Buffalo: Kevin Cummings joins 4,000 career win club

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 4,000 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 4,000 wins is great, but now I am looking forward to getting 4,001."

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 Handicap Pace, defeating Mr Ham Sandwich by three-quarters of a length in 1:54 2/5, the fastest clocking of the 2021 meet. Cummings completed the evening with three wins.

Watching Thor De Vie set splits of 28, 56 2/5, and 1:25, Santana Beach was in fourth and champing 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 gelding Santana Beach (Santanna Blue Chip-Beachs Luck). The triumph upped his seasonal bankroll to $22,214 and to $198,489 in his career.

--press release (Buffalo Raceway)--