Melancons finding success on two fronts

Father and son riding combinations, while uncommon, are not all that rare, especially in Louisiana which has produced so many jockeys through the years.

What is a bit unusual, is the magnitude of success Gerard Melancon and his son, Jansen, have had this summer while plying their trade at opposite ends of the state.

At Evangeline Downs, veteran Gerard Melancon occupied his usual position near the top of the standings all summer long. The winner of almost 3,800 career races eventually finished second – for the fourth year in a row – when the meet concluded last Saturday.

Meanwhile, 200 miles to the north at Louisiana Downs, Jansen Melancon, 23, is enjoying a breakout season. He ranks third in the standings behind longtime Louisiana Downs regulars Don Simington and Richard Eramia with two weeks remaining in the season.