Set-Hut’s Touchuponastar crossed the break a bit late on December 10 in the $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic and made it through all the calls, then dumped it late to win by 4 3/4 length Star Behemah in the Saturday feature at Fair Grounds Racecourse & Slots.
The Guitar Star the -sired winner (as well as the runner-up) has shown a lot of energy over the long run, while the odds are favourable. Who took the money? in third place by half the length.
Touchuponastar, a 3-year-old lightweight racer coached by Jeff Delhomme, ran 1 1/8 mile in 1:50.66 to win the first bet of his career. Timothy Thornton rides winners for the Delhomme family: Jerry, Jeff and former National Rugby League quarterback Jake.
After pausing for a while after the portal charged, Touchuponastar quickly recovered, passing the challenger early. Tay Nguyen creek in the first time will put the fractions :24.55 and :49.34 in the 1/8 mile race. He received no pressure as Highland Creek kept 1/2 of his outside back length. Behemah Star moved to take second place on the final bend but never threatened Touchuponastar, who extended his lead to six spaces on the mid-call.
Who took the money to take the lead in sixth place before starting a late move never threatened the winner but the game was enough to beat Ballinonabudjet in a demonstration photo. The rest complete well again.
The winner’s final time was 1:50.66 on the fast track.
“We knew he was a special horse,” said Thornton. “We know we’re here to beat Ai for the Money, but when I’m able to hit that first quarter at a slow pace like I’m going, I think (coach Bret) Calhoun (Highland) horse. Creek) will put pressure on me. When they leave me alone, I know I’ll have plenty left, and he can certainly show how special he is today.”
The Touchuponastar was bred in Louisiana by Coteau Grove Farms in addition to lion heart mare magic touch . He improved his record to 4-1-1 in six starts, with a run of $163,100. He returned $12.40 on a $2 winning ticket as a third pick 5-1 in the seven older men’s field.
“He’s young and has a big future ahead of him,” Delhomme said. “We’ve always been aiming for the Classics (instead of the Louisiana Championship Day Sprint). We didn’t run in the prep because earlier in his career we were back in three. week and we think that ended a bit quickly. It opened up a lot of opportunities for us to be able to get nine longhairs, even outside of Louisiana-bred horses.”
Other Purebred Black bet winners on the Louisiana Championship Day show include Kevin Stedman’s End of September during Louisiana Champions Day for teenagers; Racing Mansfield Free drop Maddy on Louisiana Lassie Championship Day; Brittlyn’s Stables Egg loaded in the Women’s Sprint on Louisiana Championship Day; by Thomas Galvin AG’s Charlotte during the Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Distaff; and Kendel Standlee’s Big Chopper in the Louisiana Championship Day Sprint.
Video: Louisiana Champions Day Classic S. (BT)
This press release has been edited by BloodHorse Staff for content and style.
