Evangeline Downs track report

Evangeline Downs has cataloged 111 horses to its third annual paddock sale, which will be held at the track's new site in Opelousas, La., on Sunday.

There are a record 65 2-year-olds in training on offer, with another 46 horses of racing age. All of the 2-year-olds who pass through the sales ring will be eligible for the $75,000 John Franks Memorial Sales Stakes at Evangeline on July 30, 2005.

A gallop show will be held on Saturday, beginning at noon, with a party later the same night in the Silks dining room at Evangeline. The auction will begin at noon on Sunday.

* Evangeline Downs closed out its inaugural meet at its new site last Sunday, and the track handled an average of $431,296 a night on its races for Quarter Horses. Admission to the 20-night meet was free, so attendance numbers were not available.

"We had larger crowds here this spring compared to last fall at the Carencro location," said Mike Howard, general manager of Evangeline.

Evangeline moved its racing operations from its old site in Carencro, La., in order to operate a slots casino. The casino opened Dec. 19, 2003.

The handle on Sunday's closing-night Quarter Horse was a track record, with all-sources betting on the live program of $744,292.

Kenneth Roberts Sr. was the meet's leading trainer, with 20 victories. His stable earned of $185,041. The leading jockey was Alfonso Lujan, who won 25 races and had mount earnings of $195,226.

Evangeline will open for the new track's inaugural Thoroughbred meet on April 7. The 88-night meet will run through Sept. 5.