Opelousas, Louisiana - On the heels of one of the most successful months in racing at Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino, David A. Yount was rewarded for five years of excellence with a promotion in the management ranks at the Opelousas facility. Yount will serve as Assistant General Manager of racetrack and casino operations.

"When we opened the track in Opelousas, David's vision was to have Evangeline Downs compare to the Fair Grounds (in New Orleans) for national prominence," Jason Boulet, racing secretary for Evangeline Downs said. "Three years later, I think he's pretty close." Boulet made the statement at this week's press conference announcing the track's selection as the site for the 2008 Quarter Horse Challenge Championships.

Yount began his tenure at Evangeline Downs in 2002 at the racing facility in Carencro. He took the facility through two seasons of racing at the Carencro facility and weathered major hurricane damage (Lilly) in his first year there. He worked to design and move the racing operation in November 2004, well ahead of the deadline set by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board.

"David is a general manager's dream team player," said Mike Howard, general manager of Evangeline Downs. "He always goes above and beyond the call of duty as evidenced by his leadership during 22 months of straight racing due to Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita. He handles everything with ease and class."

Simultaneously, Steve Darbonne was named as director of racing operations, a promotion for the long-term racetrack employee. Darbonne worked at the Carencro racetrack as part of Yount's racing team and assisted in the move to Opelousas. He will also continue managing the off track betting facilities in New Iberia, Henderson, Port Allen and Alexandria.