SAENZ, BROBERG, AND END ZONE ATHLETICS INC. CAPTURE LEADING HORSEMEN TITLES AT DELTA DOWNS FOR 2016-17 SEASON

By Don Stevens —-

84-DAY SEASON CAME TO A CLOSE SATURDAY NIGHT

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs closed out its 2016-17 Thoroughbred season on Saturday night and the track honored its leading horsemen for the meet during the 10-race program.

Jockey Diego Saenz won his third leading rider title at Delta Downs by a wide margin this year while Karl Broberg won his sixth consecutive leading trainer crown. The title of leading owner went to End Zone Athletics, Inc. for the fifth time in the last six years. End Zone Athletics, Inc. is made up of Karl Broberg and Matt Johanson.

Saenz led all jockeys in terms of wins and mount earnings as he enjoyed 103 trips to the winner’s circle while his mounts earned a total of $2,174,058. The 38-year-old resident of Carencro, Louisiana had previously won titles during the 2009-10 and 2013-14 seasons when he booted home 108 and 116 winners respectively.

Following Saenz in the final jockey standings were Ashley Broussard (63 wins), Roberto Morales (53), Timothy Thornton (52), Gerard Melancon (50), Steve Bourque (44), Luis Negron (33), Eddie Martin, Jr. (30), Jose Guerrero (29), and Alexander Castillo (27).

Karl Broberg saddled 69 winners during the season and his barn also led all trainers in earnings with a total of $1,194,195. The 46-year-old resident of Arlington, Texas began his current streak of leading trainer titles at Delta Downs during the 2011-12 season and has led the entire nation in wins for three calendar years in a row, 2014-2016.

Rounding out the top 10 trainers for the season at Delta Downs were Sam Breaux (53), Eduardo Ramirez (38), Joey Foster (28), Shane Wilson (21), W. Bret Calhoun (21), Henry B. Johnson, Jr. (20), Brett Brinkman (19), Tom Amoss (19), and Scott Gelner (17).

End Zone Athletics Inc. saw 37 of their runners make it to the winner’s circle from 137 starts this year. The barn, which is made up of primarily allowance and claiming horses, tallied total earnings of $615,513.

Rounding out the top 10 owners for the meet were Elite Thoroughbred Racing, LLC (Michele Rodriguez) (13), Wayne T. Davis (12), Maggi Moss (12), Red Rose Racing (Jimmy Johnson) (10), Patti Turner (9), Circle H Farm (Don Hargroder) (9), Richard Tate (9), St. George Stable LLC (German Larrea), and Henry Ray Dunn (7).

Delta Downs is now preparing for its 2017 American Quarter Horse season, which gets underway on Friday, April 21. The 46-day stand will run through July 8 with live racing each Wednesday through Saturday night starting at 6:15 pm CT.

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 off I-10.