Month: June 2015

2015 Louisiana Legends Night Champions

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Stormdriver - Louisiana Legends Classic Stakes - Honoring Pola Benoit - 07-04-15 - R11 - EVD - FinishSTORMDRIVER (Discreet Cat – Prom Date, by Take Me Out)
Louisiana Legends Classic Stakes – Honoring Pola Benoit
Evangeline Downs     Opelousas, Louisiana
July 4, 2015    Race #11
Purse $125,000
1-1/16 Miles  1:44.24
Tigertail Ranch, Breeder
Fruition Racing, LLC, Owner
Patrick Devereux, Jr., Trainer
Diego Saenz, Jockey
Heavy On Themister (2nd)
Social Misfit (3rd)
Margins: 2 1/2, 4 3/4, head
Photo Credit To:  / Coady Photography

Heitai - Louisiana Legends Sprint - Honoring Junius Delahoussaye - 07-04-15 - R10 - EVD - Finish
HEITAI (Fusaichi Pegasus – Sparkles of Luck, by Mr. Sparkles)
Louisiana Legends Sprint  – Honoring Junius Delahoussaye
Evangeline Downs     Opelousas, Louisiana
July 4, 2015    Race #10
Purse $100,000
5-1/2 Furlongs  1:03.12
Rowell Enterprises, Inc.,Breeder/Owner
Thomas Amoss, Trainer
Diego Saenz, Jockey
Strong And Tough (2nd)
Too Dim (3rd)
Margins: 1/2, 5 3/4, 3 3/4
Photo Credit To:  / Coady Photography

String King - Louisiana Legends Turf Stakes - Honoring Attaway Darbonne - 07-04-15 - R09 - EVD
STRING KING (Crowned King – String Dancer, by Fly a Kite (IRE))
Louisiana Legends Turf Stakes – Honoring Attaway Darbonne
Evangeline Downs     Opelousas, Louisiana
July 4, 2015    Race #09
Purse $100,000
1-1/16 Miles  1:45.16
Charlie Smith, Breeder
Charles Craig Smith, Owner
Charles Craig Smith, Trainer
Richard Eramia, Jockey
Drewssasin (2nd)
Galveston Harbor (3rd)
Margins: 1, 1, neck
Please Give Photo Credit To:  / Coady Photography

Heatseeker Sharon - Louisiana Legends Distaff - 07-04-15 - R08 - EVD - Finish
HEATSEEKER SHARON (Heatseeker (IRE) – Carson City Sham, by Carson City)
Louisiana Legends Distaff
Evangeline Downs     Opelousas, Louisiana
July 4, 2015    Race #08
Purse $100,000
1-1/16 Miles  1:45.23
Keith Hernandez, Earl Hernandez & John Duvieilh, Breeder
John Duvieilh, Keith & Earl Hernandez , Owners
Frank Leggio, Trainer
Billy Charles Patin, Jockey
Another Pinot (2nd)
Devil’s Backbone  (3rd)
Margins: 1 1/2, 2 3/4, 4 3/4
Photo Credit To:  / Coady Photography

Mobile Bay - Louisiana Legends Cheval Stakes - Honoring B.B
MOBILE BAY (Lone Star Special – Tranquility Bay, by Out of Place)
Louisiana Legends Cheval Stakes – Honoring B.B. “Sixty” Rayburn
Evangeline Downs     Opelousas, Louisiana
July 4, 2015    Race #07
Purse $100,000
One Mile  1:38.53
Tigertail Ranch, Breeder/Owner
Victor Arceneaux, Trainer
Diego Saenz, Jockey
Four Leaf Chief  (2nd)
Tee Brown (3rd)
Margins: 1, 1, 4
Photo Credit To:  / Coady Photography

Snappy Girl - Louisiana Legends Mademoiselle Stakes - Honoring Pierre LeBlanc - 07-04-15 - R06 - EVD - Finish
SNAPPY GIRL (Student Council – Snap to It, by Honour and Glory)
Louisiana Legends Mademoiselle Stakes – Honoring Pierre LeBlanc
Evangeline Downs     Opelousas, Louisiana
July 4, 2015    Race #06
Purse $100,000
5-1/2 Furlongs  1:03.96
Millenium Farms at Moon Lake, Breeder
Jerry Namy, Owner
Karl Broberg, Trainer
Colby Hernandez, Jockey
Afternoon Tango (2nd)
Aliana (3rd)
Margins: 4 3/4, 1/2, 1 3/4
Please Give Photo Credit To:  / Coady Photography

Pacific Pink - Louisiana Legends Soiree Stakes - Honoring Frank Buddy Abadie - 07-04-15 - R05 - EVD - Finish
PACIFIC PINK (Private Vow – Truly Romantic, by Robyn Dancer)
Louisiana Legends Soiree Stakes – Honoring Frank “Buddy” Abadie
Evangeline Downs     Opelousas, Louisiana
July 4, 2015    Race #05
Purse $100,000
One Mile  1:38.67
Brandon Adcock, Breeder
Keith Plaisance, Owner
Edward Johnston, Trainer
Colby Hernandez, Jockey
Discreetly Grand (2nd)
Safari Calamari (3rd)
Margins: 4 3/4, 1 1/2, 2 3/4
Photo Credit To:  /  Coady Photography

Over A Barrel - Louisiana Legends Starter Stakes - 07-04-15 - R04 - EVD - Finish1
OVER A BARREL (Brahms – Come On Goldie, by Fast ‘n’ Gold)
Louisiana Legends Starter Stakes
Evangeline Downs     Opelousas, Louisiana
July 4, 2015    Race #04
Purse $50,000
1-1/16 Miles  1:45.97
Oscar Tolmas, Breeder
All Right Racing Stable LLC, Owner
Victor Arceneaux, Trainer
Gerard Melancon, Jockey
One Survivor (2nd)
Say Charlie (3rd)
Margins: nose, 6 3/4
Photo Credit To:  / Coady Photography

THOROUGHBRED CHARITIES OF AMERICA ANNOUNCES JUNE AWARD OF MERIT WINNERS

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LEXINGTON, Ky. � Thoroughbred Charities of America has announced the recipients of its Award of Merit honored at breeders associations� awards ceremonies in June.

Launched in January, in celebration of its 25th anniversary, nearly 20 recipients will be honored throughout the year. Recipients are nominated by the leadership of various state Thoroughbred owners and breeders associations.

The Louisiana Horse Rescue Association was honored at the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association�s Awards Banquet on June 6 and LoneStar Outreach to Place Ex-Racers (LOPE) was named the Award of Merit recipient at the Texas Thoroughbred Association�s Awards Banquet on June 20.

The Louisiana Horse Rescue Association (LAHRA) is a nonprofit organization that aims to rescue, rehome and retrain Thoroughbred racehorses. The organization is staffed exclusively by volunteers and has recently been involved in two large scale horse rescues in Louisiana.  Since their inception in 2010, LAHRA has assisted over 200 Thoroughbreds.

LoneStar Outreach to Place Ex-Racers (LOPE) is a nonprofit organization that works to help Texas racehorses thorough rehabilitation, retaining and rehoming services. LOPE employs a very extensive retraining program thus ensuring a strong foundation for their horses� futures in a new discipline. LOPE�s president, Lynn Reardon, has also produced a horsemanship DVD, offers horsemanship clinics and authored �Beyond the Homestretch�. LOPE has assisted well over 1,000 Thoroughbreds.

Award of Merit nominees consist of individuals or organizations working to provide a better life for Thoroughbreds or the people who work with them, either on the backstretch or on the farm.  Both achievements are reflective of TCA�s all encompassing mission to help Thoroughbreds and the people who care for them.

Other recipients honored earlier this year include Kip Elser, Elizabeth MacDonald, Russ Rhone, Bowman Second Chance Thoroughbred Adoption, Emerald Downs� the Prodigious Fund, Amy Tarrant, Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue, Dennis Miller, Hope After Racing (H.A.R.T.), Anne Tucker, Midwest Thoroughbreds, Steuart Pittman and the Retired Racehorse Project and Turning for Home.

Subsequent award winners will be announced monthly.

TCA was formed in 1990 to raise and distribute funds for charities in the Thoroughbred industry which provide a better life for Thoroughbreds both during and after their racing careers by supporting retirement, rescue, research and by helping the people who work with them. Over the last 25 years TCA has distributed over $21 million in grants to more than 200 Thoroughbred-related organizations. TCA is the charitable arm of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA).

Horsemen Brothers, Delhomme to be inducted into Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame

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The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame will induct eight new members with awards at an
Induction Celebration Saturday, June 27 in Natchitoches. Among those being honored are
retired trainer Frank Brothers and former quarterback Jake Delhomme, 1st Vise President
of
the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association (LTBA)

Brothers, 68, is a New Orleans native. He won six Fair Grounds training titles and finished
second in the standings five times. He won the Louisiana Downs training title nine
consecutive times, in  addition to training titles at Keeneland and Churchill Downs. He
won more than 2,300 races and almost $50 million in purses.

Along the way, Brothers trained horses like Pulpit, Hansel, Madcap Escapade, First
Samurai and Arch.

Brothers will become the first trainer inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame,
joining seven jockeys and one owner. He was previously inducted into the Fair Grounds
Hall of Fame in 1991.

For more on Brothers go to:
http://www.nola.com/horseracing/index.ssf/2015/06/frank_brothers.html

Breaux Bridge native and retired quarterback Jake Delhomme is the 10th quarterback
to be inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

Delhomme starred at Teurlings Catholic High School and Louisiana-Lafayette, known
as USL, before making his mark in the NFL. He retired in 2012 after 15 seasons and
remains the all-time leading passer in Carolina Panthers history.

These days, Delhomme spends most of his time in and around his home in Breaux
Bridge. He works as an outside director at MidSouth Bank and helps manage a stable
of 11 thoroughbred horses with his father Jerry and brother Jeff. Their Set-Hut Stables
races mostly out of nearby Evangeline Downs and Delta Downs.

He has been on the LTBA board of directors since 2012 serving as president from
2013-14, and is currently first vice president. He also helps coach his daughters, Lauren, 12,
and Lindsey, 8, in their various athletic endeavors.

For more on Delhomme, go to:
http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2015/06/jake_delhomme_forged_hall_
of_f.html

LTBA Annual Meeting and Horse of the Year Awards

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The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association Annual Meeting and Horse of the Year Awards was held on June 6, 2015 at Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino. An added bonus was watching the Belmont Stakes and seeing American Pharoah win the
Triple Crown.

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Chrissie Early and Shirley Dievert
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Jake Delhomme, Tom Early, Billie Courville and Roger Heitzmann
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EVD Chaplain Dwight Brown
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Dr. Frank Andrews
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Jake Delhomme and Mark Toothaker
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Savannah Blanco, Rep. Stephen Ortego, Charlotte Clavier and Haley Granger

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Patrick and Victoria Richmond
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Bobby and Linda Duhon
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Cindy Meeker, Val Murrell and Cynthia Eyre
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Terry and Jay Adcock with Faye Hargrave
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Natalie and Jim Montgomery

LTBA Horse Of The Year and Special Awards

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The 2014 Horse of Year and Special Awards were presented at the LTBA Annual Meeting on June 6, 2015 at Evangeline Downs.

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2014 Louisiana Broodmare of the Year, Character Builder. Jake Delhomme presenting. Leroy Cyprian accepting on behalf of Coteau Grove Farm.

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2014 A.L. “Red” Erwin Stallion of the Year (Co-Winner) Brahms. Roger Heitzmann presenting. Michele Rodriguez accepting on behalf of Vinery.

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2014 A.L. “Red” Erwin Stallion of the Year (Co-Winner) Half Ours. Roger Heitzmann presenting. Val Murrell accepting for Half Ours Group.

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2014 Leading Breeder by Breeders Awards, Spendthrift Farm. Mark Toothaker accepting on behalf of Spendthrift Farms. Tom Early presenting.

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2014 Leading Breeder by Percentage of Stakes Winners (Co-Winner) Terry Adcock. Charlotte Clavier presenting.

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2014 Leading Breeder by Percentage of Stakes Winners (Co-Winner) Alan Chaisson and Brett Brinkman. Charlotte Clavier presenting.

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Shirley Dievert of Blood Horse presents a silver julep cup to 2014 Leading Louisiana Breeder, Spendthrift Farm. Mark Toothaker accepting.

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Roger Heitzmann presents Louisiana Horse Rescue Association with a special gift sent by Thoroughbred Charities of America in recognition of the organization’s contribution to the welfare of horses in the state of Louisiana. LAHRA President Patrick Richmond accepting.

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2014 Two-Year-Old Louisiana Bred Filly Wind Chill Factor. Michelle LaVoice accepting the breeder’s award on behalf of Camelia Casby. Roger Heitzmann presenting.

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2014 Two-Year-Old Louisiana Bred Colt or Gelding, Mr. L.S. Shoe. Owner/breeder Phyllis Hodges with husband & trainer, James “Sweet” Hodges.

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2014 Three-Year-Old Louisiana Bred Filly Our Quista. (L-R) Mike Whitler, Ron Ball, Michele Rodriguez presenting. Camille Ball and Roger Heitzmann.

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2014 Three-Year-Old Louisiana Bred Colt or Gelding, Vicar’s In Trouble. Louisiana State Representative Stephen Ortego presenting to Mark Toothaker accepting on behalf of breeder Spendthrift Farm, and Roger Heitzmann (right).

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2014 Four-Year-Old & Up Louisiana Bred Filly or Mare, Sittin at the Bar. (L-R) Owner, P. Dale Ladner; trainer, Brett Brinkman; and Mark Toothaker accepting for Spendthrift Farm, breeder.

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2014 Four-Year-Old & Up Louisiana Bred Male, Sunbean. Owner and breeder Brittlyn Stable’s Evelyn Benoit accepting from LTBA President, Tom Early.

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2014 Accredited Louisiana Bred Horse of the Year, Vicar’s In Trouble. (R-R) Chrissie and Tom Early; Mark Toothaker accepting for breeder Spendthrift Farm; LTBA Sec./Treas. Roger Heitzmann.

American Pharoah Takes Triple Crown

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After nearly forty years, racing�s triple crown has a new king. American Pharoah, owned and bred by Zayat Stables and trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, dominated the G1 Belmont Stakes Presented by Draftkings on June 6th at Belmont Park completing the third leg of the Triple Crown Series, the first horse to successfully sweep the classics since Affirmed in 1978, and the 12th ever to do so.

The Kentucky bred American Pharoah has a strong Louisiana connection. He is out of the Yankee Gentleman sire Littleprincessemma. Yankee Gentleman stands at Le Mesa Stallions in Carencro, Louisiana.

 
By Joe Nevills

Much ado has been made about the homegrown success of dual classic winner American Pharoah, who is a product of Zayat Stables, which bred and raced his sire (Pioneerof the Nile) and raced and owned his dam (Littleprincessemma).

One piece of the puzzle that often goes overlooked resides at Le Mesa Stallions in Carencro, La.

Stakes winner Yankee Gentleman is the sire of Littleprincessemma, who was purchased by Ahmed Zayat for $250,000 at the 2007 Keeneland September yearling sale. After two unplaced starts, Littleprincessemma began her broodmare career, with her second foal being American Pharoah.

Yankee Gentleman was still a resident of Airdrie Stud in Midway, Ky., when Littleprincessemma was conceived, and he was relocated to Louisiana for the 2010 breeding season. The 16-year-old son of Storm Cat stands at Le Mesa Stallions for an advertised fee of $3,500.

Brett Brinkman, owner of Le Mesa Stallions, said he would be among those watching on June 6 when American Pharoah attempts to become the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years.

�It�s always a bonus when this kind of stuff happens, that�s for sure,� said Brinkman, who most likely will be at a track in Louisiana that day watching one of his runners. �Most of [Yankee Gentleman�s] fillies have a ton of heart and plenty of speed. Looking back on the lineage, they probably crossed this mare correctly, giving her some classic distance. You breed speed on speed and hope they can go far enough, and I think that�s the case here. I think they have a horse that can go far enough, so we�ll see.�

Brinkman said the success of American Pharoah hasn�t done much to drive interest in Yankee Gentleman in terms of booking mares this year, but it has led to some inquiries regarding his foals.

�Coming to the end of the season like this, I can�t say it�s had a big effect on him this year,� he said. �I�ve gotten a couple of calls on some of the fillies that we have racing, but nothing from the standpoint of booking mares at this stage.�

Brinkman said the stallion�s recent uptick in performance at local auctions did help draw mares for the 2015 breeding season. He had a colt top the 2014 Breeders Sales Company of Louisiana yearling sale at $100,000.

Yankee Gentleman has sired nine crops of racing age, with 250 winners and combined progeny earnings of more than $18.3 million. His runners are led by Grade 1 winner E Z�s Gentleman, Grade 2 winners Ive Struck a Nerve and Washington Bridge, Grade 3 winner Yankee Fourtune, and 2010 Kentucky Oaks third-place finisher Tidal Pool.

Since moving to Louisiana, Yankee Gentleman has been represented by stakes winners Lady Grantham and Union Builder.

As a racehorse, Yankee Gentleman won 4 of 10 starts, earning $202,547 for owners Pam and Martin Wygod while trained by John Shirreffs. He is out of the Grade 1-winning Flying Paster mare Key Phrase, who is the grandam of graded stakes winners Half Ours and Khancord Kid. Key Phrase is a half-sister to Common Hope, who is the dam of champion Shared Belief and Grade 3 winner Little Miss Holly.

He excelled at the sprint distances, winning the six-furlong Pirate�s Bounty Handicap at Del Mar in 2003, and also won races at 6 1/2 furlongs, seven furlongs, and 1 1/16 miles.

�He�s a very rapid, very speed-oriented horse, real Storm Cat-ish when you look at him,� Brinkman said. �He�s just kind of what his race record reflects. He�s got a ton of speed, but he�ll get you a foal with a lot more leg than what he is, and a lot more body, length-wise and size-wise. Depending on how you cross him and what you breed him back to, he�ll get you a big, solid foal if you cross him the right direction.�

Being a broodmare sire is still a fairly new for Yankee Gentleman, who has had 48 daughters produce a total of 93 foals. Among that group, 37 broodmares have produced 66 registered foals of racing age. Littleprincessemma is one of his four stakes producers.

Littleprincessemma�s first foal was two-time winner Xixixi, by Maimonides. She produced a full sister to American Pharoah in 2014, then was bred back to Pioneerof the Nile and sold to Summer Wind Farm for $2.1 million at last year�s Fasig-Tipton Kentucky selected fall mixed sale. The mare delivered a colt named Irish Pharaoh on Feb. 13.

Yankee Gentleman�s daughter Harmony Creator, out of the Bertrando mare Lacquaria, is the dam of Architecture, a Dixie Chatter filly who is a three-time stakes winner at Hastings Racecourse.

Another daughter, Songs Say So Much, out of the Hay Halo mare Parting, is the dam of New Mexico stakes winner Humarumba, by Diabolical.

http://www.drf.com/news/louisiana-yankee-gentleman-has-role-triple-crown-bid

Services for Don “Coach” Hecker June 30

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Don �Coach� Hecker, age 82, died on June 27, 2015.
Don was a resident of Terrytown, LA.

Don graduated from Holy Cross High School, Class of 1951 where he played baseball. He played baseball during his years at Tulane University before enlisting in the U.S. Army. After his military service, he attended and played baseball at Southeastern La. University where he graduated in 1960 with his BA in Education. He went on to earn his M.Ed. at Loyola University. He began his career with the Jefferson Parish School Board at West Jefferson High School. Along with teaching Physical Education, he was head coach for the baseball team, assistant basketball coach and football defensive team coach. He moved on to serve as Assistant Principal at Livaudais Middle School. He later moved to Central Office as a visiting teacher before his retirement. A thoroughbred trainer for many years, Hecker trained such notable horses as Highwayman and Bonapaw.

Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Eva Guillot Dufrene Hecker, brother Jack and his children Randall Hecker (Pam), Chris Hecker, Rickie Dufrene (Vickie), Randy Dufrene (Sandra) and Donna Thibodeaux (Barry), eight grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren.
We would like to thank the caregivers at Passages Hospice for their thoughtful and compassionate care during his time of need.
Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend visitation at St. Cletus Catholic Church, 3600 Claire Avenue, Gretna, LA on Tuesday June 30, 2015 from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM. A Funeral Mass will follow. Interment Westlawn Memorial Park.
MOTHE FUNERAL HOME is in charge of arrangements.

LOUISIANA LEGENDS NIGHT AT EVANGELINE DOWNS

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TUESDAY JUNE 30, 2015
FOR MORE INFORMATION,
CONTACT MICHAEL CHAMBERLAIN
337-594-3000 EXT. 3149                                                                                                                                              

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SPECIAL SATURDAY NIGHT OF RACING SCHEDULED FOR JULY 4TH

OPELOUSAS, La. � Evangeline Downs hosts the Louisiana Legends Festival of Racing on Saturday, July 4. There will be eight Louisiana-bred stakes races on the 12-race program with purses totaling $775,000.

The featured event is the $125,000 Louisiana Legends Classic with a field of seven going 1 1/16 miles. The 5-2 morning line favorite is Stormdriver, who won the $60,000 John Henry Stakes and was runner-up in the $100,000 Evangeline Mile earlier this season at Evangeline Downs. Stormdriver is trained by Patrick Devereux Jr. and will be ridden on Saturday by Diego Saenz.

The program also features the return to Evangeline Downs of 2014 Evangeline Downs Turf Sprint winner, Heitai, who is the 9-5 morning line favorite in the $100,000 Louisiana Legends Sprint at 5 ? furlongs. Since his win in the 2014 Turf Sprint, Heitai has added three more stakes victories to his resume�, which now totals 14 victories from 30 lifetime starts and career earnings of $921,043. Heitai is trained by Tom Amoss and will also have the riding services of Diego Saenz.

There are five other $100,000 stakes races on the Saturday night program at Evangeline Downs. Those races are the Louisiana Legends Soiree for 3-year-olds at one mile on the turf, the Louisiana Legends Mademoiselle for 3-year-old fillies and mares at 5 ? furlongs, the Louisiana Legends Cheval for 3-year-olds at one mile on the turf, the Louisiana Legends Distaff for 3-year-old and up fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles, and the Louisiana Legends Turf for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.

Post time for the 12-race Louisiana Legends program at Evangeline Downs on Saturday night is 5:40 pm Central Time.

For more information about the upcoming season at Evangeline Downs visit the track�s website at http://www.evangelinedownsracing.com<http://www.evangelinedownsracing.com> . For more details regarding this year�s $300,000 Evangeline Downs Turf Sprint race go to http://www.evdracing.com/turf-sprint<http://www.evdracing.com/turf-sprint> .

Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD), features exciting casino action, live horse racing and fun dining experiences. Evangeline Downs is located in Opelousas, Louisiana, just off I-49 at exit 18.

Independence Day Celebration Features Louisiana Legends Night Racing and Scholarships from the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association

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LTBA Contact:
Roger Heitzmann
(504) 947-4676
roger@louisianabred.com

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(Opelousas, La.) � A packed house is expected for the annual Louisiana Legends Night at Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino this Saturday, July 4. Louisiana Legends Night is quickly become a showcase evening not just for Evangeline Downs, but also for all of Louisiana racing.

The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association will award two (2) scholarships, each valued at $1,000, during the event.

The drawings will be after the fifth race. The races begin at 5:40 p.m. and the student must be there to register between 4:30 p.m. and 5:40 p.m. at the designated registration booth.

The requirements for the scholarship are as follows:

�       Must be a college student enrolled full-time for Summer or Fall 2015.

�       Must be in good standing with the college or university.

�       Must be present to win.

The scholarship will be deposited directly into the student’s account at the college or university. The student is asked to know the name and address of the college that they are attending.

�We rotate our scholarship award program around the state�s four racetracks,� said Roger Heitzmann, secretary/treasurer for the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association. �We do it on the day each track presents its local series of Louisiana Bred stakes garnering the largest purses for state bred runners. It gives students a chance to access our program throughout the state.

Major players are making final preparations for one of the state�s biggest racing days. Eight stakes restricted to state breds and worth a combined $775,000 will provide excitement on the evening of July 4.

Evangeline Downs Racetrack began its historic 50th season on April 8 in Opelousas, Louisiana. The Louisiana Legends Night evening of racing will feature eight stakes races. The main event will be the $125,000 Louisiana Legends Classic, which has been won by such greats as Star Guitar, Populist Politics and Sunbean in recent years.

Past Legends Night races honored many of the names that made Louisiana racing what it is today.

For a complete list of entries and post times, click here. For more information go to: LouisianaBred.com.

Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Annual Meeting and Horse of the Year Awards Saturday, June 6

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WHAT:    Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association Annual Meeting and Awards Presentation

WHEN:    Saturday, June 6, 2015, 4:00 p.m. � 6:00 p.m. Stay for live racing and more awards in the Winner�s Circle

WHERE:  Mojo�s, Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino, 2235 Cresswell Lane Extension, Opelousas, LA 70570

WHY:       It will be an eventful night at the racetrack as the third leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont takes place. You will be able bet on the races live. In addition, the Horse of the Year winners will be awarded in the Winner�s Circle after each race.

The 2014 Winners are:

� Wind Chill Factor � Two-Year Old Filly
� Mr. L.S. Shoe � Two-Year Old Colt or Gelding
� Our Quista � Three-Year Old Filly or Mare
� Vicar�s in Trouble � Three-Year Old Colt or Gelding
� Sittin at the Bar � Four-Year Old & Upward Filly or Mare
� Sunbean � Four-year Old & Upward Male
� Character Builder � Broodmare of the Year
� Brahms (co-winner) and Half Ours (co-winner) � Andrew L. �Red� Erwin Stallion of the Year
� Spendthrift � Leading Breeder by Breeders Awards
� Terry Adcock (co-winner) and Brett Brinkman & Alan Chiasson (co-winner) � Leading Breeder by  Percentage of Stakes Winners