TOUCHUPONASTAR AVENGES ONLY LOSS AT DELTA DOWNS IN THE DELTA MILE STAKES

VINTON, LA. – Fans were treated to a pair of $100,000 stakes races at Delta Downs on Saturday night as the track closed out the fifth week of Thoroughbred racing for 2025-26.

The horse with the most star power on the program was Set Hut Stables’ Touchuponastar, who looked to avenge his only loss at the local racetrack, as he finished third in the same event last year. Other than, that he had won all seven of his other trips at Delta Downs, including a score in the $100,000 Gold Cup for Louisiana-breds earlier this season.

Breaking from post position five in a field of seven, Touchuponastar broke sharply and settled in behind early leader The Donegal Clan, who set early fractional times in the one-mile race of 23.47 for the opening quarter mile and 47.21 for the half mile. As the field entered the second turn Touchuponastar was given his cue by jockey Tim Thornton and proceeded to grab the lead while pulling away and stopping the timer in 1:11.45 for three-quarters of a mile.

At the top of the homestretch, Touchuponastar owned a six-length lead, which only grew in the final strides as he was being hand ridden. At the finish line he was 10 lengths better than Cajun Mitole, who rallied for second while The Donegal Clan hung on for third, another 1 ¾-lengths behind the runner-up.

Touchuponastar covered the eight furlongs in a time of 1:36.94 seconds, just .05 off the track record. Each race on the Saturday program was contested over a fast track.

Touchuponastar, who is conditioned by Jeff Delhomme, has now won 18 of 25 career starts. His win in the Delta Mile pushed his bankroll up to $1,580,000 with the $60,000 winner’s prize.

Bred in Louisiana by Coteau Grove Farms, Touchuponastar is a 6-year-old bay gelding by Star Guitar, out of the Lion Heart mare Touch Magic. He was purchased for just $15,000 at the Texas Summer Sale as a yearling in 2020.

Bet down to 1-9 odds by the wagering public, Touchuponastar paid $2.10 to win, $2.10 to place and $2.10 to show. Cajun Mitole was worth $4.60 to place and $2.10 to show. The Donegal Clan returned $2.20 to show.