Giant Hit in Buffalo Open

Imagianthit, who scored his third triumph of the 2007 season, put reinsman Keith Kash Jr. just six wins away from 1,000 lifetime wins as the 27-year-old native of Ohio drove the son of Giant Hit to victory in the $10,000 Open Trot at Buffalo Raceway on Friday night

Owned by The Inquisitive Stable of Macedonia Ohio, the 9-year-old gelding put on a thrilling stretch drive with eventual second-place finishers Northmedo Victory and driver Kevin Cummings to win by a nose in 2:00.3, which establishes a new seasons best. Striking Iliad (Jim McNeight) came in the show spot.

“He didn’t get over the track last week, but tonight we didn’t have any problems at all,” said driver Kash. “I was a little worried about Kevin’s horse (Northmedo Victory) when I saw that he had made some equipment changes, but it made for a great stretch drive.”

The $5,000 share of the winning purse put Imagianthit’s 2007 bankroll at $19,886 and $166,831 lifetime. Victoria Campbell, (Keith’s mom) is the trainer. Going off as the second choice in the betting, the winner paid $7.30 to win.

After starting the season with three second-place finishes, The Winner and driver Jack Flanigen made it to the winner’s circle for the second week in a row, taking the fourth race $6,000 co-feature in 2:02.4 over a track rated “good” for owner Leo J. Fallon of Hamburg, N.Y.

Sitting third behind leaders Price Gem and driver Jim Morrill Jr., the 4-year old gelded son of Credit Winner swung to the outside as the field of eight made their way to the top of the stretch. A :29.2 last quarter-mile enabled The Winner to beat second-place finishers Armbro Columbus and reinsman Kevin Cummings by 1 ¼ lengths. Inittogether and driver John Cummings, Jr. came in third.

“He’s trotting super right now,” said Flanigen. “Trainer Gary Gregory has done a great job with him.”

The $3,000 share of the winning purse boosted The Winner’s 2007 bankroll to $10,575 and $126,810 lifetime. Going off as the third choice in the betting, he paid $10 to win.

Driver Kevin Cummings was the hot driver on this mild 41-degree night, booting home four winners. He scored in race number three with My-Main-Man ($6.10), followed by M L Stealth ($3.60) in the sixth, he then brought in both halves of the $245.50 late double with Daylon Diplomat ($30.20) in the 11th and Bullvons Cindy ($10.60) in the finale.

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