by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- It was appropriate that Kevin Cummings
reached 3,000 driving wins in his career when he steered Most Happy Rider
($10.60) to a narrow neck decision in Buffalo Raceway's seventh race on Friday
night (February 6).
Cummings became just that, a 'most happy rider' after
sweating out the photo finish before officially being awarded the milestone
victory.
"I didn't think I won it at the wire," a relieved
Cummings said after the win. "I didn't think the photo (at the wire) did
the finish justice. I thought it was a lot closer. (Second place finisher)
Ideal Rowan was getting to me and had the momentum."
Cummings scored his 2,999th victory in the fourth race
aboard Camstar ($3.20) but came up empty in his next two attempts. The third
time became the charm as he went gate-to-wire with Most Happy Rider, who is
trained by his brother Anthony Cummings and owned by Sidney Easton. They
covered the mile in 1:59.1.
"I just wanted to get it over with," Cummings said
after missing on two tries to reach the 3,000-win plateau. He added, "It's
a big accomplishment for me. It just isn't a number." He finished the
night with a triple.
Cummings started his racing career in 1989 where he won
three races in his 15 starts and had earnings of just $4,438. His initial
victory was Orlando Otto.
However, things skyrocketed after the calendar year turned
to 2000. He had 132 victories that year and then reached the 200-win mark for
the first time in 2005 with 209 victories.
Cummings then cracked the $1 million barrier in 2009 for the
first time when he posted 265 wins with $1,189,102 in earnings. He's reached
the million dollar mark every season since.
But the best was yet to come. His best campaign came in 2014
when Cummings won both the Batavia Downs and Buffalo Raceway driving titles
thanks to a career-highs of 334 victories and $1,557,050 in earnings. It was
the first time ever he won both crowns in the same year.
Over the span from 2009 until now, Cummings has amassed
1,477 victories and well over $7 million in earnings.
The way the 44-year-old Cummings is driving, it shouldn't
take too long to reach the 4,000-win mark.
