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

Kash 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 was the winning catch driver on Lougazi ($7.30) and took regular mounts Amrcanbootscoota A ($4.20), Sizzling Summer ($11.00), Lenwoods Real Deal ($9.80) and Schnickel Fritz ($8.80) all to victories.

Lougazi won by a solid length in a seasonal best of 1:58.1. Bill Burke photo.

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 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 2022 tries for Lougazi (Lou’s Legacy-Winning Blade). The win upped his seasonal earnings to $28,050 and $343,281 lifetime.

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

Stratosphere was above the rest with a gate-to-wire score in a seasonal best of 1:54.3. Bill Burke photo.

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 2022 appearances for Stratosphere (Mach Three-Northern Jade). The 7-year-old gelding has now bankrolled $11,524 on the season and $189,772 in his career.

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

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 more information, including the latest news, upcoming promotions, entries, results and race replays, go to www.buffaloraceway.com.