Evangeline Downs, which had delayed the start of turf racing this meet to a tentative date of Wednesday, May 24, will instead be off the grass indefinitely. The track announced on its latest overnight that it would be “off the turf course for an extended period.”
Evangeline hired a new turf consultant this year and changed maintenance procedures in order to build a better course foundation for the long haul, according to Chris Warren, the track’s director of racing. The turf, however, has not grown in as quickly as anticipated, leaving some bare areas. As part of the renovation of the course, it underwent a “sprigging” process Tuesday, according to the overnight. The date the course will be available for usage is to be announced by officials at Evangeline.
