Evangeline Downs has seen its share of legends over the years, both human and equine. Opened in 1966 near Lafayette, Louisiana, in the town of Carenco, Evangeline gained renown as the starting point of countless Cajun jockeys. The list includes Randy Romero, Eddie Delahoussaye, Ray Sibile, Shane Sellers, Mark Guidry, Robby Albarado and Kent Desormeaux.

Horses have also made auspicious beginnings at Evangeline. The great John Henry won his first stakes race here, capturing the Lafayette Futurity in 1977. In 1982, Wild Again, winner of the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Classic, won a trial of the same race. More recently, Hallowed Dreams won the Tellike Stakes on June 3, 2000, for her 14th victory in 14 starts setting an American record for thoroughbred fillies.

In 2005 Evangeline Downs moved into a new home in Opelousas, Louisiana.