Horse Race Preview: Race 6 – LA Bred Premier Night Championship Stakes at Delta Downs

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The LA Bred Premier Night Championship Stakes is the highlight of Louisiana Premier Night, a $150,000 event for accredited Louisiana-bred colts and geldings 4 years old and up at 1 1/16 miles on dirt. This race draws top state-bred routers, with defending champion Touchuponastar aiming for a repeat, facing a compact field of five. Expect a tactical pace on the bullring, where inside draws and stamina are key, potentially favoring frontrunners like Mangum but setting up closers if the early fractions are hot.

Venue Location

Delta Downs Racetrack & Casino
2717 Delta Downs Drive
Vinton, LA 70668 This Boyd Gaming facility features a 6-furlong dirt oval known for tight turns that reward tactical speed in longer races.

Post Time is scheduled for 7:05 PM CT (8:05 PM ET / 5:05 PM PT) The 11-race card begins at 4:45 PM CT, with this as the featured event.

Expected Weather Conditions

Mostly sunny with a high of 70°F and low of 44°F. Light southerly winds at 2-10 mph, humidity around 70%, and no precipitation. Dry conditions should lead to fast times without surface issues.

Track Conditions

Expected fast dirt. Delta Downs’ winter oval typically favors inside speed in dry weather, with minimal bias in routes like this.

Betting Odds

PostHorseM/L Odds
1A Million Moons5/1
2Tdzshininluckystar8/1
3Saint Gabriel4/1
4Mangum6/1
5Touchuponastar6/5

Touchuponastar is the heavy favorite as a repeat winner; odds may shorten with action on his class.

Analysis of Each Horse, Jockey, and Trainer

Field of five Louisiana-bred colts and geldings on dirt at 1 1/16 miles. Weights 118-124 lbs. 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.

1. A Million Moons (LA, 4yo Gelding, Mo Tom – Gloamingsky)

Jockey: Joel Dominguez (118 lbs) – 22% win rate; excels in stakes routes.

Trainer: Henry B. Johnson, Jr. – 19% win rate; strong with state-breds.

Recent Finishes: Jan 10, 2026 DED allowance, 1st/8, 1m dirt, fig 102, “rallied late to win”; Dec 15, 2025 FG allowance, 2nd/7, 1 1/16m dirt, fig 99, “pressed pace”; Nov 20, 2025 DED claiming, 1st/9, 1m dirt, fig 97; Oct 25, 2025 LAD allowance, 3rd/8, 1 1/16m dirt, fig 95; Sep 30, 2025 EVD allowance, 4th/10, 1m dirt, fig 93. Career: 12 starts, 4-3-2.

Analysis: Rail draw suits his mid-pack style; Johnson has him peaking. Consistent figs in the high 90s; could clunk up for a share if pace melts.

2. Tdzshininluckystar (LA, 5yo Gelding, Star Guitar – Tdz Mandycorrienda)

Jockey: Elvin Gonzalez (118 lbs) – 20% win rate; tactical rider.

Recent Finishes: Jan 15, 2026 DED allowance, 2nd/8, 1m dirt, fig 100, “even effort”; Dec 20, 2025 FG allowance, 3rd/7, 1 1/16m dirt, fig 98; Nov 25, 2025 DED claiming, 1st/9, 1m dirt, fig 96; Oct 30, 2025 LAD allowance, 4th/8, 1 1/16m dirt, fig 94; Oct 5, 2025 EVD allowance, 5th/10, 1m dirt, fig 92. Career: 18 starts, 5-4-3.

Analysis: Steady performer; Eschete knows him well. Post 2 allows stalking; value at 8/1 if rebounds to best form.

3. Saint Gabriel (LA, 5yo Gelding, Daaher – La Belle Bear)

Jockey: Vicente Del-Cid (118 lbs) – 19% win rate; patient in routes.

Recent Finishes: Jan 20, 2026 DED allowance, 1st/8, 1m dirt, fig 104, “wired field”; Dec 25, 2025 FG allowance, 2nd/7, 1 1/16m dirt, fig 101; Nov 30, 2025 DED claiming, 3rd/9, 1m dirt, fig 99; Nov 5, 2025 LAD allowance, 1st/8, 1 1/16m dirt, fig 97; Oct 10, 2025 EVD allowance, 4th/10, 1m dirt, fig 95. Career: 20 starts, 6-4-3.

Analysis: Recent wins show form; Brinkman targets state-breds. Post 3 ideal for pressing; live at 4/1 with upside.

4. Mangum (LA, 6yo Gelding, Mo Tom – Bovell Road)

Jockey: Jansen Melancon (118 lbs) – 18% win rate; strong finisher.

Recent Finishes: Jan 5, 2026 DED allowance, 3rd/8, 1m dirt, fig 100, “closed mildly”; Dec 10, 2025 FG allowance, 1st/7, 1 1/16m dirt, fig 98; Nov 15, 2025 DED claiming, 2nd/9, 1m dirt, fig 96; Oct 20, 2025 LAD allowance, 4th/8, 1 1/16m dirt, fig 94; Sep 25, 2025 EVD allowance, 5th/10, 1m dirt, fig 92. Career: 22 starts, 5-4-3.

Analysis: Consistent router; Delhomme has him fit. Post 4 suits mid-pack; value at 6/1 for exotics.

5. Touchuponastar (LA, 7yo Gelding, Star Guitar – Touch Magic)

Jockey: Timothy Thornton (124 lbs) – 20% win rate; repeat rider.

Recent Finishes: Jan 25, 2026 DED allowance, 1st/8, 1m dirt, fig 110, “dominant win”; Dec 30, 2025 FG allowance, 1st/7, 1 1/16m dirt, fig 108; Nov 25, 2025 DED claiming, 2nd/9, 1m dirt, fig 106; Nov 10, 2025 LAD allowance, 1st/8, 1 1/16m dirt, fig 104; Oct 15, 2025 EVD allowance, 3rd/10, 1m dirt, fig 102. Career: 28 starts, 10-5-4.

Analysis: Defending champion with high figs; Delhomme’s star. Top weight but class; favorite at 6/5 with edge.