EVANGELINE DOWNS OPENS SEPT 27TH

COURTESY OF STALLIONESEARCH.COM




Evangeline Downs Kicks Off 2007 Fall Quarter Horse Meet


OPELOUSAS, LOUISIANA—SEPTEMBER 24, 2007—The $200,000 added LQHBA Futurity and the $150,000 added LQHBA Sales Futurity, both restricted Grade I events for two-year-old state breds are just two of fifteen stakes events to be run during the 40-night fall quarter horse meeting at Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino, scheduled to run from September 27 through December 2.

The stakes action kicks off this Friday on opening night with a special fifteen race program. Each and every one of the fifteen races is a trial for the rich LQHBA Sales Futurity for two-year-old Louisiana breds. Each trial is worth $12,000 with the ten fastest qualifiers advancing to the final to be run on Saturday, October 14th.

The next ten fastest qualifiers will do battle in the consolation to be run on Friday, October 13th. As with all quarter horse futurities, all horses that qualify for either the final or consolation will share in the total purse which is to be divided by percentage and awarded based on the final order of finishers in both the final & consolation. The total purse for the LQHBA Sales Futurity is $395,622. In order to accommodate the extra races, post time for opening night has been moved up one hour to 5:20 p.m. central time.

In addition to the expanded stakes program, daily purse distribution will start off at approximately $115,000. This has once again led to an overfilled barn area, both at the track and the training center.

Newcomers Benny Pennington, Frank Cuvazo, and Dave Correll each have brought in stables of double-digits as they seek to grab a share of the strong casino-infused purse structure. Alvin Brossette has a stable of 15 bedded down on the backside as he begins his new occupation after a highly successful three decade long career in the saddle.

Heath Taylor, Janet Van Bebber, and Ray Robbins, who have all enjoyed tremendous success both in Louisiana and nationally have full contingents on the backside as they seek to dethrone Kenny Roberts, who has won the leading trainer title the last two season’s here at Evangeline Downs. Roberts and Taylor each have the maximum of 40 horses on the backside and Van Bebber and Robbins have 35 each. Last year’s leading rider, Danny Lavergne who visited the winner’s circle an impressive 67 times during last year’s 40 night season en route to his second consecutive riding title here, is back to defend his title against a talented and deep pool of veteran jockeys including Alfonso Lujan, Gilbert Ortiz, Ronald Lejeune Jr., Orlando Baldillez and Nickey Laws.

While our richest events are for the two-year-olds, we have a solid overnight program as well as an extensive and varied stakes line-up which will provide plenty of opportunity for both three-year-olds and for older campaigners, said Jason Boulet, racing secretary at the Opelousas , LA , track.

Evangeline Downs’ 2007 fall stakes schedule:
SEP 29—Don Cravins Stakes— 3 & Up— 440 yds—$30,000 added
SEP 30—Billy Montgomery— 3 & Up Fillies & Mares—350 yds— $30,000 added
OCT 06— Sunset Stakes—3 & Up—870 yds—$15,000 added
OCT 13—EVD Graduation Stakes—3& 4 yo's—400 yds—$30,000 added
OCT 14—LQHBA Sales Fut. (cons)— 2y yo's — 350 yds— $53,087
OCT 14—LQHBA Sales Futurity(RG1)—2 yo's — 350 yds—$150,00
OCT 21—Louisiana Derby—3 yo's —400 yds—$75,000 added
OCT 27—Yambilee Stakes—3 & Up—440 yds—$15,000 added
OCT 28—Opelousas Stakes—3 & Up Fillis & Mares—400 yds—$25,000 added
NOV 04—Grand Coteau Stakes—3 & Up—870 yd— $25,000 added
NOV 11—EVD Futurity—2yo—400 yds —$60,000 added
NOV 18—EVD Dash—3 & Up— 220 yds— $15,000 added
NOV 25—EVD Derby—3yo—400 yds —$50,000 added
NOV 25—LQHBA Futurity(RG1)— 2yo—400 yds—$200,000 added
NOV 25—LQHBA Futurity (cons) — 2yo— 400 yds—TBA

Racing will be conducted four evenings a week, Thursday thru Sunday with a first post of 6:20 p.m. central time.

For more information contact Evangeline Downs at 337-594-3000.