Evangeline juvenile sale offers wide stallion array

OPELOUSAS, La. - A total of 154 juveniles are slated to pass through the sales ring Sunday in the John Franks Memorial 2-year-olds in training sale at Evangeline Downs. The event will get under way at 10oa.m. in Evangeline's new event center adjacent to the track's outdoor paddock. There is a preview gallop show scheduled for noon on Saturday.

"Despite the current economy, we are cautiously optimistic about this year's sale," said Charlotte Stemmans Clavier, president of the sale's administrator, Stemmans Inc. "I truly believe this year's sale has something for everyone. With the racino-infused purses and the new turf course now in place here at Evangeline, the consignors have responded with an overall upgrade in quality as well as the introduction of some serious turf-orientated stallions and broodmare families, which will allow horsemen more options to restock and retool their stables."

That kind of bloodline diversity is reflected in the number of sires represented at this year's event. No fewer than 97 stallions will have offspring passing through the sales ring, with the late Leestown and ever-popular Storm Day leading the way with six sons and daughters each.

Evangeline will once again offer a pair of $100,000 stake races restricted to graduates of this year's sale. Both races will be contested at 5 1/2 furlongs, with the fillies scheduled for July 30 and the colts and geldings on July 31.