Touchuponastar tries open company again in Delta Downs Mile

Touchuponastar will be looking for his first win against open company Friday night when the standout Louisiana-bred faces a host of invaders in the $100,000 Delta Downs Mile.

The race for 3-year-olds and up will share a card with its counterpart for fillies and mares, the $100,000 Treasure Chest.

The Delta Mile has drawn a field of 10, including Kentucky shipper Five Star General, winner of the Longacres Mile and Evangeline Mile; Southern California-based Katonah, winner of the Pleasanton Mile; Oklahoma-stabled Holden the Lute, who was stakes-placed in August; Turf Paradise stakes winner Zestful; and 2021 Discovery winner Miles D.

“It’s an extremely tough race,” said Jake Delhomme, the retired NFL quarterback who races Touchuponastar as Set-Hut LLC.

“He’s doing really well. The timing is right for him. We’re looking to take a shot.”

Touchuponastar has made one start against open company, when he brought a six-race win streak into the Grade 3 Steve Sexton Mile on May 29 at Lone Star Park. He ran a valiant second. Touchuponastar has raced once since, rolling to a 5 1/2-length win in the $100,000 Gold Cup on Oct. 6 at Delta Downs.

“We gave him a little time off after the race in Texas,” Delhomme said. “We had a good campaign with him. With the weather – obviously, we know how hot it gets in Louisiana – we gave him 30 to 45 days off. We kept him at the barn. It wasn’t like a complete turnout. We kept him at the barn, kept him happy.”

Touchuponastar responded with his fifth career stakes win in the Gold Cup. He earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 97, which is the second-best last-race number in the Delta Mile.

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Timothy Thornton has the mount for Delhomme’s brother, trainer Jeff Delhomme. Touchuponastar boasts a 3-for-3 record at Delta.

“He really likes Delta Downs,” Jake Delhomme said. “I think he likes it a great amount. I like the five hole. Timmy can decide what he wants to do. It’s a long run to that turn. I know Timmy’s happy with him. We’ll see what happens.

“He’s a dream horse. We’re lucky to have him.”

Katonah earned a Beyer of 99 for his 3 1/4-length win in the Pleasanton Mile in his last start July 9. It’s the best last-race number in the Delta Mile. Katonah came into the race off an allowance win at a mile May 27 at Santa Anita. Gerard Melancon has the mount from the rail for trainer Justin Evans.

Five Star General earned a Beyer of 97 for his win in the Longacres Mile, which was a career-best number for the Grant Forster trainee. Five Star General faced Grade 2 rivals last out and was part of a quick pace in the Lukas Classic at Churchill Downs. He finished eighth in the race won by Breeders’ Cup Classic entrant Clapton.

The Delta Mile goes as the second race, while the Treasure Chest is slotted as race 8. Yuki, winner of the Dark Mirage last out at Los Alamitos, is making her Delta debut and has had a chance to work over the Vinton, La., track.

Adaline Julia makes her two-turn debut off a runner-up finish in the Flashy Lady Stakes at Remington Park. Her trainer, Robertino Diodoro, long has wanted to test the four-time sprint winner over a route of ground. She is a daughter of Preakness winner Oxbow.

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