The 2023 Thoroughbred season opens at Evangeline Downs on Friday, Apr. 7. The meet will consist of 61 racing days running through Aug. 12. First post each night will be at the new time of 5:30pm Central. The racing schedule will feature racing on Wednesday through Saturday for the first five full weeks of the meet. Beginning the week of May 18, racing will switch to a Thursday through Saturday schedule.
The 2023 season will feature an expanded stakes schedule, starting with a pair of stakes on opening night. The $60,000 Spotted Horse S. and $60,000 Acadiana S. are the main events. The first Saturday card includes the $60,000 Lafayette S. and the $100,000 Evangeline Mile.
The track will host fans the first weekend of May for simulcasting of the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby May 5 and 6 from Churchill Downs. The EVD Classic highlights the live Derby Day card.
The marquee night of the season will take place June 3 with Louisiana Legends Night. The program will feature six stake races for Louisiana-bred runners, with each purse increased to $100,000 guaranteed this year. Free Like a Girl and Net a Bear were popular winners on the 2022 Legends Night.
The Friday, July 7 card features the $75,000 Louisiana Stallion S. and the filly division of the $60,000 Shine Young Futurity. Saturday, July 8 will have the $60,000 Shine Young colts and gelding division, along with the $75,000 Louisiana Stallion S.
For the complete stakes schedule, visit http://www.evdracing.com.
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