Louisiana Downs: Guerrero wins riding title, Wilson is top trainer

The 50th anniversary of live racing at Louisiana Downs concluded on Tuesday with jockey Jose Guerrero, trainer Shane Wilson and owner Wayne T. Davis taking top honors.

A very competitive jockey colony dueled from opening day, but there was no denying Guerrero, who topped his fellow riders to earn his first leading rider title with 70 wins. He finished second in the standings last year, but with the support of leading conditioner Wilson and many other trainers, he was able to draw clear in the final two weeks of the meet.

Wilson saw talent in the 28-year-old native of Mexico since he began riding in Louisiana. He admired his ability to boot home long shots and asked Guerrero whether he knew the difference between being a jockey and a skilled race rider. They watched countless videos, and Guerrero impressed Wilson with his desire to learn and improve his craft.

“Now, I watch the replays on my own, and Shane and I have a brief talk in the paddock before the races,” explained Guerrero. “He has given me a lot of confidence. I thank him and all my trainers, including Patti Turner as well as Jonas Gibson, who I began riding for this year.”

Guerrero, who represented by agent Steve Melancon, completed the season with a record of 70 wins from 336 starts and purses totaling $1,189,553. He will ride next at Delta Downs and Fair Grounds.

Joel Dominguez, who was the top-ranked rider in 2020, battled gamely with Guerrero to lock up second place this year with 53 trips to the winner’s circle. Emanuel Nieves won 49 races to finish third and Angel Suarez, finished fourth with 39 victories. Suarez, who was new to the jockey colony this season, is married to fellow rider Aubrie Green. Both were very popular with trainers and horseplayers.

Wilson, a resident of Haughton, La., started 210 Thoroughbreds, winning 45 races for his third consecutive title. He added 33 runner-up finishes and 25 thirds with earnings of $861,315 for the meet. In similar style to the past two seasons, he arrived with a strong group of claimers who were ready to step up to the allowance level. Despite running fewer dates than in 2022, Wilson was pleased with the barn’s results.

“It was a very good meet in spite of the heat,” said Wilson. “We appreciate the efforts of Louisiana Downs. Moving the post time later was good so we were not competing with the East Coast tracks. Our horses are sound; (track superintendent) Billy McKeever does a great job.”

Of course, Wilson is grateful to his owners, including Wayne T. Davis, Jim and Kathy Reeves, Kevin Fontenot, Phyllis Presswood and Joe Hackler, who was his first client in 1998.

“To win races for Joe Hackler means a lot as he was the first owner to give me an opportunity,” added Wilson. “Evelyn Benoit joined us this year. Wayne Davis has been so loyal and at 94 years old, he has told me this might be his last year as an owner. We were two ahead going into the final day and were able to stay on top. So happy that Wayne could get another title!”

It’s a family affair at the Wilson barn, with his wife Becky and younger son, Connor, sharing in the key duties. His oldest son, Peyton, is an honors engineering student at LSU.

Wilson already has a string at Remington Park and will run at Fair Grounds for its 2023-24 live racing season.

Joey Foster, who has won the Louisiana Downs trainer title three times, finished second with 23 victories. Steve Asmussen won 21 races and Joe O. Duhon rounded out the top four conditioners with 16 wins.

Davis claimed his second leading owner title with 14 wins this season. The Plain Dealing, La., resident has formed a close association with Wilson and was on hand for the final day of the 2023 meet.

“It’s not like I am the owner and Shane is the trainer,” said Davis. “We are part of a family, and that’s what makes running horses so special.”

Davis, who also won the 2021 title, finished second last year. He was pleased to accept the trophy, accompanied by Shane, Becky and Connor Wilson.

“Good people and nice horses,” added Davis. “You can’t ask for anything more!”

L and G Racing Stable finished second with 12 wins, followed by Jonas Gibson, who won 10 races, and Danny R. Caldwell with eight winners.