The LA Bred Premier Night Gentlemen Starter Stakes is a $60,000 event for accredited Louisiana-bred colts, geldings, and horses 4 years old and up who have started for a claiming price of $5,000 or less in 2025-2026. Run at 1 1/16 miles on dirt, this race closes out Louisiana Premier Night, a card featuring 10 stakes totaling over $800,000. The field of nine includes multiple allowance winners and state-bred specialists, setting up for a route where inside speed could dominate on the bullring, though closers like All About d’Oro may rally if the pace heats up. Mangum, with top jockey Jose L. Ortiz and trainer Steven M. Asmussen, enters as a class dropper with potential.
Venue Location
Delta Downs Racetrack & Casino
2717 Delta Downs Drive
Vinton, LA 70668 This Boyd Gaming facility, opened in 1973, features a 6-furlong dirt oval known for tight turns that reward tactical speed in longer races.
Post Time is scheduled for 9:25 PM CT (10:25 PM ET / 7:25 PM PT) The 11-race card begins at 4:45 PM CT, with this as the finale.
Expected Weather Conditions
Mostly sunny with a high of 71°F and low of 50°F. Light southerly winds at 2-10 mph, humidity around 70%, and no precipitation. Mild, dry weather should promote fast times without surface concerns.
Track Conditions
Expected fast dirt. Delta Downs’ winter oval typically favors inside speed on dry days, with no significant bias in routes.
Betting Odds
| Post | Horse | M/L Odds |
| 1 | Breaking Star | 8/1 |
| 2 | Runninginthemoney | 12/1 |
| 3 | Iron in the Fire | 6/1 |
| 4 | Play Mo | 10/1 |
| 5 | Blue Ember | 15/1 |
| 6 | Dude Perfectomundo | 4/1 |
| 7 | All About d’Oro | 5/1 |
| 8 | Mi Gusto | 7/1 |
| 9 | Mangum | 2/1 |
Mangum is favored with elite connections; value on Iron in the Fire as a local specialist.
Analysis of Each Horse, Jockey, and Trainer
Field of nine older males on dirt at 1 1/16 miles. Weights range from 118-122 lbs based on allowances. Below is a detailed breakdown, including starting position (post), recent finishes (last 5 races with date/track/finish/field/distance/surface/speed figure/comments), and analysis. Data draws from 2025-2026 performances.
1. Breaking Star (LA, 5yo Gelding, Breaking Lucky – Starship Padme)
Jockey: Vicente Del-Cid (122 lbs) – 19% win rate; strong finisher.
Trainer: Eduardo Ramirez – 17% win rate; multiple stakes winners.
Recent Finishes: Jan 20, 2026 DED claiming $5k, 1st/8, 1m dirt, fig 100, “rallied strongly”; Dec 25, 2025 FG claiming $4k, 2nd/7, 1 1/16m dirt, fig 98; Nov 30, 2025 DED allowance, 3rd/9, 1m dirt, fig 96; Nov 5, 2025 LAD claiming $5k, 4th/8, 1 1/16m dirt, fig 94; Oct 10, 2025 EVD claiming $4k, 5th/10, 1m dirt, fig 92. Career: 18 starts, 5-4-3.
Analysis: Rail draw suits his closing kick; Ramirez has dual entries. Consistent figs in claiming routes; contender at 8/1 if pace sets up.
2. Runninginthemoney (LA, 7yo Gelding, Star Guitar – Moneyinmywranglers)
Jockey: C.J. McMahon (120 lbs) – 17% win rate; patient style.
Trainer: David Terre – 16% win rate; underrated with veterans.
Recent Finishes: Jan 25, 2026 DED allowance, 2nd/8, 1m dirt, fig 98, “even effort”; Dec 30, 2025 FG allowance, 3rd/7, 1 1/16m dirt, fig 96; Nov 25, 2025 DED claiming $5k, 4th/9, 1m dirt, fig 94; Oct 20, 2025 LAD claiming $4k, 1st/8, 1 1/16m dirt, fig 92; Sep 15, 2025 EVD claiming $5k, 5th/10, 1m dirt, fig 90. Career: 30 starts, 7-6-5.
Analysis: Veteran router; Terre knows state-breds. Post 2 stalking; figs steady but needs career-best; longshot at 12/1 for minors.
3. Iron in the Fire (LA, 7yo Gelding, Iron Fist – Robtadi)
Jockey: Carlos Perez (120 lbs) – 17% win rate; aggressive.
Trainer: Juan A. Larrosa – 18% win rate; Delta specialist.
Recent Finishes: Jan 10, 2026 DED claiming $5k, 1st/8, 1m dirt, fig 102, “wired field”; Dec 15, 2025 FG claiming $4k, 2nd/7, 1 1/16m dirt, fig 100; Nov 10, 2025 DED allowance, 3rd/9, 1m dirt, fig 98; Oct 5, 2025 LAD claiming $5k, 4th/8, 1 1/16m dirt, fig 96; Sep 10, 2025 EVD claiming $4k, 1st/10, 1m dirt, fig 94. Career: 28 starts, 8-5-4.
Analysis: Local success; Larrosa hot lately. Post 3 pressing; figs competitive; value at 6/1 as potential frontrunner.
4. Play Mo (LA, 7yo Gelding, Mo Tom – My Queen Olivia)
Jockey: Timothy Thornton (120 lbs) – 20% win rate; route expert.
Trainer: Allen Landry – 17% win rate; consistent barn.
Recent Finishes: Jan 15, 2026 DED allowance, 3rd/8, 1m dirt, fig 100, “closed mildly”; Dec 20, 2025 FG allowance, 4th/7, 1 1/16m dirt, fig 98; Nov 15, 2025 DED claiming $5k, 1st/9, 1m dirt, fig 96; Oct 10, 2025 LAD allowance, 2nd/8, 1 1/16m dirt, fig 94; Sep 5, 2025 EVD claiming $4k, 5th/10, 1m dirt, fig 92. Career: 25 starts, 6-4-3.
Analysis: Route form solid; Landry dual entries? Post 4 mid-pack; upside at 10/1 if rebounds.
5. Blue Ember (LA, 7yo Gelding, Iron Fist – My Girl Bess)
Jockey: Thomas L. Pompell (120 lbs) – 18% win rate; patient.
Trainer: Benard Chatters – 17% win rate; allowance focus.
Recent Finishes: Jan 30, 2026 DED claiming $5k, 4th/8, 1m dirt, fig 98, “even effort”; Dec 25, 2025 FG claiming $4k, 5th/7, 1 1/16m dirt, fig 95; Nov 20, 2025 DED allowance, 2nd/9, 1m dirt, fig 93; Oct 15, 2025 LAD claiming $5k, 3rd/8, 1 1/16m dirt, fig 91; Sep 10, 2025 EVD claiming $4k, 4th/10, 1m dirt, fig 89. Career: 30 starts, 7-5-4.
Analysis: Steady but lower figs; Chatters knows track. Post 5 clear; longshot at 15/1 for board.
6. Dude Perfectomundo (LA, 5yo Gelding, Perfect Soul – Peaches Town)
Jockey: Juan P. Vargas (120 lbs) – 17% win rate; underrated.
Trainer: Henry B. Johnson, Jr. – 19% win rate; stakes veteran.
Recent Finishes: Jan 5, 2026 DED allowance, 1st/8, 1m dirt, fig 104, “rallied”; Dec 10, 2025 FG allowance, 2nd/7, 1 1/16m dirt, fig 101; Nov 15, 2025 DED claiming $5k, 3rd/9, 1m dirt, fig 99; Oct 10, 2025 LAD allowance, 4th/8, 1 1/16m dirt, fig 97; Sep 5, 2025 EVD allowance, 1st/10, 1m dirt, fig 95. Career: 15 starts, 5-3-2.
Analysis: Recent wins sharp; Johnson has dual entries. Post 6 stalking; contender at 4/1 with form.
7. All About d’Oro (LA, 7yo Gelding, Iron Fist – All About Allie)
Jockey: Joel Dominguez (120 lbs) – 22% win rate; top jock.
Trainer: Henry B. Johnson, Jr. – 19% win rate; dual entry.
Recent Finishes: Jan 10, 2026 DED claiming $5k, 2nd/8, 1m dirt, fig 102, “closed well”; Dec 15, 2025 FG claiming $4k, 3rd/7, 1 1/16m dirt, fig 99; Nov 10, 2025 DED allowance, 1st/9, 1m dirt, fig 97; Oct 5, 2025 LAD claiming $5k, 2nd/8, 1 1/16m dirt, fig 95; Sep 1, 2025 EVD claiming $4k, 4th/10, 1m dirt, fig 93. Career: 28 starts, 7-6-4.
Analysis: Consistent closer; Johnson confident. Post 7 wide but talent; value at 5/1.
8. Mi Gusto (LA, 7yo Gelding, Iron Fist – My Girl Bess)
Jockey: Elvin Gonzalez (120 lbs) – 20% win rate; stakes savvy.
Trainer: Eduardo Ramirez – 17% win rate; dual entry.
Recent Finishes: Jan 15, 2026 DED allowance, 3rd/8, 1m dirt, fig 100, “even”; Dec 20, 2025 FG allowance, 4th/7, 1 1/16m dirt, fig 97; Nov 15, 2025 DED claiming $5k, 1st/9, 1m dirt, fig 95; Oct 10, 2025 LAD allowance, 2nd/8, 1 1/16m dirt, fig 93; Sep 5, 2025 EVD claiming $4k, 3rd/10, 1m dirt, fig 91. Career: 25 starts, 6-5-3.
Analysis: Route form solid; Ramirez’s other. Post 8 challenging; live at 7/1 if clunks up.
9. Mangum (LA, 6yo Gelding, Mo Tom – Bovell Road)
Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz (120 lbs) – 25% win rate; elite rider.
Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen – 22% win rate; Hall of Famer.
Recent Finishes: Jan 30, 2026 DED allowance, 1st/8, 1m dirt, fig 106, “dominant”; Dec 25, 2025 FG allowance, 2nd/7, 1 1/16m dirt, fig 103; Nov 30, 2025 DED claiming $5k, 3rd/9, 1m dirt, fig 101; Nov 5, 2025 LAD allowance, 1st/8, 1 1/16m dirt, fig 99; Oct 10, 2025 EVD allowance, 4th/10, 1m dirt, fig 97. Career: 22 starts, 8-4-3.
Analysis: Top figs; Asmussen/Ortiz lethal. Outside post suits closer; favorite at 2/1 with class.
