2018-19 Season Leaders Smash Records at Delta Downs

It was a season of records at Delta Downs in 2018-19 as new heights were reached in each of three horsemen's categories during the 84-day meeting that wrapped up March 12. Leading rider Tim Thornton set a new record for mounts earnings in a single meeting while trainer Karl Broberg and owner End Zone Athletics, Inc. established new marks for wins as well as earnings.

Thornton rode 142 winners during the season to earn his first local riding title and his mounts earned $2,894,080. His win total did not match Gerard Melancon's 2007-08 mark of 146, however his earnings total did establish a new record. It was also the second season in a row that Thornton won the leading rider title at a Boyd Gaming owned racetrack. During the 2018 meeting at Evangeline Downs he tallied 141 wins to lead all jockeys.

Following Thornton in the jockey standings were Diego Saenz (86 wins), Gerard Melancon (56), Thomas Pompell (46), Eguard Tejera (41), *Paulina Ramirez (31), Emanuel Nieves (28), Kevin Smith (28), Chris Rosier (28), and Kerwin Clark (27).

Broberg continued his dominance at Delta Downs in 2018-19 by sending out 107 winners and totaling $2,017,120 in earnings. Both numbers established single-season records. It was also the first time a trainer had won more than 100 races and gone over the $2 million mark in earnings. The accomplishment capped off a season that saw Broberg win his eighth straight training title at the Vinton, Louisiana racetrack.

Rounding out the top 10 trainers for the 2018-19 season were Tom Amoss (32), Scott Gelner (30), Beverly Burress (27), Joel Berndt (24), Brett Brinkman (22), Robertino Diodoro (21), Sam Breaux (21), Dale White, Sr. (19), and Eduardo Ramirez (19).

And finally, records were also set in the category of leading owner this year as End Zone Athletics, Inc. saw 50 of their runners make it to the winner's circle earning a total of $873,545. Both numbers established new single season records and it was the seventh time overall that End Zone Athletics, Inc. has won the leading owner title at Delta Downs. End Zone Athletics, Inc. is made up of trainer Karl Broberg and Matt Johansen.

Following End Zone Athletics in the owner standings this year were M and M Racing (Mike Sisk) (14), Brittlyn Stable Inc. (Evelyn Benoit) (14), Maggi Moss (11), Keene Thoroughbreds LLC (Danny Keene) (9), Giddy Up Racing, LLC (9), Beverly Burress (7), Dale White, Sr. (7), Wayne T. Davis (7), and Circle H Farms (Don Hargroder) (7).

Delta Downs now looks forward to its upcoming American Quarter Horse season which gets underway on April 19 and runs through July 6. The 46-day meeting will feature live racing each Wednesday through Saturday night beginning at 6:15 pm CST.