Louisiana Bred Touchuponastar, (Star Guitar-Touch Magic, by Lion Heart), became the fourth Star Guitar progeny to add Graded Stakes placing credentials to his name when he finished second in the Grade III Steve Sexton Mile at Lone Star Park on Memorial Day.
Touchuponastar broke from the far outside and hustled to get position out of the gate. Vying for the lead in the run down the backstretch Touchuponastar took the lead turning for home but could not resist the closing rush of the winner Frosted Grace. Earning a 110 Equibase Speed Figure for his effort Touchuponastar has now earned $408,100 having never been worse than third in ten career efforts.
Touchuponastar is owned by the Set-Hut LLC stable of Jake Delhomme, is trained by Jeff Delhomme and was bred by Coteau Grove Farms of Ginger and Keith Myers.
Breeder Curt Leake has had 65 winners in his career, but only two have ever won a graded stakes race. The most recent happened Preakness Stakes (G1) weekend in the Chick Lang Stakes (G3) at Pimlico Race Course. Ryvit, by Competitive Edge and out of a Medaglia d’Oro mare, She Is Bedazzling, took home the six-furlong race.
Based in Northeast Louisiana, Leake said he is about as far away from any racing circuit as anyone could be. “I’m probably three hours from Louisiana Downs, four hours from Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, and then another four hours to Evangeline Downs,” he said. From a family of farmers, Leake has made Thoroughbreds the newest crop to be passed down as his son, David, works alongside him.
Before most horse racing jurisdictions shut down across the country and threw the economic balance of the sport into question, the industry’s biggest problem was its need to reduce racing and training fatalities. Veterinarians and scientists are still learning about the causes of catastrophic injuries and, so far, it seems there may be a number of risk factors at play in any given injury.
One theory that many people have offered over the years is that the practice of allowing horses to race at two years old is either the direct cause of early breakdowns or predisposes horses to serious injury later. Many such hypotheses equate training and racing a 2-year-old with putting an elementary school-aged child into the Olympics. For more than two decades, the sport has heard calls to put an end to 2-year-old racing. Those calls have been renewed recently, as some fans have seen the racing shutdown as a good time to reevaluate and modify its structure and improve equine welfare.
The problem, according to Dr. Larry Bramlage, top orthopedic surgeon and Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, is the halt of 2-year-old racing and training wouldn’t be a net gain for welfare or fatality rates – it might actually be a loss.
2023 Accredited Louisiana Bred Application Forms mailed
June 3
Board of Directors Meeting 10:00 am Evangeline Downs, John Henry Room
Annual Awards Banquet in conjunction with REAP Benefit, 1:00 p.m. Evangeline Downs, Mojo’s
Louisiana Legends Night – Six stakes races for Accredited Louisiana Bred Thoroughbreds worth total purses of $450,000, Evangeline Downs. 1st post 5:30 p.m. REAP Benefit continues, Mojos
June 10
Belmont Stakes
June 14
Flag Day
June 18
Fathers Day
June 21
Summer Solstice
June 24
Alabama Stakes, Louisiana Downs
June 30
Louisiana Futurity payments due
Texas Summer Yearling Sale Consignment Deadline
Would you like to sponsor a newsletter? Reach @ 2,500 readers.Please contact Linda 985-386-0360, linda@louisianabred.com or Roger 504-947-4676, roger@louisianabred.com for cost and availability.
Do you have a date pertaining to Louisiana-breds that you would like included in an upcoming calendar? Please contact Linda 985-386-0360, linda@louisianabred.com or Roger 504-947-4676, roger@louisianabred.com for consideration.
SIX $100,000 STAKES FOR LOUISIANA-BREDS HIGHLIGHTS AN EXCITING PROGRAM
OPELOUSAS, LA –The marquee night of the 2023 thoroughbred season takes place Saturday with the Louisiana Legends card at Evangeline Downs. The 10-race card features six stake races for Louisiana-bred runners, with each stake worth $100,000. The 91 total entries also include a pair of 2-year-old races for potential future Legends night runners.
In addition to the excellent card that was drawn, Evangeline Downs has many other attractions for race fans. Prior to the races, jockeys will be available for pictures and autographs in a meet and greet from 4:30-5:00pm and jockeys will be tossing t-shirts from the winner’s circle after each stakes race. Family night staples including face painting and balloon animals for the kids are also planned for the evening. There will be many food vendors with specialty foods and treats in the paddock area as well.
The stakes action starts in the fifth race on the card with the Turf Distaff at the distance of one mile. A G’s Charlotte, a stake winner earlier in the meet on the main track, is the morning line favorite. Fort Polk and Wholelottamo, both recent winners, look to be a couple of the primary contenders.
The Mademoiselle looks to be a competitive affair with fan favorites Snowball and Free Like a Girl entered in the race for fillies and mares at 5-1/2 furlongs. Each of those runners has a win at the current meet. Flashy Meg captured the Creole Lady Stakes earlier in the season and could be an upset candidate. Wupkar and First I’ve Seen could also attract some attention from the wagering public.
The Cheval, for 3-year-olds at one mile, looks like a wide-open race with a field of nine. Macho Beanie defeated Allnight Moonlight earlier in the meet in the Ragin Cajun by just a neck. Five of the other runners won their previous start, including Calibrachoa Kid, Z’s Guitar and Kajun Karma.
The Soiree will test 3-year-old fillies at the distance of one mile. Star Moment was installed as the 5/2 morning line favorite off her recent win in the Cajun Miss. New Destiny and Louisiana Liberty will look to turn the tables after chasing Star Moment home in their earlier meeting. An interesting runner in the field is Sixth Anniversary, who tries the main track for the first time. Her previous 11 starts have been on either turf or synthetic surfaces.
A highly contentious field of 11 runners will square off in the Legends Turf at the distance of a mile and a sixteenth. Carlea’s Dream is the morning line favorite with his recent efforts against open company. Budro Talking and Big Chopper look to draw interest at the windows with their consistent current form. Deer Crossing and Blue Cheese are winners at the current meet and could pose outside chances in a race that could be a handicapping puzzler.
The Legends Sprint will close out the card with a loaded field traveling 5-1/2 furlongs. All nine of the entered runners have some success over the surface, as they all have been victorious over the oval. Big Chopper is the morning line favorite at 5/2, but is cross-entered in the Turf, so that could open other possibilities for favoritism. Black Sword captured the King Creole in his most recent trip and has leading rider Vicente Del-Cid aboard. Mike J, Bertie’s Galaxy and Bootsie’s Galaxy could also merit consideration.
The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association will be awarding two $1,000 scholarships during the evening. Students are encouraged to attend the races and enter the drawing, with the winners to be selected after the fifth race. First post time Saturday will be 5:30pm Central Time.
For more information on racing at Evangeline Downs, visit the track’s website at www.evdracing.com and on Twitter @evdracing. The racing calendar for 2023 season features racing Thursday through Saturday until the end of the meet on August 12.
Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD), features live horse racing, exciting casino action, the Fan Duel Sportsbook and fun dining experiences. Evangeline Downs is located in Opelousas, Louisiana, off I-49 on Cresswell Lane at Exit 18.
David Elliott Hooper, 88, of Georgetown, Texas, passed away peacefully on Monday after after a long battle with cancer. As in life, his beloved wife Martha was by his side.
Hooper was born on Jan. 3, 1935, to Raymond and Doris Hooper in East Rutherford, N.J. After attending the United States Naval Academy through an appointment from Congress (1953-56), he completed his studies by graduating from University of Pennsylvania as part of the class of 1961.
After graduating with a degree in International Relations, Hooper began a storied career in the horse racing industry that spanned over 60 years. He held many regulatory positions, including executive secretary of the Illinois Racing Board, and served as a steward at the state and racetrack levels in eight states. In 2018, he was the recipient of the Pete Pedersen Award from the Racing Officials Accreditation Program, which recognizes professional excellence, integrity, and benevolent consideration in the performance of their duties. Often referred to respectfully as “Judge,” Hooper was regarded widely as being fair in his stewardship and interactions with fellow horsemen, while prioritizing the ethics of the game and safety of the jockeys. He retired in 2020, his final position as steward at Canterbury Park in Minnesota.
The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association will be closed Monday, May 29th, in order that we may express our sincere gratitude to all of the men and women who served the ultimate sacrifice and gave their lives in military service. It is thanks to them that we enjoy the freedom we have.
The TTA Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon will be June 24th in the Alysheba Suite at Lone Star Park. The day includes full day of racing including four stakes worth $750,000.
During the awards ceremonies, the Texas Champion “Horse of the Year” and the owners and breeders of the champions of each racing division will be honored, along with the TTA Member of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, the Leading ATB Money Earner and Texas Breeder of the Year. Current Texas Thoroughbred Educational Fund scholarship recipients will be recognized, along with an update on the activities of The Paddock Foundation, a non-profit corporation dedicated to the lifelong welfare of the Thoroughbred horse.
We will focus on the positive results generated through our initiatives and programs, celebrating the accomplishments of Texas youth, Texas horses and their owners and breeders. We hope you will be able to join with us in doing so.
Reservation deadline is June 5th. Click here to access the printable reservation form or click here to access the digital/fillable reservation form. Please note that if you are using the Chrome extension to fill out the PDF it will show the wrong tabbing order … please open the desktop app or download to complete the form for the correct tabbing order.
Award recipients are:
Champion 2-Year-Old Filly: Come To The Party (by Bradester) • Owners: Bill & Corinne Heiligbrodt • Breeder: Three Feathers Farm
Champion 2-Year-Old Colt/Gelding: Vietnam Victory (by Klimt) • Owner: James Stodola • Breeder: CJ Thoroughbreds
Champion 3-Year-Old Filly: Texas Thunder (by Bradester) • Owner: Carl R. Moore Management LLC • Breeder: Robert C. Francis
Champion 3-Year-Old Colt/Gelding: Lucky’s Special (by Special Rate) • Owner: Victoria Lynn Heine • Breeder: Victoria Lynn Heine
Champion Older Filly/Mare & Horse of the Year: No Mas Tequila (by Northern Afleet) • Owner: James Sills • Breeders: Ronald & Margaret Ellerbee
Jockey Jose Guerrero Off to a Fast Start in the 2023 Thoroughbred Meet
Bossier City, LA – Louisiana Downs will present Exotic Animal Races on Monday, May 29. The family friendly event continues to delight fans of all ages, combined with live Thoroughbred racing and simulcast racing from tracks across the country.
Special family-friendly activities for the Memorial Day holiday get underway on the trackside apron at 12:00 noon (Central). There will be Face Painting, a Bounce House, live music and some of the top Food trucks in the Shreveport/Bossier City metroplex. Louisiana Downs is committed to serving the community and invites fans to visit the Lifeshare Blood Drive Mobile Unit, which will be onsite throughout the Memorial Day afternoon.
Ann Switalski Photography
Post time for the first of eight live Thoroughbred races is 2:05 pm (Central). First up, will be the “Camel Derby” which will run on the main track after race 2 (approximately 3:00 pm). A fully grown adult camel can exceed six feet in height and weigh up to 1,000 pounds. The fans line up at the rail to root for their favorite camel as they load up and break from the starting gate!
The ”Zebra Derby” will take place after the fifth race on the Monday program (approximately 4:10 pm). They are smaller than our Thoroughbreds, but can run up to speeds of 65 mph, so our fans will have to cheer for our brave jockeys to hang on tight!
Ann Switalski Photography
The final exotic animal race of the afternoon will be the “Ostrich Derby” which will run after the sixth race (approximately 5:20 pm). Ostriches usually weigh an average of 200 pounds, but some males can tip the scales at 340 pounds. Known for their long neck and legs, ostriches also have extremely distinctive eyes, the largest of any land vertebrate. They are very fast and run without a saddle, so the riders have to rely on balance as they surge to the finish line!
For more information on the Memorial Day activities, live racing and other upcoming special events, visit ladowns.com.
Jockey Jose Guerrero in the Lead After Winning 80 Races Last Year at Louisiana Downs
Jose Guerrero. Ann Switalski Photography
The 2023 Louisiana Downs Thoroughbred meet enters its fourth week this Saturday. It has been an excellent start for jockey Jose Guerrero who has been on top of the standings since the meet began on May 6.
The 29-year-old has come a long way since he rode his first winner in 2016. With brief stints in Texas and Arkansas, the native of Mexico has found his home in Louisiana. Last year, leading trainer Shane Wilson gave Guerrero the first call on the majority of his horses and explained what he saw in the talented rider.
“I took notice of him three years ago and told my owners that Jose was going to be the guy,” stated Wilson. “He was riding these 40 and 50-1 shots and out finishing much better horses. Always a hard worker, Jose was always first to arrive in the morning and would still be around when the track closed.”
“Shane has given me so much confidence,” said Guerrero. “He saw something in me, and we have developed a strong working relationship. After I work horses, we watch replays and talk about what each horse does well and what I can do to win more races. Shane has taught me a lot.”
Steve Melancon is Guerrero’s agent and has booked him successfully with a number of trainers in addition to Wilson., including Patti Turner, Tim Dixon and Judy Beavin.
Last year, Guerrero won 80 races, finishing second to Carlos Lozada, who made 84 trips to the winner’s circle. Heading into Saturday, he has ridden 11 winners, leading Emanuel Nieves by one. Angel Suarez, who is riding for the first time at Louisiana Downs, is commanding attention as he has already won nine races. Joel Dominguez is also riding well this season.
Guerrero is a fulfilled young man away from the racetrack married to Jacqueline Edison and enjoying time with their one-year-old son, Matteo.
“He’s getting big and is very strong,” Guerrero said of his son. “Matteo has a lot of energy; probably got it from me!”
There is no urgency in predicting the riding title for the 2023 Louisiana Downs meet.
“This has been a great meet,” he added. “I feel more confident, and my only goal after last season was to try to do better this year. There is always pressure to stay on top, but I am trying to stay calm. ”
Louisiana Downs 2023 Thoroughbred Season
The 2023 Thoroughbred racing season at Louisiana Downs kicked off on Saturday, May 6. Notable events for the 61-day live racing season include Louisiana Cup Day on Saturday, August 12 and the return of the $200,000 Super Derby on Saturday, September 2. Live racing continues through September 12; visit Louisiana Downs Racing for more information on post times and upcoming racing dates.
About Louisiana Downs
Located near Shreveport in Bossier City, Louisiana, Louisiana Downs opened in 1974 and is owned by Rubico Acquisition Corporation. With annual Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing seasons, the track is committed to presenting the highest quality racing programs paired with its 150,000 square foot entertainment complex offering casino gambling, dining and plasma screen televisions for sports and simulcast racing.
Legends. Champions Awards. REAP Benefit. Scholarships.
(VINTON, La.) – Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino will host Legends Night on Saturday, June 3, with a post time of 5:30 p.m. CT. The day will be highlighted by the Horse of the Year and Champions Awards hosted by the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association (LTBA) in conjunction with the Racing Employees Assistance Program (REAP) Benefit.
The Award Ceremony and REAP event begin at 1:00 p.m. in Mojos with the races beginning at 5:30 p.m. The REAP event continues when the races start.
The stakes races are as follows with $600,000 in guaranteed purses..
“This is a big evening of championship racing featuring Louisiana bred horses,” said Roger Heitzmann, secretary/treasurer for the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association. “The Horse of the Year and Champions Awards bring owners, breeders and their families for the presentations along with our racing community that supports the industry and REAP.”
REAP was established in 2004 to provide relief to licensed members of the racing community and members of their families. The program provides relief that includes financial assistance for medical care, food, housing, clothing, education, recreational activities, counseling, job training/placement, and much more.
In addition on Legends Night, the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association (LTBA) will award two scholarships, each valued at $1,000, to college students.
Requirements for the scholarship are as follows:
Must be a college student enrolled full-time in an Accredited College, University or Community College for Summer 2023 or Fall 2023
Scholarships will be awarded by random draw.
Must be in good standing with the college or university.
Must be present to win at the Winner’s Circle when the announcement is made.
Must have college ID and government-issued ID.
Must have University ID number or Social Security number.
For Legends Night:
Registration: 4:30 p,m. – 5:30 p.m. at the designated booth
Races begin: 5:30 p.m.
Drawing Time: The scholarships will be awarded after the fifth race.The scholarship will be deposited directly into the student’s account at the college or university. The student is asked to know the name and address of the college that they are attending.
Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association manages the best incentive program for breeding thoroughbreds in the United States. Since the organization formed, this has led to increased purses, better quality horses, and increased interest in racing and breeding horses. The thoroughbred racing and breeding industry generates over $1 billion and employs over 60,000 people in the state of Louisiana.
For more information about Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association visit louisianabred.com or call (504) 947-4676.
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