It was finally Leanback Coco’s night on Friday night in the featured $16,500 fillies and mares open handicap
pace.
In the last five starts at Tioga Downs in the Open, Leanback Coco was the runner-up on two occasions in addition to finishing third three times. However, regular pilot Phil Fluet put the eight-year old mare in a perfect striking position from second-over behind the first-over Lizzies Dream chasing down Slomotion on the front. As the field tipped of the final turn and headed down the stretch Fluet fanned Leanback Coco four wide to win by a head in a new seasonal best of 1:55.2. Lizzies Dream (Michael Merton) held tough for second, while late closing Hello Great Mate (Lewayne Miller) found some room on the pylons to get third.
The win was the second of the year for the daughter of Cambest–Racin For Angie. She races for owner/trainer Ken Anderson of Columbus, NJ. With the victory, Leanback Coco increased her seasonal earnings to more than $52,000.
(Tioga Downs)