Legends. Champions Awards. REAP Benefit. Scholarships.

(VINTON, La.) – Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino will host Legends Night on Saturday, June 3, with a post time of 5:30 p.m. CT. The day will be highlighted by the Horse of the Year and Champions Awards hosted by the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association (LTBA) in conjunction with the Racing Employees Assistance Program (REAP) Benefit.

The Award Ceremony and REAP event begin at 1:00 p.m. in Mojos with the races beginning at 5:30 p.m. The REAP event continues when the races start.

The stakes races are as follows with $600,000 in guaranteed purses..

Louisiana Legends Soiree $100,000 Purse
Louisiana Legends Cheval $100,000 Purse
Louisiana Legends Mademoiselle $100,000 Purse
Louisiana Legends Sprint $100,000 Purse
Louisiana Legends Turf Distaff $100,000Purse
Louisiana Legends Turf $100,000 Purse

“This is a big evening of championship racing featuring Louisiana bred horses,” said Roger Heitzmann, secretary/treasurer for the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association. “The Horse of the Year and Champions Awards bring owners, breeders and their families for the presentations along with our racing community that supports the industry and REAP.”

REAP was established in 2004 to provide relief to licensed members of the racing community and members of their families. The program provides relief that includes financial assistance for medical care, food, housing, clothing, education, recreational activities, counseling, job training/placement, and much more.

In addition on Legends Night, the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association (LTBA) will award two scholarships, each valued at $1,000, to college students.

Requirements for the scholarship are as follows:
Must be a college student enrolled full-time in an Accredited College, University or Community College for Summer 2023 or Fall 2023
Scholarships will be awarded by random draw.
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.
Must have University ID number or Social Security number.

For Legends Night:
Registration: 4:30 p,m. – 5:30 p.m. at the designated booth
Races begin: 5:30 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.

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 (504) 947-4676.