Without question, reinsman Jack Flanigen is having his best year in the sulky since he started driving in the early eighties

. In the 522 races he’s competed in this year, he’s been to the winner’s circle 123 times. He has a 35 race lead over second place driver Kevin Cummings, who actually has a few more starts, 543.

On Friday night, Flanigen steered home five winners, with two victories coming in the Open Trot, and the Filly and Mares Open pace.

In the $9,000 Open Handicap Trot, Hello Carlo ($12.60) a Carry The Message gelding out of the Supergill mare Last Turn, won in 2:00 to register his sixth win of the season for owner Mario Caponi of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.

Hello Carlo settled in fourth in the field of six as eventual third place finisher Australian Stock set the early fractions, :29.3 to the quarter, and 1:00.2 to the half. A strong backside brush by Hello Carlo and Flanigen put the winner on the lead at the three-quarters in 1:31.1. A snappy :28.4 last quarter-mile put Hello Carlo 2-3/4 lengths ahead of second place finisher Redneck Reindeer (Trent Tharps) at the finish line.

“When I pulled him, he marched,” said Flanigen. “The early breakers in the race helped him get a nice early position.”

Trained by Larry Clabaugh, the $4,500 share of the winning purse put Hello Carlo’s season bankroll at $35,370, and $116,520 lifetime.

In the $9,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace, Casimir Honkytonk, ($14.00) a five-year-old Sir Luck mare, received a perfect pocket trip from Flanigen, and then used the passing lane to beat second place finisher, and favourite Pembroke Primo (Kevin Cummings) by a neck in 1:58.1.

It was the second win of the year for Casimir Honkytonk, who is trained by Mihajlo Zdjelar. Memphis Glow (Ray Fisher, Jr.) came in third.

The $4,500 share of the winning purse put Casimir Honkytonk’s season bankroll at $10,774, and $58,433 lifetime.

(Buffalo Raceway)