Kevin Cummings notched the 2,000th win of his career when he guided Canaco Orville ($33.00) to an upset win in the ninth race on Friday night at Batavia Downs Casino
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The 40-year-old Cummings began the evening just two wins away from the milestone win. He moved within one when he scored with Yoee Excels A in the eighth race.
Cummings began his driving career in 1989. During that time his drives have earned more than $6.8 million. He won his first ever Batavia Downs driving title last season and is currently second behind Jack Flanigen this year. His biggest win came in 2006 when he drove Michael Scores to victory in the Downs' showcase event, the Robert J. Kane Memorial, setting a 1:52.1 track record in the process.
A rule change in 2005 that allowed brothers to drive against each other on the Western New York circuit really turned Kevin Cummings' career around. It took Kevin 16 years to win 1,000 races; the second thousand came in just over five years.
“My brother John had a big stable at the time and my brother Tony was also driving, which meant I had to sit on the sidelines. Once they changed the rule my career really took an upswing,” Cummings said. “I want to thank everyone who puts me down to drive.”
Kevin’s best year ever came in 2009 when he made 265 winner's circle visits and had more than $1.1 million in purse earnings. This season he has tallied 213 wins.
Fifty Two Finn Doubles Up
For the second week in a row, Ronald Stebbins' Fifty Two Finn was victorious in the featured trot of the week at Batavia Downs Casino on Friday night.
Last week the 10-year-old altered son of Movie Mogul was an up in time winner in the Open Handicap. Friday night his win came in the $9,000 Preferred Trot.
Fifty Two Finn, with John Cummings, Jr. once again in the sulky, followed second over cover, tripped three-deep when his cover began to stall at the three-quarters, moved up to engage the front running Hello Carlo (Jack Flanigen) around the last turn and trotted on by to a 1-3/4 length score in 1:58.4. Heaven And Hall (Kevin Cummings) wound up a non-threatening third.
This was Fifty Two Finn's fourth of the season and he raised his career earnings to over $420,000. Stebbins, who also trains the classy gelding, claimed him for $15,000 back on September 10.
Racing resumes on Saturday night, first race post time is 6:40 p.m.
Racing fans are reminded they can watch, wager and win on the Breeders Crown Saturday evening. Paddock room doors will open at 4:45 p.m. The first Crown race begins 5:00 p.m. Breeders Crown programs will be free to all on-track patrons.
(Batavia Downs)