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Saturday, May 13, 2017

Kahoku Uses Inside Trip To Win Buffalo Raceway Feature

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