Opelousas, Louisiana –Racing returns to South-Central Louisiana for the 43rd consecutive year as Evangeline Downs kicks off the 85 night spring/summer season on Wednesday, April 9. Coming off a record breaking 2007 which saw sizeable increases in both simulcast handle and total handle, and in field size average, Evangeline Downs will offer horsemen a beefed up Stakes schedule as part of a daily purse structure of approx. $200,000 a night. Known nationwide as the "Home of the biggest fields", Evangeline Downs last year averaged slightly more than 10 runners per race over the spring/summer season, one of the highest in North America. If early entries are an indication, the 2008 season should see similar if not higher totals as over the first three nights of racing an average of more than 11.5 runners are expected to break from the starting gate.

The expanded stakes schedule is worth in excess of $2 million and includes three new events, they are the Opelousas for two-year-old fillies sprinting six furlongs on closing weekend and a pair of state-bred races, the Salute for three-year-old fillies, and the Acclaim for three-year-old colts & geldings. The Opelousas will have a purse of $75,000, and both the Salute and the Acclaim will be worth $60,000. In addition, many of the races received increases from last year; the majority of those are now worth $60,000, compared to $50,000 in 2007.

Keith Bourgeois, the leading trainer the past three years including last year's with a total of 76 wins, and Sam Breaux, runner-up to Bourgeois both last year and at Delta Downs over the winter, both have large stables and are expected to once again lead the way in the standings..

The Jockey's room will also feature an unprecedented wealth of talent. Last year's leading rider, Curt Bourque, who won 93 races and almost $1,7 million in purses, is back to defend his title, but will face stiff competition from both Gerard Melancon and Colby Hernandez. Melancon, 40, enters the meet off a sensational winter, winning the riding title at Delta Downs with an all-time record of 148 wins and more than $2.8 million in purses won. In addition, Melancon also recorded the richest victory in his career last month when he piloted Liberty Bull to victory in the $600,000 Winstar Derby at Sunland Park in El Paso, Texas. Hernandez, a solid second behind Melancon at Delta, is improving on a daily basis and despite losing his apprentice allowance has continued to ride for many of the top stables in Louisiana.

Other talented riders who are expected to ride the opening stages of the meet include Lonnie and Donnie Meche. The Meche brothers, perennial leaders at Louisiana Downs, will ride until the Bossier City oval begins their season next month. Don Simington and Jose Riquelme are two others who are slated to ride daily during the first half of the season.

The fourth edition of Legends Night, along with the Evangeline Mile, will headline the 2008 stakes calendar. The "Mile", is the richest race of the season with a purse of $200,000. 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 Evangeline Downs and racing in the state of Louisiana. This year's edition will feature eleven stakes races worth a total of more than $900,000 highlighted by the two $100,000 D.S. "Shine" Young Futurities for two-year-olds. One for colts & geldings and one restricted to fillies.

Director of Racing Operations Steve Darbonne stated "We are excited by the talent gathered here for our 43rd season. Everyone is optimistic that we will have another excellent season, we continue to attract a solid group of horses and horsemen with our strong overnight and stakes schedules and we fully expect them to provide our growing fan base with the exciting and competitive racing product that Evangeline Downs is known for."

A total of 113 horses were entered for Wednesday's opening night 10- race program, including six oversubscribed events. The following two programs drew 121 & 115 entries respective

This year's meet will once again run through the traditional closing night, Monday, September 1, Labor Day, with racing conducted Wednesday through Saturday.

Post time will be 6:20 p.m. Central on all nights.

For more information contact Evangeline Downs at 337-594-3000.