Nichols, N.Y. -- Longtime Ontario Signature Circuit driver
Scott Coulter has quickly worked his way into prominence at Tioga Downs through
the first month of the 2016 season. On Saturday (May 28) evening's nine-race
card, the "Tan Tornado" copped a natural hat trick to lead all
drivers.
In the evening's third race, the 45-year-old Ontarian teamed
up with Littlebitaclass ($6.20), who vaulted off second-over cover en route to
a 2-1/4 length win over first-level pacers in 1:54.3. Coulter followed up in
the fourth race with 11-year-old trotter Red Zeppelin ($7.70), prevailing from
the pocket in 1:56.4. Trevor Win For Us ($5.50) completed Coulter's hat trick
in the fifth, sprinting off from his eight second-level pacing rivals for a
1:53.4 triumph.
The night's featured race, a $7,200 upper-level conditioned
trot, saw owner-driver Corey Braden work Majestic Won ($14.00) to the fore with
a circuit to go and never look back en route to a 1:56 victory. Stacey
McLenaghan trains the 7-year-old Ken Warkentin gelding.
Later in the card, King Royalty ($5.00, Mike Simons) and RG
Riptide ($10.00, Mike Merton) shared a dead-heat victory in a $5,400
third-level pace, both working away from pacesetter Si Semalu and holding clear
of a late rally from 3-5 Energy Shakes in 1:52.1.
The 50¢ Pick 5 on Sunday (May 29) evening's nine-race card
will have a carryover of $398.32. A pair of $62,400 New York Sire Stakes events
for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings share the spotlight with the $25,200
final of the Nichols True Value late closing series for 3-year-old pacers.
First post is slated for 6:30 p.m. Eastern time.
