Touchuponastar dominates Louisiana Premier Night Championship

Touchuponastar improved his Delta Downs record to 5 for 5 on Saturday night with a dominant performance in the $150,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship. He won by 6 3/4 lengths and for the effort earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 101.

The race was one of six divisional stakes on the card. All of the races were restricted to horses bred in Louisiana. It was the richest program of the meet at Delta.

Touchuponastar ran his career record to 11 for 14 with the win, which pushed his earnings to $708,100. He was a $15,000 yearling purchase at auction in Texas. The son of Star Guitar is now 5 and the horse’s body of work has been a blessing, according to his owner, retired NFL quarterback Jake Delhomme.

“I don’t take it for a granted,” Delhomme said. “I’m very active at the Louisiana and Texas sales, buying strictly Louisiana-breds. I’ve bought some good ones and some that have just been so-so. I was lucky to buy him. He’s been a pleasure.”

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Touchuponastar ($2.10), who was coming off a win in the Louisiana Champions Day Classic at Fair Grounds, made all the pace in the Premier Night Championship. He took the field through fractions of 24.35 seconds for the opening quarter, 49.61 for the half-mile and 1:14.08 for six furlongs before going on to cover the 1 1/16 miles on a muddy, sealed track in 1:45.03.

Timothy Thornton was aboard for trainer Jeff Delhomme.

Play Mo finished second in the race, which was the richest offering on the card Saturday.

*** In the $125,000 Distaff, Wholelottamo ($48.20) caught favorite Free Like a Girl coming to the wire for a three-quarter-length victory. Free Like a Girl, who was coming off a runner-up finish in the Grade 3 Houston Ladies Classic on Jan. 27 at Sam Houston, finished 5 3/4 lengths clear of third-place finisher Thetruthisthetruth.

Wholelottamo, who closed from next to last, covered the mile for fillies and mares in 1:41.20. C.J. McMahon rode the daughter of Mo Tom for Thompson Racing and trainer Jayde Gelner.

*** Bron and Brow ($3.40) closed from last to win the $100,000 Sprint by 1 3/4 lengths over Autumns Strong Man. He covered five furlongs in 58.81 seconds. Reylu Gutierrez was aboard the son of Gormley for Gary Barber and trainer Mark Casse.

*** Charlie T ($17.80) was a three-quarter-length winner over Blessed Assurance in the $100,000 Matron for fillies and mares. She covered five furlongs in 59.15 seconds. Carlos Lozada was aboard the daughter of My Pal Charlie for Elite Thoroughbred Racing and Lee Thomas.

*** El Dinero ($6) tracked in fourth and went on to a two-length win over Good and Stout in the $100,000 Prince for 2-year-olds. It was another four lengths back in third to favorite Spinning Aces. Juan Vargas was aboard the son of El Deal for Tav Enterprises and trainer Patrick Devereux Jr.

*** Lightofmaine ($34) was a neck winner over Magnolia Avenue in the $100,000 Starlet. The daughter of Tapwrit covered the mile for 2-year-old fillies in 1:40.77. Jansen Melancon was aboard for Maury Harrington and Christopher Harrington and trainer Bret Calhoun.

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