After five straight weeks of being parked to the quarter pole, Kahoku finally drew the rail and got to see what the pylons look like at Buffalo Raceway.

The inside markers were definitely a welcomed sight for Kahoku as he took advantage of the rail and registered a neck victory over Empire Earl N in the $10,000 Open Trot on Friday night (May 12).

Empire Earl N actually took the lead with an opening split of :28.4, but driver Ron Beback Jr. had Kahoku quickly retake the lead and went :58.3 to the half and 1:28 the three-quarter pole.

In the final panel, the pocket-sitting Empire Earl N (Larry Stalbaum) made a final charge near the wire, but Kahoku had enough left in the tank to score the victory in 1:57.1 over the fast track. Winkys Pride (Drew Monti) took the show cheque.

Owned by Colleen Girdlestone and trained by Mark Laidlaw, the nine-year-old gelded Kahoku (SJs Caviar-Tags Goal) has now earned $22,414 in 2017 and $231,891 lifetime.

Jim Morrill Jr. had a five-bagger on the night while Monti and Kevin Cummings had a pair of victories in the sulky. Gerry Sarama notched a training double.

Racing will resume on Saturday at 6 p.m. with a 12-race program scheduled. There's a $594 carryover in the Pick-5, which begins in the second race.

(With files from Buffalo Raceway)