Wilson, Guerrero win training, riding titles for Fair Grounds meet

Fair Grounds wrapped up its 152nd season of racing on Sunday, having offered the richest stakes schedule in Louisiana history at $9.95 million. The 2023-4 trainer, owner and jockey title winners all extended from one barn, as Shane Wilson finished atop all conditioners, first call Jose Guerrero earned top pilot honors and Brittlyn Stable hoisted the owner’s title.

Wilson got off to a hot start and never cooled off, and the trainer put a bow on his first Fair Grounds title winning three races in a row on closing day, including two stakes with Brittlyn Stable’s Ova Charged and Behemah Star. Tallying 50 wins, Wilson earned over $2 million in purses. Having transferred her string to Wilson’s care prior to the meet, Evelyn Benoit of Brittlyn Stable amassed 14 wins to gain her second owner’s title in the last three years. Also stabling Thoroughbreds with Shane Wilson, owner Wayne T. Davis finished in second with 12 wins.

Jockey newcomer Jose Guerrero piloted 48 to the winner’s circle for Wilson and four for other connections to take the riding title with 52 in total. The title for leading rider came down to the last day as fans saw Guerrero win three races in a row on closing day’s 15-race card, edging out Jareth Loveberry by one win.

Three new additions to the jockey colony finished at the top of the standings, as Ben Curtis and Jaime Torres joined Jose Guerrero in the top five.