Five-bagger for driver Keith Kash Jr.

HAMBURG, N.Y. — Keith Kash Jr. continues to ‘kash’ in at Buffalo Raceway as he won five races on Saturday afternoon (April 30) including the harness racing co-featured $15,000 Open Trot aboard Lougazi.

Kash Jr., found the winner’s circle aboard Pretty Blue Angel on Wednesday (April 27), his first visit to the Hamburg half mile oval since March 2013. But on the perfect spring Saturday afternoon, he really got acquainted with Buffalo Raceway track photographer Bill Burke.

During the 13-race program, Kash Jr. was the winning catch driver on Lougazi ($7.80) while took regular mounts Amrcanbootscoota A ($4.20), Sizzling Summer ($11.00), Lenwoods Real Deal ($9.80) and Schnickel Fritz ($8.80) all to victories.

For Lougazi, it was a typical race for the 8-year-old gelding. Starting off the gate and dropping behind the field, Lougazi let the field get away as he settled to the end. With Mystical Sarabi putting up splits of :29.1, :59.1 and 1:28.3, Lougazi and Kash Jr. got into gear just before the half mile marker.

Going three wide around the live cover of Castyourcrown approaching the three quarter pole, Lougazi stormed through the stretch and easily disposed of Barn Hall (Kevin Cummings) and CR Blazin Beauty (Kyle Cummings) who finished in second and third respectively. Lougazi won by a solid length in a seasonal best of 1:58.1 over the fast track.

Owned by Mary Warriner and trained by Ryan Swift, it was the third victory in five tries for Lougazi (Lou’s Legacy-Winning Blade). The win upped his seasonal earnings to $28,150 and $343,281 lifetime.

In the $15,000 Open Pace, Stratosphere ($6.40) was above the rest with a gate-to-wire in a seasonal best of 1:54.3 as he held off the heavily favored Timeto Communicate by a head.

Driven by Drew Monti, Stratosphere immediately went to the lead and had no issues in putting up splits of :28.3, :58.1 and 1:26.3. Things started to get interesting in deep stretch as Timeto Communicate started to gobble up ground in the passing lane but ran out of real estate. Stop Action (Kevin Cummings) was third.

Trained by Darrin Monti and owned by Drew Monti, it was the first victory in four appearances for Stratosphere (Mach Three-Northern Jade). The 7-year-old gelding has now bankrolled $11,024 on the season and $190,052 in his career.

Shawn McDonough, Michael Ohol, and Darrin Monti each had two training wins while Morrill Jr. and Drew Monti had a driving double.

Racing will continue on Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. with a 12-race card slated. With the Pick 5 not being hit on Saturday, there will be a $5,000 guaranteed pool starting in the second race.

For complete race results, click here.

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway