Evangeline Downs postpones opening due to coronavirus

The Evangeline Downs meet scheduled to open April 8 has been postponed until further notice after the Louisiana Gaming Control Board ordered a temporary closing of casinos in the state due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to Boyd Gaming, the parent company of the track in Opelousas, La.

Evangeline sent out a notice of the meet’s postponement to horsemen on Monday. It also informed stable personnel and horses had to move off the grounds by 5 p.m. Central on Wednesday.

Boyd Gaming issued the following statement Monday.

“On Monday, the Louisiana Gaming Control Board ordered the temporary closure of all casinos in the state of Louisiana as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 disease.

"While there have been no reported cases at our property, in compliance with the board’s order we are closing Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino [Monday], by midnight. This closure will impact all public operations, including the casino, hotel, racetrack, restaurants, and meeting and entertainment venues. Based on the board’s order we expect to remain closed through Monday, March 30.”

The statement directed those with reservations or events scheduled at Evangeline during the closure period to call (866)472-2466 for information and assistance.

Louisiana Downs, which also operates an onsite casino in Bossier City, La., canceled the final two cards of its Quarter Horse meet after conducting racing on Monday. The season was scheduled to end Wednesday.

The feature on Wednesday was to be the $283,210 Harrah's Entertainment Futurity and an announcement on the status of the race will be made in the future, according to a press release from Louisiana Downs.

The cancellation of the final two dates of the meet was due to state mandates, according to the press release.