Friday night got back to usual after last week’s Wynonna Judd concert at Tioga Downs, and things didn’t change as Leanback Coco once again proved toughest in the $18,000 Fillies & Mare Open Handicap Pace
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Phil Fluet used the usual tactic of backing the mare off the gate and settled in fourth past the quarter in :27.3. On the front end, Micallef and Freedom Crossing used their move and blistered on the front end through a half in :55.4.
Down the backside it looked as though 'Coco' was in trouble as she was locked in on the rail past three-quarters in 1:24, but around the final turn Fluet found room and fanned four-wide. Down the stretch it looked like Hello Great Mate might post the upset, but Leanback Coco was right on her back and got by Hello Great Mate and Fern Paquet Jr. stopping the timer in 1:54.
The win was the fourth in the last six starts for Leanback Coco, who has posted six Open wins at Tioga Downs in 2011.
Phil Fluet and Chuck Connor Jr. both posted driving doubles on the night’s ten race card.
(Tioga Downs)