Evangeline Downs Quarter Horse Meet Opens October 1

Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino will conduct its 2026 Quarter Horse meet from October 1 through December 19, featuring more than $1 million in scheduled stakes purses.

The stakes program begins Saturday, October 3, with the $20,000-guaranteed EVD Dash for 3-year-olds and older at 250 yards. Nominations for the race close September 18.

Two Louisiana-bred stakes will follow the next weekend. The $30,000-guaranteed Amelia Belle Stakes, for fillies and mares 3 and older at 350 yards, will be contested October 9. The $40,000-guaranteed Opelousas Stakes(RG3), for Louisiana-bred 3-year-olds and older at 400 yards, is scheduled for October 10. Nominations for both races close September 25.

The $30,000-guaranteed Races And Aces Stakes, an 870-yard event for 3-year-olds and older, will be held October 17. Nominations close October 2.

Trials for the $100,000-added EVD Futurity(G2) will be contested November 20, followed by trials for the $50,000-added EVD Derby on November 21. Both races are scheduled at 400 yards, with nomination payments due September 17.

Louisiana-bred juveniles will contest the Louisiana Million Futurity trials November 27. Trials for the LQHBA Breeders Derby(RG3) and LQHBA Oaks will be conducted November 28.

The meet concludes December 19 with a major stakes program featuring 12 races. The card will be headed by the $200,000-added LQHBA Million Futurity(RG1), $100,000-added EVD Futurity(G2), $100,000-guaranteed Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile(RG2), $100,000-guaranteed Louisiana Champions Day Derby(RG3) and $100,000-guaranteed Louisiana Quarter Day Classic(RG2).

The closing-night program will also include the EVD Derby, LQHBA Breeders Derby(RG3), LQHBA Oaks, LQHBA Invitational, Leverne Perry Stakes, EVD 870 Stakes and EVD Juvenile Stakes.

2026 Evangeline Downs Quarter Horse Stakes Schedule

Saturday, October 3
EVD Dash
3-year-olds and older • 250 yards • $20,000 guaranteed
Nominations close September 18.

Friday, October 9
Amelia Belle Stakes
Louisiana-bred fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and older • 350 yards • $30,000 guaranteed
Nominations close September 25.

Saturday, October 10
Opelousas Stakes(RG3)
Louisiana-breds, 3-year-olds and older • 400 yards • $40,000 guaranteed
Nominations close September 25.

Saturday, October 17
Races And Aces Stakes
3-year-olds and older • 870 yards • $30,000 guaranteed
Nominations close October 2.

Friday, November 20
EVD Futurity Trials
2-year-olds • 400 yards
Payments close September 17.

Saturday, November 21
EVD Derby Trials
3-year-olds • 400 yards
Payments close September 17.

Friday, November 27
LQHBA Million Futurity Trials
Louisiana-bred 2-year-olds • 400 yards

Saturday, November 28
LQHBA Breeders Derby Trials
Louisiana-bred 3-year-olds • 350 yards

Saturday, November 28
LQHBA Oaks Trials
Louisiana-bred 3-year-old fillies • 350 yards

Saturday, December 19

EVD 870 Stakes*
3-year-olds and older • 870 yards • $25,000 guaranteed
Nominations close December 4.

EVD Futurity(G2)
2-year-olds • 400 yards • $100,000 added

EVD Derby
3-year-olds • 400 yards • $50,000 added

EVD Juvenile Stakes*
2-year-olds • 400 yards • $25,000 guaranteed
Nominations close December 4.

Leverne Perry Stakes
Louisiana-breds, 3-year-olds and older • 250 yards • $40,000 guaranteed
Nominations close December 4.

Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile(RG2)
Louisiana-bred 2-year-olds • 350 yards • $100,000 guaranteed

Louisiana Champions Day Derby(RG3)
Louisiana-bred 3-year-olds • 400 yards • $100,000 guaranteed

Louisiana Quarter Day Classic(RG2)
Louisiana-breds, 4-year-olds and older • 440 yards • $100,000 guaranteed

LQHBA Invitational
Louisiana-bred 2-year-olds • 400 yards • $100,000 guaranteed

LQHBA Breeders Derby(RG3)
Louisiana-bred 3-year-olds • 350 yards • $50,000 added

LQHBA Oaks
Louisiana-bred 3-year-old fillies • 350 yards • $50,000 added

LQHBA Million Futurity(RG1)
Louisiana-bred 2-year-olds • 400 yards • $200,000 added

*Purse includes $10,000 from ALBSS.

Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino is located in Opelousas, Louisiana. Click here for directions to Evangeline Downs.

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