Opelousas, Louisiana –Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino concluded its 2007 fall quarter horse season, the fourth at the new facility, on Sunday, December 2 with a new record handle for a single quarter horse program. The total of $704,998 eclipses the previous record $687,372 set during the previous month. The highest prior single night handle of $673,788 for a quarter horse program was set during the opening weeks of the inaugural meet which began in February, 2005.

Buoyed by those record nights, total handle was up almost $2 million from last year’s mark. A total of $16,460,983 was handled during the 40 nights, compared to $14,506,282 during 2006, an increase of more than 13.4%. The nightly average was $415,245 and included one program which was cancelled after just four races due to inclement weather. Although total handle was up significantly, on-track handle declined more than 10% from 2006 with a total of $982,226 compared to last year’s $1,101,765.

Average field size was 8.98 horses over the meet, which consisted of a total of 410 races. This stat is all the more impressive considering that fields at Evangeline Downs during the quarter horse season are limited to 10 starters in straightaway races and just 8 starters in 870 yard events.

Total overnight purses totaled $4.4 million dollars, a nightly average of $110,000. In addition to the overnight purse structure, a total of fifteen stakes worth more than $710,000 were contested during the season highlighted by the $200,000 added Grade I (res) LQHBA Futurity. The LQHBA Futurity, run on Sunday, November 25, featured the largest purse in the 42-year history of Evangeline Downs of $573,055 and was also the highest gross purse for a race restricted to state bred horses in the United States in 2007.

Steve Darbonne, Director of Racing at Evangeline Downs, stated “We knew going in that our live handle would suffer to a degree with the switch to running on a Thursday-Sunday vs. Wednesday-Saturday schedule, but our recognition and brand name with horse racing enthusiasts across the country who enjoy our exciting racing featuring full fields continues to grow and all things considered we are happy with our progress.” Darbonne further added “Next year should be even better as we have been selected by the AQHA to host the 2008 Challenge Night Championships. This night is quarter horse racings version of the Breeders’ Cup & Breeders Crown and features many of the best quarter horses in training in a total of 12 races worth approx. $1 million dollars and we are excited to be the first track in Louisiana to host this event.”

Alfonso Lujan, captured his first ever leading rider title at Evangeline Downs after visiting the winner’s circle 55 times during the 40-night season. The 29-year-old Odessa, TX native also recorded the biggest win of his career, as he booted home Vals Warrior in the $573,055 LQHBA Futurity. Orlando Baldillez and last year’s leading jockey Danny Lavergne finished 2nd & 3rd respectively with 44 and 40 wins apiece.

Kenny Roberts won his 3rd leading trainer title at Evangeline Downs with 25 wins from 154 starts. While not as dominating as in past seasons, Roberts was able to pull clear in the final weeks from Janet Van Bebber & Danny Eldridge for the title. Van Bebber & Eldridge both had a higher win percentage than Roberts but could not match his overall numbers while winning 20 and 19 races apiece.

Vals Warrior, who won all three of his starts at the meet, including the aforementioned $573,055 LQHBA Futurity, was named Horse-of-the-Meet. Mary Lynne Thompson owns the Louisiana bred two-year-old son of Dashing Val. He is trained by Larry Kopycinski and was ridden by Alfonso Lujan.

Live racing will return to the Opelousas, La. oval on Wednesday, April 9, 2008 with the start of the spring/summer thoroughbred season. The 85-night meet will have a Wednesday-Saturday evening schedule and run thru the traditional closing night, Monday, Labor Day, September 1.

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