Kobe’s Gigi shocks $173,000 Lady Liberty field at 51-1

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Kobe’s Gigi (JK Endofanera) nipped harness racing favorite Test Of Faith to upset at 51-1 in the $173,000 Lady Liberty, for pacing mares, in a bombshell finish at the Meadowlands on Saturday (Aug. 6).

Racing to the top early, Kobe’s Gigi sat behind leader Racine Bell while Mikala stormed to the lead in a 26.1 first quarter. Kobe’s Gigi paced third as Mikala coasted to mark a :54 half, which prompted Blue Diamond Eyes to launch a chase from fourth. Test Of Faith, the huge public choice, took advantage of a sizzling three-quarters in 1:21.3 by vaulting off second-over cover and taking command with confidence in mid-stretch.

Also taking advantage of the circumstances, however, was Kobe’s Gigi, who took dead aim at Test Of Faith and broke the beam first in 1:48.3, defeating the 2021 Horse Of The Year by a head. Amazing Dream had enough left to pick up third.

Kobe’s Gigi paid $105.00 to win.

KOBE’S GIGI REPLAY

Todd McCarthy steered the Indiana-bred daughter of JK Endofanera to victory for trainer Richard “Nifty” Norman.

“She was terrific,” he said. “I was surprised the way the race unfolded; it wasn’t really my initial plan, but she felt good on the gate and it looked like I was going to be able to step out pretty good. She finished real well; [her] lines showed good times and she showed it today.”

“She was an absolute pleasure to drive. I was kind of worried the stretch would toll on her but it didn’t bother her too much. I had to wrestle her out, and when she got out and clear, she went right on.”

Kobe’s Gigi recorded her third win this season and the 10th win of her career for owners Leander Schwartz and Black & White Stable. She now has earned $360,339.

To read stories from all the action on Hambo Day, click here.

For complete race results, click here.

by Frank Cotolo, for the Meadowlands