DELTA DOWNS HOSTS 2026 EDITION OF LOUISIANA PREMIER NIGHT SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7
OVER $900,000 IN TOTAL PURSE MONEY TO BE AWARDED TO LOUISIANA’S TOP THOROUGHBREDS THROUGHOUT EXCITING 11-RACE PROGRAM
VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs is preparing for the richest program of its 2025-26 Thoroughbred season on Saturday, February 7. Louisiana Premier Night is an annual event that celebrates the top horses in the state with 10 stakes races on an 11-race program. The marquee event on the card will be the $150,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship for older horses competing at 1-1/16 miles. The excitement gets underway with the first post time at 4:45pm.
In addition to the top-notch racing on the track, students will have the chance to win a $1,000 scholarship to a Louisiana college or university in a drawing sponsored by the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association. A total of two (2) scholarships will be awarded. Entries will be accepted between 3:50 – 4:50 pm. The winners will be announced after the fifth race in the winner’s circle. Must be present to win.
The Championship will take place in race six on the program and it features a field of five horses headed by Louisiana superstar Touchuponastar. The 7-year-old gelding has earned $1.67 million during his illustrious career and will attempt win his fourth consecutive Championship, matching a feat accomplished by his sire Star Guitar between 2009-2012. The Jeff Delhomme trainee will be ridden by regular rider Tim Thornton and has been installed as the 1-5 morning line favorite.
Touchuponastar has a record of eight wins from nine starts at Delta Downs. His only loss came last year when he finished third in the $100,000 Delta Mile, an open-bred race. Overall, the son of Star Guitar has won 19-of-26 starts during his career. Should he be successful on Saturday, Touchuponastar would earn $90,000 for the win. That would push his bankroll to $1,760,000, which would eclipse his sire’s mark of $1,749,862.
Another horse to watch on Saturday is the Jayde Gelner trained filly Secret Faith, who will attempt to win her 12thrace from 16 career starts in the $125,000 Distaff. The gray flash won the Starlet on Louisiana Premier Night last year and has earned over $700,000. She has been installed as the 5-2 in the morning line. Graded stakes placed filly Supa Speed is the 8-5 morning line favorite.
Other horses sure to get the fans attention on Saturday night include another Jayde Gelner trainer, Mor Force (2-1), in the $125,000 Prince; Midnight Passion (9-5), who will be ridden by leading jockey Vicente Del Cid, in the $125,000 Starlet; and Speedster Geaux Sugar, trained by Keith Bourgeois, who is the 2-1 morning line favorite in the Sprint.
Listed below are all 10 Louisiana Premier Night stakes races for 2026 in program order.
Race # Purse Stakes Distance Age
2 $50,000 Bon Temps Starter 5 furlongs FM 4&up
3 $125,000 Prince 7 furlongs 3yo
4 $50,000 Ragin Cajun Starter 5 furlongs 4yo&up
5 $60,000 Ladies Starter 1 mile FM 4&up
6 $150,000 Championship 1-1/16 miles 4&up
7 $125,000 Starlet 7 furlongs Fillies 3yo
8 $125,000 Matron 5 furlongs FM 4&up
9 $125,000 Distaff 1 mile FM 4&up
10 $125,000 Sprint 5 furlongs 4&up
11 $60,000 Gentlemen Starter 1-1/16 miles 4&up
For more information about Louisiana Premier Night and the remainder of Delta Downs’ season, which runs through February 21, visit the track’s website at www.deltadowns.com/race. Fans can also follow the track on Facebook and X.
Delta Downs Racetrack Casino Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation, is the premier racing and gaming entertainment venue in Vinton, LA. Named “America’s Best Horse Racing Track” for 2023 by readers of USA TODAY 10Best, Delta Downs features a six-furlong oval track, 15,000 square feet of casino space and more than 1,500 of the most popular slot machines. Amenities include two restaurants, chart-topping entertainment at the Delta Event Center and the FanDuel Sportsbook.