After winning a pair of races on Wednesday night, trainer Keith Kash Jr. entered Saturday (Feb. 4) only needing one victory to reach the 1,000-win milestone. He wasted no time getting it done in the first race on the program with five-year-old mare Ball Diamond.
“1,000 training wins means a lot to me, I owe a lot to every owner I’ve had in the past, and every bit of help that has help me get this far,” said Kash Jr. “I’ve had a lot of great workers help me achieve this goal.”
Leaving from post four, Ball Diamond, in rein to Kash Jr., got parked throughout most of the opening half. Takes The Rock and Morning Miracle exchanged blows as they hit the opening quarter in :27.3, with Ball Diamond stuck on the rim behind them.
Kash Jr. continued to advance and finally got Ball Diamond to the lead midway through the second turn. He got a slight breather coming to the half in :56, leading Takes The Rock and Always B Somewhere, who was first over.
Into the clubhouse turn, Kash Jr. stepped on the gas with Ball Diamond and opening a 2-1/2 length lead past three-quarters in 1:24.2. The mare continued to draw off through the stretch, winning by 3-1/4 lengths in 1:53.3
Kash Jr. began his training career in 2000 and has amassed $6,426,936 in career earnings in 9,337 starts. In addition to his 1,000 training wins, he also has 3,089 driving victories.
"When I started out, I was hoping just to get 1,000 driving wins; here I am with 1,000 training wins; I'm very proud of this accomplishment," said a jubilant Kash Jr.
Owned by Bruce Soulsby and Dannie Ray Hostetler, Ball Diamond earned his first victory of the year and advanced his career earnings to $127,944.
MGM Northfield Park currently races on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
(Northfield Park)