Opelousas, Louisiana :: What the $100,000 Lafayette Stakes on the special Labor Day card at Evangeline Downs lacks in quantity it more than makes up for in quality. As the traditional closing night feature at the South Central Louisiana oval, the Lafayette Stakes has generally brought together the best two-year-olds from the Midwest and other parts. This year's edition is no exception as the six furlong event features such entrants as Sentry, 3rd in the Grade 3 Ky. Breeders Cup at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby Day, L'Grande D'Oro, a troubled 2nd as the odds/on favorite in the Minstrel Stakes at Louisiana Downs, and Tortuga Straits, a dominating winner of the John Franks Sales Futurity last month right here at Evangeline Downs.

Sentry, now trained by Scott Blasi, was sharp in his debut at Keeneland in late April, winning by more than a half-dozen lengths. Wheeled right back on just 11 days rest, he led until the final stages before yielding to stablemate Datrick. Idle since then, the son of Silver Deputy has been training steadily at Arlington Park and will be ridden by Donnie Meche. Owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC, he is the second choice in the morning line at 2-1.

L'Grande D'Oro, who also earned his diploma in Kentucky this past spring, has been listed as the 9/5 program favorite. A well bred son of Grand Slam, he is trained by John Barger, who co-owns with Eldon Hall, L'Grande D'Oro continues his southern campaign after a troubled trip in the Minstrel Stakes at Louisiana Downs. Sent off at odds of 90 cents on the dollar, he had to settle for the runner-up spot after encountering traffic problems when making his move on the far turn. Lonnie Meche, brother of Donnie, will ride.

In other news, Keith Bourgeois & Kirk Leblanc have wrapped up the leading trainer and jockey titles respectively. Bourgeois, with 60 winners entering the final two nights of racing, has now won the last three training titles at Evangeline Downs. Leblanc, a former title winner here returned during the special winter meet after a successful stint at Louisiana Downs. The veteran rider has a double digit lead over both Kerwin Clark & Marlon St. Julien.

Carded as the 9th race on Monday's ten-race program, the approximate post time is 10:00pm central time.

Here is the field in program order with odds for the $100,000 Lafayette Stakes for two-year-olds to be run at Evangeline Downs on Labor Day, Monday, September 4. 2006.

1.	Tortuga Straits	Luis Quinonez	3/1
2.	Valid Invader	Kerwin Clark	12/1
3.	Ruston Robber	Marlon St. Julien	10/1
4.	Big Al's Choice	Ricky Faul	6/1
5.	L'Grande D'Oro	Lonnie Meche	9/5
6.	Sentry	Donnie Meche	2/1

Racing continues through Saturday evening plus Labor Day, Monday with a post time of 6:40 p.m. central time.

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