, who earned a fourth track title, led all jockeys in terms of wins with 78, including four stakes victories, and total mount earnings with $1,947,925.
Ashley Broussard and C. J. McMahon tied for second in the rider standings with 66 wins each.
Broberg, North America's leading trainer by wins in 2014 and 2015, dominated at Delta Downs and set a track record for most wins in a single season with 93. The Arlington, Texas resident also set a new benchmark for success by a leading trainer with a 33% win rate. Broberg has now won five consecutive leading trainer titles at the Delta.
Brett Brinkman was second among Delta trainers, with 36 victories, and Sam Breaux was third with 34.
End Zone Athletics took its fourth leading owner title as they saw 21 of their horses tally victories. The barn is made up of primarily allowance and claiming horses who amassed total earnings of $321,315.
The owner with top earnings this year was Matthew Byran's Big Chief Racing, which saw Exaggerator invade Delta Downs Nov. 21 and take the season's richest event, the $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot (gr. III). Exaggerator, who is a candidate for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum Brands (gr. I), took home $600,000 for his Jackpot victory.