Evangeline Downs to Host John Franks Memorial 2-year-olds in Training and Paddock Sale

The 5th annual John Franks Memorial 2-year-olds in training and paddock sale will be held at Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino March 18.

Named for the late oil baron and multiple Eclipse award winning owner/breeder, the sale will offer a pair of $100,000 races restricted to 2-year-olds who pass through the sales ring.

Each event will be contested in August 2007 at Evangeline and will feature one division for colts and geldings and a one division restricted to fillies.

"The sale, with its strategic placing and deep talent pool, has become an important part of the racing industry as horsemen throughout Louisiana as well as from neighboring jurisdictions look to restock and upgrade their stables," said David Yout, executive director of racing operations at Evangeline Downs.

The 2006 sale featured large gains in both total horses sold and average price. Of the 137 2-year-olds entered in the sale, 125 were sold grossed $1,635,400. The average was $12,877.

Last year's 2-year-old sale also recorded its first-ever six-figure price when Eric Guillot purchased Manhattan Model (by Smoke Glacken) for $105,000.

The paddock mixed sale grossed $56,900 with 30 horses sold out of the 37 entered for an average of $1,896.67.

Entry deadline for both the 2-year-old in training and paddock sale is Jan. 8, 2007. Entry fee for the 2-year-old sale is $350 ($500 after the early deadline) with a minimum commission of $200. Entry fee for the mixed paddock sale is $225 ($300 after the early deadline) with a minimum commission of $100.