Former Claimer Pulls Off Eatontown Upset

Cousin Gigi, the highest price in the field at odds of 25-1, reeled in pacesetter Crystal Sea, then held Quidnaskra at bay in deep stretch to win Sunday's $100,000 Eatontown Handicap (gr. IIIT) by 2 1/2 lengths at Monmouth Park. Cousin Gigi returned $52, $17.80, and $6.60 and led a $305 exacta.

Second-place finisher Quidnaskra paid $9.20 and $4.80 and Crystal Sea returned $4.60 to show.

Verruma, Mumtaz, Lucky Lune, Laurica, and Doc's Destiny completed the order of finish in the 1 1/8-mile turf race for fillies and mares.

Under jockey Rick Wilson, Henry Minassian Sr.'s Cousin Gigi completed the distance in 1:47.50 on the firm turf to earn her first career stakes win. She earned $60,000 for the win, her sixth in 23 career starts. Cousin Gigi (Virginia Rapids--Yukon Connie, by Yukon) came into the race following a two-length score in a one-mile allowance race at Monmouth Park last month. The former claimer tried stakes company for the first time in May, finishing fourth in the Politely Stakes on the main track at Monmouth Park. A 4-year-old filly, Cousin Gigi is trained by Timothy Hills and was bred in Kentucky by Winsong Farms. (Chart, Equibase)