Evangeline track report

Interest continues to mount here in anticipation of a rare winter meeting that will begin on Dec. 1. Due to extensive damage suffered by Delta Downs at the hands of Hurricane Rita in late September, the winter and early spring dates for that track have been transferred to Evangeline. The unusual set of circumstances is also being played out in the northern part of the state, as Fair Grounds will conduct its racing this year at Louisiana Downs thanks to Hurricane Katrina, which struck in late August. That abbreviated 37-day season begins Saturday.

Stall applications closed this week for the upcoming meeting at Evangeline Downs, and all indications are that racing secretary Jason Boulet will have plenty of horses to work with.

"We've fielded literally hundreds of calls already regarding the availability of stalls from horsemen displaced from both Delta Downs in Vinton and from the Fair Grounds in New Orleans," said Boulet. "We will do everything in our power to accommodate and aid the many horsemen who have supported us, and racing, in Louisiana.

"The application process is ongoing," he said, "and we encourage all interested parties to apply."