Touchuponastar Headlines Louisiana Champions Day

Saturday, Dec. 9, will mark the 33rd edition of Louisiana Champions Day at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. Beginning in 1991, the annual event has gathered the top horses, owners, jockeys, and trainers from across the state, who come together to showcase horses bred in Louisiana. This event has become the highlight of Louisiana-bred racing as the best runners in the state compete for nearly $1 million in purse money.

"It's the biggest day of Louisiana bred Championship racing with some of the most exciting thoroughbred racing of the year," said Roger Heitzmann, secretary/treasurer for the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association. "These championship races often help decide our Horse of the Year standings by our members. The entries are top Louisiana-bred racehorses, and there are sure to be some thrilling finishes."

There are nine championship races slated this year, headed by the $150,000 Classic, which drew a field of six and will be contested at 1 1/8 miles over the main track. The 3-5 morning line favorite is the Jeff Delhomme-trained Touchuponastar , the 2022 Classic defending champion. The Star Guitar   4-year-old gelding, bred by Coteau Grove Farms, is 2-for-2 this year and 9-2-1 from 12 starts with earnings of $528,100. The Set-Hut-owned gelding has won eight of his last nine starts, losing only in the Steve Sexton Mile (G3) May 29 at Lone Star Park.

Amerman Racing's Tumbarumba  looks like the potential top threat to upset Touchuponastar. The Oscar Performance   gelding comes off a blanket third-place finish, beaten only a head, in the Sept. 24 Oklahoma Derby (G3) at Remington Park.

The complete Louisiana Champions stakes program with estimated post times:

Race 1: Champions Day Ladies Starter: Purse: $50,000; 1 p.m.

Race 3: Champions Day Starter: Purse $50,000; 2 p.m.

Race 5: Champions Day Classic: Purse $150,000; 3 p.m.

Race 7: Champions Day Juvenile: Purse $100,000; 4 p.m.

Race 8: Champions Day Turf: Purse $100,000; 4:30 p.m.

Race 9: Champions Day Ladies Distaff: Purse $100,000; 5 p.m.

Race 10: Champions Day Ladies Sprint: Purse $100,000; 5:30 p.m.

Race 11: Champions Day Lassie: Purse $100,000; 6 p.m.

Race 12: Champions Day Sprint: Purse $100,000; 6:30 p.m.