Delta Downs held its 23rd annual Louisiana Premier Night on Saturday, featuring an exciting 11-race card with six stakes and over $900,000 in total prize money exclusively for horses bred in Louisiana. The highlight was the $150,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship for horses aged four and older, run over 1 1/16 miles. The crowd favorite, Touchpona Star, sought his fourth consecutive championship victory with jockey Tim Thornton guiding him. Owned by Jake Delhomme’s Set Hut LLC and trained by Jeff Delhomme, Touchpona Star delivered a dominant performance.
Starting from the outside post in a five-horse field, Touchpona Star took an early position behind the longshot Million Moons, who led the first half-mile despite pressure. As they rounded the far turn, Touchpona Star surged ahead and steadily extended his lead, clocking three-quarters of a mile in 1:11.58. In the stretch, Thornton confidently checked behind him with no challenge in sight, crossing the finish line 11 ½ lengths clear of Mangum. Tdzshininluckystar secured third place, finishing 1 ½ lengths behind the runner-up. Touchpona Star completed the race in 1:44.03 on a fast track.
This win marked Touchpona Star’s 20th victory in 27 starts and added $90,000 to his earnings, pushing his career total to $1,760,000. This surpasses the legendary Louisiana stallion Star Guitar’s lifetime earnings of $1,749,862, though the record still belongs to Free Like a Girl, who retired with $2,565,628. Bred by Coteau Grove Farm in Louisiana, Touchpona Star is a 7-year-old gelding by Lionheart out of Touch Magic. He was acquired for $15,000 at the 2020 Texas Summer Sale. As the favorite at 1-9 odds, his payout was $2.10 for the win.
In other stakes action, the $125,000 Headcount race was cut to just three fillies after four horses suffered injuries pre-race. The winner, Spot, was the longest shot at 10-1 and overcame rivals Secret Faith and Supa Speed. Jockey Edward Santiago encouraged Spot in the home stretch to secure her first stakes win for trainer Benard Chatters and owner Kenneth Roberts Racing Stables. Noda, a 6-year-old bay filly by Mole Spirit out of Forest Pass, was bred in Louisiana by J. Adcock and Nathan Granger.
Scarship claimed the $125,000 Night Prince title under top jockey Vicente Delcido. Trained by Ricky Courville, the three-year-old son of Midshipman led late to fend off favorite Morforth in the seven-furlong event for three-year-olds. Scarship tallied his second win in six career starts and his first stakes victory. Owned and bred in Louisiana by Rebecca Farms LLC, Scarship is related to Dixie Union through his dam Hopeful Union.
Julio Ramirez Jr. guided Whisper Me a Smile to victory in the $125,000 Starlet. Owned and trained by Benard Chatters, this three-year-old filly by Carpe Diem out of Bold Question earned her first stakes triumph in just her fifth career start. Born and bred in Louisiana, Whisper Me a Smile continues to show promise for her connections.
The $125,000 Matron showdown came down to a fierce duel between Sassy Strutter and Sixth String in the final furlong of a five-furlong sprint. Under jockey Thomas Pompel, Sassy Strutter edged her rival to claim her eighth career win in her 20th start. Owned by Elite Thoroughbred Racing LLC and trained by Lee Thomas, Sassy Strutter is a five-year-old mare bred in Louisiana by her owners. She is a standout progeny of Sassicaia, a notable son of Prado.
Strong Promise lived up to his name by overpowering his opponents in the $125,000 Sprint under the guidance of jockey Jansen Melancon. The 5-year-old gray or roan gelding covered the five furlongs in an impressive 58.14 seconds for his 24th career win in his eighth start this season. Trained by Allen Landry and owned by Baron Farms LLC, Strong Promise is by Macho Uno out of Saint Jean by Broken Vow and was bred in Louisiana by J. Adcock and Hume Wornall.
This article was originally published by Paulick Report on February 8, 2026.
Fan Take: Louisiana Premier Night highlights the incredible talent and competitive spirit of locally bred horses, shining a spotlight on regional breeding programs and trainers. Events like this not only promote state pride but also help raise the profile of Louisiana racing on the national stage, fueling passion and investment in the sport’s future.
