TOUCHUPONASTAR AVENGES ONLY LOSS AT DELTA DOWNS IN THE DELTA MILE STAKES
- NORAH G RALLIES FOR VICTORY IN THE TREASURE CHEST 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.
The Treasure Chest Stakes was for fillies and mares competing at one mile and it produced a come-from-behind winner in Norah G, who was ridden to victory by Marcelino Pedroza, Jr., who got a leg up from trainer Patricia West. The winner is owned by Thomas Galvin.
Norah G’s trip on the Treasure Chest began from the outside post position in a field of nine. After breaking alertly, she proceeded to settle in mid-pack while speedster Wild Bout Hilary set fractions of 23.17 seconds for the opening quarter mile and 47.70 for the half mile. Wild Bout Hilary, under jockey C. J. McMahon appeared to be in complete control around the second turn while stopping the timer in 1:12.11 for three quarters.
As the field turned for home Norah G began a sustained bid and rallied into second behind Wild Bout Hilary and proceeded to wear down her rival in the stretch, reporting home two lengths to the good at the finish line. Floating Beauty came from way back to win a photo for the show, another head behind the runner up.
Norah G covered the mile distance in a time of 1:40.03.
The win by Norah G marked the eighth of her 23-race career. She earned $60,000 for the effort and now owns a bankroll of $407,886.
Bred in Louisiana by her owner, Norah G is a 5-year-old gray mare by Fast Anna, out of the Malibu Moon mare Mr. G’s Moonshine.
Dispatched at odds of 8-1, Norah G paid $19.80 to win, $8 to place and $4.80 to show. Floating Beauty was worth $8.80 to place and $5 to show. Wild Bout Hilary returned $4.20 to show.
Delta Downs will race again next week, Wednesday through Saturday. Post time each night is set for 4:45pm.
