TOUCHUPONASTAR TOWERS OVER RIVALS IN THE GOLD CUP AT DELTA DOWNS

- SECRET FAITH GETS THE BEST OF FREE LIKE A GIRL IN THE MAGNOLIA -

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs hosted a pair of stakes races on Saturday night during a program that wrapped up opening weekend of the 2025-26 Thoroughbred season. Fans were treated to the $100,000 Gold Cup and the $100,000 Magnolia Stakes. Each race was conducted at seven furlongs for Louisiana-bred runners with the Magnolia restricted to fillies and mares only.

All eyes were on Set Hut LLC’s Touchuponastar in the Gold Cup as the Jeff Delhomme trainee was attempting to win the race for the second time and add to his bankroll of more than $1.4 million. 

Under regular rider Tim Thornton, Touchuponastar did not disappoint as he toyed with his competition while setting a new track record of 1:24.27 and winning his 17th race from 24 career starts. The victory came after a nearly five-mouth layoff and placed another $60,000 into his bankroll, which stood at $1,520,000 after the race was declared official.

Touchuponastar trip in the Gold Cup was a good one as he pressed the early pace of 23.40 seconds for the opening quarter mile set by House Bourbon. Sitting three wide up the backstretch, Touchuponastar took a narrow lead at the half-mile mark while stopping the timer in 46.83 seconds. 

Turning for home Thornton nudged his mount, and he responded by opening an insurmountable lead in the stretch and winning by 5-3/4 lengths over Highland Creek, who rallied late. Good and Stout finished third another, seven lengths back.

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 $15,000 as a yearling.

Sent off at odds of 1-9, Touchuponastar paid $2.20 to win, $2.10 to place and $2.10 to show. Highland Creek was worth $3 to place and $2.10 to show. Good and Stout returned $2.20 to show. 

The Magnolia Stakes was won by Norman Stables LLC’s Secret Faith under jockey C. J. McMahon. The Jayde Gelner trainee, a 3-year-old filly facing older rivals, notched her ninth win from 12 starts in the seven-furlong showdown.

Breaking from the outside post position in a field of eight, Secret faith pressed the early pace set by Norah G, who traveled the first quarter mile in 23.95 seconds and the half mile in 48.13. As the field entered the second turn, Secret Faith engaged the leader and began to wear her down racing into the stretch. During the final strides, Secret Faith held off a last-gasp effort by Free Like a Girl to win by1-3/4 lengths over her millionaire rival while Nodah rallied from well back for third, just a nose behind the runner-up.

Secret Faith covered the distance in a time of 1:26.05.

With the $60,000 winner’s prize, Secret Faith has now earned $546,022 during her career. 

Bred in Louisiana by J. Adcock and Hume Wornall, Secret Faith is a gray or roan filly by Aurelius Maximus, out of the Pioneer of the Nile mare St. Jean.

Bet down to even money by the public, Secret Faith returned $4 to win, 2.20 to place and $2.20 to show. Free Like a girl paid $2.80 to place and $2.60 to show. Nodah was worth $5.80 to show.

Delta Downs will now go to a Wednesday through Saturday schedule until Thanksgiving Week. First post time each night is set for 4:45pm