OPELOUSAS– Evangeline Downs’ Racing Secretary Coleman Lloyd has announced that the $100,000 Lafayette Stakes will now be contested on Saturday, August 13 instead of Monday, September 5, Labor Day where it has traditionally been held. The Lafayette Stakes, for two-year-olds will be run on the turf course at the distance of one mile after being contested on the main track at the distance of six furlongs for the past several years.

Lloyd stated “The reason for the switch is two-fold. First, we wanted to bolster our signature event, the Evangeline Mile and by moving the Lafayette Stakes to the same night as the “Mile” will make that event more enticing for out of state outfits to ship in as they will now have two six-figure purses on the same card as well as making it a stronger and more interesting night of racing for our local and out of state fans via simulcast wagering. Second, Louisiana Downs has switched the date this year for their top two-year-old stakes race on the turf, the Sunny’s Halo and by moving the Lafayette Stakes to this new date will give horsemen the opportunity to run in both events instead of having to opt for one or the other.”

In addition, Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino Management announced a slight change to the 2011 Spring/Summer thoroughbred racing calendar. The 89-night meet, originally scheduled to conclude on Monday, September 5, Labor Day will now conclude on Saturday, September 10. Instead of racing the regular Wednesday thru Saturday schedule, there will be no racing on the final two Wednesday’s in August. The final three weeks will consist of racing on Thursday thru Saturday and Monday, Labor Day along with Friday and Saturday evening the final week.