by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Raceway

Saratoga, NY — Longtime Saratoga regular Brian Cross won his historic 3000th race on Saturday night on a rainy night at the Spa.

Dave Oxford photo

Brian Cross won his 3000th race on Saturday night.

The 42 year old Cross came to Saratoga back in the late 80’s and enjoyed immediate success. Named the track’s Up and Coming Driver in 1989, Cross’ driving career would take off from there.

Considered one of the top all around horsemen at the track, Cross has had a top level stable for two decades at Saratoga as well as consistently finishing in the top five in the driver standings. The Vermont native had his best driving season in 2006 when he drove 247 winners to go with 245 second place finishes while ending the season with a UDRS driving percentage of .305.

Cross parlayed the pocket trip to victory on Saturday night with Artiology, a Dave Spagnola trainee and the win was only fitting as Cross has become one of the two regular drivers for the Spagnola Stable which currently sits in second amongst local trainers