Betting With, and Against, Who Took the Money in Champions Classic

Fair Grounds. (Photo by Hodges Photography)

December 8th, 2022

A total of eight Cajun-breds will travel 1 1/8 miles on the Fair Grounds dirt in Saturday’s $150,000 Champions Day Classic S. The one to beat in the event is the Bret Calhoun-trained #7 Who Took the Money (4-5) who is in the best form of his career.

By Street Boss, the chestnut has reeled off three stakes victories at the level in succession, while earning hefty 97 Brisnet Speed figures on each occasion. The four-year-old dons a nifty 5-4-0-1 line on the surface, and the gelding should handle the stretch out in distance with relative ease in this spot, as well.

The morning-line choice possesses a potent late kick and will be the one to hold off inside the final furlong with regular pilot DeShawn Parker retaining the mount.

A big finish @fairgroundsnola from WHO TOOK THE MONEY (Street Boss) to win Saturday’s Scott’s Scoundrel Stakes on a sloppy track with @JockDeShawn for Allied Racing Stable (Chester Thomas) and Bret Calhoun, who also won the finale with promising newcomer JACK HAMMER. #FG151 🏇⚜️ pic.twitter.com/enoLB3B5IG
— John G. Dooley (@JohnGDooley) November 20, 2022

If the favorite does slip up, then a few of the contenders in the field could capitalize. #3 Touchuponastar (6-1) is relatively untested at the class level, and especially at the distance, but the lightly raced sophomore has been super impressive in two straight allowance romps as of late. Trained by Jeff Delhomme, the three-year-old has bagged his last two by a combined 15 1/2 lengths and looks to be the pace of the race on Saturday. The Star Guitar gelding comes in fresh off the short break and will be sent from the opening bell with Timmy Thornton in the silks.

Jose Camejo’s #5 Behemah Star (9-2) sports a 5-3-2-0 local line and enters off of a clear runner-up finish behind the favorite in his latest endeavor. Also by Star Guitar, the four-year-old has some tactical speed combined with a strong turn of foot, and the gelding will likely sit a nice trip stalking the pace behind a swift early tempo in the tilt. Behemah Star will race with blinkers on for the second time and is a logical threat with Jose Rodriguez in the stirrups.

Calhoun’s #4 Highland Creek (6-1) finished a solid runner-up in the event last season and could peak while making a third run off the long absence. The Broken Vow gelding has won or placed in six of nine tries on the oval and will be comfortable at the distance with Adam Beschizza taking the reins.