Gigante is set to compete again at the Fairgrounds on Saturday, aiming to continue his winning streak in the $100,000 Buddy Diliberto Memorial, a 1 1/16-mile race held on the Stoll Wilson turf course.
With earnings exceeding $1.3 million, Gigante, owned by L&N Racing and Clark Brewster, comes into the race in excellent form after securing victories in his last two races at Remington Park. In his previous Fairgrounds appearance, trainer Steve Asmussen claimed consecutive wins in the Buddy Diliberto Memorial and the Col ER Bradley Stakes and narrowly missed first place in the Muniz Memorial Classic. Jose Ortiz will be riding Gigante, who starts as the 3-1 favorite for the championship from Post 9.
Among Gigante’s main rivals is Kupuna from the Flying P stable. Kupuna, who transitioned to turf after a $100,000 purchase by Norm Casse in September, triumphed in a competitive allowance race at Churchill Downs on November 7, where he bested horses like Northern Invader and Epic Ride. Ben Curtis will be riding Mt.
Other notable contenders include Hydra Surve Blessed, last year’s winner of the Muniz Memorial, and Tisman from CRK Stable, who recently won three consecutive allowances in Kentucky under trainer Peter Urton.
The full list of entrants for the Buddy Diliberto Memorial, including jockeys, trainers, and morning odds, is as follows:
– Point Proven (Tim Thornton, David Teller, 12-1)
– Grandma (U Beuris, Norm Casse, 7-2)
– Secret Chat (CJ McMahon, Bobby Barnett, 20-1)
– Sand Pipes (Paco Lopez, Lindsey Schultz, 6-1)
– Emanuel (Jareth Loveberry, Mike Maker, 4-1)
– Legalize (Brian Hernandez Jr., Shelley Deveau, 8-1)
– Theismann (Saeed Wright, Peter Urton, 6-1)
– Idratherbelessed (Marcellino Pedrosa Jr., Chris Hartman, 12-1)
– Gigante (Jose Ortiz, Steve Asmussen, 3-1)
Fan Take: This race is a thrilling showcase of rising stars and established talent in turf racing, offering fans a chance to witness high-stakes competition that can shape future champions. Gigante’s pursuit of continued dominance highlights the excitement and drama that keep horse racing vibrant and compelling for enthusiasts everywhere.
