On the eve of the Kentucky Derby, harness driver Kevin Cummings showed he was up for any challenge by winning five races on the Friday night program at Buffalo Raceway.
Cummings started the night off with a very nice victory in the opener with the 13-year-old Haste ($3.40). He took back early in the mile to sit the pocket and then came closing home late to win in 2:00.1.
Cummings’ biggest winner of the night was aboard Terracina As (#9.10). She made her move going towards the quarter and got caught outside going up the backstretch the last time. When turning for home, she looked like a beaten race horse, but was able to power past R As Shakenbake (Ron Beback Jr.) late to win by a length.
Cummings also won with Instant Thrill ($7.30), Dry Ice ($2.90), and Sir Altb Z Tam ($2.50).
Saturday night's card at Buffalo Raceway opens up with the Horses & Geldings Open, which features the return of Fireyourguns. Fireyourguns only raced in a couple of starts in 2014 at Buffalo, but was dominating in each performance. Fireyourguns qualified effortlessly last week under a hand drive by driver Michael Caprio. He faces a tough group of other Open horses including Mach Stockn Barrel, who has been very consistent as of late and is returning to Buffalo after a tough trip at Mohawk Racetrack.
The co-featured pacing event of the night is the Open II Pace where Youwillwishyouhad returns trying to continue his dominance. He had a very good start to the season and then sort of tailed off for a couple of weeks after getting sick. Trainer James Clouser Jr. brings this horse in off a race where he was parked the majority of the mile. Also dropping in against him this week is Unicorn Hanover, who is having a very slow start to 2015 and looks to rebound from the inside post.
Buffalo Raceway's Kentucky Party begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Live racing at the Hamburg oval on Saturday begins at 6:35 p.m.
(With files from Buffalo Raceway)