Opelousas, Louisiana –Jockey Gerard Melancon recorded the 3,000th victory of his career in the 9th race, a $31,000 entry level allowance race for Louisiana breds Thursday evening at Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino. The 39 year-old native of Rayne, La. who now resides in nearby Scott, La. rode Switch Grass Gas to a 5 ≥ length victory in his sixth and final mount on the program.

After beginning his career at Evangeline Downs in 1983, Melancon won riding titles at Evangeline Downs on four occasions (1984, 86’, 97’, and 00’) as well as back to back titles at Louisiana Downs (2002 & 2003). Back riding at Evangeline Downs on a regular basis for the first time since 2000, Melancon now splits his time between the Fairgrounds & Evangeline Downs.

Melancon, who captured the 2002 Grade I Vosburgh Handicap at Belmont Park aboard Bonapaw (one of ten stakes wins he and the million dollar plus winning sprinter racked up in their partnership) also won the 2004 Grade II Super Derby with Fantasticat in a career in which his mounts have earned more than $41 million dollars. In addition to his victory total, Melancon has also recorded 2,943 seconds and 2,768 thirds in 21,743 mounts.

Melancon had this to say after the win “I feel great, after I won the 2nd race, I called my wife and told her to hurry up and bring the boys because I thought tonight was going to be the night”. “Switch Grass Gas was nice and relaxed the entire way and when I called on him he responded and I just had to keep him out of traffic”.

Melancon was joined in the winner’s circle by his wife Annette and sons Jansen & Jonas as well as the members of the Evangeline Downs jockey colony. Also in the winner’s circle making a presentation to Melancon in honor of his career milestone was David A. Yount, Executive Director of Racing Operations at Evangeline Downs. Yount stated “We are so pleased that Gerard earned his milestone victory tonight in front of his family and most ardent and loyal fans”. “Evangeline Downs has long been known as a birthplace of riders and Gerard is another fine example of that tradition”. Yount added.

Making his first start at Evangeline Downs after racing at the Fairgrounds this past winter, Switch Grass Gas, a three-year-old gelding by Malagra, powered to the lead in mid stretch after racing well off the pace in the early stages of the 1mile & 70yd event. The running time of 143 3/5 on a track labeled fast was just 2/5th’s of a second off the track record set by Biloxi Breeze last year. Trained by Sturges Ducoing for owner Valene Farms, Switch Grass Gas returned $11.40 for the win, the second in his eight race career.

Racing continues on a Wednesday thru Saturday schedule with a post time of 6:20 p.m. each evening.

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