Casse Keeps Big-Ticket Claim Kupuna on Turf in $100,000 Buddy Diliberto
NEW ORLEANS (Dec. 18, 2025) — Claimed for $100,000 by Flying P Stable and transferred to Norm Casse’s barn in September, the former dirt specialist Kupuna will look to build on his strong turf effort last out at Churchill Downs in Saturday’s $100,000 Buddy Diliberto Memorial at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. In a field of nine older males, Kupuna was tabbed as the 7-2 morning line second choice behind defending champion Gigante.
Though Kupuna has banked more than $500,000 in lifetime earnings on dirt, Casse decided to move the 6-year-old to the turf in his first start for the new barn. During a 26-race career under trainer Bret Calhoun, Kupuna made one turf start, running a solid fourth against stakes-level competition in a 2023 allowance race at Keeneland.
“We claimed him with turf in mind,” Casse said. “His previous try was buried in his past performances, but it was very strong.”
Entered in an early November allowance at Churchill Downs, Kupuna broke from the gate alongside proven turf stakes winners Epic Ride, Northern Invader and Strong Quality, and was sent off at 15-1, the longest price on the board. After settling along the rail near the back early in the 1-mile affair, the Hard Spun gelding tipped out in the lane and produced a strong stretch run to score the victory.
“With all his success going one mile on dirt, we thought that was the right distance to test the waters,” Casse said. “His energy was so good in the gallop-out that we feel confident stretching him out a little further.”
Kupuna will be tasked with 1 1/16 miles in the Diliberto. Ben Curtis has the mount and will break from post 2.
One of four stakes scheduled for Road to the Derby Kickoff Day, along with the $100,000 Gun Runner, $100,000 Untapable and $100,000 Tenacious, the Diliberto is slated as Race 9. With 12 races on the card, first post Saturday is 12:45 p.m. CT.
-30-
About Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, one of the nation’s oldest racetracks, has been in operation since 1872. Located in New Orleans, La, Fair Grounds, which is owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN), also operates a slot-machine gaming facility and 13 off-track betting parlors throughout Southeast Louisiana. The 154th Thoroughbred Racing Season–highlighted by the 113th running of the Louisiana Derby–will run from Nov. 20, 2025 through March 22, 2026. More information is available online at www.fgno.com.
