Category: Evangeline Downs

FIELDS DRAWN FOR LOUISIANA LEGENDS NIGHT AT EVANGELINE DOWNS

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THE NINE-RACE PROGRAM OFFERS TOTAL PURSES EXCEEDING $600,000

 

OPELOUSAS, LA – Evangeline Downs will be hosting Louisiana Legends Night this coming Saturday featuring the best Louisiana-bred horses currently in training competing against each other. There will be eight stakes races on the nine-race card with total purses of $600,000.

 

The $100,000 Classic for three-year-olds and up is the highlight event on Louisiana Legends Night with a field of seven going 1 1/16 miles on the main track. The 8-5 morning-line favorite is Mobile Bay, who has won five consecutive stakes races entering Saturday night. Diego Saenz, who was aboard for all five of those victories, will have the riding assignment for trainer Victor Arceneaux. The Karl Broberg trainee, Social Misfit, is the 3-1 second choice following a win and a third in his last two starts at Will Rogers Downs in Oklahoma.

 

The $75,000 Distaff for fillies and mares three-year-olds and up will feature a field of eight going 1 1/16 miles on the main track. The field includes Pacific Pink, who is the defending Distaff champion and the 9-5 morning-line favorite. Colby Hernandez, who piloted the mare to victory in 2017, will once again be aboard for trainer Edward Johnston. Pacific Pink has won five of six lifetime starts over the Evangeline Downs oval and ran second in her only defeat. The 3-1 second choice in the Distaff is Mr. Al’s Gal from the barn of Justin Jeansonne. The four-year-old filly won multiple stakes races in 2017, but has yet to win in three starts in 2018.

 

Evangeline Downs has had a successful return of turf racing in 2018 and two of the Louisiana Legends stakes races will be run on the grass Saturday night. The $50,000 Starter for three-year-olds and up will be at one mile on the turf and the 17-time winner, Well’s Gold, from the barn of Karl Broberg has been installed as the 3-1 morning-line favorite in the field of nine. The $75,000 Turf , also for three-year-olds and up, will be at 1 1/16 miles and drew a field of six. The 9-5 morning-line choice is Extra Credit, who is trained by Brad Cox and will be ridden on Saturday by Shaun Bridgmohan.

 

Three-year-olds always step to the forefront of racing in the spring and there will be two races on Louisiana Legends Night exclusively for that age group. The $75,000 Cheval for colts and geldings will be run at one mile over the main track and the 2-1 morning-line favorite in the field of seven is Battle At Sea, who won the Crescent City Derby at Fair Grounds in his last start on March 24. The $75,000 Soiree at one mile on the main track for fillies features a field of eight and the 8-5 morning-line choice is Testing One Two, who prevailed in her last try at Fair Grounds in the Crescent City Oaks, also on March 24.

 

The sprinters have their moments to shine on Louisiana Legends Night as well. The $75,000 Mademoiselle for fillies and mares three-year-olds and up will be at five and one-half furlongs and the 3-1 morning-line favorite is the Larry Jones trainee, Ours To Run, who won the $120,000 Matron on Premier Night at Delta Downs. The $75,000 Sprint for three-year-olds and up at five and one-half furlongs drew a full field of twelve with two also-eligibles. The 3-1 favorite is Monte Man, who is undefeated in three 2018 starts, winning two stakes races in that streak.

 

In addition to the exciting racing action, Louisiana Legends Night also includes some legendary Louisiana riders on hand for an autograph session from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm. Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame riders, Eddie Delahoussaye and Randy Romero, will be among those signing autographs. Ray Sibille, who won the George Woolf Award and is a current trainer at Evangeline Downs and Mark Guidry, a member of the Louisiana Hall of Fame and a current steward at Evangeline Downs will also be taking part.

 

Post time for the nine-race Louisiana Legends Program on Saturday night will be 5:50 pm Central Time.

 

For more information on the Thoroughbred season at Evangeline Downs, visit the track’s website at www.evdracing.com. Evangeline Downs’ Twitter handle is @EVDRacing and the racetrack is also accessible on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EvangelineDownsRacing.

 

 

About Evangeline Downs

Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel is owned by Boyd Gaming Corporation, a leading diversified owner and operator of 22 gaming entertainment properties located in Nevada, New Jersey, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana and Mississippi.  Boyd Gaming press releases are available at www.prnewswire.com.  Additional news and information can be found at www.boydgaming.com, or www.evangelinedowns.com.

Two Scholarships to be Awarded at Louisiana Legends Night

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Media Contact:
Julie Calzone
(337) 235-2924 ext. 18
LTBA Contact:
Roger Heitzmann
(504) 947-4676
Two Scholarships to be Awarded at Louisiana Legends Night
OPELOUSAS, La. – Louisiana Legends Night will take place on Saturday, May 26, at Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel in Opelousas, La. The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association will award a total of two (2) scholarships, each valued at $1,000, during the event.
The requirements for the scholarship are as follows:
  • Must be a college student enrolled full-time for Fall 2018.
  • Must be in good standing with the college or university.
  • Must be present to win at the Winner’s Circle when the announcement is made.
  • Must have college ID and government-issued ID.
For Louisiana Legends Night:
  • Registration: 4:40 p.m. – 5:40 p.m. at the designated booth
  • Races begin: 5:40 p.m.
  • Drawing Time: The scholarships will be awarded after the fifth race. 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.
For more information, please call 1-800-772-1195 or visit louisianabred.com.

Two Scholarships to be Awarded at Louisiana Legends Night

louisianathoroughbred
Media Contact:
Julie Calzone
(337) 235-2924 ext. 18
LTBA Contact:
Roger Heitzmann
(504) 947-4676
Two Scholarships to be Awarded at Louisiana Legends Night
OPELOUSAS, La. – Louisiana Legends Night will take place on Saturday, May 26, at Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel in Opelousas, La. The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association will award a total of two scholarships, each valued at $1,000, during the event.
The requirements for the scholarship are as follows:
  • Must be a college student enrolled full-time for Fall 2018.
  • Must be in good standing with the college or university.
  • Must be present to win at the Winner’s Circle when the announcement is made.
  • Must have college ID and government-issued ID.
For Louisiana Legends Night:
  • Registration: 4:40 p.m. – 5:40 p.m. at the designated booth
  • Races begin: 5:40 p.m.
  • Drawing Time: The scholarships will be awarded after the fifth race. 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.
“The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association continues to make an investment in the future of our state by investing in our students and the education process,” said Roger Heitzmann, secretary/treasurer for the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association. “This type of investment is for our future, the state, as well as the organization. Our hope is that these scholarships get the younger generations invested in LTBA so that our organization stays the top breeding incentive program in the United States.”
Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association manages the best incentive program for breeding thoroughbreds in the United States. Since the organization formed, this has led to increased purses, better quality horses, and increased interest in racing and breeding horses. The thoroughbred racing and breeding industry generates over $1 billion and employs over 60,000 people in the state of Louisiana.
For more information about Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association visit louisianabred.com or call 1-800-772-1195.

DOUBLE STAR SHINES IN THE EQUINE SALES DERBY

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COLT’S THIRD CAREER VICTORY IS HIS FIRST STAKES TRIUMPH

 

DOUBLE STAR 1
Double Star wins the Equine Sales Derby. Coady Photography.

 

Equine Sales Derby
Evangeline Downs, 5-5-18, 1 Mile, $75,000
3yos

DOUBLE STAR
Star Guitar–Bond Queen
Breeder: Thomas Edward Vinci & Bill Mayfield
Owner: Four Star Racing
Trainer: Robert D. Schultz
Jockey: Jose Andres Guerrero

2nd
Honor My Speed
To Honor and Serve–Unbridled’s Secret
Breeder: Barry Simpson
Owner: Rodney J. Verret
Trainer: Allen Landry
Jockey: Timothy Thornton

3rd
Discreetly D
Discreetly Mine–Evening Muse
Breeder: Michael Villar & Cynthia Villar
Owner: Set-Hut LLC
Trainer: Jerry Delhomme
Jockey: Colby J. Hernandez

 

OPELOUSAS, LA – Four Star Racing’s Double Star claimed the first stakes win of his career on Saturdaynight at Evangeline Downs in the $75,000 Equine Sales Derby. Regular rider Jose Guerrero was aboard for the victory for trainer Robert Schultz.

 

Double Star had to overcome being wide on both turns in the race. The colt was hung five-wide on the first turn and ended up getting a wide run up the backstretch as well, while sitting in mid-pack. Tensas’s Boy set the early fractions of 24 seconds for the quarter-mile and 48.39 for the half-mile. Double Star commenced a four-wide rally on the far turn and was able to power past the early leaders by the top of the stretch. From there, the colt withstood the closing efforts of a 17-1 longshot, Honor My Speed and the 2-1 second choice, Discreetly D, to win by 2-3/4 lengths in a final time of 1:40.21 for the one mile over the fast track.

 

The winner was sent off as the even-money favorite in the Equine Sales Derby. Double Star paid $4.20 to win, $2.80 to place and $2.20 to show. Honor My Speed finished second and paid $10.40 to place and $5 to show, while Discreetly D finished third and paid $3.20 to show.

 

Double Star is a 3-year-old colt bred in Louisiana by Thomas Edward Vinci and Bill Mayfield. He is by Star Guitar and out of the Stormy Atlantic mare, Bond Queen. Double Star now has three wins in his 10-race career and the $45,000 first-place purse increased his lifetime earnings to $110,820.

 

Evangeline Downs will resume live racing on Wednesday night with a nine-race program. First post time on Wednesday will be 5:50 pm Central Time.

 

For more information on the Thoroughbred season at Evangeline Downs, visit the track’s website atwww.evdracing.com. Evangeline Downs’ Twitter handle is @EVDRacing and the racetrack is also accessible on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EvangelineDownsRacing.

 

SPECIAL BLESSING IS INDEED SPECIAL IN THE EQUINE SALES OAKS

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FILLY CLAIMS THE FIRST STAKES VICTORY OF HER YOUNG CAREER

SPECIAL BLESSING 1
Special Blessing wins Equine Sales Oaks, May 4. Coady Photography

 

Equine Sales Oaks
Evangeline Downs, 5-4-18, 1 Mile, $75,000
3yo fillies

SPECIAL BLESSING
Flat Out – Langsyne
Breeder: J. Adcock
Owner: Coteau Grove Farms LLC
Trainer: W. Bret Calhoun
Jockey: R. Morales

2nd
Yes Gorgeous
Mass Media–Isn’t She Gorgeous
Breeder: J. Adcock & Montgomery Equine Center
Owner: Scott Gelner
Trainer: Scott Gelner
Jockey: Diego Saenz

3rd
Bella Cajun
Bellamy Road–Cajun Candy
Breeder: Cypress Bend Farm
Owner: Dore, Ralph and Gautreau, Keith
Trainer: Ralph J. Dore
Jockey: Cristina Bonilla

 

OPELOUSAS, LA – Special Blessing, owned by Coteau Grove Farms, LLC and trained by Bret Calhoun, won the first stakes race of her five-race career in the $75,000 Equine Sales Oaks at Evangeline Downs on Fridaynight. The filly was ridden to victory by Roberto Morales, who was riding her for the first time ever.

 

Special Blessing sat just off of a very slow pace being set by an 18-1 maiden, Bella Cajun and Yes Gorgeous, who was the only horse in the field with multiple victories entering Friday night. Those two dueled through dawdling fractions of 25.69 seconds for the quarter-mile and 51.24 seconds for the half-mile. Special Blessing made her move on the far turn and she and Yes Gorgeous went on to engage through the stretch before Special Blessing put her rival away to win by 1-3/4 lengths in a final time of 1:40.33 for the mile over the fast track.

 

The winner was sent off as the 6-5 favorite in the field of seven by the betting public. Special Blessing returned $4.60 to win, $2.80 to place and $2.40 to show. Yes Gorgeous paid $2.40 to place and $2.20 to show, while Bella Cajun held third and paid $5.80 to show.

 

Special Blessing is a 3-year-old filly bred in Louisiana by J. Adcock. She is by Flat Out and out of the Langfuhr mare, Langsyne. Special Blessing has now won two of her five lifetime starts and the $45,000 first-place purse increases her lifetime earnings to $85,930.

 

Evangeline Downs will resume live racing on Saturday with a nine-race program. The featured event on the Saturday card is the $75,000 Equine Sales Derby with Double Star listed as the 5-2 morning-line favorite in the field of eight. The track will also be offering the simulcast of the 144th Kentucky Derby from Churchill Downs at approximately 5:50 pm and the live racing program will start shortly thereafter.

 

For more information on the Thoroughbred season at Evangeline Downs, visit the track’s website atwww.evdracing.com. Evangeline Downs’ Twitter handle is @EVDRacing and the racetrack is also accessible on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EvangelineDownsRacing.

 

Louisiana Legends Night Entries Close Friday, May 11th

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The 2018 running of Louisiana Legends Night will be Saturday, May 26th at Evangeline Downs. All entries for Louisiana Legends Night Stakes close Friday, May 11th.

The Louisiana Legends Night Stakes Include

Louisiana Legends Cheval
$75,000 Guaranteed
For Three Year Olds
One Mile

Louisiana Legends Soiree
$75,000 Guaranteed
For Fillies Three Year Olds
One Mile

Louisiana Legends Sprint
$75,000 Guaranteed
For Three Year Olds and Upward
Five And One Half Furlongs

Louisiana Legends Mademoiselle
$75,000 Guaranteed
For Fillies And Mares Three Year Olds and Upward
Five And One Half Furlongs

 

Louisiana Legends Classic
$100,000 Guaranteed
For Three Year Olds and Upward
One And One Sixteenth Miles

Louisiana Legends Distaff
$75,000 Guaranteed
For Fillies And Mares Three Year Olds and Upward
One And One Sixteenth Miles

Louisiana Legends Starter
$50,000 Guaranteed
For Three Year Olds and Upward
(Must have started for $10,000 or less in 2017-2018)
One Mile (Turf)

Louisiana Legends Turf
$75,000 Guaranteed
For Three Year Olds and Upward
One And One Sixteenth Miles(Turf)

THOROUGHBRED RACING RETURNS TO EVANGELINE DOWNS FOR 2018 SEASON

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LOUISIANA LEGENDS NIGHT AND THE $100,000 EVANGELINE MILE HIGHLIGHT THE NEW MEET

 

OPELOUSAS, LA – The 53rd season of Thoroughbred racing at Evangeline Downs will begin on Wednesday, April 4 with a nine-race program. It will be the first of 84 racing days conducted on a Wednesday through Saturday weekly schedule. Post time for each live racing night will be 5:50 pm Central Time.

There will be a 20-race stakes schedule at Evangeline Downs in 2018 with purses totaling $1,375,000. Highlighting the stakes schedule are Louisiana Legends Night on Saturday, May 26 and the $100,000 Evangeline Mile on Saturday, June 23. Louisiana Legends Night is a celebration of the Louisiana-bred Thoroughbred with eight stakes races restricted to Louisiana-breds and purses totaling $600,000. The $100,000 Evangeline Mile is for three-year-olds and up at one mile on the main track. The 2017 Evangeline Mile winner, Iron Fist, went on to become a graded-stakes winner taking the Grade 3 Cornhusker Handicap at Prairie Meadows in July.

There are two new barns that have been constructed on the backside at Evangeline Downs for the 2018 season. These barns will be able to house an additional 84 horses on the property. This addition increases the total number of horses that can be on the backside at Evangeline Downs to 1,052.

The leading owner, trainer and jockey from the 2017 season will all be on hand at Evangeline Downs in 2018 to try and defend those titles. End Zone Athletics, Inc. of Karl Broberg and Matt Johanson was the leading owner with 52 victories and a winning percentage of 39%. Broberg also doubled as the leading trainer at Evangeline Downs in 2017 with 86 winners and a winning percentage of 35%. Tim Thornton, a Louisiana native, won the 2017 riding title with 119 wins and a winning percentage of 28%.

While the defending champions are all returning to Evangeline Downs in 2018, there will be some new faces on the scene as well. Notable trainers Allen Milligan, Tracy Norris, Gilbert Perez, Jeffrey Reeves and Kenneth Wesley will all have horses this season at Evangeline Downs.

Additionally, patrons will notice some changes at Evangeline Downs this season. Silks Clubhouse will be serving a new ‘a la carte’ menu, a new bar has been installed in the grandstand for patrons and horsemen alike, and numerous new televisions for fans to watch racing action across the country are among the upgrades that are being introduced.

For more information on the Thoroughbred season at Evangeline Downs, visit the track’s website at www.evdracing.com. Evangeline Downs’ Twitter handle is @EVDRacing and the racetrack is also accessible on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EvangelineDownsRacing.

 

 

About Evangeline Downs

Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel is owned by Boyd Gaming Corporation, a leading diversified owner and operator of 22 gaming entertainment properties located in Nevada, New Jersey, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana and Mississippi.  Boyd Gaming press releases are available at www.prnewswire.com.  Additional news and information can be found at www.boydgaming.com, or www.evangelinedowns.com.

Jamie Theriot Plans Tack Shift to Mauritius

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Jockey will ride for two-time champion trainer Ramapatee Gujadhur.

 

In more than 20 years of riding races, jockey Jamie Theriot has had some incredible experiences. Perhaps the best experience is awaiting him following the conclusion of the winter meet at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, when he moves to the Southern Hemisphere to ride full-time at Champ de Mars Racecourse in Port Louis, Mauritius.

Theriot, 38, will ride for Ramapatee Gujadhur, the champion trainer on the island off of South Africa in 2012 and 2015.

“I’m very excited and it’s very humbling to get this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go experience something like this,” Theriot said. “(Ramapatee Gujadhur) is on the same level as Chad Brown here in the United States. His operation is nothing but family. It came from his father to him and his sons are involved, but one is a lawyer and one is a doctor. I’m going to be around some great people.”

Theriot explained how the opportunity was presented to him.

“The trainer and (Lane’s End Farm owner) Bill Farish are really good friends, from what I understand,” Theriot said. “Bill Farish sent (jockey) Robby Albarado an email and said, ‘Try to find us a good American rider,’ and Robby talked to me about it, called Bill, and told him, ‘Jamie would go.’ So they mentioned my name to the guy and he looked up my stats and he said, ‘I want him.'”

The plan for Theriot is to ride in Mauritius for seven months and return to the United States to possibly ride at Fair Grounds.

“It works out perfect;” Theriot said. “I’ll leave at the end of the meet and be back in November for Fair Grounds, if I want to ride (or) if I want to take off. It will be (emotional) leaving everyone here and going there, (but) it’s not right around the corner. I know I’m not going there for years. I’m going for seven and a half months and back. (Gujadhur) said something about riding the jockey challenge while I’m there. It could open up opportunities in other areas and you never know what’s waiting.

“I’ll ride one day a week, all turf racing. This man is taking very, very good care of me, and I’ll be bringing my boys and put them in school down there. I’ll have to ride the other way, which is something that I’m going to get to experience. I think it’s just like riding a bike. … After I work a couple of horses going the wrong way and change a couple of tactics here and there, I think that I’ll be fine.”

Theriot is just four wins shy of reaching the 2,500 mark. He has been based at numerous circuits across the United States and has won riding titles at Evangeline Downs (2001) and Oaklawn Park (2003). His career highlights include victories in the 2010 Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) aboard Dubai Majesty and the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G2T) on Chamberlain Bridge, both for trainer Bret Calhoun.

STALL APPLICATIONS FOR UPCOMING EVANGELINE DOWNS SEASON DUE FEBRUARY 16

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2018 THOROUGHBRED SEASON WILL BEGIN ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4

 

OPELOUSAS, LA – The 2018 Thoroughbred season at Evangeline Downs will feature 84 days of live racing and will begin on Wednesday, April 4 continuing through Saturday, August 25. Racing will be conducted on a Wednesday through Saturday schedule with post time for the 2018 season set at 5:40 pm Central Time.

 

Stall applications are due by Friday, February 16, 2018. Horsemen may obtain an application by visiting the websitewww.evdracing.com and clicking on the “Horsemen’s Info” tab on the home page. Horsemen may also contact the Evangeline Downs racing office by calling 337-594-3000.

 

The stakes schedule at Evangeline Downs will consist of 20 stakes races with purses totaling $1,375,000. Among the highlights on the stakes schedule are Louisiana Legends Night on Saturday, May 26, with eight Louisiana-bred stakes offering purses of $600,000, and the $100,000 Evangeline Mile for 3-year-olds and up at one mile on the main track on Saturday, June 23.

 

Louisiana Legends Night, which celebrates the Louisiana-bred Thoroughbred, features the $100,000 Classic for 3-year-olds and up at 1-1/16 miles on the main track. There are six $75,000 races on Legends Night: the Distaff for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and up at 1-1/16 miles on the main track, the Sprint for 3-year-olds and up at 5 ½ furlongs on the main track, the Mademoiselle for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and up at 5 ½ furlongs on the main track, the Turf for 3-year-olds and up at 1-1/16 miles on the turf, the Cheval for 3-year-olds at one mile on the main track, and the Soiree for 3-year-old fillies at one mile on the main track. The $50,000 Starter will also take place on Legends Night for 3-year-olds and up at one mile on the turf.

 

The Evangeline Mile program on Saturday, June 23 will also feature the $50,000 Lafayette Stakes for 3-year-old Louisiana-breds at seven furlongs on the main track.

 

The full 2018 stakes schedule is still pending official approval from the Louisiana Racing Commission.

 

For more information on the Thoroughbred season at Evangeline Downs, visit the track’s website at www.evdracing.com. Evangeline Downs’ Twitter handle is @EVDRacing and the racetrack is also accessible on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EvangelineDownsRacing.

 

 

About Evangeline Downs

Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel is owned by Boyd Gaming Corporation, a leading diversified owner and operator of 22 gaming entertainment properties located in Nevada, New Jersey, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana and Mississippi.  Boyd Gaming press releases are available atwww.prnewswire.com.  Additional news and information can be found at www.boydgaming.com, or www.evangelinedowns.com.

Louisiana State Racing Commission Reinstates Piroplasmosis Testing Requirement

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Effective October 4, 2017, The Louisiana State Racing Commission has reinstated the Piroplasmosis Testing requirement.

“Based on the recommendation of Dr. Cooley, Equine Medical Director for the Louisiana State Racing Commission, the Louisiana State Racing Commission hereby rescinds Directive No. 2014-01, and reinstates Piroplasmosis Testing as of October 4, 2017.”

Delta and Evangeline advise:

Effective Oct. 4, 2017, the LSRC has reinstated part B of LRC 35.I.1304 thus requiring all horses to have a negative Equine Piroplasmosis (EP) test, for Theileria equi taken within the past 12 months, prior to entering the confines of a racetrack or race in Louisiana.