LA: Broberg, Hernandez Rule at Evangeline Meet

Blood-Horse

Evangeline Downs concluded its 84-day Thoroughbred racing season Aug. 29 with Karl Broberg and Colby Hernandez dominating from the start of the meet to take the respective trainer and jockey titles.

Broberg won more than twice as many races as his next closest training competition, winning 98 races from 228 starters for a remarkable winning percentage of 43%. His horses earned $1,262,732 during the season, which was nearly $500,000 more than Sam Breaux, who was second with 47 wins and purse earnings of $778,377.

Hernandez, Broberg’s main rider during the season, set an Evangeline Downs record by winning 174 races from 575 mounts for a winning percentage of 30%. His mounts earned $2,591,939 during the season. Diego Saenz, whose season was cut short by injury, was second by wins and earnings, posting 81 victories and amassing $1,618,390 in purses.

Broberg also was part of the leading ownership team, along with his partner Matt Johanson, as End Zone Athletics Inc. and won the title with 25 victories from 57 starts at a 44% strike rate. Whispering Oaks Farm was second with 16 wins led by earnings with $454,245, compared with End Zone Atlthetics, which was second with $319,450.