Evangeline Downs cancels training, racing due to Hurricane Laura

The threat of Hurricane Laura has led Delta Downs in Vinton, La., to evacuate its property and Evangeline Downs in Opelousas, La., to cancel workouts and racing for both Wednesday and Thursday.

The storm is in the Gulf of Mexico and, according to multiple reports, is on a path to hit coastlines in Louisiana and Texas. Hurricane Laura is forecast to arrive after midnight Wednesday.

Delta Downs, which is right across the border from Texas, on Tuesday issued an order for mandatory evacuation of its property. The track concluded its Quarter Horse meet Saturday night. Chris Warren, director of racing for Delta, said there is a mandatory evacuation in place for the residents of Vinton.

Evangeline Downs, which is about two hours east of Delta, is scheduled to close its Thoroughbred meet Saturday night with a pair of stakes races. The cancellation of the Wednesday and Thursday night cards were done for precautionary measures, said Warren, who also is director of racing for Evangeline.

Delta and Evangeline are both owned by Boyd Gaming.