Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeder Association

News October 31, 2025

Alvarez, Stevens, Orozco and Martinez Named Louisiana Downs Leaders

Owner Manuel Alvarez shared Louisiana Downs leading owner honors with Julien Stevens III (not pictured) for the just completed 2017 Quarter Horse meet.

© Ann Switalski / Lou Hodges Photography

BOOSIER CITY, LA—MARCH 22, 2017—Louisiana Downs closed their 2017 Quarter Horse season on today (Wednesday) with the running of the Grade 3 $233,578 Harrah's Entertainment Futurity (see related story).

Orlando Orozco took home the leading trainer honors with 29(19%) wins from 154 starts. His stable finished in the top-three 49% of the time while earning $189,425. He compiled a (154) 29-23-23 overall record.

Kenneth Roberts, Sr. and Carlos Saldivar tied for the second leading trainer honors with 18 wins each. Roberts victories came from 74 starters for a 24%-win rate while Saldivar had 133 starts with a 14%-win average.

Damian Martinez took the meet's leading rider award with 37 wins. The jockey posted a (202) 37-38-21 record with earnings of $322,310. He won 18% of his starts and his mounts finished in the top-three 48% of the time.

Trainer Orlando Orozco won 29 races to become the Louisiana Downs leading Quarter Horse trainer in 2017.
© Ann Switalski / Lou Hodges Photography

David Alvarez tied for second with 27 wins (19%) from 143 starts while J.R. Ramirez rode 27 winners (17%) from 155 starts.

Manuel Alvarez and Julien Stevens III share2017 leading owner honors with eight wins each.

Damian Martinez finished the Louisiana Downs Quarter Horse meet as the leading rider with 37 wins.
© Ann Switalski / Lou Hodges Photography

Alvarez posted a (36) 8-5-7 record for a 22%-win rate and earnings of $52,337. His stable finished in the top-three in 56% of starts.

Stevens eight wins (32%) came off a (25) 8-4-6 record with $46,745 banked. He was in the top-three 56% of the time.

Owner Jose Barron was the third leading owner of 2017 with five wins (22%) and earnings of $30,957.

LQHBA is the official authorized representative of the American Quarter Horse racing and breeding industry in Louisiana, the unified voice of quarter Horse breedings in the State of Louisiana for purposes of communicatting the advantages and rewards of breeding Quarter Horses in the State and for the purposes of a conducting and coordinating activities with breeding and racing agencies.