The 2021 Thoroughbred racing season at Louisiana Downs concluded on Tuesday, Sept. 21. The meet leaders, jockey Carlos Lozada, trainer Shane Wilson and owner Wayne T. Davis were honored for their accomplishments on the final afternoon of the 84-day meet, which began on Saturday, May 1.
Carlos Lozada who won his first title here in 2019, clinched top honors once again. He has been dominant throughout the meet, topping a very competitive jockey colony and holding off 2020 leading rider Joel Dominguez by four wins.
The 36-year-old native of Puerto Rico began riding in the United States in 2007 after attending Puerto Rico's Escuela Vocational Hipica, the famed jockey school with a noted list of riders, including Irad Ortiz, Jr, Jose Ortiz as well as 2018 Louisiana Downs top-ranked rider, Emanuel Nieves.
Lozada, won races for a variety of trainers including Joey Foster, Karl Broberg, Tim Dixon, Al Cates and Justin Jeansonne. He was named on 391 mounts, with a record of 84 wins, 76 seconds, 60 thirds and purses of $1,053,720.
Winning his second leading rider title Louisiana Downs meant a great deal to the devoted family man, supported by his wife, Eileen Quinones and their three sons: Anthony, who celebrated his 17th birthday on September 21; Jean Carlos and Jandriel.
“I thank my family, my agent Ronald Ardoin and each of the owners and trainers who supported me this season,” said Lozada. “Louisiana Downs has been a very good track for me; I really enjoy the daytime schedule!”
Lozada plans to winter in Tampa and ride next at Tampa Bay Downs before returning to Louisiana Downs next May.
Joel Dominguez finished second with 80 trips to the winner's circle, edging Lozada slightly in purses, with mounts earning $1,057,585. Emanuel Nieves finished the meet well, winning 72 races and Juan P. Vargas was fourth in the standings with 70 trips to the winner's circle.
In his second year of running a barn at Louisiana Downs, Shane Wilson topped his fellow conditioners with 55 victories.
The Haughton, Louisiana resident won 32 races last year and credited David Heitzmann, Louisiana Downs Director of Racing, for initiating a plan for the 2020 live racing season before any other racetrack.
“David helped the horsemen with the uncertainty of COVID-19 last year,” said Wilson. “Louisiana Downs has great racing surfaces and the location works for shipping to Dallas and Hot Springs.”
His success in 2020 propelled Wilson to formulate a plan for the 2021 live racing season.
“Returning this year, I claimed horses for my leading client, Wayne T. Davis and several other owners. We had a plan and it came together very well.”
His top claimer is Emerald Forest who Wilson convinced Davis to take from Joe Sharp for $15,000 last February at Fair Grounds. It was one of Wilson's toughest conversations as Davis countered the suggestion with: “You want me to spend $15,000 on a horse that lost by 31 lengths?”
Wilson was strongly convinced that the 3-year-old gelding by Gemologist was not suited for the turf and would fare better on the main track.
And boy, was he right! He won a maiden special weight on April 6, and captured three of his four starts at Louisiana Downs. On July 13, he set a new seven-furlong track record of 1:21.07, drawing off to a ten-length victory under Jose Guerrero.
“We're going to try the big boys at Churchill Downs next,” said Wilson.
Both Guerrero and Alexander Castillo have ridden well for Wilson this season at Louisiana Downs.
“I took a long look at the jockey colony and liked the fact that both Alexander Castillo and Jose Guerrero finished in the top five,” he explained. “These guys try hard on each mount and won some races at big prices. I worked with their agent, Steve Melancon, and decided to give them a chance. They have worked hard for us and I believe in loyalty.”
Wilson played football and basketball in high school and college and developed a fierce competitive drive, which fuels him to this day.
“I wasn't the best athlete, but beat better by being prepared,” he said. “I never accepted I was going to lose until the game was over!”
It's a family affair at the Wilson barn, with his wife Becky and younger son, Connor, sharing in the key duties.
“I don't hunt, fish or play golf,” stated Wilson. “It's all about the horses and thankfully, Becky, Connor and my oldest son, Peyton, understand that!”
Joey Foster, who has won the trainer title three times, finished second with 40 wins. Joe Duhon followed with 33 victories and Karl Broberg rounded out the top four with 30 wins.
The leading owner of the meet is Wayne T. Davis who topped the standings with 25 victories. The 92-year-old Louisiana businessman has been an owner for over 20 years and he and Wilson have teamed with a wide range of Thoroughbreds; their most successful to date is Grade 3 winner Mocito Rojo.
End Zone Athletics, Inc., who took the owner title in 2019 and 2020, finished second. The highly successful partnership of Karl Broberg and Matt Johanson won 20 races this meet. Dream Walkin Farms, Inc. was third in the standings with 18 wins and Justin Jeansonne had 11 victories to finish fourth.
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