1,000th career training win for Keith Kash Jr.

Northfield, OH – After winning a pair of races on Wednesday night, harness racing trainer Keith Kash Jr. entered Saturday (Feb. 4) only needing one victory to reach the 1,000-win milestone. He wasted no time getting it done in the first race on the program with 5-year-old mare Ball Diamond (We Will See).

Kash Jr. won his first career race on January 31, 2020, at Northfield Park aboard Kopiki.

“1,000 training wins means a lot to me, I owe a lot to every owner I’ve had in the past, and every bit of help that has help me get this far,” said Kash Jr. “I’ve had a lot of great workers help me achieve this goal.”

Leaving from post four, Ball Diamond got parked throughout most of the opening half-mile. Takes The Rock (Billy Davis Jr.) and Morning Miracle (Kurt Sugg) exchanged blows as they hit the opening quarter in :27.3, with Kash Jr. stuck on the rim behind them.

Kash Jr. continued to advance forward and finally got Ball Diamond to the lead midway through the second turn. He got a slight breather coming to the half in :56, leading Takes The Rock and Always B Somewhere (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.), who was first over.

Into the clubhouse turn, Kash Jr. stepped on the gas with Ball Diamond opening up to a 2-1/2 length lead past three-quarters in 1:24.2. The mare continued to draw off through the stretch, winning by 3-1/4 lengths in 1:53.3.

BALL DIAMOND REPLAY

Kash Jr. began his training career in 2000 and has amassed $6,426,936 in career earnings in 9,337 starts. In addition to his 1,000 training wins, he also has 3,089 driving victories.

“When I started out, I was hoping just to get 1,000 driving wins; here I am with 1,000 training wins; I’m very proud of this accomplishment,” said a jubilant Kash Jr.

Owned by Bruce Soulsby and Dannie Ray Hostetler, Ball Diamond earned his first victory of the year and advanced his career earnings to $127,944.

MGM Northfield Park currently races on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

For complete race results, click here.

by Michael Carter, for MGM Northfield Park