In Hawaiian, Kahoku means “star” and Friday night at Batavia Downs, Kahoku lived up to his name as he shown bright on the front end in the $10,500 Open trotting feature.
Driver Kevin Cummings left from post four with Kahoku and out-tussled Noble Legend (Jack Flanigen) for the lead past the quarter timed in :28.3. That would be the last lead change of the race. Kahoku trotted with a gapped lead and went to the half in :59.2 and three-quarters in 1:28.3. With the field unable to catch him up to that point, Kahoku strode away to an easy two-length victory in 1:58. Noble Legend followed him to the wire for second and B Z Glide (Mike Caprio) closed the best for show.
It was the tenth win in 28 starts for Kahoku ($4.30) and it bumped his earnings up to $59,358 for the year. The eight-year-old altered son of SJs Caviar is owned by Colleen Girdlestone and Michael Gentner and is trained by Mark Laidlaw.
In the co-featured $8,500 Open II trot, The Bronx Bumper ($7.60) stepped up from the claiming ranks to dominate some top-flight condition horses when he came from off the pace to win in 1:58.3. Dave McNeight III drove the winner to his fourth win of the year for trainer Gerry Sarama and owner Mike Torcello.
Three drivers won 90% of the card on Friday as Kevin Cummings, John Cummings Jr. and Dave McNeight III all scored driving triples.
Racing resumes on Saturday night at Batavia Downs with the first post set for 6:15 p.m.
(Batavia Downs)