Nichols, N.Y. -- 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 J's Caroline
($20.40) squeezed through a lane up the pegs in the last sixteenth, overtaking
dueling leaders Misssomebeach Blue (Mike Simons, 4-5 favorite) and
Shutthefrontdoor (Dan Clements) for a 1:52.2 score. Jim Taggart, Jr. drove the
6-year-old Roddy's 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 3-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¢ 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.
