Cajun country cypress

Evangeline Downs

ThoroughbredQuarter HorseDirt
Official site ↗Directions ↗Hotels nearby ↗

Evangeline Downs is a thoroughbred and quarter horse racetrack in Opelousas, Louisiana. It opened in 2005, making it 21 years old in 2026. It races on a 1-mile dirt oval.

Its signature races are the Lafayette Stakes and Lafayette Futurity.

Hall of Famer John Henry won his first stakes race, the 1977 Lafayette Futurity, at the original Evangeline Downs in Carencro, which the track left for Opelousas in 2005.

Track facts

Location
Opelousas, Louisiana
Racing
Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse
Surfaces
Dirt
Track
1-mile dirt oval
Opened
2005
Racing season
Thoroughbreds April–August; quarter horses fall
Operator
Boyd Gaming

Signature races at Evangeline Downs

Race day

When to go. Live racing runs thoroughbreds April–August; quarter horses fall. Check the official site for post times and the current stakes schedule.

The view. Our illustration shows Cajun country cypress in the background.

Getting there. Directions to Evangeline Downs and parking nearby.

Plan your trip to Evangeline Downs

Hotels near Evangeline DownsBook a stay for race day on ExpediaRace schedule & post timesLive racing dates and stakesParkingLots near the trackDirectionsMap to Evangeline DownsTours & things to do in OpelousasSightseeing, tours and more on ExpediaFood & drinks nearbySpots to eat before or after the races

Tracks near Evangeline Downs10

  1. 1ThoroughbredDelta Downs — Delta Downs Jackpot (Vinton, Louisiana)96 mi
  2. 2ThoroughbredFair Grounds Race Course — Louisiana Derby (New Orleans, Louisiana)123 mi
  3. 3ThoroughbredLouisiana Downs — Super Derby (Bossier City, Louisiana)170 mi
  4. 4ThoroughbredSam Houston Race Park — Houston Ladies Classic (Houston, Texas)211 mi
  5. 5ThoroughbredOaklawn Racing Casino Resort — Arkansas Derby (Hot Springs, Arkansas)283 mi
  6. 6ThoroughbredLone Star Park — Steve Sexton Mile (Grand Prairie, Texas)330 mi
  7. 7ThoroughbredCherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs — Route 66 Stakes (Claremore, Oklahoma)450 mi
  8. 8ThoroughbredRemington Park — Oklahoma Derby (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)469 mi
  9. 9HarnessOak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel — Harness racing (Oak Grove, Kentucky)503 mi
  10. 10ThoroughbredKentucky Downs — Kentucky Downs Ladies Sprint (Franklin, Kentucky)530 mi

Questions about Evangeline Downs

Where is Evangeline Downs?

Evangeline Downs is in Opelousas, Louisiana.

What kind of racing is at Evangeline Downs?

Evangeline Downs hosts thoroughbred and quarter horse racing. Live racing runs thoroughbreds April–August; quarter horses fall.

When did Evangeline Downs open?

Evangeline Downs opened in 2005.

What is the biggest race at Evangeline Downs?

The signature race at Evangeline Downs is the Lafayette Stakes.

What other racetracks are near Evangeline Downs?

The closest is Delta Downs in Vinton, Louisiana, about 96 miles away. See the full list of nearby tracks on this page.

Facts are for the 2026 racing season. Distances are straight-line miles. The illustration is original artwork, not a photo. See something wrong? Let us know. Is this your track? Get the “Listed on HorsetrackAtlas.com” badge for your website.