Touchuponastar runs away in New Orleans Classic, Sierra Leone third

Touchuponastar, a son of Louisiana, did the home state proud at Fair Grounds on Saturday, leading throughout to win the $480,000 New Orleans Classic (G2) while simultaneously handing reigning three-year-old champion Sierra Leone a decisive knockout.

Beaten two lengths into second by Red Route One in the 2024 New Orleans Classic after setting the pace, Touchuponastar improved on that performance, scoring by 2 1/2 lengths under Tim Thornton as the 6-1 third choice in a field that went with only five of the original 10 entries.

Second choice Hall of Fame chased Touchuponastar all the way but couldn't threaten the winner through the stretch. Sierra Leone, the 3-10 favorite and making his first start since winning the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) in November, was never close to landing a blow. Trailing much of the way, he eventually grinded his way into third while falling 4 1/2 lengths short.

San Siro and Komorebino Omoide completed the order of finish.

Winning for the 15th time in 21 career starts, Touchuponastar paid $15 after completing nine furlongs over a fast track in 1:48.10. He races for Set-Hut LLC and is trained by Jeff Delhomme.

"We're from Louisiana and this is a homegrown horse. He is a fan favorite," Delhomme said. "We're just blessed to have this big guy in our barn."

The New Orleans Classic was the 12th stakes win for Touchuponastar, but only his second against open company. The six-year-old has never been unplaced in his career.

"He always does his job. Making the lead alone, having him prick his ears, I knew we were ready to win this," Thornton said. "At the three-eighths pole I took a little pressure but he was there for me. The Delhommes do such a great job with their horses."

For Sierra Leone, he becomes the latest three-year-old champion to get upset in the New Orleans Classic, formerly the New Orleans H. Carry Back, champion of 1961, finished third in the 1962 New Orleans H. Real Quiet, the 1998 champion, finished second in the 1999 New Orleans H.

"He never got into a rhythm. He was struggling to keep up the pace," jockey Flavien Prat said of Sierra Leone. "He made a run late but those horses were all running away."

Bred by Coteau Grove Farm, Touchuponastar is by Star Guitar and out of the stakes-winning Touch Magic, by Lion Heart.