Category: 2015

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

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

MAIN TRACK STAKES RACES RESCHEDULED FOR EVENING PROGRAM THIS SATURDAY

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2015
FOR MORE INFORMATION,
CONTACT MICHAEL CHAMBERLAIN
337-594-3000 EXT. 3149

EVANGELINE DOWNS TURF SPRINT AND OPELOUSAS STAKES TO BE RESCHEDULED AT A FUTURE DATE

OPELOUSAS, La. � Management at Evangeline Downs has decided to reschedule the three stakes races that were slated for the main track on Saturday, May 30 to now be run on Saturday evening, June 6. Severe rains in the immediate area of the racetrack caused the cancellation of the Saturday program at Evangeline Downs after the first race of the 12-race program.

The stakes races that have been rescheduled for this Saturday are the $100,000 Evangeline Mile for 3-year-olds and up, the $70,000 Lafayette for Louisiana-bred 3-year-olds, and the $70,000 Acadiana for Louisiana-bred 3-year-old fillies. These races will be re-entered and re-drawn on Tuesday, June 2. Only original nominees will be allowed to re-enter these races, although supplemental entries will be permitted as before.

The two stakes races that had been scheduled for the turf on last Saturday, the $300,000 Evangeline Downs Turf Sprint, for 3-year-olds and up at 5 furlongs, and the $100,000 Opelousas Stakes for fillies and mares, 3-years-old and up at 1 1/16 miles, will be rescheduled for a date later this summer to be determined.

Post time for the Saturday, June 6 program at Evangeline Downs is scheduled for 5:40 pm CT.

�We believe it is important to reschedule our main stakes races as soon as possible for our horsemen who were not able to get the opportunity to start their horses last Saturday,� said Steve Kuypers, Vice President of Boyd Gaming, parent company of Evangeline Downs. �We also look forward to our fans joining us for an excellent day of simulcast racing from Belmont Park followed by our live evening program.

EVD Dirt Stakes to run Saturday, June 6

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Due to storms Saturday, May 30, Evangeline Downs cancelled the scheduled stakes races for that evening. The three dirt stakes, which include the $100,000 Evangeline Mile, as well as the Lafayette Stakes and Acadiana Stakes for Accredited Louisiana-breds will be run Saturday, June 6. The date for the $300,000 Evangeline Downs Turf Sprint and the $100,000 Opelousas Stakes (T) are yet to be determined.

June Calendar of Events from the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association

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Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association would like to share the following list of dates of interest to Louisiana horsemen and women.

Brought to you by Breeders Sales Company of Louisiana and Western Bloodstock Click images link to more information
June 1
  • Louisiana Futurity Nomination forms will be mailed
  • LTBA Board of Directors Ballots will be mailed
June 6
  • LTBA Annual Meeting 4:00 p.m. � 6:00 p.m. at Evangeline Downs. Mojo�s, Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino, 2235 Creswell Lane Extension, Opelousas, LA 70570
  • Belmont Day
June 10

June 14
  • Flag Day

June 15

  • Equine Sales Company of Louisiana, Select Yearling Sale Consignment Deadline
June 21
  • Fathers Day
June 30
  • Louisiana Futurity payments due
  • Board of Directors Election ballots counted
July 4
  • Louisiana Legends Night at Evangeline Downs. Seven stakes races for Accredited Louisiana Bred Thoroughbreds worth total purses of $725,000
Would you like to sponsor a newsletter? Reach more than 3,000 readers.
Please contact Linda 985-386-0360,  linda@louisianabred.com” target=”_blank” style=”color: rgb(17, 85, 204); “>linda@louisianabred.com or Roger 504-947-4676,roger@louisianabred.com” target=”_blank” style=”color: rgb(17, 85, 204); “>roger@louisianabred.com for cost and availability.
Do you have a date pertaining to Louisiana-breds that you would like included in an upcoming calendar? Please contact Linda 985-386-0360,  linda@louisianabred.com” target=”_blank” style=”color: rgb(17, 85, 204); “>linda@louisianabred.com or Roger 504-947-4676, roger@louisianabred.com” target=”_blank” style=”color: rgb(17, 85, 204); “>roger@louisianabred.com for consideration.
Any questions or need more info call
Roger A. Heitzmann III, Secretary/Treasurer
Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association

AUSTRALIAN STAR POWER ALERT INSTALLED AS 2-1 MORNING LINE FAVORITE CHALLENGING DEFENDING CHAMPION HEITAI SATURDAY AT EVANGELINE DOWNS

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OPELOUSAS, La. � A field of eight top turf sprinters was entered Tuesday in the second running of the $300,000 Evangeline Downs Turf Sprint. The five furlong Turf Sprint will be run on Saturday, May 30 at Evangeline Downs with a special early post time for the 12-race program of 3:05 p.m.

Australian standout Power Alert, the winner of the Grade 3 five furlong Twin Spires Turf Sprint in stakes-record time at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby Day, has been made the 2-1 morning line favorite. The Brian Lynch-trained gelding, owned by James Covello and A.J. Suited Racing Stable, LLC, is scheduled to have his regular rider Julien Leparoux in the saddle, breaking from post position one. Since arriving from Australia last year, the five-year-old son of Argentine sire Alert, has won three of four starts in the United States, including an allowance win and the Silks Run Stakes at Gulfstream Park. In the Twin Spires, Power Alert zipped the five furlongs in 55.17 seconds, defeating stakes winner Undrafted by three-quarters of a length.

Power Alert will try to knock off the defending champion of the Evangeline Downs Turf Sprint, the Louisiana-bred Heitai, the 3-1 second choice. A dominant sprinter in 2014, Heitai won six of nine starts, which included a commanding 3 ? length victory in last year�s inaugural Turf Sprint. Tom Amoss replaced Karl Broberg as Heitai�s trainer for owner Rowell Enterprises Inc. this year. In 2015, Heitai has won three of his five starts, including the Frontier Utilities Turf Sprint Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park on January 24 and followed that with victories in the Louisiana-bred Premier Night Sprint Stakes at five furlongs on the dirt on February 7 at Delta Downs and the Costa Rising Stakes at five furlongs on the turf on March 28 at Fair Grounds. The five-year-old son of 2000 Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus took the lead early in the Twin Spires Turf Sprint before fading to eighth place in his last start.

Also to be respected is the 4-1 third choice, Great Minds, who ran an excellent second by a head in a 5 1/2 furlong Keeneland turf sprint allowance on April 17. Trained by Al Stall Jr., Great Minds will be ridden by Evangeline Downs� leading jockey, Colby Hernandez. Gantry, a winner of 11 career races, has been installed as the 6-1 fourth choice for trainer Ron Faucheux.

The $300,000 Evangeline Downs Turf Sprint is just one of five outstanding stakes races with purses totaling $640,000 on the Saturday program. The Turf Sprint will be the anchor leg of the $100,000 All-Stakes Pick 4 on Saturday at Evangeline Downs. The Pick 4 will cover races 5-8 on the program with post time for the first leg, the $100,000 Opelousas Stakes, scheduled for 5:15 p.m. Central Time.

Here is the field in program order for the $300,000 Evangeline Downs Turf Sprint, the eighth race on the 12-race card with a scheduled post time of 6:52 p.m. Central Time:

1.     Power Alert               Julien Leparoux                    2-1

2.     Great Minds              Colby Hernandez                  4-1

3.     Ty�s Bandit                Gerard Melancon                  15-1

4.     Gantry                        Richard Eramia                    6-1

5.     Heitai                          Diego Saenz                           3-1

6.     Quick Dagger            Joe Patin Jr.                           8-1

7.     Reflector                    Roberto Morales                   8-1

8.     Snappy Girl               C.J. McMahon                      15-1

Of the four remaining stakes races on the Saturday program, the $100,000 Evangeline Mile includes the most noteworthy entrant, California invader Mystery Train, who has run against the likes of Shared Belief and Finnegans Wake in the last year. Mystery Train, conditioned by trainer Darrell Vienna, is the 2-1 favorite in the field of eight and will be ridden by Colby Hernandez.

For more information about the 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.

Services set for William B. “Bill” Baggett

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William B. �Bill� Baggett

William Boyce �Bill� Baggett passed away, Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at his home surrounded by his family. He was 85.

Mr. Baggett attended Louisiana State University where he received his undergraduate degree while running the field as an extraordinary halfback on the 1948 – 1950 Tiger football team. In 1953, he married the love of his life, his bride, Kara Gael Salter Baggett. While attending night school to finish his Juris Doctorate, he was drafted into the NFL by the Los Angeles Rams and was traded to the Dallas Texans to play in the 1952 season. After graduating from LSU Law School in 1953, he enlisted as an officer in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, serving for 3 years. He made the College Football All-America Team, and was inducted into the LSU Football Hall of Fame in 1989, jersey number 14. He has been recognized in the Best Lawyers in America directory and was inducted as a Fellow in both the American College and International Academy of Trial Lawyers. He was the President of the Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association from 1966 – 1967, the President of the Southwest Louisiana Bar Association in 1967, served on the Board of Governors for the Association of Trial Lawyers of America from 1972 – 1975, and was the President of the Louisiana State Bar Association in 1980.

Baggett was a longtime member of the LTBA. Along with his wife Gael, he campaigned and/or bred many successful Louisiana-breds including stakes winners Pantara Phantom, $284,437; Hottamolly, $157,618; Jerold�s Princess; Rose of Sophia; Silver Jug, etc.

Survivors include his wife, Gael Baggett; children, William B. Baggett, Jr. and wife, Rae Lee, Judy Blaire Baggett Maselli, Christopher Frank Baggett and wife, Jane; grandchildren, Katie, Annie, Kara, Kaough, Molly, Sophia, Gus, Caroline, Blake, and Erin; and Christine Hebert, devoted secretary for over 30 years.

Visitation is from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm on Friday, May 22, 2015 at Hixson Funeral Home of Lake Charles. Services will take place at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 23, 2015, at Sale Street Baptist Church. Burial will be in Prien Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests that donations be made in Mr. Baggett’s memory to the Louisiana State University Tiger Athletic Foundation William B. Baggett Scholarship Fund or Sale Street Baptist Church. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.