by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- After five straight weeks of being
parked to the quarter pole, Kahoku finally drew the rail and got to see what
the pylons look like at Buffalo Raceway. The inside markers were definitely a
welcomed sight for Kahoku as he took advantage of the rail and
registered a neck victory over Empire Earl N in the $10,000 Open Trot on Friday
night (May 12).
Empire Earl N actually took the lead with an opening split
of 28.4 but driver Ron Beback Jr. had Kahoku quickly retake the lead and
went 58.3 to the half and 1:28.0 to the three-quarter pole.
In the final panel, the now pocket-sitting Empire Earl N
(Larry Stalbaum) made a final charge near the wire but Kahoku had enough left
in the tank to score the victory in 1:57.1 over the fast track. Winkys Pride
(Drew Monti) took the show check.
Owned by Colleen Girdlestone and trained by Mark Laidlaw,
the 9-year-old gelded Kahoku (SJ's Caviar-Tags Goal) has now put $22,414 in
2017 and $231,891 lifetime.
Jim Morrill Jr. had a five-bagger on the night while Monti
and Kevin Cummings had a pair of victories in the sulky. Gerry Sarama notched a
training double.
Racing will resume on Saturday at 6 p.m. with a 12-race
program scheduled. There's a $594 carryover in the Pick-5 which begins in the
second race.
Fore more information including the latest news, upcoming
promotions, race replays and results, go to www.buffaloraceway.com
