Abel Blanchard

CARENCRO -- Abel Blanchard is one thoroughbred horse trainer who wasn't happy about watching the end of an era Monday night at Evangeline Downs.

"It's kind of sad.I've been here a long time, 15 years, and the trainers here have been treated good," Blanchard said in his horse barn, two hours before post time.

"They have a lot of us (trainers) who have been here 20 years or more and, after tonight, you might not see some of those anymore," he said.
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Blanchard said trainers fear the move will result in higher horse stall fees.

In Carencro, those fees are as low as $3.50 per day in the off-season.

Because of the anticipated slot-machine proceeds, the Opelousas track should offer higher purses to horse owners, which could bring more out-of-state horses to the track, he said.

"There will be a lot of new faces, and I don't know if some of the ones I'm used to seeing will be around," Blanchard said.

Cutie Sabrina was also stretching out from two consecutive sprints for her trainer Abel Blanchard and legitimized herself as a serious horse for the division.Princess Deelite Wears Down Pacesetters Jockey Luis Quinonez is one of the most patient riders on the grounds and lived up to his billing with a well-timed rally aboard Princess Deelite in the Laurel Lane.

Cutie Sabrina was also stretching out from two consecutive sprints for her trainer Abel Blanchard and legitimized herself as a serious horse for the division.

Joe Hackler's Cutie Sabrina sprang a 12-1 upset in a gate-to-wire win for jockey Billy Patin and trainer Abel Blanchard in the $100,000 Louisiana Breeders' Oaks for 3-year-old fillies.

Exacta (11-7) $70.80; Quinella (7-11) $28.80; Superfecta (11-7-6-12) $4007.00; Trifecta (11-7-6) $536.80; Pic 3 (3-6-11) $150.20; Claimed: None; Scratched: None; Winner: Dark Bay or Brown Colt 2000, by Giuseppe - Devil's Princess by Feu d'Enfer; Owner: Marelle Yongue; Trainer: Abel Blanchard

(LOUISIANA) -- Abel Blanchard is one thoroughbred horse trainer who wasn't happy about watching the end of an era Monday night at Evangeline Downs.