by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway
HAMBURG, N.Y. --- Back in 1989 when Kevin Cummings scored
his first victory of his career behind Orlando Otto, he was just hoping someday
he'd reach 1,000 driving wins. Well on Saturday night (April 17), he soared
well beyond those dreams from way back when.
Cummings reached the 4,000 lifetime victory plateau in his
brilliant career and did so in style by steering Atlantis to a $26.20 upset win
in Buffalo Raceway's fifth race.
"I didn't think about four thousand wins until a few
weeks ago. It kind of crept up on me," Cummings said. "But then
I knew it was just a matter of time. Getting four thousand wins is great but
now I am looking forward to getting four thousand and one."
The 50-year-old Cummings, with the 4,000 wins under his
belt, added that to his list of accomplishments that includes six driving
titles at Buffalo Raceway and four championships at Batavia Downs. He has
netted over $18.7 million in career purse earnings.
It didn't take Cummings long to get to 4,001 as he guided
Santana Beach ($12.60) to his fourth straight victory by capturing the
$11,200 Class AA-Open Handicapped Pace by beating Mr Ham Sandwich by 3/4
lengths in 1:54.2, the fastest of the 2021 meet. Cummings completed the evening
with three wins.
Watching Thor De Vie set splits of :28.0, :56.2 and 1:25.0,
Santana Beach was in fourth and chomping at the bit to begin his first over
journey heading toward the three-quarter marker.
From there, Santana Beach left the field in his wake and
punched his ticket to the winner's circle. Mr Ham Sandwich (David McNeight III)
was second while Southwind Onyx (Kyle Cummings) took third.
Trained by Richard Roth and owned by Jason Newell, it was
the fifth victory in eight attempts for the 9-year-old gelded Santana Beach
(Santanna Blue Chip-Beachs Luck). The triumph upped his seasonal bankroll
to $22,214 and $198,489 in his career.
In the co-main event, Mr Quaker trotted up a storm in deep
stretch and cruised on by Southern Palms to take the $10,500 Class A-Open
Handicapped Trot by 3/4 lengths in 1:57.3 over the fast track.
Mr Quaker (Ray Fisher Jr.) followed the tempo-setting
Southern Palms from third but drifted out to get into scoring position in the
stretch drive. With a late burst approaching the wire, Mr Quaker ($6.30)
rambled on past Southern Palms (Jim Morrill Jr.) while Majestic Kat (Billy
Davis Jr.), who made a brief costly break, collected herself in time to get
third place.
Owned by Mary Warriner and trained by Ryan Swift, it was the
fourth win in nine starts for the 6-year-old gelded Mr Quaker (Pilgrims
Chuckie-Julia Jett. The victory jacked his 2021 earnings to $20,470 and
$177,439 in his lifetime.
Fisher Jr. completed the night with five driving wins while
Swift scored four training victories and Roth conditioned two.
Racing will continue on Wednesday night with a 12-race
program scheduled for 5 p.m.
For the latest news, race replays, entries and results, go
to www.buffaloraceway.com
