by Sam Pendolino, publicity director, Buffalo Raceway

Hamburg, NY — Driver Ken Holliday registered his 4,500th win aboard Mutual Funs in the second race $6,250 Open II Trot at Buffalo Raceway on Friday night (March 16).

Ken Holliday drove the 4,500th winner of his career when he piloted Mutual Funs (#8) to victory on Friday.

Owned by James M. Mayes of Leslie, Michigan, the 9-year-old Wall Street Banker gelding won for the second time this year in 2:02.2, beating six rivals. It was also his second win in a row as he won last week at Monticello.

Leaving from the far outside in a field reduced to seven by the scratch of SA Lemon Chip, Holliday and Mutual Funs slipped in nicely in the three hole behind frontrunners and eventual second place finishers Shout and reinsman Keith Kash, Jr., who reached the quarter pole in :29.4 and the half-mile station in 1:01.1. As the field was heading to the three-quarter mark, Holliday swung Mutual Funs to the outside for clear sailing through the stretch. A :30.3 last quarter put them three-quarters of a length in front at the wire. Dorothy Loretta and driver Robert Lacki came in third.

The $3,125 share of the winning purse put Mutual Funs’ 2007 bankroll at $12,215 and $203,521 lifetime. Sherri Holliday, Ken’s wife, is the trainer. Going off as the third choice in the betting, the winner paid $9.20 to win.

Imagianthit takes Open Trot

Imagianthit, who won for the fourth time this year, put reinsman Keith Kash, Jr. two wins away from 1,000 lifetime victories. Keith would later win race number 11 aboard Wolverine Freak to leave him just one win shy of the milestone going into Saturday night’s card.

Harnessracephotos.com – Paul White

Imagianthit (#6) was a winner in the Open Trot.

Owned by The Inquisitive Stable LLC of Macedonia Ohio, the 9-year-old gelding came from dead last in the field of six and passed the entire field en route to a one length win over second place finishers Striking Iliad and driver Jim McNeight in 2:00.3, which ties his season’s best mile. Gamesmanship (Ken Holliday) came in the show spot.

“We had a lot of ground to make up,” said Kash. “He’s been real sharp the last two weeks and I knew he could do it.”

The $5,000 share of the winning purse put Imagianthit’s 2007 bankroll at $24,886 and $171,831 lifetime. John Dunlap is the trainer. Overlooked in the betting, the winner paid a handsome $15.40 to win.

Inittogether takes first leg of Dave Vance Memorial

Megan M. Wilson and Travis D. Betters’ Inittogether took the first leg of the Dave Vance Memorial Trot in 2:04.4 over a track rated “good”.

Capably driven by John Cummings, Jr., the 4-year-old Master Lavec gelding cut all the fractions in the race, :30.3, 1:01.1, and 1:33.1 to the three-quarter mark. It was 2-1/2 lengths back to second place finishers TSM Photopia and driver Ron Beback, Jr. Armbro Bravo (Richie Mays) came in third.

“We just bought him and he should get better and better,” said Cummings. “We’re learning what he’s all about, and I like him so far.”

It was the third win of the season for Inittogether and the $2,000 share of the winning purse boosted his 2007 bankroll to $7,830 and $35,888 lifetime. Going off as the favorite in the betting, he paid $5.20 to win. Megan Wilson is the trainer.

Racing will resume on Saturday, March 17, with first post scheduled for 6:30 p.m.