2025 Thoroughbred Season at Evangeline Downs Opens April 4

The 2025 Thoroughbred season at Evangeline Downs in Opelousas, Louisiana, will kick off a 73-night stand this Friday, April 4, 2025. The first post each night will be scheduled for 5:30 pm.

After the opening weekend, fans can enjoy racing on Wednesday through Saturday until mid-June, when the schedule switches to a Thursday through Saturday schedule for the remainder of the meet.

The season wraps up on August 23.

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Top Races of the 2025 Thoroughbred Season at Evangeline Downs

The 2025 stake schedule kicks off on opening weekend with the running of the $60,000 Acadiana and the $60,000 Spotted Horse. The following night co-features the $60,000 Lafayette and the $100,000 Evangeline Mile.

On Kentucky Derby weekend, fans can enjoy the simulcast of the Kentucky Oaks on Friday, May 2, and the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 3. The Friday card will include a trio of stakes races at Evangeline Downs, including the $60,000 EVD Distaff, while the $60,000 EVD Classic highlights the Derby night card.

The marquee night of the season takes place on Saturday, June 7, with Louisiana Legends Night. That night's program features six stakes races for Louisiana-bred runners, with each purse $100,000 guaranteed.

July racing action will include the Opelousas and John Henry Stakes on Saturday, July 5. Each race will carry a purse of $60,000 and run on the turf course.

The stakes calendar wraps up with the $75,000 Louisiana Stallion Stakes on Friday, August 1, presented by Coteau Grove Farms, and the filly division of the $70,000 Shine Young Futurity. Saturday, August 2 will have the $70,000 Shine Young colts and gelding division.

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The Top Jockeys at Evangeline Downs

Elio Barrera will be back to defend his title in the jockey standings. Barrera led the 2024 race season with 80 winners.

Tim Thornton, fresh off a riding title at Delta Downs in Vinton, Louisiana, and Vicente Del-Cid, the 2023 EVD riding champion, figure to be the main challengers.

C.J. McMahon, Jose Guerrero, Jose Luis Rodriguez, and Juan Pablo Vargas are among other riders looking for a big summer.

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About Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino

Encompassing over 750 acres, Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation, features over 39,000 square feet of casino space as well as a racetrack that boasts state-of-the-art facilities with a 7/8-mile turf track and a one-mile main track.

The casino includes over 1,000 slot and video poker machines, two dining options, and plenty of meeting space, including trackside private club suites. Evangeline Downs also includes a newly opened FanDuel Sportsbook.

For more information, visit www.evangelinedowns.com and connect on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.