Opelousas, Louisiana –J. Kirk Robison’s Plaid, a winner of four straight before finishing 3rd in the Grade 3 Gardenia Stakes at Ellis Park in her most recent start, takes on nine rivals including local stakes winners Cutie Sabrina & Calista Ridge Saturday evening in the $75,000 Matron Stakes at Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino.

Plaid, currently based at Ellis Park after starting the year in New Mexico at Sunland Park, is in the midst of her best season ever with four wins from just six starts. Now trained by Scott Blasi, the versatile five-year-old daughter of Deputy Commander has won on both grass and dirt and at three different racetracks while earning more than $116,000 in 2006. Veteran rider Donnie Meche ships in from his home base Louisiana Downs for the mount.

Cutie Sabrina & Calista Ridge, two state-breds with stakes wins this year to their credit figure to offer the stiffest challenge to the top pick. Cutie Sabrina captured the six-figure Louisiana Breeders Oaks at Louisiana Downs in her last start after winning her two allowance events including a track record performance at seven furlongs here at Evangeline Downs. Calista Ridge, who has a gaudy 5 for 7 record this year including three black type events, is looking to rebound from a dull effort on the grass in the Matchmaker Stakes at Louisiana Downs.

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

Here is the field in program order with odds for the $75,000 Matron Stakes for Fillies & Mares three-year-olds and up to be run at Evangeline Downs on Saturday, August 12. 2006

1. Plaid Donnie Meche 2/1
2. Calista Ridge Ricky Faul 6/1
3. Haidar Michael Wright 12/1
4. Pleasant Love Sylvester Carmouche Jr. 20/1
5. Baileys Affair Cody Meche 15/1
6. Stela (Chi) Carlos Gonzalez 15/1
7. Space Cruise E.J. Perrodin 6/1
8. Candy Ball Jeffery Burningham 8/1
9. This Man’s Darling Steve Bourque 10/1
10. Cutie Sabrina Billy Patin 4/1

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

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