An incident involving an ambulance on Evangeline Down's racetrack Saturday night during the night's closing race nearly caused a catastrophic.

© Hodges Photography

By StallioneSearch

OPELOUSAS, LA–NOVEMBER 23, 2025–A potentially catastrophic scene unfolded Saturday night at Evangeline Downs in Opelousas, Louisiana, when an ambulance traveling the wrong direction on the racetrack forced a field of Quarter Horses and their jockeys to take evasive action during the eighth race.

The incident occurred in the night’s final event, an 870-yard allowance race around one turn. Eight veteran runners broke sharply from the gate, but as they approached the bend, riders suddenly began pulling up and angling their mounts off the rail. A slow-moving Acadian Ambulance vehicle had appeared on the inside of the track—heading directly toward the oncoming horses.

All horses and riders escaped without collision, though the most harrowing moment came for jockey E.T. Vera aboard Kvn Valiant Corona, who broke from the inside post and was forced to make a dramatic swerve to avoid the vehicle.

Despite One Fast Cajun and jockey Kody Kellenberger crossing the wire first, several riders did not continue with their mounts due to the danger on the track.

Stewards subsequently declared the race a no-contest, ordering all wagers refunded.

A video of the incident circulated quickly afterward. CLICK below to watch the video.

 

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