Two Scholarships to be Awarded at Louisiana Legends Night

Media Contact: Julie Calzone (337) 235-2924 ext. 18 jcalzone@calzone.com LTBA Contact: Roger Heitzmann (504) 947-4676 roger@louisianabred.com

Two Scholarships to be Awarded at Louisiana Legends Night OPELOUSAS, La. – Louisiana Legends Night will take place on Saturday, May 25, at Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel in Opelousas, La. The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association will award a total of two scholarships, each valued at $1,000, during the event.  The requirements for the scholarship are as follows:  Must be a college student enrolled full-time for Fall 2019.  Must be in good standing with the college or university.  Must be present to win at the Winner’s Circle when the announcement is made.  Must have college ID and government-issued ID.  For Louisiana Legends Night:  Registration: 4:40 p.m. – 5:40 p.m. at the designated booth  Races begin: 5:50 p.m.  Drawing Time: The scholarships will be awarded after the fifth race. The scholarship will be deposited directly into the student’s account at the college or university. The student is asked to know the name and address of the college that they are attending.  “The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association continues to make an investment in the future of our state by investing in our students and the education process,” said Roger Heitzmann, secretary/treasurer for the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association. “This type of investment is for our future, the state, as well as the organization. Our hope is that these scholarships get the younger generations invested in LTBA so that our organization stays the top breeding incentive program in the United States.” Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association manages the best incentive program for breeding thoroughbreds in the United States. Since the organization formed, this has led to increased purses, better quality horses, and increased interest in racing and breeding horses. The thoroughbred racing and breeding industry generates over $1 billion and employs over 60,000 people in the state of Louisiana. For more information about Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association visit louisianabred.com or call (504) 947-4676. ###

2012 Louisiana Sales Graduate Entered in Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies

For Immediate Release

LTBA Contact:

Roger Heitzmann

roger@louisianabred.com

(800) 772-1195

 

Media Contact:

Julie Calzone

jcalzone@calzone.com

(337) 235-2924 ext. 18

 

 

2012 Louisiana Sales Graduate Entered in Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies

Owner Dedicates Race to Father Who Will Be 96 in January

 

(New Orleans, La.) –The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association has already earned bragging rights in this weekend’s Breeders’ Cup. 2012 Breeders Sales Company of Louisiana graduate, Designer Legs, is entered in the Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita Park in Los Angeles, California, November 1 and 2.

 

Designer Legs will be running in the Grade I $2 million mile and one sixteenth race set for two year-old fillies.

 

 

“The thoroughbred industry in Louisiana has grown to become one of the state's top industries,” said Roger Heitzmann, secretary/treasurer for the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association and Breeders Sales Company of Louisiana executive director.  “Through the Association’s efforts and the implementation of the breeding incentive program, Louisiana-breds have flourished. Designer Legs’ appearance in the Breeders’ Cup is proof that our horses are competitive anywhere.”

 

Murray Valene, a 40-year supporter of the Louisiana bred program, purchased Designer Legs at the 2012 sale. “She was a stand out,” said Valene. “She had the ‘look’ and was a big, strong yearling.”

 

Designer Legs broke her maiden in her first start at Canterbury Park. Less than a month later she won the Prairie Gold Lassie Stakes.

 

The Graeme Hall daughter won the Grade 2 Adirondack Stakes at Saratoga. She entered the Grade 1 Spinaway Stakes off her win and managed a fifth place finish. The filly then traveled to Keeneland Racecourse in Kentucky where she finished sixth in the Grade 1 Darley Alcibiades Stakes.

 

Designer Legs won her first two races at Canterbury and Prairie Meadows with trainer Gary Scherer before being turned over to trainer Dallas Stewart by owner Murray Valene to point for the Adirondack. She is still currently in training with Stewart.

 

Valene feels that Louisiana breds have helped him build a successful program. “Louisiana breds can run anywhere in the U.S.,” said Valene. “They are competitive at any racetrack and the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association program is the best one out there. It’s my favorite program.”

 

Designer Legs is proving her owner right with her entry in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies this weekend. “She is real,” said Valene. “She has the class and the points to get there. She will try the entire race and this is all for my dad who will be 96 in January.”

 

Valene reported that the filly is doing extremely well at Santa Anita. “She’s got a pretty good shot because any filly can win this race,” said Valene. “It is a level playing field.”

 

Two Year-Old Championship entrants shall not have medications, or any other substances administered within 24 hours of post time including authorized bleeder medications otherwise permitted by state regulation.

 

Valene Farms is ranked as a Graded Stakes Winning Owner with six Top 100 rankings since 2000.  Valene Farms has 69 starts in 2013 with 12 firsts, six thirds, and earning of $420,474. Total earning for Valene Farms are listed at nearly $10 million.

 

Stewart is a multiple Graded Stakes winning trainer. He was second in the 2013 Kentucky Derby with Golden Soul and second in the 2008 Preakness with Macho Again. He has been in the Top 100 Rankings nine times since 2000.

 

What began as a one day, 7-race event has grown into a two-day, $27 million extravaganza attracting the best horses, trainers, and owners from across the globe. It has also become the unofficial end and culmination of the thoroughbred-racing season, often with the Breeders’ Cup Classic being the deciding factor in Horse of the Year.

 

For more information call (504) 947-4676 or visit louisianabred.com.

 

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Final Days of the 2012 Quarter Horse Racing Season at Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino

The races at Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino start at 5:40pm on Wednesday & Thursday.

Come out and enjoy the food and drink specials, betting, and excitement at the Racetrack!

 Closing Night Thursday, December 20.

The Fastest Race on Turf, the Au Revoir Stakes.

$35,000 Estimated for 3 year olds and up, going 870 yards.

If you can't make it to Evangeline Downs for live racing, join us at BetLouisiana.com.

The site that supports Louisiana horsemen.

Must be 18 or older to wager. Must be 21 or older for the consumption of alcohol. Prices exclude tax and gratuity. Government issued photo ID required. Management reserves all rights.

Four $1,000 College Scholarships to be Awarded at Starlight Racing/ College Night in New Orleans

 For Immediate Release

Media Contact:
Julie Calzone
(337) 235- 2924 ext. 18
jcalzone@calzone.com

LTBA Contact:
Roger Heitzmann
(504) 947-4676
roger@louisianabred.com

Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association and The New Orleans Fair Grounds Race Course Will Award Four Scholarships at Starlight Racing/College Night

(New Orleans, La.) – Starlight Racing/College Night will take place on December 28 at New Orleans Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association will award two scholarships, each valued at $1,000, during the event. The Fair Grounds will also donate two scholarships, each valued at $1,000, during the event.

The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association has evolved from a small group of horsemen who united in 1963 to the top thoroughbred breeding program in the United States. The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association will award two (2) scholarships each valued at $1,000 and The Fair Grounds Race Course also donate two (2) scholarships each valued at $1,000 at the upcoming Starlight Racing/College Night on December 28, 2012. The winners will be announced after the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth races race and photographs will be taken with the winners. The races begin at 5 p.m. and the student must be there to register between 4 p.m. and the last drawing.

The requirements for the scholarship are as follows:

• Must be a college student that will be enrolled full time for Spring 2013.
• Must be in good standing with the college.
• Must be present to win.

The scholarship will be deposited directly to the student's account at the college. The student is asked to know the name and address of the college that they are attending.

"The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association is pleased to make an investment in the future of our state by investing in the education process," said Roger Heitzmann, Secretary/Treasurer for the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association.

Registration time: 4 p.m. – last drawing

Drawing time: Beginning approximately 7 p.m.

For more information please call 1-800-772-1195 or visit www.louisianabred.com.

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Free Fun for the Whole Family at the Racetrack!

Exciting, fast-paced quarter horse racing continues this week on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights starting at 5:40pm each night.

It's free to park, free to get in, and tons of fun for everyone who attends and taking advantage of our food and drink specials won't break the bank, either!

Mark your calendars for the EVD Futurity on Saturday, December 15.

The race is for 2-year-olds going 400 yards and the purse is $100,000 added, approximately $180,000-$190,000! The buffet will be open in the Clubhouse; don't miss this exciting night! More details coming soon.

If you can't make it to Evangeline Downs for live racing, join us at BetLouisiana.com.

The site that supports Louisiana horsemen.

Must be 18 or older to wager. Must be 21 or older for the consumption of alcohol. Prices exclude tax and gratuity. Government issued photo ID required. Management reserves all rights.

Adjusted Thanksgiving Racing Schedule and $1 Million Futurity Results from Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino

Racing continues Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. (No live racing on Thanksgiving Day.) First post time of 5:40 p.m. Central Time each evening.

Join us for food and drink specials.
Free admission, free parking, and tons of fun!

$1,000,000 Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders' Futurity Recap:

(Opelousas, La.)– Open Me a Corona ($8.00) broke on top and never looked back en route to a clear-cut victory in the $1,000,000 LQHBA Breeders Futurity, a Restricted Grade I event for Louisiana Bred two-year-olds and the first ever million-dollar race for Quarter Horses in the state of Louisiana at Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino on Saturday evening. Breaking from post position five in the nine-horse field, the son of Coronas Leaving You was the quickest away from the starting gate and was able to establish a clear lead in the first 150 yards which he never relinquished. The winning margin was ¾’s of a length and the running time for the 400 yards on a track labeled fast was 19.660 and the speed index figure was 102.

Winning jockey David Alvarez stated “He warmed up perfectly and never turned a hair despite the delayed start, he stayed focused and when the bell rang he blasted out, I hit him a few times left-handed in mid-stretch and he pulled clear and then I just hand-rode him to the wire.” For Alvarez, a 35-year-old native of Austin, TX this was far and away the biggest win of his ten-year riding career. A former leading rider in Texas at Sam Houston Race Track and the now shuttered Manor Downs, Alvarez is currently second in the rider standings behind five-time defending champion Alfonso Lujan at the fall meet.  

Logans Mountain chased the winner the entire way and was able to nab the runner-up spot finishing just in front of Perrys Runaway. T Boy C, the fastest qualifier for this event and the betting choice of the public at odds of 2.50 to 1, was next across the finish line in 4^th, followed by Heza Lucky Crown and Dashin Gage. Heza Fast Snow was 7^th, with Cougar Hill and Special Fine Corona rounding out the complete order of finish. Bigtime Beau injured himself in the starting gate and was scratched by the Board of Stewards.

Owned by Charles Forbes Jr. and Tommy Hays, Open Me a Corona earned $445,000 from the record purse and is now a perfect three-for-three in his career. Trained by Bobby Martinez, he was bred in Louisiana by Natalie Montgomery DVM.

In the $40,000 Invitational Breeders Stake, the consolation for the LQHBA Breeders Futurity, Beer and Peanuts accelerated past Coltins Fast Dash and Lets Play Yacht Sea to post the victory under jockey G. R. Carter Jr. The Heath Taylor charge covered the 400 yards in 19.880 and earned $24,000 for the win, his second in five career starts for owner Lionel Zapata. As the third choice in the betting, he returned $9.60 to his backers. Jethro Almitey and Jcs Who checked in 4^th and 5^th respectively after

Also on the 10-race program Saturday evening was the Evd Derby for three-year-olds at the distance of 400 yards. As in past years the entry box was oversubscribed, necessitating the race being split into two divisions each worth $50,000 guaranteed with $30,000 to the winner. The first division went to Fast Prize Mike under jockey Jarrod Deschamp. Sent off the 2.60 to 1 favorite off a runner-up effort in the Dash for Cash Derby at Lone Star Park, Fast Prize Mike was an easy winner over Jumpn Beau Chick, Lil Jess Oak, Jessalittlecourage, and Disonecandash despite bearing out badly thru the final 200 yards. The Oklahoma bred covered the distance in 19.713 and earned a speed index figure of 101. In the second division, 11.50 to 1 outsider The Lizzard King was able to grab the early lead and pull off the upset under jockey John Hamilton. The Heath Taylor charge bested runner-up Coors Select by a neck in a time of 19.68. Painted Desires was next across the finish line in 3^rd, followed by Sure Shot B and Tee Cos. The win was the fourth from seven starts this year for the Texas bred son of Valiant Hero. The gelding also earned a speed index figure of 101 and is owned by his breeder Brett Nennen.

If you can't make it to Evangeline Downs for live racing, join us at BetLouisiana.com.

The site that supports Louisiana horsemen.

Must be 18 or older to wager. Must be 21 or older for the consumption of alcohol. Prices exclude tax and gratuity. Government issued photo ID required. Management reserves all rights.

Historic Night of Racing on November 17 at Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino

Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino will host a historic night of racing on Saturday, November 17, 2012. The $1 Million Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders' Futurity, the Invitational Breeders' Stake, and the Evangeline Downs Derby will take place during the evening, with the first post time being at 5:40pm.

Admission and parking is free for all who attend. 

The jockeys will toss T-shirts as well as signed goggles into the crowd near the track, which can be very fun for fans of all ages.

The Clubhouse will be open with a buffet that will be available for $29.94 (includes tax and 15% gratuity) and for kids 12 and under for $16.94. The buffet will include Caesar Salad, Snow Crab, Prime Rib, Fried Chicken, Potatoes Au Gratin, Rice Dressing, Sweet Corn, Green Beans, Rolls, and Bread Pudding. Cocktails will also be served in the Clubhouse.

The Q-Racing Aces will also be in attendance. The Q-Racing Aces is an American Quarter Horse Association program that assists racetracks with fan education for quarter horse racing. The “Aces” consist of quarter horse industry experts who travel to different facilities to promote quarter horse racing.

If you can't make it to Evangeline Downs for live racing, join us at BetLouisiana.com.

The site that supports Louisiana horsemen.

Must be 18 or older to wager. Must be 21 or older for the consumption of alcohol. Prices exclude tax and gratuity. Government issued photo ID required. Management reserves all rights.

Join us for Date Night at Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino

If you're looking for something to do on Friday night, join us at Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino for Date Night. Wine and dinner specials make an exciting night of racing that much more special.

Live racing begins at 5:40 p.m. every Friday throughout the racing season.

If you can't make it to Evangeline Downs for live racing, join us at BetLouisiana.com.

The site that supports Louisiana horsemen.

Must be 18 or older to wager. Must be 21 or older for the consumption of alcohol. Prices exclude tax and gratuity. Government issued photo ID required. Management reserves all rights.

Spend the Fourth of July with us at Evangeline Downs!

Happy Birthday America! Celebrate the Fourth of July with us. Racing starts at 5:40 p.m. and there's lots to do all day long. We have lots of places to eat and it's a good place to bring the family. Kids of all ages are welcome at the races*.

The action continues through Saturday with racing every night starting at 5:40 p.m. and our nightly specials.

Wednesday: Mares. Martinis. 50 cent Ponies.

Thursday: Studs. Suds. 50 cent Ponies.

Friday: Date Night.

Saturday: Famiy Night - Special buffet, kid and pizza pricing in the Clubhouse. $4 special burger or hot dog family meals on the patio.

Thank you to everyone who made our Louisiana Legends Week a huge success. The racing was top notch and it was so much fun for us to see huge crowds enjoying all of the events. Star Guitar won the Louisiana Legends Classic and set a new track record.

Star Guitar, the undisputed king of Louisiana thoroughbred racing, maintained his crown with a track record performance in the $100,000 Louisiana Legends Night Classic.

 *Must be 18 years of age or older to bet.

If you can't make it to Evangeline Downs for live racing, join us at BetLouisiana.com.

The site that supports Louisiana horsemen.