(race replay begins at the 4:40.45 mark) 

Gigante fought off his challengers to tally a game victory in the $150,000 Caesars H. on May 17 at Horseshoe Indianapolis, the second stakes win for the 3-year-old Not This Time colt.

Gigante, who had been away from the races since late November, was very gallant in victory. He broke well and set a measured pace of :23.38 and :48.30, with a half-length lead over Dude N Colorado. That duo remained locked together until deep stretch, when Gigante edged away. The winner held off a big late charge from Wadsworth to get to the wire a nose in front of the post-time favorite.

Gigante covered the mile on the firm turf in 1:35.81.

Owned by Iapetus Racing and Diamond T Racing, Gigante had a solid 2-year-old campaign that included a maiden win on the dirt and Colonial Downs, then a 6 ½-length victory over that same track’s turf course in the $165,000 Kitten’s Joy S. Gigante has now won three of six starts and earned $260,900.

The winner was bred by Ann Mudge Backer and Smitten Farm and sold for $120,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling sale.

Last year’s leading Third-Crop Sire, Not This Time is dominating the Fourth-Crop list with $4.5 million in progeny earnings to date, nearly $1 million above his closest pursuer. His top performers this year are Grade 1 winners Up to the Mark and Sibelius.