Scott Woogen's Six Bax ($10.80) sustained another class hike successfully, as he rose to defeat six Open foes in Saturday (June 18) evening's $11,000 featured trotting event at Tioga Downs.

Jim Taggart, Jr. sprinted off early with the seven-year-old Kadabra gelding, and the pair made all the pace through splits of :28.1, :57, and 1:25.1. Through the third quarter, Six Bax faced mild but steady first-over pressure from 8-5 favourite Oh No Three O (Jeff Long), but he edged clear off the far turn to a two-length lead. Six Bax ultimately won by 1-3/4 lengths with a fair bit in reserve over pocket rival Write That Down (Mike Merton), while Oh No Three O faded to third.

The 1:54.2 win for Six Bax was his fastest of the season, and his third consecutive triumph. Gary Messenger trains the 24-time winner.

In the first round of the Tioga Summer Claiming Series, Normandy Invasion ($5.90, Fern Paquet, Jr.) and Race Me Rocky ($46.20, Jim Meittinis) both lasted on the lead to capture their respective $7,500 divisions.

Scott Coulter and Mike Simons led all drivers with two wins apiece on the 10-race card, while Tony Dinges and Marc Major recorded training doubles.

As the 50¢ Pick 5 was not hit, $129.16 will carry over to Sunday (June 19) afternoon's card. Post time for the 11-race Father's Day program is 1:30 p.m. Eastern, with the $179,000 Roll With Joe Open Pace carded as the eighth event.

(with files from Tioga)