LOUISIANA LEGENDS NIGHT SET FOR JUNE 1
OPELOUSAS, LA –The gates will open for the Evangeline Downs 2024 Thoroughbred season on Friday, April 5. The meet will feature 70 racing days running through August 24. First post each night will be scheduled for 5:30pm Central. Following the opening weekend, the schedule features racing on Wednesday through Saturday for the months of April and May, with a switch to a Thursday through Saturday schedule for June, July, and August.
Tim Thornton, a three-time leading jockey at Evangeline Downs, will look to regain his spot at the top of the standings. Elio Barrera tallied 65 wins in his first season at the oval last summer and will look for more success. C.J. McMahon, Jose Guerrero and Jose Luis Rodriguez are others among the jockey colony looking to have a big summer. Recently retired from riding, Gerard Melancon will be the new jockey agent for Joe Stokes and apprentice Marlon Del-Cid.
Lee Thomas will look to defend his first training title but will face a host of strong contingents on the backside vying for top honors. Thomas saddled 24 winners in taking the top spot last summer. Karl Broberg added another title at the recently concluded Delta Downs meet and has long been the barn to beat. Allen Landry, Eduardo Ramirez, Juan Larrosa and Brett Brinkman were among trainers with successful seasons at Delta Downs over the winter. Alexis Claire will stable at Evangeline Downs for the first time, while Shane Wilson and Ronnie Ward will bring additional runners for the meet.
The 2024 stake schedule will kick off opening night with the running of the $60,000 Acadiana and the $60,000 Spotted Horse. The following night co-features are the $60,000 Lafayette and the $100,000 Evangeline Mile.
Racing fans will want to make plans to attend the races the first weekend of May for the simulcasting of the Kentucky Oaks on Friday, May 3 and the 150th “Run for the Roses” on Saturday, May 4. The Friday card will include a trio of stake races including the $60,000 EVD Distaff, while the Derby night card showcases the $60,000 EVD Classic.
The marquee night of the season will take place on Saturday, June 1 with Louisiana Legends Night. The program features six stake races for Louisiana-bred runners, with each purse $100,000 guaranteed. Millionaire Free Like a Girl was a very popular winner on the 2023 Legends Night card.
July racing action will include the Opelousas and John Henry Stakes on Saturday, July 6. Each race will carry a purse of $60,000 and be contested over the turf course.
The stakes calendar finishes up in August with the Friday, August 2 card including the $100,000 Louisiana Stallion Stakes presented by Coteau Grove Farms and the filly division of the $70,000 Shine Young Futurity. Saturday, August 3 will have the $70,000 Shine Young colts and gelding division, along with the $100,000 Louisiana Stallion Stakes presented by Coteau Grove Farms.
For more information on Evangeline Downs, including a full stakes schedule, visit the track’s website at https://evangelinedowns.boydgaming.com/racing. Evangeline Downs information can also be found on Twitter @EVDracing and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EvangelineDownsRacing.
Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD), features live horse racing, exciting casino action, the Fan Duel sportsbook and fun dining experiences. Evangeline Downs is located in Opelousas, Louisiana, off I-49 on Cresswell Lane at Exit 18.
