Premier Runners….Premier Racing

Louisiana Premier Night Primes the 2025 Racing Season

By Chad Cooper

Delta Down’s richest program of the season features 10 stakes for accredited Louisiana Breds with purses totaling $895,000. It is the first of four Louisiana Bred stakes days (one at each track) run throughout the year. Titled Louisiana Premier Night, the 22nd running, presenting Louisiana’s best thoroughbreds ran on Feb. 1st. It was a big night for trainer Allen Landry, who took home three trophies, and for runner Touchuponastar who showed he could win three consecutive LAPN Championships.

Louisiana Premier Night Championship

$150,000 • One and One Sixteenth Miles • 4 Year Olds and Upward

Touchuponastar

Star Guitar – Touch of Magic, by Lion Heart
Breeder: Coteau Grove Farms
Owner: Set-Hut LLC
Trainer: Jeff Delhomme
Jockey: Timothy Thornton

If there was ever any doubt, it wasn’t this night. Despite being a year older, Touchuponastar dominated the featured $150,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship by more than 12 lengths and if that wasn’t impressive enough, he did it in a faster time this year (1:44.40) than last year and even 2 seconds faster than his 2023 win (1:45.53).

“He was doing great coming into the race,” said owner Jake Delhomme. “We thought he needed a race in November in the Delta Mile and he got beat by a legitimate horse. No excuse there. But on Louisiana Champions Day at the Fair Grounds, he was back to breathing fire as he was here tonight.”

Touchuponastar broke perfectly under Timothy Thornton and then engaged with Tdzshininluckystar during the first half mile of the race. The pair volleyed for the lead while covering 23.73 and 46.93.

As the field raced up the backstretch Touchuponastar had seen enough and built a lead in the one and one sixteenth mile race that none would be able to match.

“I wasn’t worried about it at all,” said Thornton. “At no point was I worried about the pace. He’s just a very nice horse and it’s a dream to be able to ridge this horse.”

Jake Delhomme in the paddock with Touchuponastar before the Louisiana Premier Night Championship.

Winning for the sixth time in seven starts at Delta Downs, Touchuponastar has now visited the winner’s circle a total of 14 times from 20 outs during his career, which includes 11 stakes trophies. His earnings sit at $1,112,900.

“I’ve bought a fair share of horses that are not overly fast and every now and then you are able to get one like this,” said Delhomme. “He’s very special and we try to take really good care of him. Knock on wood, he is extremely sound and we hope to keep him happy and healthy for a long time.”

The final order of finish was Touchuponastar ($2.10), Blue Cheese, Saint Gabriel, Up N Gone, Tdzshininluckystar and Sunday Breeze. El Dinero, Gamer Nate and Pacificslandtime were scratched.

Louisiana Premier Night Distaff

$125,000 • One Mile • 4 Year Olds and Upward • Fillies and mares

Wonderrand

Cloud Computing – Laughing Saint by Vindication
Breeder: J.E. Jumonville Jr. & Bunny Jumonville
Owner: Rand S. Metoyer
Trainer: Bernard Chatters
Jockey: Jose Rodriguez

Wonderrand, the 4-year-old daughter of Cloud Computing, broke her maiden last year during the undercard of Louisiana Premier Night. Fast forward a year later – the filly is now a stakes winner.

A $30,000 purchase by owner Rand S. Metoyer at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales, Wonderrand looked the part in the $125,000 Louisiana Premier Night Distaff with jockey Jose Rodriguez in the saddle for trainer Benard Chatters.

The small field of six saw early speed by Tommie G, Miss Priority and Clearly a Test, who battled up front in fractions of 23.15 and 47.58 over the mile contest.

Rodriguez and the filly began to move while entering the final turn on the inside, then made a bold move to take outside position, which worked perfectly to drive clear late to pass Clearly a Test by 1 1/2 lengths in 1:41.03, which was a full second faster than last year’s winning time of 1:41.20 by Wholelottamo and ever quicker than Free Like a Girl’s win (1:41.16) in 2023.

Now a perfect 2-2 in 2025, Wonderrand is 6-12 overall with earnings of $222,400.

“We wanted to take our time developing this filly,” said Chatters. “We knew she had a lot of talent, and she showed that here tonight in this race. She beat some good horses.”

The final order of finish was Wonderrand ($6.40), Clearly a Test, Tommie G, Tensas Candy, Certified Gem and Miss Priority. Nodah was scratched at the gate.

Louisiana Premier Night Sprint

$100,000 • 5 Furlongs • 4 Year Olds and Upward

Marks Promise

Custom for Carlos – Private Promise by Private Vow
Breeder: Southern Legacy Thoroughbreds, LLC
Owner: Sandy Badeaux
Trainer: Eduardo Ramirez
Jockey: Vicente Del-Cid

Trainer Eduardo Ramirez took a chance earlier this season at Delta Downs and claimed Marks Promise for $7,500 back in November. Two races later, he’s a stakes winner.

“This horse was doing really good this meet at Delta Downs so we claimed him,” said Ramirez. “He ran fourth the next start then second, but both losses were by less than a length. We knew if he would break sharp he would win this race and the jockey got him out of the gate and he ran really good.”

The full field of 10 had plenty of early action. In fact, four horses including Marks Promise were heads apart, led by the post-time favorite Geaux Sugar, who blistered the clock at 21.99 and 45.43. The favorite managed to challenge throughout and hold second but was no match late for Marks Promise.

The 5-year-old gelded son of Custom for Carlos won by a length in an impressive 5-furlong time of 58.25, faster than last year’s 58.51 stakes win by Bron and Brow.

Marks Promise, who was second in the Louisiana Premier Night Prince in 2023, is now 5-17 for earnings of $206,353.

“I think we will take a look at some turf races at the Fair Grounds,” added Ramirez.

Final order of finish was Marks Promise ($16.40), Geaux Sugar, He’s Just Lucky, Stovall, Bertie’s Galaxy, Bron and Brow, Brian’s Iron Mike, Sharp Charlie, Fiesty Fist and Guitar Doctor.

Louisiana Premier Night Starlet

$100,000 • Seven Furlongs • 3 Year Olds • Fillies

Secret Faith

Aurelius Maximus – St. Jean by Macho Uno
Breeder: J. Adcock & Hume Wornall
Owner: Norman Stables LLC
Trainer: Jayde Gelner
Jockey: Florent Geroux

The first stakes on the Louisiana Premier Night card was one of the most anticipated on the program as the Starlet featured Secret Faith versus rival Blue Fire – and it didn’t disappoint.

Secret Faith, whose only loss in her career was by a head to Blue Fire in the $100,000 Louisiana Lassie on Champions Day at the Fair Grounds in December, ground out revenge and got the head bob at the wire to win the $100,000 LAPN Starlet.

“I don’t know if that was full redemption, but a win is a win,” said trainer Jayde “JJ” Gelner. “So, whether it’s a nose or by a mile, we will take the victory.”

Sent to the gate at overwhelming 1/9 odds, Secret Faith ($2.10) broke clean in the field of seven and Florent Geroux positioned her perfectly behind Blue Fire, who set fractions of 23.50 and 47.63. As the leader made the final turn, Secret Faith made her move to the outside of her young rival and the two dueled to the wire with the remainder of the field more than 14 lengths behind.

Secret Faith, the 3-year-old daughter of Aurelius Maximus, covered seven furlongs in 1:26.57 to improve to 7-8 with earnings of $427,022 for owner Norman Stables LLC.

“When you make these sharp turns here at Delta, you probably lose a length and a half or two lengths,” said Gelner. “Florent did a good job getting her to the wire first.”

Gelner added the connections may go to Oklahoma in her next start.

Final order of finish was Secret Faith, Blue Fire, Lola and Rose, Graceful Star, She’s Magnificent, Quite the Catch and Clearly Credo.

Louisiana Premier Night Prince

$100,000 • Seven Furlongs • 3 Year Olds • Colts and geldings

Cajun Mitole

Mitole – Cajun Flower by Flower Alley
Breeder: Coulee Croche Thor., LLC
Owner: Coulee Croche Thor., LLC & Clear Creek Stud LLC
Trainer: Brett Brinkman
Jockey: Alex Birzer

Tommy Hewett was emotional after watching his 3-year-old colt win the $100,000 Louisiana Premier Night Starlet. It was the son of Mitole’s first stakes win and third overall in five starts for $125,000.

“This horse is my boy,” said Hewett. “He was basically born an orphan. After he was born, the mare (Cajun Flower) went downhill, and we lost her. So, this horse was raised on a nurse mare we called ‘Sugar.’ He’s just so special to me because I had his mother and grandmother (Ihavemyeyeonyou).”

Rita Hewett of Coulee Croche is all smiles on her way to the winners circle.

The early speed in the 7-furlong race was led by several horses including Voila Magic and 86-1 longshot Coattails at quick sets of 22.80 and 47.50.

Not showing much early speed but never far back, jockey Alex Birzer and the 3-year-old son of Mitole, moved up on the outside around the final turn, then drove clear down the lane roaring past favorite Hay Jude to win by 1 3/4 lengths in 1:26.88.

“This colt right here is a good one,” commented Brett Brinkman. “He’s really starting to come into his own. He showed a lot of class, and he seems to have some more distance in him too.”

Known for delivering some of the best crawfish in the state of Louisiana, Hewett still loves to be hands-on with his horses.

“We hoped we had a real horse and after outrunning a very nice field of horses, we now know we do,” said Hewett. “This horse one of the kindest we have ever had – never a problem and always playful.”

Final order of finish was Cajun Mitole ($19.60), Hay Jude, Voila Magic, Game Port, Majority Opinion, A Million Moons, Same Play and Coattails. Scratched were Patience Will Pay and Yourcuznfromboston.

Louisiana Premier Night Matron

$100,000 • 5 Furlongs • 4 Year Olds and Upward • Fillies and mares

Six String

Star Guitar-Oh Whata Holiday by Harlan’s Holiday
Breeder: World War IV Racing & Rebel Tide Racing LLC
Owner: World War IV Racing & Rebel Tide Racing LLC
Trainer: Allen Landry
Jockey: Casey Fusilier

No drama was needed in the $100,000 Louisiana Premier Night Matron as the 4/5 favorite Six String was dominant under the reigns of Casey Fusilier for trainer Allen Landry and owners World War IV Racing & Rebel Tide Racing LLC.

The 4-year-old daughter of Star Guitar stayed a length within the rapid pace set by Lovelyredstilletos at 21.89 and 45.75. Moving outside on the far turn, Six String ($3.80) took the lead entering the stretch and strolled past several runners to win the 5-furlong contest by more than 4 lengths in 58.75, which was faster than last year’s LAPN Matron of 59.15 by Charlie T.

“I wanted to make sure we got out of the gate clean, and we did,” said Fusilier. “We were pretty clean throughout the race so once we got to the turn, I let her go and she just took off.”

It was Six String’s third stakes victory and eighth win overall in 13 starts for $316,710.”

She also improved to 4-5 at Delta Downs and kept a perfect record of 5-5 at 5 furlongs.

“This is such a good filly,” said Landry. “She is very, very consistent and tries hard. She definitely loves Delta Downs.”

Final order of finish was Six String, Flashy Meg, Classy Judy G, Sassi Strutter, Norah G, Blessed Assurance, Luyv, Fire Vision and Lovelyredstilletos. Freeburn and Guitar Solo were scratched.

Louisiana Premier Night Gentlemen Starter

$60,000 • One and One Sixteenth Miles • 4 Year Olds and Upward

Allnight Moonlight

Ransom the Moon – Gingertini by Medaglia d’Oro
Breeder: Coteau Grove Farms, LLC
Owner: Roger G. Smith
Trainer: Sam Breaux
Jockey: Elio Barrera

Allnight Moonlight under jockey Elio Barrera notched his seventh win in 19 starts in the $60,000 Louisiana Premier Night Gentlemen Starter for trainer Sam Breaux and owner Roger G. Smith.

It was the 5-year-old gelded son of Ransom the Moon’s fifth stakes win, first on Louisiana Premier Night, with career earnings of $344,900.

Longshot Pitch and Run led the early action with factions of 24.00 and 48.23. Barrera and Allnight Moonlight ($4.40) was unhurried then made a steady gain around the final turn before finishing much the best winning by three lengths in 1:46.55 over one mile and one-sixteenth. The winning time was faster than last year’s Louisiana Premier Night Gentlemen Starter, which was 1:48.28 by Heza Pickle, who also finished fourth in this race.

“The horse wasn’t running his best, but we did run fifth behind Touchuponastar at the Fair Grounds,” said Breaux. “We will probably look for some turf races next in New Orleans.

Final order of finish was Allnight Moonlight, Pacificislandtime, Grunt, Heza Pickle, Pitch and Run, Into Wishing, Mr. Four Sevens, King of Contraband, Sarah’s Vision and Unanimously.

Louisiana Premier Night Bon Temps Starter

$50,000 • 5 Furlongs • 4 Year Olds and Upward • Fillies and mares

Won Day

Time Bandit – Sack O Rocks by Buzzy’s Gold
Breeder: Gerald L. Averett Jr.
Owner: Myers Horse Racing LLC
Trainer: Allen Landry
Jockey: Timothy Thornton

Claimed for $20,000 last summer at Evangeline Downs, trainer Allen Landry scored another stakes victory – this time a first for Won Day, who won the final race of the program in the $50,000 Louisiana Premier Night Bon Temps Starter.

Yet another 5-furlong race that was hotly contested up front, Sarah’s Court and Debbie’s Passage vied for the early led in 22.01 and 45.89. Thornton and Won Day pressed the pace then ventured wide around the far turn and drove clear to win by five lengths in 58.94, which was quicker than last year’s affair (59.46, Myfriendsawinner).

The 4/5 favorite improved to 10-30 with earnings of $276,566 for owner Myers Horse Racing LLC.

“This horse ran a phenomenal race,” said Thornton. “She a nice filly who loves this track, so I just wanted to make sure she was in a good spot, and we achieved that.”

Final order of finish was Won Day ($3.80), Sarah’s Court, Raise the Alarm, Commercial Flash, Track Smart, Tiffany’s Ferrari, Scrapbook, Madelyn’s Hit and Debbies Passage.

“We had a good night,” commented Landry. “Nights like these are fun.”

Louisiana Premier Night Ladies Starter

$60,000 • One Mile • 4 Year Olds and Upward • Fillies and mares

Fort Polk

Behindatthebar – Military Miss by Military
Breeder: Spanish Cross Stable LLC
Owner: Ramirez Racing
Trainer: Rosa Ramirez
Jockey: Julio Ramirez Jr.

The brother-sister team behind the 9-year-old veteran mare Fort Polk were victorious in the Louisiana Premier Night Ladies Starter as Fort Polk made a sweeping four-wide move around the final turn to rally to beat Blue Ridge by a neck in 1:41.56 over the mile course.

Jockey Julio Ramirez Jr., the younger brother of trainer Rosa Ramirez, moved up between horses around the second turn then made the winning move and was able to rally past a very game Blue Ridge (23.98, 49.19) by a neck.

“There was a lack of pace, so I just sat tight in the pocket and made the big move around the far turn,” said Julio. “I knew I had a lot of horse left and was confident we would get to the wire first.”

Fort Polk ($11.80) now has 13 wins, including three stakes, in 58 starts for earnings of $490,250.

Final order of finish was Fort Polk, Blue Ridge, Megans Millions, Girl Thirsty, Czar’s Ballerina, Sienna Breeze, Front and Silver, Gypsyroselee and Stephanie’s Maria.

Louisiana Premier Night Ragin Cajun Starter

$50,000 • 5 Furlongs • 4 Year Olds and Upward

Hardly Able

Custom for Carlos – Taking Tips by Interactif
Breeder: Michele Rodriguez
Owner: Terrell Jarrett Jr. & Lara Racing Stables, LLC
Trainer: Jorge Lara
Jockey: Joel Dominguez

The $50,000 Louisiana Premier Night Ragin Cajun Starter was full of drama as it looked as if 12-1 longshot Charco was going to upset the field until jockey Casey Fusilier objected to Joel Dominguez’s ride on the backside of the five-furlong contest.

Charco finished first by a full-length ahead of Hardly Able in 57.87, but stewards reviewed backside video tape and ruled that Charco had impeded Hardly Able’s path causing him to steady his course.

“You never really want to win like this, but I was fairly confident we would have won without that infraction,” said Fusilier. “Sometimes you have to be really lucky in horse racing and we were really lucky tonight.

The 5-year-old son of Custom for Carlos paid $6.60 on a $2 win ticket and won for the seventh time in 18 tries for $166,980. The gelding earned his first stakes of his career and is undefeated in 2025 at 2-2.

Final order of finish was Hardly Able, Charco, Adieu Aces, Copter, Alterana, Gotmy Mo Jo Workin, Cajun Eddie and Slither. Astrologysprotege was scratched.