Opelousas, Louisiana –Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino has announced the creation of the Cajun Jockey Challenge. The Cajun Jockey Challenge will feature 10 nationally known current riders as well as Evangeline Downs’ leading rider and the fans’ favorite based on voting in a four-race event featuring two sprints and two routes with the winner decided by a graded point system based on the order of finish in each of the four races.

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To be held on Friday evening, July 13th, the Challenge will also feature a brunch with proceeds going to the Racetrack Chaplaincy fund and appearances by recently retired Hall-of-Fame Jockeys Pat Day & Eddie Delahoussaye as well as other notable riders including Randy Romero, Ronald Ardoin, Shane Sellers, and Ray Sibille. In addition, the fans will have an opportunity to interact with the current and former riders during an autograph session to be held following the brunch.

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 the aforementioned Delahoussaye, Kent Desormeaux, and Eric Guerin, as well as Shane Sellers, Robby Albarado, Calvin Borel, Mark Guidry, Ronald Ardoin, and Ray Sibille to name just a few.

“Interest in the Challenge has been overwhelming,” said Jason Boulet, Racing Secretary at Evangeline Downs and the driving force behind the event. Boulet further stated “We have already received firm commitments from Calvin Borel and Robby Albarado, who captured the first two legs of this year’s triple crown, the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes aboard Street Sense and Curlin respectively, along with Mark Guidry who recently recorded his 5,000th career victory, Corey Lanerie, and former Eclipse Award winning Apprentice Brian Hernandez Jr., with others to be named shortly.”

Racing continues on a four-evening a week schedule, Wednesday thru Saturday, with a first post of 6:20 p.m. Central time.

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