Racing

TOUCHUPONASTAR DOMINATES IN THE $150,000 LOUISIANA PREMIER NIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP AT DELTA DOWNS

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs hosted its richest program of the season on Saturday evening as the 20th edition of Louisiana Premier Night took center stage. The 12-race program featured 10 stakes races and $980,000 in total purse money for Louisiana-bred horses.

The featured race on the program was the $150,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship. The favorite, Touchuponastar did not disappoint in the race, winning easily under jockey Tim Thorton, who notched a pair of wins on the rich program.

Touchuponastar, who is owned by retired NFL quarterback Jake Delhomme’s Set Hut Stables and trained by Jeff Delhomme, was expected to set the pace in the 1 1-16-mile test for 4-year-olds and up, but an early lead was not in the cards as Brian’s Iron Mike shot to the front in the initial strides after Touchuponastar stumbled when the gates opened.

Thornton appeared to struggle with his mount early after a rough start, but he settled down and angled off the rail entering the first turn of the two-turn race. The opening quarter mile was clicked off in 23.65 seconds by Brian’s Iron Mike while Thornton guided his mount into a stalking position onto the backstretch. When the half-mile was reached in 47.47, Brian’s Iron Mike was feeling the pressure from Touchuponastar and eventually gave way to the eventual winner, who clicked off a rapid time of 1:12.89 for three quarters.

Turning for home the outcome was never in doubt, as Touchuponastar increased his lead and cruised to a final winning margin of 2-1/2 lengths over late runner Behemah Star, while recording a final time of 1:45.53. Ballinonabudjet wound up third, another three lengths behind the runner-up.

After the race, Thornton raved about Touchuponastar, whom he has ridden in all but one of his seven career starts. “He’s a class act; does everything you ask of him,” stated the winning rider. “He stumbled out of the gate, but I was never worried.”

Touchuponastar has now won four consecutive races and five-of-seven starts overall. He banked another $90,000 for the win on Saturday and his earnings now stand at $253,100.

Bred in Louisiana by Coteau Grove Farms, Touchuponastar is a 4-year-old gelding by Star Guitar, out of the Lion Heart mare Touch Magic. He was purchased for $15,000 as yearling.

SET-HUT’S TOUCHUPONASTAR ASCENDS TO WIN THE LOUISIANA CHAMPIONS DAY CLASSIC

By Kevin Kilroy

NEW ORLEANS, La. (December 10, 2022) – The commanding speed in the $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic, Set-Hut’s Touchuponastar overcame a slow break to lead through all calls and pour it on late to win by 4 3/4 lengths over Behemah Star. The Star Guitar-sired exacta had plenty in the tanks after coasting through soft fractions, keeping the odds-on favorite Who Took the Money at bay.

Touchuponastar, a lightly raced-3-year-old trained by Jeff Delhomme, ran the 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.66 to collect his first career stakes win. Timothy Thornton rode the winner for Delhomme family, Jerry, Jeff, and ex-NFL quarterback Jake.

Pausing for an instant after the gates flew upon, Touchuponastar recovered quickly, hustling by the early challenger Highland Creek in the early going to set fractions of 24.55 and 49.34. He received no pressure as Highland Creek kept 1 1/2 lengths back to his outside. Behemah Star made his move to take over in second through the final bend but never menaced Touchuponastar who extended his lead to six lengths at the stretch call. Who Took the Money stalked wide in sixth before beginning a late move that never threatened the winner but was game enough to beat Ballinonabudjet for third. The rest finished well back.

“We knew he was a special horse all along,” Timothy Thornton said. “We knew we were coming here to beat Who Took the Money, but when I was able to get that first quarter as slow as I was going, I thought Calhoun’s horse (Highland Creek) was going to pressure me. When they left me alone, I knew I was going to have plenty left, and he was definitely able to show how special he is today.”

Touchuponastar is a son of Guitar Star out of the Lion Heart mare Touch Magic and was bred in Louisiana by Coteau Grove Farms. The four-time winner returned $12.40, $5.60 and $3.00 as the 5-1 third betting choice in the field of seven older males.

Touchuponastar netted $60,000 for owner Set-Hut LLC and now boasts career earnings of $163,100 from a record of 4-1-1 in 6 starts.

“He’s young and has a big future ahead of him,” trainer Jeff Delhomme said. “We were leaning towards the Classic the entire time (instead of the Sprint). We didn’t run in the prep because earlier in the career we swung back in three weeks and we think that ended up being a little too fast. It opens a lot of doors for us to be able to get nine furlongs, even outside Louisiana-bred horses.”

LATE SEPTEMBER WINS LOUISIANA CHAMPION’S DAY JUVENILE

By Kevin Kilroy

NEW ORLEANS, La. (December 10, 2022 - In the $100,000 Juvenile, Kevin Stedman’s Late September (5-1) broke inward from the starting gate, wired the field, and eventually survived a claim of foul to give trainer Jose Camejo his first of two Champions Day wins on the card. It was one of three scores on the day for Fair Grounds’ leading rider Jose Luis Rodriguez.

Jose Camejo (trainer)

“His last race he moved from 7 furlongs to 5 ½, which can be a little confusing for a 2-year-old, plus the track was wet. We’ve kept him happy, and the extra 1/2 furlong today with the outside position made a big difference. Jose Luis Rodriguez is a wonderful rider, he fits the track really well and I hope he continues his success.”

LATE SEPTEMBER WINS THE $100,000 LOUISIANA LEGACY IN MID OCTOBER AT DELTA DOWNS

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs hosted the $100,000 Louisiana Legacy Stakes on Saturday night as the track closed out another race week in Vinton, Louisiana. The race was won by Kevin Stedman’s Late September under jockey Jose Rodriguez. The Jose Camejo trainee and his connections had to wait a while to celebrate in the winner’s circle after the race as a jockey’s objection was lodged against him by C. J. McMahon, the rider King’s Lute, who finished second. After several tense moments the claim of foul was disallowed and the win was made official.

Late September was making his first start in four months in the Legacy and was facing state-bred company for the first time. The layoff didn’t bother him as he broke sharply and settled back into fifth position early in the seven-furlong test around two turns. Meanwhile the pace was being set by Bisping who traveled the opening quarter mile in 22.73 seconds and stopped the timer in 47.24 for the half mile. The pacesetter, and wagering co-favorite along with Late September, was challenged by the eventual winner as the field entered the second turn but could not repel the challenge. Bisping would go on to finish fifth in the field of nine.

When Late September entered the final furlong he was put to the test by King’s Lute, who had rallied stoutly from the back on the pack. The pair came together in the upper-stretch before Late September pulled clear to finish a length to the good of his rival at the finish line. Boss Soss would up third, another 5-3/4 length behind the runner-up. Late September finished the race in a time of 1:28.13 over a fast track.

The win by Late September was the second of his four-race career. He earned $60,000 for the effort and now has a bankroll of $97,870.

Bred in Louisiana by Coteau Grove Farms, LLC, Late September is a 2-year-old bay colt by Munnings, out of the Lemon Drop Kid mare Hello Maggie May. He was purchased at sale earlier this year for $60,000.

The Great One wins Race 2 on Saturday, January 23rd, 2021 at Santa Anita Park.

Nyquist - Little Ms Protocol Louisiana Bred Foaled February 20, 2018

From the first crop of Nyquist, who won the 2016 Kentucky Derby for O'Neill, The Great One is owned in partnership by ERJ Racing, Train Wreck Al Racing Stables, Niall Brenna, Tom Fritz and William Strauss. He was a $185,000 auction purchase as a 2-year-old.

New Orleans, La. (January 21, 2021) - Mum is so proud and so are we! Henning (Hard Spun x Mum) made his debut today at The Fair Grounds for the Delhommes', Set Hut, LLC. From last to first! What a heart and the combination of the breeder, owner and trainer is what creates the win.
Mum has an excellent pedigree: she is by champion sire Tapit and a full sister to G3 winner and G1 producer Hightap. Still only 9 years old, Mum still has plenty of years of promising production ahead. Her first foal was a winner and her 3rd foal is a 2 year-old colt by Hard Spun named Henning that is training well for the Delhommes and will race in Louisiana. She also has a nice weanling by the exciting young sire Mendelssohn (by Scat Daddy and a ½ brother to Into Mischief).
Booked to Practical Joke 2021
Practical Joke is a very exciting young son of Into Mischief. He was a multiple G1 winner and his first crop of 2-year-olds race in 2021, so there is a lot to look forward to next year. The sky’s the limit for him as a sire.
Mum
Sire: Tapit
Dam: Don’tellmichelle
Damsire: Regal Classic