Fair Grounds brings the spotlight to Louisiana’s top older horses with the prestigious Louisiana Champions Day Classic Stakes, a $150,000 showdown for Louisiana-bred three-year-olds and up. Run over 1⅛ miles on dirt, this signature race caps Champions Day with a highly competitive field and high stakes drama.
Race Conditions & Format
- Distance: 1 mile & 1/8 (dirt)
- Eligibility: Accredited Louisiana-bred 3YO and older
- Entry Fees:
- $850 to enter
- $850 additional to start
- Supplemental Nomination: $3,000 (all fees included)
- Weight Assignments:
- 3YO: 121 lbs
- Older: 124 lbs
- -2 lbs: Non-winners of a sweepstakes at a mile+ in 2024
- -4 lbs: Non-winners of $15K twice at a mile+ since June 14, 2024
- -6 lbs: Non-winners of $15K once at a mile+ since June 14 (maiden & claiming excluded)
- Purse Breakdown:
- 1st: $90,000
- 2nd: $30,000
- 3rd: $16,500
- 4th: $9,000
- 5th: $4,500
- Field Limit: 14 starters (stakes winners preferred, then earnings)
- Trophy awarded to winning owner
Confirmed Contenders & Morning Line Odds
| Horse | Trainer | Jockey | ML Odds | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Touchuponastar (LA) | J Delhomme | T Thornton | 3/5 | Heavy favorite & proven stakes winner |
| Allnight Moonlight (LA) | S Breaux | J A Torres | 4/1 | Reliable closer with solid resume |
| Cosmic Train (LA) | J Delhomme | J L Ortiz | 9/2 | Backed by top connections |
| Tdzshininluckystar (LA) | N Eschete | C R Rosier | 5/1 | Young & improving with late kick |
| Benoit (LA) | J O Duhon | J Graham | 12/1 | Blinkers off adds intrigue |
Contender Highlights
- Touchuponastar (3/5) – The star of Delhomme’s barn, boasting dominant form and poised for another commanding performance.
- Allnight Moonlight (4/1) – Versatile and battle-tested, could capitalize if pace gets hot.
- Cosmic Train (9/2) – Gets class jockey Joel Rosario and adds depth to the Delhomme stable.
- Tdzshininluckystar (5/1) – The three-year-old wild card with improving speed figures.
- Benoit (12/1) – Equipment change (blinkers off) hints at a tactical shift—worth watching.
Tactical Takeaways
Expect a contested early pace with Touchuponastar likely dictating terms, while Allnight Moonlight and Tdzshininluckystar may sit off the tempo and prepare to strike. Trainer Delhomme enters two threats, giving him strategic leverage across pace scenarios.
Final Word
The Louisiana Champions Day Classic anchors the day with a potent mix of veteran class and emerging firepower. With stakes bragging rights and a rich purse on the line, all eyes will be on Touchuponastar—but don’t count out the fast-closing underdogs aiming to steal the spotlight.
