Evangeline Downs: Franks sale gets boost

This year's John Franks Memorial 2-year-olds in training sale at Evangeline Downs will offer 191 youngsters on March 30 beginning at 10 a.m. Central. There will be a preview gallop show on March 29 at noon.

Increased purses at Louisiana's four tracks because of slot machine revenue has helped increase not only the number of horses offered in the sale but also the quality.

"We have 2-year-olds being offered from such commercially attractive sires such as Dixieland Band and More Than Ready, who each command a stud fee of $50,000 or more," said Charlotte Stemmans, president of Stemmans Inc., the administrator for the sale.

Other sires represented include Holy Bull, Point Given, Stephen Got Even, and Peace Rules. Graduates of the sale will automatically be eligible to the $100,000 John Franks Memorial Stakes. The filly division will be contested on Aug. 1, with the males to follow on Aug. 2.