Opelousas, La.-- Intent on capitalizing and building on their most successful season ever, Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino has announced the creation of the Cajun Jockey Challenge. The Cajun Jockey Challenge will feature 11 nationally known current riders as well as Evangeline Downs' leading rider at a designated time competing against each other in a series of four races. The riders, as well as other notables in the sport of horse racing including Hall-of-Fame Jockey Pat Day (on behalf of the racetrack chaplaincy program), will participate in a photo and autograph signing session on that same evening.

Long known as the birthplace of riders, Evangeline Downs and the surrounding area has been home to and/or the starting off point for dozens of jockeys who competed and succeeded at the highest levels of our sport. They include Hall-of-Fame inductees such as Eddie Delahoussaye, Kent Desormeaux, and Eric Guerin, as well as Shane Sellers, Robbie Albarado, Randy Romero, Ray Sibille, Calvin Borel, and Ronald Ardoin to name just a few. Executive Director of Racing Operations David A. Yount stated "Sports fans are drawns to heroes and horse racing is no exception, and we are naturally proud of the heritage that Evangeline Downs and South Central Louisiana has in our great sport and feel that by honoring and providing a showcase for them (past and present) will be a rewarding experience for all those who participate as well as their fans". Tentatively scheduled to be held in July, the list of those selected to compete and attend what promises to be a terrific night in thoroughbred racing will be available in the near future.

The third edition of "Legends Night", as well as the Evangeline Mile, headline the 2007 stakes calendar. The "Mile" with a purse of $200,000, an increase of $50,000 for 2006 is once again expected to attract not only the top handicap horses in Louisiana but from across the country as Evangeline Downs continues to assume a more prominent position nationwide. "Legends Night", a stakes laden program restricted to horses bred in the Pelican state, honors those who have made an indelible impact and contribution to both Evangeline Downs and racing in the state of Louisiana. Last years edition featured ten stakes races worth a total of $720,000 highlighted by the $150,000 D. S. "Shine" Young Memorial for two-years-olds which was won by Woozy for owner Jake Delhomme, known by sports fans as the starting quarterback for the NFL's Carolina Pathers. This year's edition will also include a filly division of the "Shine". Also new this year on the stakes schedule is the Oak Hall Stakes to be run at the distance of seven furlongs (Evangeline Downs opened their seven-furlong chute in July 2006).

Prior to the start of the season, horsemen locally and from surrounding states will have an opportunity to both upgrade and restock their stables at Evangeline Downs with the John Franks Memorial Two-year-old in Training & Paddock Sale on Sunday, March 18th. A free gallop preview open to the public will be conducted on Saturday, March 17th. As in 2006 Evangeline Downs will host The John Franks Sales Stakes (fillies) and (colts and geldings) divisions open to all those who pass thru the sales ring. Each division will be run at the distance of 5 1/2 furlongs and will have a purse of $100,000 and will be contested on August 3rd and 4th respectively.

The season, which consists of 89-nights, begins on April 4th, and will run thru September 3rd. Racing will once again be conducted on a four-evening-a-week schedule, Wednesday thru Saturday with a first post of 6:20 p.m. central time. Racing will also be held on Monday, September 3rd, Labor Day, the traditional closing night of the thoroughbred season.

For more information contact Evangeline Downs racing office at 337-594-3022.