Opelousas, Louisiana –Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino concluded its 2006 fall quarter horse season, the third at the new facility, on Saturday, November 25. The season also marked the conclusion of 22 consecutive months of live racing, a record for the 135 year history of pari-mutuel racing in Louisiana.

The total combined handle on live races for the 40-night meet at the South Central Louisiana track, which includes on-track and simulcast wagering, was $14,158,510. The nightly average was $353,963. Both figures were virtually unchanged from last year’s results.

Total on-track handle on Evangeline’s live races was $1,101,765. The nightly average of $27,544 was 5.96% below last year’s totals.

Average field size was 9.36 horses over the meet, which consisted of a total of 435 races.

Total purses increased to $5 million dollars, a nightly average of $125,000. In addition to the nightly purse structure, a total of fifteen stakes worth $755,000 were contested during the meet highlighted by the $200,000added LQHBA Futurity and the $150,000added LQHBA Sales Futurity. The LQHBA Futurity, run on closing night, Saturday, November 25, featured a purse of $517,964, the largest purse in the 40-plus year history of Evangeline Downs and also the highest gross purse for a race restricted to state bred horses either Thoroughbred or Quarter Horse in the United States in 2006.

Executive Director of Racing Operations David A. Yount stated “While our nightly on-track handle dropped slightly, our overall results were helped by our strong simulcast business and improved nationwide presence.” “Additionally, our average field size continues to rank in the top five of all racetracks in the nation, and with our lucrative purse structure and exciting brand of horse racing we believe Evangeline Downs is ready to expand our fan base.” Yount further added “We are pleased with our results from this year, but not content, and will continue to look for ways to improve our product and results next year.”

Kenny Roberts captured the meet’s leading trainer title for the 2nd consecutive time. Roberts recorded 46 wins over the 40-night meet, fourteen more than runner-up Janet Van Bebber. Heath Taylor was another 10 wins behind in third.

Danny Lavergne, riding first-call for Roberts, led virtually gate-to-wire while earning his 2nd consecutive riding title. Lavergne amassed an impressive total of 67 wins (an average of 1.7 wins per evening) out of 319 mounts. Alfonso Lujan was a clear cut 2nd in the standings with 51 wins from 223 mounts followed by the veteran Nickey Laws in third with 29 wins.

First Down Toro captured the richest race of the meet, the $517,964 LQHBA Futurity under jockey Eddie Cox. Trained by Matt Baker, the two-year-old gelded son of Deltas First Dash is owned and was bred in Louisiana by Kathryn & Gene Smith.

The 2007 spring/summer thoroughbred meet will begin on Wednesday, April 4th, 2007 and run thru the traditional closing night, Monday, September 3rd, Labor Day.

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