Evangeline Downs Turf Sprint Set for May 30

Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino announced the $300,000 Evangeline Downs Turf Sprint will be renewed May 30, three weeks earlier than the inaugural event in 2014.



The Turf Sprint, a five-furlong grass test for 3-year-olds and up, was won in 2014 by Heitai, who defeated nine rivals by 3 3/4 lengths in a quick :56.03. Heitai was trained by Karl Broberg, who led the nation in wins last year with 325 overall.

 

The Turf Sprint will anchor a Saturday afternoon program of five stakes races at Evangeline Downs, near Lafayette, La. First post time on Evangeline Downs Turf Sprint Day will be at 3:40 pm CT.



In addition to the Turf Sprint, the lucrative card will also include the $100,000 Opelousas Stakes on turf for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles, and the $100,000 Evangeline Mile at one mile on the main track for older horses. A pair of Louisiana-bred sprints stakes on the main track, the $70,000 Lafayette for 3-year-olds, and the $70,000 Acadiana for 3-year-old fillies, complete the $640,000 stakes program for the day. 



"Last year the Evangeline Downs Turf Sprint program produced a huge crowd on track and garnered a large simulcast following from coast to coast," said Steve Kuypers, vice president and general manager of Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel and director of Boyd Gaming Louisiana Racing. "We expect this year's program to be even bigger and better as we have moved the date to three weeks earlier than in 2014 for the opportunity to attract more horses for the Turf Sprint and the other stakes races on the program."