Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino
Opelousas, Louisiana (2235 NW Evangeline Thruway, Lafayette, LA 70507 – commonly referred to as the Opelousas-area venue) Date: Friday, April 3, 2026
Scheduled Post Time: 8:40 PM CT (first post for the card is 5:30 PM CT)
Distance/Surface: 1 Mile, Dirt
Purse: $60,000
Eligibility: For fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and upward (weight: 118 lbs base, with allowances; fillies and mares get standard weight breaks where applicable)
Expected Weather Condition: Warm and humid early-April evening in south Louisiana. Game-time temperatures expected in the mid-70s to low-80s°F (24–28°C) with partly cloudy skies and a 20–40% chance of scattered showers or thunderstorms. Light south-southeast winds 8–15 mph. Humidity 65–80%. Track should remain fast unless late showers arrive; monitor for any sealing if precipitation hits pre-race. Fans should dress for warm, muggy conditions—typical spring racing weather at Evangeline.
Track Conditions (latest available): Dirt – Fast (standard early-meet surface; speed-favoring bias typical for two-turn routes at Evangeline, though stalkers and mid-pack runners can close effectively if the pace is hot). This $60,000 stakes highlights the opening weekend of the 2026 Evangeline Downs meet and serves as an early-season test for older fillies and mares at the one-mile distance. A compact field of eight heads to the gate, headlined by a sharp Jonathan Wong shipper/entrant in Rising Inflation (highest recent speed figure in the field) and strong local contenders from hot barns like Patricia G. West (Norah G) and Kinnon LaRose (Sweet Note). The race figures to be a tactical two-turn battle with several live contenders off strong recent form.
Full Field with Post Positions, Morning Line Odds, Jockeys, Trainers & Analysis
Post 1 – Berlaine (5YO Mare by Congrats out of Cash Return)
ML Odds: 15/1 • Jockey: Devin H. Magnon • Trainer: Rylee Magnon • Weight: 118 lbs
Recent form includes a solid speed figure of 102 in her latest outing. The Magnon father-son combo is a local Evangeline staple and knows this track inside-out. Rail post is an advantage on a fast dirt surface, and she has early tactical speed. Live longshot who could steal it at a price if she gets an uncontested lead or a soft trip; needs to bounce back to her best but has the pedigree for the distance.
Post 2 – Legal Empress (4YO Filly by Tiz the Law out of Dothraki Queen)
ML Odds: 10/1 • Jockey: Timothy Thornton • Trainer: Abel Ramirez-Rodriguez • Weight: 120 lbs
Recent speed figure of 100 shows consistent placings in allowance company. Thornton is one of the leading riders at Evangeline, and the Ramirez-Rodriguez barn has been hitting at a solid clip early in the meet. Tactical mid-pack style suits the two-turn mile; she should sit a perfect trip just off the pace. Solid exotics play and a potential upsetter if the favorites overpace.
Post 3 – Pharoahs Baby Gyal (6YO Mare by American Pharoah out of Baby J)
ML Odds: 6/1 • Jockey: Julio Ramirez, Jr. • Trainer: Benard Chatters • Weight: 118 lbs
Recent figure of 100 in stakes/allowance company. Chatters is a veteran Louisiana trainer who knows how to peak a horse for opening weekend. Veteran mare with experience at this distance; she’ll likely be forwardly placed with Ramirez’s aggressive style. Dangerous if she can control the front end or sit a stalking trip—pedigree and trainer heat give her a big shot.
Post 4 – Norah G (6YO Mare by Fast Anna out of Mr. G’s Moonshine – LA-bred)
ML Odds: 7/2 • Jockey: Emanuel Nieves • Trainer: Patricia G. West • Weight: 120 lbs
Recent speed figure of 99 with consistent local placings. West is a sharp local conditioner, and Nieves is riding in excellent form. Louisiana-bred with a strong affinity for Evangeline; she has tactical speed and should be in the mix early. One of the top contenders on recent form and connections—expect her to be forward and dangerous throughout.
Post 5 – Rosieontheriver (4YO Filly by Kantharos out of Dark Artist)
ML Odds: 12/1 • Jockey: Isaac Castillo • Trainer: Jervon Broussard • Weight: 118 lbs
Recent figure around 93; coming off a prep where she showed closing kick. Broussard barn is live early in the meet, and Castillo is a top local rider. Outside post requires a wide trip, but she has stamina for the mile and could close into a hot pace. Live longshot exotics filler if the race sets up for a closer.
Post 6 – Rising Inflation (5YO Mare by Mitole out of Any Given Trace – LA-bred)
ML Odds: 2/1 (favorite) • Jockey: Harry Hernandez • Trainer: Jonathan Wong • Weight: 122 lbs (top weight)
Top selection. Highest recent speed figure in the field (109) and proven stakes form. Wong is a high-percentage trainer who ships in sharp, and Hernandez is one of the hottest riders at the meet. Versatile mare who can press or stalk; class and current form edge make her the one to beat. Strong candidate to wire or sit and pounce.
Post 7 – Carson Bay (4YO Filly by Midshipman out of Karakorum Fugitive)
ML Odds: 15/1 • Jockey: Erica M. Murray • Trainer: Gary M. Scherer • Weight: 118 lbs
Recent figure of 46 (likely a prep or bounce); Scherer is a solid stakes trainer with Louisiana ties. Outside post in a small field is manageable, but she’ll need a career-best effort. Longshot who could improve with a clean trip; respect as a possible exotics filler from a live barn.
Post 8 – Sweet Note (4YO Filly by Hightail out of Sweet Sermon)
ML Odds: 5/2 • Jockey: Kevin Roman • Trainer: Kinnon LaRose • Weight: 124 lbs (high weight)
Recent speed figure of 102. LaRose knows the local circuit well, and Roman is riding with confidence. She has tactical speed from the far outside and should be able to drop in or press. Strong local contender who could challenge the favorite if she gets a clean trip—pedigree and recent form make her a major threat.
