The Tioga Downs driver colony has been taken by storm. Specifically, by the "Tan Tornado."
Ontario-based driver Scott Coulter regained an outright lead in the Tioga Downs driving standings with four wins on Friday (June 10) night's 13-race card. The 45-year-old reinsman worked to a 20-18 lead over Corey Braden, teaming up with Alaskan Seelster ($11.40, 1:53.2), Justherighttouch ($18.00, 1:56.1), Fanticipation ($5.80, 1:53.4), and False Response ($8.00, 1:56.3).
In the featured $11,000 Mares Open 1 Pace, K Js Caroline ($20.40) squeezed through a lane up the pegs in the last sixteenth, overtaking duelling leaders Misssomebeach Blue (Mike Simons, 4-5 favourite) and Shutthefrontdoor (Dan Clements) for a 1:52.2 score. Jim Taggart Jr. drove the six-year-old Roddys Bags Again mare for owner Scott Woogen and trainer Gary Messenger. While Misssomebeach Blue was second to pass the winning post, she was disqualified to third for bearing into the path of Shutthefrontdoor in upper stretch.
The night's sub-featured $7,500 M&J Oil & Lube late-closer preliminary saw three-year-old trotting filly Dream Child ($5.00) make amends for her early break last week, as she sustained a first-over push through the last half of this week's lone division en route to a four-length triumph over Young Bride and Fruition in 1:57. Mike Simons drove the Muscle Hill filly for owner William J. Donovan and trainer Linda Toscano.
As no one hit the 50-cent Pick 5, $824.40 will carry over to the Saturday (June 11) program. The first of 13 races is due off at 6:30 p.m.
(Tioga Downs)