Quarter Horse Season Begins at Evangeline Downs

The Louisiana Quarter Horse circuit shifts to Evangeline Downs in Opelousas on Wednesday, September 30. The 46-day racing season runs through December 19 with evening racing Wednesday -Saturday beginning at 5:40 p.m. (Central).

Evangeline Downs hosts the only seven-figure Quarter Horse race in the state. The $1,000,000 LQHBA Breeders’ Futurity (RG1) for two-year-old Louisiana-breds will take place on Saturday, November 28, with trials set for Friday, November 6. Last year's champion, Jls Dashn And Zoomn, was purchased for a mere $7,500 at the 2013 LQHBA Yearling Sale. His half-length victory in the $1 million LQHBA Breeders Futurity (RG1) earned his connections a first-place check for $445,000. This is one of the latest futurities on the Quarter Horse calendar and always has a tremendous field for the final.

Jockeys to watch include David Alvarez, who won the Fair Grounds riding title and tied with Raul Ramirez, Jr. for top honors at Louisiana Downs earlier this year. John Hamilton won the riding title at Delta Downs and Alfonso Lujan, Patrick Watson and Lucas Constantin are among the jockeys who have done well on the circuit this year.

Trainer Kenneth Roberts, Sr. is always a force in Louisiana and will be prominent throughout the live meet. Other trainers to watch include Michael Taylor, who won the title at the 2015 Delta Downs meet, Trey Ellis, Lanny Keith and Martin Trejo, leading trainer earlier this year at Louisiana Downs.

For more information about the upcoming season at Evangeline Downs visit the track’s website at www.evdracing.com